Percussionist

If you play taiko, you play percussion. However, most taiko players I know don't consider themselves percussionists. Any struck instrument is a percussion instrument - so technically, a piano is "percussion", but good luck getting people to change that classification!

I split taiko players into three categories:

• Taiko players: Well, this is as obvious as it gets. If you take multiple classes or lessons, hold bachi in your hands and strike a taiko, you're a taiko player. This is the base level that everyone can be at, regardless of how long they've been playing.
• Percussionists: Even though taiko players are technically percussionists, I define this category as a taiko player that is comfortable with the auxiliary instruments, like chappa, kane, etc. It's having a transferable skill that you take to whatever instrument you're put on. It's not enough to just play those instruments, it's a level of comfort and technique that makes this category separate.
  
• Musicians: Taiko is music, but as above, there is a difference between merely making music and being a musician. To me, a musician crafts their solos in terms of rhythm and dynamics. They play with tones and the space between notes.

A person can be one, two, or all three of these categories. Someone may not have great taiko technique but really understand the musical side of things, while another may have incredible chops on percussion and yet be very limited in what patterns they can create.

It's also important to note that I don't list them in order of importance or priority. They are all connected yet have independence. Think about it, as a performer, you want to have skill in all three - and as an audience member, you want to see all three on stage!

I see a lot of Taiko Players, because every group is full of them! It's sort of a given. :) There are not too many Percussionists in the taiko world, and that's a shame. It takes a little more time to learn about new instruments, and some groups just don't have them to practice on. But realize that even tapping on your lap or thigh is body percussion, and the skill of striking something that's not taiko can be developed in alternative ways. Finally, there are far too few Musicians in taiko, aside from those who play another instrument, whether it be flute or piano. Those who start playing taiko rarely pick up something else. But it shouldn't be about learning a new instrument as much as thinking of taiko as music.

So on that last part, here's some things to think about when you're on a taiko - or any percussion, for that matter. What tones can you get from it? There's much more than the basic three of "Don", "tsu", and "ka". What if you press the bachi down when you strike instead of letting it bounce off? What about striking that pressed bachi with the other bachi? What if you hit near the rim instead of the center?

Taking the time to think of what else is available - what's not going to be taught to you directly - will help you become a percussionist, a musician. It won't happen unless you make it happen.