Most people play taiko because they enjoy it. That's a given! And I think it's safe to say that a lot of taiko players get to perform in front of audiences. However, I think it's the audience that gets overlooked a lot, but not how you think I mean.
Almost every taiko group I know espouses an Eastern philosophy of being humble, of not thinking too highly of oneself. That's admirable, right? But at what cost?
At heart, most of us are performers, and we perform for our audience. Perhaps the audience will be made up of friends and family, or festival-goers, or a concert crowd, but it doesn't matter. What does matter is their enjoyment of the performance, because who wants to play for a crowd that doesn't like what they're seeing? It's not about catering to their wants, but it is about entertaining them.
So back to being humble. If you practice to be humble, if you play humbly, that's how you'll perform. Now mom/dad/sis/bro/kids are pretty stoked to watch you perform, but they're biased, right? (I hope they're biased...) Now think of yourself as an audience member. Do you want to watch a performer who's not comfortable putting themselves out there? Someone who holds back in spirit and joy and talent because they've been taught not to think of themselves as a "superstar"?
No one wants a group of prima donnas, but who wants to watch a group of meek players who are afraid to give you all they have? It shouldn't be either extreme, but I feel people are more afraid to be labeled as the former and it makes them hold back.
You can be humble in your training, but never let anyone restrain your passion.
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