SAMUEL O RODRIGUEZ
Your name please!
Samuel O Rodriguez
How long have you been playing Taiko?
Since late February 2015.
Tell us about you, what do you do normally, besides Taiko?
I am an Air Conditioning tech by trade.
On my free time I am either watching Anime, Political comedy news, science, biology, astronomy, anything related to technology and innovation. I am a big fan of the Oculus and Microsoft HoloLens. I've been looking into ways to how to utilize the Oculus and Cyberith to improve my drumming and learning experience. Meanwhile I enjoy drumming on my free times during the daytime. Last but no least, I would like to get back to scuba diving again.
What made you start taiko?
This is a good question. To be honest, I do not remember. I just know that I liked it for a very long time.
In Puerto Rico from where I come from one of the Channels used to play many old Japanese Samurai Movies and Series. So I kinda got hooked on from a very early age. The first time I saw Taiko in practice was in Epcot. I was amazed to the energy and effort they put into it and so I felt more in love with it. Unfortunately, I lived in West Palm Beach and every dojo was many hours away from me. After I settled in Orlando, first thing I did was to seek Taiko Schools in the area. And to my surprise the people who were playing in Epcot now are my teachers. And here I am. Adding Taiko not into my life but sharing it with everyone I meet.
You have a favorite song? And why do you like it?
My favorite songs are actually 2 of them: Yatai Bayashi and Mutsumi. I like Yatai in many aspects, its energy, sound, rhythm. To me, its the music to my ears. Also, I like Mutsumi. It’s one of the songs that is fun to play and sounds great. “And one the few songs I am having trouble mastering” I will pour time and effort into conquering Mount. Mutsumi and win it over. Watch your back (Mutsumi), I am coming like a Hurricane!!
Tell us your "funny taiko story"
Recently we had some birthdays and gathering after some practice. We had many fun and silly moments that I enjoyed a lot. If you want to see funny, watch me in the recital video. I looked like a robot low in grease and high mileage.
What is your goal here?
(Shin, Gi, Tai, Rei.)
My goal is to learn how to adopt this principles into in my way of life and pass it on. Drumming Taiko have gave me stamina, strength, speed. I feel healthier, happier, more relax. Also, I seen my people from different places, colors and raise together playing Taiko!!
What was the most fun thing you got to do playing Taiko?
I enjoy playing Odaiko a whole lot. The resonance from it penetrates you being. It’s a beautiful sound with a great workout capabilities. It gives a full meaning into: Shin, Gi, and Tai: Mind, Technique and Body.
Who is your favorite teacher?
Difficult question with a very difficult answer. What I can tell you is about my experience with the teachers as a whole. They all are good and knowledgeable. When it comes to taiko. All the teacher can provide you with a good base and understanding of the art of Taiko the history and its fundamentals.
What surprised you when you started Taiko? (Or what you newly discovered from Taiko drumming)
I have done martial arts in the past so I knew it was not going to be an easy fit. On the other hand, I have never experienced a conflict between right and left usage of my hands as bad before. Taiko is helping me break that gap and help my creativity by using my less dominant hand.
How was taiko different from your expectations? Was your experience the way you expected?
Yes it was. Everyone is as warm and polite as I was expecting.
What is your image of taiko/Japan?
My image of Taiko is: Bon festival in the middle of the night playing songs you know and you love.
With the community, friends and family. PS: Teach me Tokyo Ondo song with Taiko J.
What are some changes you've experienced playing taiko?
Many of them.
Physical: Gave me more strength that I can use in my workplace where I do some heavy lifting.
Stamina: I have a lot more endurance. I can work longer hours without getting fatigue to quick.
Mental: Gave me a better piece of mind and concentration. I can work on what is important. Taiko makes my mind clearer and focus. I am also learning to become a better person.
What is taiko to you?
Taiko is my guide into a healthy and productive way of life. It is a fun workout with a lot of perks.
I will love to take taiko into the next level by mastering Taiko in all its forms. Is this feat possible? I will put my effort into fruition soon into achieving this goal.
Samuel O Rodriguez
How long have you been playing Taiko?
Since late February 2015.
Tell us about you, what do you do normally, besides Taiko?
I am an Air Conditioning tech by trade.
On my free time I am either watching Anime, Political comedy news, science, biology, astronomy, anything related to technology and innovation. I am a big fan of the Oculus and Microsoft HoloLens. I've been looking into ways to how to utilize the Oculus and Cyberith to improve my drumming and learning experience. Meanwhile I enjoy drumming on my free times during the daytime. Last but no least, I would like to get back to scuba diving again.
What made you start taiko?
This is a good question. To be honest, I do not remember. I just know that I liked it for a very long time.
In Puerto Rico from where I come from one of the Channels used to play many old Japanese Samurai Movies and Series. So I kinda got hooked on from a very early age. The first time I saw Taiko in practice was in Epcot. I was amazed to the energy and effort they put into it and so I felt more in love with it. Unfortunately, I lived in West Palm Beach and every dojo was many hours away from me. After I settled in Orlando, first thing I did was to seek Taiko Schools in the area. And to my surprise the people who were playing in Epcot now are my teachers. And here I am. Adding Taiko not into my life but sharing it with everyone I meet.
You have a favorite song? And why do you like it?
My favorite songs are actually 2 of them: Yatai Bayashi and Mutsumi. I like Yatai in many aspects, its energy, sound, rhythm. To me, its the music to my ears. Also, I like Mutsumi. It’s one of the songs that is fun to play and sounds great. “And one the few songs I am having trouble mastering” I will pour time and effort into conquering Mount. Mutsumi and win it over. Watch your back (Mutsumi), I am coming like a Hurricane!!
Tell us your "funny taiko story"
Recently we had some birthdays and gathering after some practice. We had many fun and silly moments that I enjoyed a lot. If you want to see funny, watch me in the recital video. I looked like a robot low in grease and high mileage.
What is your goal here?
(Shin, Gi, Tai, Rei.)
My goal is to learn how to adopt this principles into in my way of life and pass it on. Drumming Taiko have gave me stamina, strength, speed. I feel healthier, happier, more relax. Also, I seen my people from different places, colors and raise together playing Taiko!!
What was the most fun thing you got to do playing Taiko?
I enjoy playing Odaiko a whole lot. The resonance from it penetrates you being. It’s a beautiful sound with a great workout capabilities. It gives a full meaning into: Shin, Gi, and Tai: Mind, Technique and Body.
Who is your favorite teacher?
Difficult question with a very difficult answer. What I can tell you is about my experience with the teachers as a whole. They all are good and knowledgeable. When it comes to taiko. All the teacher can provide you with a good base and understanding of the art of Taiko the history and its fundamentals.
What surprised you when you started Taiko? (Or what you newly discovered from Taiko drumming)
I have done martial arts in the past so I knew it was not going to be an easy fit. On the other hand, I have never experienced a conflict between right and left usage of my hands as bad before. Taiko is helping me break that gap and help my creativity by using my less dominant hand.
How was taiko different from your expectations? Was your experience the way you expected?
Yes it was. Everyone is as warm and polite as I was expecting.
What is your image of taiko/Japan?
My image of Taiko is: Bon festival in the middle of the night playing songs you know and you love.
With the community, friends and family. PS: Teach me Tokyo Ondo song with Taiko J.
What are some changes you've experienced playing taiko?
Many of them.
Physical: Gave me more strength that I can use in my workplace where I do some heavy lifting.
Stamina: I have a lot more endurance. I can work longer hours without getting fatigue to quick.
Mental: Gave me a better piece of mind and concentration. I can work on what is important. Taiko makes my mind clearer and focus. I am also learning to become a better person.
What is taiko to you?
Taiko is my guide into a healthy and productive way of life. It is a fun workout with a lot of perks.
I will love to take taiko into the next level by mastering Taiko in all its forms. Is this feat possible? I will put my effort into fruition soon into achieving this goal.
