Comments

It was a great day and you and Jack were both very patient teachers, especially with someone like me who is a very slow learner. Hopefully see you again at another workshop or a performance somewhere.

Many many thanks again for yesterday's workshop. - Very much enjoyed it! Hope you had a good and productive day today as well.

Thanks for a great workshop on Saturday. It was a good introduction to Taiko and you both made it fun, informative and challenging in equal measure. I hope to sign up for more workshops in the future.

I had a great time at the workshop. The teaching was very good and the way the day was organised, building up to performing the whole piece, was excellent. No negative points at all. I'll be back for another workshop at some time in the not-too-distant future I hope.

Many thanks for the training last weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My arms are still aching! This was my first time trying out Taiko and I felt extremely well treated. The standard of tuition was excellent. It was amazing that we could go from absolute beginners to performing a complex piece in one day. Many thanks to you and to Jack for a brilliant weekend. Looking forward to seeing you next time!

Thank you for a fantastic day, it was the funnest time ever! The workshop was pretty close to perfect...would love to come to every workshop you hold. We will definitely come see you guys at the Marathon though, looking forward and thank you again.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, it was challenging but fun. For me as an absolute beginner, the tuition was clear, well paced, with clear goals....even though I personally struggled with timing and remembering some rhythms!!! The whole day was very well delivered...great teaching! (As a teacher I can be quite critical of this!!) So well done to you and Jack. I really hope to be able to join you again at sometime in the near future to practise and hopefully develop some of the skills taught. I thought the venue was fab, workshop great value for money. Just thank you, thank you and wanting to do more!!!!

Thank you very much for the most invigorating hour and quarter class you gave us this evening. I really really had a great time. There is something about the drum that makes me so happy, even as a child going to Omatsri to listen to the beat was so exciting. Blood bubbles and can't help but smile... Thanks again for your energy, very special!

It was great to see you perform at the London Matsuri on the 18th October. As a novice taiko player (with Norwich Taiko Centre) it's great to see other people play and to learn from you. I love your enthusiasm and style of performance, it was so engaging. I really want to come to one of your workshops, I will keep a look out to see when they are next on.

The tuition was of a very high standard, with clear and lucid explanations and lots of valuable feedback. Tutors were always willing to give additional help. I found the video replays enormously useful, both in terms of understanding the big picture of what was going on, and of getting feedback on my own performance. I'll take from this course: improved style, especially the need to raise my arms higher; awareness of the importance of maintaining a professional image from the point where the group walk on to the stage; importance of imparting a sense of energy to the music; importance of the need to keep tracking the music to pick up cues on time; importance of the need to feel the music rather than analyse it, particulalry when fitting solos into the space available. I had never played the Odaiko before, and I now have the confidence to have a go on this in some of the songs in my own group.

Thanks for a great workshop guys! The course always meets my expectations...the intensity is great; makes me focus! The venue is superb...Frensham Heights staff are a great bunch too! Tuition was spot on...I feel I improved immensely this time especially on the Odaiko. Personally I think I improved the power of my playing; and my technique generally. Thanks again; fabulous, intensive and immersive few days...loved it and pencil me in for next year please!

A fantastic 4 days - Thank you!!! The tuition was excellent!! Lots of patience and help when needed. Useful comments and info about how to improve all in a direct but friendly way. I really appreciated Jack's help in writing out the rhythms as a musical score that I could read and work with in the evenings. By the end of the week I really felt that my timing had improved and I hear the beat and rhythm through the piece. I'm certainly inspired to continue practising and stretching each day and to find a way to play taiko more often.

A wonderful challenging experience. Still dreaming those rhythms. Thank you so much.

You skilllfully challenged and cajoled - in the nicest possible way - a group of players with a broad range of experience and styles to deliver a performance to be proud of. Thanks to Mark and Jack for their excellent teaching.

Your tuition, as ever, is spot on - "tough love" and inspiring. Jack was really super and so patient. Keep up the good work - it was a terrific summer school.

Sincere thanks to Mark and Jack. Loved every minute....And it was great to have a try on the odaiko. Now I know what to ask Father Christmas for....

Both Mark and Jack were excellent teachers. I felt that I really learnt a lot. It was great to be really pushed. It was also great to be in a group with people who had much more experience in taiko than me. It was also very inclusive and I liked they way that the solos were tailored to people's ability so everyone was able to take part fully in the performance. We went to our regular group's practice on Sunday and we had everyone doing the stretches followed by loads and loads of jiuchi practice and big strokes practicing using the technique we learnt from you. There was a definite improvement in a lot of people and I felt more confident that I knew what they needed to be told to help them improve. The members were all exhausted but I think they really enjoyed it - there was a lot more energy in the room. Thanks again for everything. I had heard from various people about your summer school and how good it is - I was not disappointed.

Thanks for an amazing four day introduction to taiko. Withdrawal symptoms are really starting to kick in now; I desperately need to hit things and find myself drumming tunes at work, in the supermarket and even on the bus, often without realising it! If you do more weekly classes in the autumn I will try my hardest to wangle the time off work. It was fantastic motivation to have a performance to work up to. I knew the course would be a challenge, but it ended up being even harder than I expected (in a positive way). It was far more than just learning how to play a taiko drum. The theatre was quite an inspiring place to practice/perform and the school grounds were a wonderful place for stretching. Mark and Jack were both very patient and enthusiastic teachers. Having joined the course as a complete beginner I now have an idea of basic taiko techniques. I have a good idea of what it should sound/look/feel like to play the drums correctly and I know what to work on when I next get the opportunity to play taiko. As a generally very quiet, shy person, I always knew the course would be personally very challenging, but the way in which you taught allowed me to overcome my fears and get a lot out of it both musically and emotionally. I went back to work feeling more relaxed than I have done in years and with far more confidence and assertiveness, I just hope it doesn't wear off too quickly! Thank you so much Mark and Jack!

You're one of our favorite teachers, Mark. You do a great job. Keep on going!

Fantastic show at deal last Sunday, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you for a truly great concert! You certainly gained some new fans in the Deal area.

I saw you in Deal and have to tell you how impressed I was. I've seen Kodo twice in London some years back and of course they were brilliant but I have say that your performance was just as exhilarating. It was so great to be close to the performance. I loved the way the sounds reverberated in the building. I am so impressed with your skills. Hope to see you again.

When I was a kid, during the summer, the summer night dancing festival (bon odori) was my faviourite place to go, and there was always this oo-daiko on top of the very high erected stage, and all the kids and adults dance in a circle to the min-yo, the Japanese folk song, accompanied by the powerful beats of this big drum. I used to love going up the stage to dance because you could feel the quake of the taiko beats. Since then, I have always loved the sound of taiko, but the performance last night was so much more powerful than the taiko I knew, but yet, sometimes tender and sometimes subtle, and I really enjoyed every piece you played, and I think so did everyone else in the room last night.

I was running the Bupa 10K yesterday and the main highlight for me were the drummers! I used to live in Kokura, Kitakyushu for three years and Kokura Gion was my favourite time of year. The drumming was all over the city for a month before the competition night. So you can imagine how nostalgic I felt when I heard the drumming yesterday. When I got home I googled Taiko drumming and found you. I actually live in Charlton and was made up to see how close you were.

I was thrilled to encounter Taiko Meantime in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Their discipline, energy and entirely beguiling enthusiasm was uplifting for all who witnessed it.The interplay between drums and players was both magical and infectious. Taiko Meantime suceeded in casting their rythmic spell on the young, the old and all those in between. Their exhilarating sound served to complement the beautiful surroundings of Kew and to wake up this often sleepy corner of West London in the best way imaginable.

My family and I came to watch on Sunday and thought you were absolutely amazing. A highlight for both my children. Your enthusiasm was infectious and we could have sat all afternoon caught up in the moment. Many thanks.

Super performance :D

I was there!!! Enjoyed very much : )

It was really wonderful, we loved it ...

it was simply AMAZING

On Sunday I completed my 10th consecutive London marathon. I have always enjoyed passing under the tunnel approach where you have been every time I have run. This year I was pacing my girl friend around the course and so running well below my usual pace. I took the opportunity to stop and with a nod from someone grabbed a stick(?) and joined in, very badly I am sure! I would just like to say thanks for the support over the last decade, and thanks for the opportunity to join in yesterday.

You guys were awesome - best entertainment on the route!

Thanks for a great session, I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot.

Hi Mark, great day on Sunday, thank you.

Thanks, Mark - it was an excellent day! Really loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of last Saturday's workshop. When I enrolled, I didn't know what to expect yet throughout the day you gave us so much (I say "us" as I think everyone in the group feels the same). You conveyed your passion for Taiko and Japan. You shared your knowledge, your expertise and your enthusiasm for Taiko. You gave as much one to one tuition as you possibly could without slowing the group down and without making anyone feel uncomfortable. And at the end of the day, you managed to make complete strangers play a piece together!?! What an achievement, all thanks to you. We couldn't ask for more. I definitely intend to join one of your future improvers workshop. I will also not hesitate to recommend your workshops to anyone.

Thanks so much again for the workshop. It was so much fun and so thoughtfully taught.

I really enjoyed the workshop - you're a great teacher - still can't quite believe that you got us to performance in one day.

Thanks so much for the very enjoyable workshop - I came home feeling really enlivened.

Many thanks for the workshop today. I really enjoyed the whole day and feel quite revived after recent illness! You are a very pleasant and inspiring teacher, there's always such a great atmosphere in your classes. Thanks again.

今日のクラスとても楽しかったです。 本当にありがとうございました。I had a really brilliant time and look forward to future workshops!

We had a fantastic day out in Gillingham and it was really great to see Taiko again. It's been a long time since I have been a spectator. We all really enjoyed the performances. You guys are amazing. fantastic precision, and great range of styles and instruments. I particularly loved the interaction between players in solos, like in Miyake Jima Daiko.

I have just got home from seeing your performance at the Will Adams festival. I have to say, in my opinion, you stole the whole day! Absolutely mesmerising, fun, enchanting, completely entertaining and gripping. I can still feel the rhythm of your drums in my chest, a day not easily forgotten. Loved every second. I am a kit drummer and martial artist so appreciate the music composition and the physical techniques that appear to be involved with your performances. My partner and I would love to come to one of your workshops and get involved. Thank you very much indeed. We look forward to and eagerly await the release of your music on CD.

Your performance at the Will Adams festival was stunning and showed so much talent. It must be really tiring to do all that though! I love Japan and now I love it even more:)

A massive thank you for your performance at our wedding yesterday and for making our evening so special, unique and memorable. Our guests are still talking about how amazing and unexpected the performance was. It was very important for me to show my family the culture that my new wife brings with her, and your group was a very big part of that. The energy, presence and power of the performance was captivating.

This was the first Taiko course I have done that had day after day tuition. Having something to build on each day, for me was great, a great way to learn, pushing me physically & mentally to a good place. Mark & Janette were absolutely FANTASTIC! Amazingly calm, patient & inspirational! With great demonstrations & words of encouragement that enabled me to understand more about how to achieve the desired result. There were times when it must have been so frustrating, but the way you both taught & quietly waited was very impressive. You make a great team, listening to our views & keeping us focussed in a postivie way which got us to a great end result! I particularly liked having the concert on the Thursday [penultimate day] as we could all chat about & see the end result the next day, which I felt that this was a good ending. Loved the fact that the concert took place in the theatre that we trained in & that I was familiar with. As this was my first Taiko performance, planning it this way definitely stopped me feeling too nervous! The accommodation was beautiful, a lovely place to be calm & enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Big open spaces, plenty of room. There was a selection & fresh fruit every day which was good. Love the theatre!!!! Brilliant design! Also lovely being able to enjoy the gardens & woodland for exercise. I DEFINITELY want to attend next year, so please let me know dates as soon as you have them! Keep doing what you are doing, IT'S BRILLIANT & it WORKS! Thanks so much for a wonderful time....

The both of you have a great way of teaching. There is passion in the way you show things and that is so important. There is also a great amount of patience from the both of you, which is lovely to see. You both smile a lot. It was great to see everyone have a great time and turn non-performers into performers. What a fantastic theatre too. To practice and to perform in an easy access theatre is a dream.

The tuition was a thoughtful balance of pushing the less experienced of us tempered with gentle encouragement - no easy feat with a mixed group. Excellent. The concert on penultimate day was just right. For me it meant that I could really enjoy the final day's drumming without the anxiety (with hindsight, unnecessary) of performance nerves. I spent the whole of Friday grinning like an idiot! The venue was great. Apart from obvious bonus of beautiful environs, the accommodation was very comfortable, the food well balanced and tasty and the canteen staff really helpful. Apart from the Taiko itself, it was great to team up with such an interesting and diverse group of people. Life affirming stuff.

I really enjoyed being taught by you and Jeanette. You were both very positive which encouraged us to do our best. I enjoyed the variety of techniques we practised and liked the way that you both ensured that we all got to try everything. I really liked having a performance to focus on. The venue was great. Nice to be able to look out over the countryside. Theatre was excellent too - especially as we were able to leave the drums where they were at the end of each session. Things I'll take from this course: - knowing that video can be a great tool for improvement, especially for keeping performance clean (preparatory stance, bow etc); - seeing how enthusiasm can be conveyed if the audience can see you are enjoying yourself; - trying not to stop at the top of a preparatory arc but to use the movement as part of the downward stroke; - remembering that it is about the whole, not just the rhythm.

We still think back to the Taiko Summer School with delight. It was the best part of our holidays! The course was well structured. We appreciated the stretching in the morning, the patience of Janette and you when we rushed, your accurate way of teaching the patterns. Especially your persistency on speed, precision and playing as a team helped us to improve our skills. And last but not least all your suggestions on performing matters will hopefully be integrated in the gigs of our group here in Switzerland. We both hope to participate in next Taiko Summer School again!

Mark and Janette's tuition was FAULTLESS. It was good that Janette could take those of us who were not picking things up so quickly aside. She did this for me and explained it in a manner that I understood. Mark you have the patience of a saint. What can I say...Thank You does not seem enough. Please book me on next year's summer course. Please let me know of any other courses you will be putting on in the meantime. What a fantastic experience...life changing for me. Can't wait for the next one. My confidence in myself grew. I was overawed at some of the other's experience, not only in Taiko but in other musical fields, but felt I improved as the week went on. At first I thought too much was expected of us, (re performing on the Thursday). But I now realise it was pitched at the right level. If you had not put the pressure of a performance onto us I wonder if we would have progressed as much as we did? Really enjoyed having the Friday to review our performance and just have fun expanding the piece. I didn't want the course to stop. Was great to see Taiko Meantime play again. I am so glad that I came, what a wonderful experience. LOVED playing from the side, felt really at home.

Loved every minute of the course Mark! I'd never played 'yoko uchi' style before, but learned efficiently thanks to your teaching...gonna have to make a big stand for my Taiko now! You and Janette made a good experience even better with your patience and expertise and I've a lot to take back and practice now. Please register my interest in next years school as I'm looking forward to it already! It's like you said while we were stretching, It's a perfect way to spend a day - and believe me, if I could spend every day that way I would! Cheers!

What an excellent performance at Frensham last night. Thank you. I love a wide range of music, each triggering a particular emotion but when I see Taiko Meantime, I find myself sitting there with the biggest grin on my face. The most basic form of music is the most original - pure drumming. I don't really like using this word, but it was truly AWESOME.

Really enjoyed your energy and sound today. Thankyou!

Guys - I understand you are the performers who were under the A206 on the Woolwhich road during last Sunday's marathon. I ran the Marathon last year and was amazed by the sound you produced and when I ran this year I decided I had to try and contact you. You may not be aware but it is possible to hear you somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile away and then once you get closer the sound is simply awesome. I have no idea how long you play but it looks like quite hard work, so much energy. I'd like to thank you for for giving me such a lift, it was a truly amazing performance and an amazing sound. Rgds and thanks.

We very much enjoyed your performance on Saturday. My 16 year old son is very keen on drumming and would love to do a workshop so please let me know when the next one is.

We saw you at Bury Court on Saturday night and were knocked out by the performance of you and your team along with Guo Yue.

Just wanted to say thanks for a great night out at the West End Centre recently and that I would very much like to go to the Bentley Barn evening.

I still look back with great pleasure to [the summer School]. I really liked your style of teaching and I hope, I can join a future Summer School again. Are there some plans about 2010 already?

I was slightly nervous beforehand about playing with players who had a lot more experience than me but that proved unfounded as everyone was very supportive of each other and the tutors skillfully differentiated the material in a musical way that kept us all engaged and challenged. My expectations were exceeded on all levels. The venue and facilities were superb. The food was good. The drums were beautiful to play and the tutoring was pitched at a level that pushed me but kept me positively engaged throughout. Mark is an expert in his field with a 'sincerious' approach that fosters development of all the right attitudes for taiko in his students. I felt that I was learning a lot all of the time I was on the course. There was no 'dead' time which for a group of that size is quite an achievement. I think working towards a performance was useful in giving purpose to the learning. I also enjoyed the revision of basics and learning a piece as an ensemble - seeing how compositions evolve 'live' in the room. I found the amount of actual playing time very beneficial. Doing rather than talking about it. It was very experiential and I like to learn that way. Thank you Mark and Janette for running such a great course. I really enjoyed the experience - it has cemented my love for Taiko and I look forward to playing more with you in the future.

It was absolutley brilliant and I came away buzzing....I will definitely be interested in anything else you hold at the same venue. I love the way you get us to do what you want (or what we can) without analysing every move; giving an instruction and not changing it; keeping us working - teaching by doing and letting us learn by doing and repeating. It was EXCELLENT value for money! good sleeping quarters (for the minimal time we spent there); plenty of other indoor spaces to use; meals were delicious, well thought out and varied (and plentiful); beautiful grounds - and time to explore, morning and evening.

It was good to learn the chappa techniques (though my finger still hurts from doing it wrong!) I found the Oshimedaiko practice the most useful, as I don’t normally have the opportunity to play it. De-briefing of the performance was useful, “stage-presence” and coaching on stage entrance and movement between drums. Musicality.

'The course was intensive and provided the opportunity to really focus on taiko technique and performance. Having looked at videos from the course, I can verify that Mark and his assistant's comments really focused in on what I needed to improve, and supported the development of good technique. My confidence has improved considerably. The venue was also relaxing and supportive of 'downtime' after each session.The grounds are wonderful, and were used by many of us for early morning exercise/tai chi, which also helped us during the course.

Brilliant 4 days and I feel stronger already. Wonderful to see your group play and be part of that. Thankyou for personal feedback.

Back to the basics! like you said, this is usual for any player at any level. The basics we did on the First day was very helpful and prompted me that I don't do enough of them usual. so that's the major thing I take away with me from this summer school. Also the relationship of taiko movement and rhythms/music, even though it is so simple and so obvious. I get the word "Heighten" from you when you kept reminding us be extreme about the big and small. Later in the course I have realised actually even "small" yet still requires more focus and intensity, must not lose the sharpness, especially tone wise. Then, of course the Last day morning, chappa! Even though I have a pair of chappa and having been clushing them from time to time, but never taking any lessons before. So this will start me off on practice chappa from now on.

It was great to get a chance to play on the odaiko and pick up basics for future practice. Similarly with chappa. The level of expectation, too, was high and I felt challenged to do my best all the time. Several things were really useful. The focus on musicality as an integral part of the initial learning of a piece was very valuable. I can use that as a model for future learning. Seeing ( as in last year's course) how a song can be structured using the different skills, equipment and ideas to hand. Realising just how much the rings I always wear affect my left hand grip! Basic skills on the chappa. I know I'll be doing this again in my own practices. Wish I would be putting the odaiko work to use too :) This is the most challenging summer course I have done, because it was aimed at players with some experience. When ability is very mixed, it's often easy to get away with less effort. I hope you'll run a similar course next year. The teaching was very good, Mark and Jannette. Thank you. You constantly challenged players to do their best, noticed what needed correcting and noticed what was good, or where we made effort. You modelled excellent technique and were always friendly and helpful. It's not easy to create an environment in which it possible for people to safely fail while they try things, and I think you did. Also, it was just great to have the unexpected chance to see Taiko Meantime play. The band were so lovely to us, so supportive when we played. I would love to come back next year!

What a fantastic few days I had! As you know my experience with Taiko was very limited prior to this workshop; but I feel that you and Janette raised my technique and my confidence in playing to new heights...I just fed off and loved that energy! Trouble is that you also raised my hunger for Taiko so now you're kinda obliged to feed my needs! Any training opportunities you can offer will be gratefully received and acted on! Thanks for a great (too few) days, i sincerely hope to be playing Taiko with you again soon.

I heard you on Euston Rd today and was very impressed.

Just had to say how much I enjoyed the performances yesterday! It was totally electrifying and was so great to see you guys performing!

I absolutely loved taking part in your workshop and was raving about it to everyone I met for days afterwards! That included a friend in Hove who had recently lent me a Kodo DVD and as a result of my enthusiastic description planned to come and see you in Brighton. I hope the Japanese street festival went well – and was worth the dash from Wembley! On the workshop again, I did ache in what felt like every muscle for 3-4 days afterwards though!

The workshop was fantastic, please do let me know what else is happening in the way of drumming as i'd love to participate on a more regular basis, or just have another go!...Thanks very much for a fantastic evening, and i hope to see you again if anymore sessions happen.

Dear Mark! I can not thank you enough for kicking off our 2009 Skoll World Forum with such a fantastic performance. I look forward to staying in touch and crossing paths again.

Hi Mark. Thank you very much for the lovely workshop which my son enjoyed a lot today. My son said it was never enough, wishing having the workshop every week. Please arrange this as often as possible in Farnham area. We look forward to seeing you soon and will wait for the next info from you. Thank you again.

What a fab workshop, we ALL really enjoyed it.

Dear Mark, Thank you for the workshop. My son enthusiastically told his friends about his drum lesson. He now puts on a CD of Taiko drums we have and I see him doing very big circular gestures with his arms, pretending to play the drums.He always joins in with the "hah".He certainly got something out of those two hours! As for myself, I was very happy to finally hold those sticks and try those drums! It's not just drumming, it's a dance!

This is a little note to say that thank you very much for the session on Monday. My son thoroughly enjoyed himself.

My son was clapping and singing the rhythms all evening.

Thank you Mark! My son and I had a great time and would be very interested in the next workshop.

We took our son to your performance on Friday night and he loved it. We also had a family friend visiting from Croatia who came along and said what a fantastic time she had. Many thanks again. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Thanks again for an amazing introduction to the world of taiko.

Thanks again for a great experience - lots of useful teaching points to integrate into our practice.

I’ve been putting my “beginners” class through their paces this month and passing on the drumming techniques that I learned with you, it’s made such a big difference to them straight away, also the arm stretching exercises are gradually making a difference to my playing.

Dear Mark, I felt that you were very inspirational and motivating. Your delivery was clear, concise and driven. It was evident that you had planned the sessions well. Having been on your workshop I am inspired to go on to develop my Taiko drumming skills further. I also thoroughly enjoyed the double bill concert (Chinese Instrumental Music & Japanese Taiko with Taiko Meantime) and appreciated the opportunity to attend. It was enjoyable to perform in a concert at the end of the three days giving us something to work towards and a sense of achievement. I would like to thank you for all the hard work that you put into organising the couse and look forward to attending future events.

You will be pleased to know I am a much more confident Taiko player following the course!

I saw both your workshops at the WOMAD festival this weekend, and the performance that you did on Sunday afternoon with the three other drummers that joined you, was one of the best I had seen the whole weekend. There was such amazing physical energy and it just sounded brilliant. Thank you so much for giving the workshops they were brilliant.

I have just attended your workshop at WOMAD and thoroughly enjoyed it, I've always loved taiko drumming so it was great to have a go. Many thanks.

I participated in your workshop that you had at WOMAD recently... I really loved your little performance and enjoyed seeing a different way of doing miyake to what i know. Anyway it was really cool to be able to have a little go again after not doing any taiko for over a year now!

I just wanted to congratulate you all on your Glastonbury gigs. Each performance was stunning. Taiko Meantime was definately my favourite act over the entire three days. I had a brilliant time. Thank you for a great weekend. Here's to next year!

I have just watched the excerpts online [from Greenwich Theatre] and am very impressed with the energy emanating from the performers, the fun they are all having, and also the wonderful lighting which enables the audience to concentrate on the show! Fantastic work!

Good fun with hand cymbals. Miyake - nice display of technique, showing how it should be done. Guo Yue - crystal sounding + emotional. Great flute. The Camel - Infectious beats along with smiley faces! Odaiko - cheeky little start. The shadows at the back during main part were brilliant. There appeared to be no drum and looked like a stick fight - fantastic. Jade flute - what can I say - sublime. TennonRyu - how it shoud have been on Kill Bill. Nice choreography too. Atsumari - cant beat plenty of drums with repeating patterns.

I was amazed... Truly original!!! I couldn't stop smiling. The big drums with the lighting and the tambourines was great.

Absolutely fun night of taiko. I went with a few of friends and they all enjoyed it as well!...highlights of the night - Chappa: worked really well all round that night and very inventive as well in terms of the composition. O-daiko: Apart from strong playing, lovely stage setting and lighting design, interesting way of showing off O-daiko, the way of both of you played instead of one player being more dominant worked really well. Miyake: my personal favourite anyway, thought the performance that night was the best I have heard from you guys. The shime part of eddy's song in first half made a strong note! showed off your guys skills.

Truly amazing!

Absolutely brilliant! Different to Kodo and as good as them. Very energising, invigorating, thrilling, exciting performance. It was all brilliant. I'm just surprised you were only on for one night.

Fantastic, exhilarating. Love to experience Taiko Meantime soon please! When are you returning? You all look so fit and grand. Delightful to watch. Tremendous timing and skill. You are all just wonderful. My heart was out of my body - fantastic.

Excellent - very enjoyable.

Great flute - Guo Yue - crystal sounding and emotional. Good fun with hand cymbals. Miyake - nice display of technique, showing how it should be done.

Impressive. Flute player on 'Goodbye Again' was outstanding. Superb, makes me want to take up Taiko. Very energetic. Good stuff.

Absolutely amazing!

Emotional energetic burst of inspiration - best I've seen! Perfect balance of performance and lighting.

Good choreography. Very energetic. The neighbours complained!

Different, fun to watch. I think the show was grate from what I saw of it.

Consistently Excellent!

Absolutely fantastic! the most amazing show I have ever seen - great talent, fab choreography and lighting - mind blowing... I will definitely come and see you guys again next time you're in town, and will bring all my friends next time, as I have raved about it to them!

Absolutely brilliant. I loved the passion you've shown on your faces, through the drums! Please tell me if there is a DVD on sale. And I love you ppl! Keep drumming!!

Brilliant! I couldn't believe that a baby slept all the way through it!

Absolutely blew me away!

Brilliant :-)

Raw, energetic, sweaty. You really enjoyed and felt the music. Would love to see more.

Absolutely love the rhythms - I really wanted to join in! For the first time I wish I was still teaching - I would love the kids to hear you.

A very exciting evening, great energy, professional presentation and great drumming. I loved the interaction between all of you, your eye contact, your smiles, the feeling that you were enjoying yourselves. Kim's story telling was lovely.

Wonderful performance.

Congratulations on the sold out show! It was amazing!

Another great show! Well done! It was fun, exciting and the band were looking rather fit!!!!!!!

Just a quick message to say how much I enjoyed your concert at the Greenwich Theatre last Thursday - especially the second half. Great odaiko work from you and Ed and it was nice to see the proper version of the "catch the pigeon" piece you taught our kids. And Guo Yue was brilliant. Definitely worth the journey!

Brilliant show...just wanted to say that me and my friends really enjoyed the show on Thursday night, it was absolutely brilliant (especially the "Miyake" piece)!!

Just wanted to thank you so much for such an amazing evening last night at Greenwich Theatre… I was totally blown away, the energy on stage was simply stunning, each piece outstanding, uplifting and exhilarating all at once! It was also lovely to see Chris Hunter playing with such confidence; his stage presence has quadrupled since I last saw him perform. He has a lovely playful energy. Everyone on stage excelled! Keep up the good work! Much love

Fantastic performance last night - thank you! It must take you all about a week to come down from something like that! Visually great too - look forward to seeing another one.

We saw you perform last night – great show and so good to see people so obviously enjoying what they do!

That really was absolutely fantastic last night, a huge visual and aural treat for all of us lucky enough to have been there, and we congratulate you and all your musicians on your brilliant skills and athleticism - thank you! (like all the best things, it far exceeded our already high expectations!). We were superbly entertained last night - all thanks once more.

Last night, the gig was fantastic! Well done!! You all must have worked so much for it…I believe you deserved the great applause and now rest??

I am very happy that Second Signal had its US premier at Jacob's Pillow... We really liked Henri Oguike's choreographic style - muscular, sinewy and very musical. Your group really complemented the dance company. I hope that you and Henri continue to collaborate on future work. I was so very impressed with the musicality of the piece, and how the dancers really followed the flow of the rhythm - I enjoyed the decidedly contemporary movements. It was most exciting for me to see a successful dance/taiko collaboration - it is something I have wanted to do for a long time - to be able to integrate my movement and rhythm training. Your miyake was really very nice, especially the dynamics and range you had in it - and the evocative lighting made an already impressive piece even more so. The solos were really in the flow of the rhythm. If the rest of Taiko Meantime is as impressive as what you presented, it is no wonder that you are in great demand.

Dear Mark Just a wee note to say we had a really fantastic day. Very exciting and challenging, especially having to 'perform' only 6 hours after picking up the sticks for the first time. Great fun ! We all had a grand time and hope it will not be too long before we can have another go. Well done. All the best for your future ventures. Regards

Mark, Many thanks for another excellent workshop, pity I was not in the shape to do it justice. Still suffering although it seems to have improved slightly this afternoon.

I had a great time, and whilst I know I will never be any good at Taiko Drumming,I will aways want to attend workshops just to keep trying, enjoying myself and meeting people like youself. Many thanks and best wishes.

I have to admit to being very nervous but had an absolutely wonderful day and felt totally exhilarated by the end of it if not a little exhausted!! You are such a good teacher and very inspiring…..I’m still feeling the buzz now!

Many thanks for the fantastic workshop, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just a quick message to thank you for the workshop last Thursday. It was amazing and I (like some others in attendance who I’ve spoken to) was very impressed with how much you managed to teach us in the time we had!

Many thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable (and therapeutic!!) workshop in Farnham. It was great and well worth the trip!

Just emailing to say thanks for a great workshop! it was highly enjoyable!

Mark - I just wanted to write and thank you for an absolutely excellent day today. I feel great (if slightly achy) after a day where I was constantly challenged and yet never felt out of my depth. You were brilliant at leading the group and I think we were all amazed at what we managed to achieve by the end of a day. It was definitely worth it. I can’t wait to here when the next set of workshops will be. Good luck for the gig tomorrow, sorry I can’t make it, but I will definitely be looking for tickets for the November gig. Many thanks again for all your support and expertise today I am still on a high from it all. I shall keep practising the arm movements, rhythms and counting to eight. Fabulous!!! Cheers Claire (itchy, knee, sa, she……..).

Just wanted to thank you again for the amazing day I had at your workshop - it was brilliant, inspiring and fun! You're also clearly very passionate about it and it must be great being able to do it professionally.

Mark, thank you, I had such a great time, shake my soul!! U are such a good teacher that you make everyone become oneness with the drum sound. The beat stay with me for 2 day and I even dream about it, very touching sound! I love to join more in the future. But meantime, what is the best way to learn taiko ? Is there any learning kit that i could play while i m at home? I do miss taiko since sat. It really give me a lot of hapiness!

I have to write and congratulate you and the other members of Taiko Meantime for your performance at Exeter...The entrance was great, just like warriors approaching.

The power and the energy you all managed to generate, made for an electric atmosphere and for me, and I am sure many others, made this the best performance of the weekend. You know what I think of youself and Ed, but where did you find those other superb players, including Nobuko Miyazaki on the flute. My favourite, as you probably will guess was Miyake, until you and Ed played Odaiko...stunning. By the way, your costumes really fitted the way you play, simple, but it worked. Please pass on my congratulation to Ed, Paul, Craig, Chris, Kim and Nobuko for a wonderful experience.

I had been planning to head off home at lunchtime on Sunday but then decided to watch you guys. I was really glad I did!! Meantime were fantastic - well done to you all, I know you must have worked hard!!!

Now I look at your website only to discover that Taiko Meantime was responsible for the great atmosphere past the mile 5 mark of the London Marathon last month. The rhythm went very nicely with the adrenaline in us runners! Not what I expected on that otherwise unremarkable stretch of Woolwich Road, but after the great send off and then the fantastic crowds in Woolwich, it helped confirm - for me at least - that miles 1-6 are the best part of the race!

Read this review: http://www.thegreenwichphantom.co.uk/2007/06/taiko-meantime-drummers.html

It didn't take very long at all to see that [my children] were completely taken in by what you were showing them and telling them. They reported back to me saying what a "brill" time they had had and it was "simply amazing". The end of session performance confirmed quite clearly that they had enjoyed every minute and now Declan has decided he would like to play the drums!! Thanks for that!

Fantastic class. My son is still talking about it! Can't wait for next time. I thought as a parent you encourged the children to think, understand and concentrate rather than just "bang a drum".

Hi there! May I thank you so much, Mark, for providing an absolutely inspiring and amazing taiko workshop on the 5th of April 2007 - it made taiko finally come alive in every way for me!

That's the best ten pounds I've ever spent!

My grandsons really enjoyed your session during the Easter Holiday and we will certainly attend another time. Thank you.

Mark just wanted to say thanks again for the fantastic fun yesterday. And it was so good to recapture that great team feeling again. Even though I still couldn't get the hang of the jiuchi (I had that problem before).

Hi Mark Just a note to say what a great afternoon yesterday - I'm just about getting my forearms back.

Hi Mark, Wanted to thank you both for a great day on Saturday... I really appreciated the opportunity to come to the workshop, had a good time, and now a few aches.

Thanks very much for doing the Taiko workshop on Saturday. Was lots of fun although I am aching today!! Found the workshop really good, and would love to do more if you have any plans for more!

I had an absolutely fabulous time and I felt fantastic afterwards. I look forward to the next public workshop.

Just wanted to write and say thanks for the drumming at the marathon on Sunday (Taiko group under a bridge in Greenwich - I'm guessing it was you guys!) I lived in Japan for a couple of years and played in a Taiko group there, so I always like to see other groups. I was running my first Marathon and was totally blown away by the support from the crowds. So, thanks, it really helped me, and I'm sure plenty of other runners.

Thanks for your Taiko bands support on Sunday, I did actually see you whilst running under the Woolwich flyover, beating a massive drum, which I have to say was very motivational. I did receive many comments from friends who were also running on Sunday to say, that your band was the most inspirational! Cheers

After having seen a pure sensational Taiko Meantime performance we invited their leader Mark Alcock to work with our group. It came as no surprise that he is as good as a teacher as a performer and he even exceeded our high expectations. It was like opening a door to a fantastic new world.

We were all really overwhelmed from your powerful way to strike the taiko and we enjoyed your perceptive and very detailed way to teach it. It was impressive to see, that it is possible to combine a lot of energy, tension and concentration with flexibility and lightness.

In just 3 days you caused visible changes within the group by working on the energy and not only on the show elements, as many groups do. It was just what I needed for my further training and I hope you will continue working with us as soon as possible.

I was blown away with the show on Sunday only having seen you do a couple of pieces in Bury St Edmonds. To see a full two hours of drumming was a real treat. Miyake and Odaiko were my two favourite pieces.

Enjoyed the show last Sunday. Great to see a full house.

Thanks for a great night. I thought the music was fantastic and the lighting was simple yet really effective.

What a brilliant concert. You guys just get better and better. 'Iwai uchi' and the encore were both superb. The coordination between you all was great. Well done.

Your performance last night was superb, different and very enjoyable. The looks on your faces at the end gave the impression that you all very much enjoyed yourselves as well.

Brilliant! Exciting, dramatic and inspiring. The range of songs from uplifting to dark and sombre was unexpected and moving - carrying the audience on an emotional journey. We felt exhausted at the end too.

I enjoyed the gigs in Exeter very much - great show. Will come whenever I can!

Oh man! You guys came to Brookes uni last week, and you did a Taiko workshop. It was so much fun! My arms are still slightly aching, but it's worth it...all the drums playing in unison, and once we got into the groove..wow.. Come back soon!!

Saw your show in Hornchurch, essex. Was most impressed. Please send details of the South Bank show 17th July. Thanks

Absolutely brilliant last night at the Henri Oguiki concert in Malvern. I'd heard of the Taiko drumming, but never actually heard it. Fabulous.

The rib-crushing thump of the massive Japanese taiko drum that heralds the start of his [Oguike's] new work, Second Signal, prompted gasps and even an off-guard shriek in the packed Queen Elizabeth Hall. Oguike has cleverly harnessed Taiko's intensely physical, martial-arts impact to a group dance that mimics its exultant vigour, blow for blow. ...the three percussionists of the group Taiko Meantime belabour their instruments - something akin to the action of felling a tree... The result is the most explosive piece of British dance in years.

...the size of the drums combined with the musicians' furious attack produces an almost overwhelming sound...We can see how the drummers' rhythms hammer through the dancers' moves, how their sound rises on the swell of the choreography's dynamics.

Do you have a Cd I could purchase, I am a Dance Teacher I saw your performance with Henri Oguike Dance company and was blown away by the experience it would be great to pass on your music to my students.

Just wanted to say what an excellent piece it was - I loved the way the miyake was used to showcase the dynamism and grace of the taiko players art. And it's a great compliment to you all that such an inspired choreographer recognised the contribution you made to the overall shape and impact of the dance. Well done

"Fascinating to watch their strict, stick-wielding brand of choreography."

"The playful new opener, Second Signal, features three taiko drummers, the battering of their instruments given a spectacular showcase in the middle movement when the dancers leave them alone to allow us to appreciate their physical movement - oddly like tennis, with pulverising forehand and backhand strokes. Oguike picks up their punchy style in the springy dances he gives his troupe fore and aft, but he's confidently offering the musicians as the stars."

i really enjoyed seeing you all in cardiff last year just before the (98 to nil) rugby match in the centre of town. I was walking around the streets and followed the sound of the drums because they sounded so exciting and powerful. It was great to have the pieces explained before you played each one - it would be nice if you explained how each of the cries or shouts variuous drummers used now and then worked ie what they meant if anything. It's great to see what people can achieve with skill, concentration and coordination, keep it up. anyway well done, excellent drumming, i`ll look at the website and try to come to another session sometime

Heard you at the opening of the Japan v Wales Rugby game great work very up lifting great sound . well done . Where do I get more information re: recording or listening to your orginal and great music . even down loads would be welcome ? Hope to hear you again in Wales soon Feb 05 . 2005

Outstanding! Taiko Meantime played in Cardiff for the Wales Japan rugby match and their performance was excellent! Not only was the gesture a welcoming nod to our visitors, but also a superb quality public performance from an incredibly talented team. The best money that Cardiff Council spent this financial year.

I wanted to thank you again for your maevellous performance on Friday. You made such a spectacle on the steps of the V&A and all that noise drew crowds from Victoria! I have heard an endless torrent of praise - the audience were all bowled over.

The performance in Cutty Sark was wonderful. I was so impressed.

I saw you play today in Greenwich - finally! It was a great show - it literally brought tears to my eyes.

We came to see you play today at the Greenwich car free day. Thanks for a great performance, we really enjoyed it.

I would have congratulated you after the performance today but you were looking pretty much swamped with people! Just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. It was nice to see a piece in there that I knew as well.

I enjoyed the taiko yesterday. Very athletic and very authentic. You had a good-sized crowd watching, too.

My five year old son, Daniel, and I saw a performance of the Meantime Taiko drummers at the Greenwich festival this afternoon. He was entranced, totally absorbed by the group's strength and rhythm. He talked about it all the way home and is still talking about it now. He has decided to be a Japanese drummer like Mark Alcock when he grows up.

Dear Taikomeantime By chance, I was at the South Bank with my 2 young sons when "taiko meantime" had just started hteir free concert. I have absolutly no "musical" ear, but my body was just full of the vibrations given by the drums, and I could feel myself moving to the powerful rythmes. I would love to participate in workshops for "very beginners, with the kids ", if you'd organise any. Thanks, and thanks to the team for the wonderful gift of their music to the public on Saturday.

Great to see you guys at the Southbank on Saturday and it was a lot of fun at the workshop- cheers.

I thoroughly enjoyed the southbank workshop. I thought your group's performance in the square was amazing too.

You were the best act of the evening.

Just a quick line to say thank you so much for your help and enormous contribution to the Silk Road event. The Taiko drunmming show proved itself suitably robust considering the weather and was truly spectacular. It was brilliant to have such a flexible group willing & able to work round the weather!

Thank you soo much for your awesome contribution to this years London Marathon. What a fantastic sound you make - really clear and sonorous. I was fortunate enough to be one of the 33,000 runners to run past your group on Woolwich Rd - the sound could be heard a good 1/4 mile away and really spurred me on. The crowd you attracted were all obviously loving the music too and the atmosphere on that corner was absolutely electric!! Can they please organise for you to play along Pall Mall a bit later too??!!?

It's absolutely wonderful to see all the hard work you guys have clearly put in paying off: it really was amazing and all the friends I dragged along were instantly hooked!

I went to both your recent performances - the Lilian Bayliss theatre and Regent's Plaza. The performance at the Lilian Bayliss theatre was fantastic - so much better than I could have ever imagined and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am impressed by Taiko Meantime's high level of professionalism. In fact you were so good that I just had to go and see the performance at Regent's Plaza! You did not disappoint there and I went away with lifted spirits. Thank you for the opportunity to see Hana Yui again and the Kodo drummer's performance on the O-daiko - a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am now a huge fan and will endeavour to attend as many of your performances as I possibly can!

Just wanted to say that it was really really nice and powerfull - the concert last Thursday. The performance and coordination were great. I'm really glad to have the chance to come and see you all! Well done!

The open air performance today was magic - especially the O-daiko.

I saw Taiko Meantime for the first time at the Lilian Baylis Theatre when they performed with top Japanese group Hana Yui...It was the first time I had seen Taiko live and I was knocked out by the professional approach and high standard of performance. The pieces they played were incredibly exciting and although I wondered whether I might find a whole evening of this kind of music a bit repetitive, I was in for a pleasant surprise. By the end of the concert, I was disappointed the evening was at an end. I really look forward to hearing Taiko Meantime again and want to introduce my friends to this wonderfully energising form of entertainment.

It was a great gig. I really enjoyed it. It was worth coming to see it from Tokyo. I really wanted to see a foreign taiko group's performance, since I also practice taiko in Japan. In Japan, I practice original Miyake. I am so impressed with your arrangement of the Miyake. It was quite unique and it was great. I am surprised with the originality. I also like Camel, Iwai Uchi, Atsumari and also the encore. It was so much fun for me to see people playing taiko with joy. So I really enjoyed your gig since I know all of you enjoyed playing the music. The Shinobue (bamboo flute) was great as well. And Mark's and Chris' chappas were really attractive. And Hanayui ladies, they were great! I felt full of love and energy from them.

What a fantastic performance. We really enjoyed it. How wonderful for you to have played with Hana Yui.

Wonderful evening - an entirely new experience, and unlike anything we've ever experienced. Certainly come again. Thank you!

I went to see your performance last night at Sadler's Wells and loved it. To be perfectly honest, I didn't know anything about Taiko Meantime before I went, and was quite disappointed when you came on the stage and were all English! However, right from the first song I was bowled over, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

I saw you at the Lilian Baylis last night. Wow, you were good! Thanks for a great evening...nice to see that you were all enjoying it as well.

I thought the performance was excellent - varied and fun! Especially enjoyed Iwai Uchi...Brilliant! Why not go on tour in the North of England!

Just a quick one to say really enjoyed the show last night (at Lilian Batlis Theatre, London)! Well done and thanx

Message to the Taiko drummers who played at the PEACE REVOLUTION at the Telegraph pub on Friday night!: You guys were absolutely fantastic. I was playing with the Samba band and became so carried away with your hypnotic rhythms that I'm ashamed to say I proceded to "join in" your performance. This was quite out of character and I just wanted to apologise to you all profusely and sincerely. I in no way intended to appear disrespectful but am aware that I may have done!..... Hope you can forgive me!

It was terrific; you now have a huge fan-club. Everyone enjoyed it enormously and one of my japanese colleagues said it was every bit as good as anything he had heard in japan. In case that was faint praise, I asked him how often he did hear Taiko, and he said 'about three times a year', so he does know what he is talking about. Many thanks, and please thank all your group for me; one of the main things i liked was you all appeared to be enjoying yourselves.

Thank you so much for such excellent performances. It was really beautifully presented and as you already know went down a storm with the crowds.