Honami's Room
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Shindo
<I'm sorry. I know it's late.
I was hoping to discuss dates with you regarding what Mr. Ota said about wanting to see your band perform.>
I was hoping to discuss dates with you regarding what Mr. Ota said about wanting to see your band perform.>
Shindo
<The earliest he's free is next weekend, so I'd like for you all to be ready by then.>
Honami
(But I'm really not sure we'll be able to blow him away like we're supposed to the way we are now...)
Shindo
<You sounded a little worried is all.
I'll be more than happy to listen if something is bothering you.>
I'll be more than happy to listen if something is bothering you.>
Shindo
<I see. You tried discussing what each song is really about in order to get on the same page, but that caused you to lose some of that energy you had before...>
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Shindo
<Based on what you just told me... It sounds like your band is currently like an orchestra without a conductor.>
Shindo
<You're all looking to each other for clues as to what to do, which is causing you to lose focus.>
Shindo
<That person will need to understand where each member is at and drive the band forward. They'll need to know what every song is about and how you should all be feeling as you play.>
Shindo
<That should allow you to play as a single unit with plenty of energy. In other words, you'll be able to perform at your best.>
Honami
(One of us has to lead while playing...
That should solve both problems and allow us to perform the way we're supposed to.)
That should solve both problems and allow us to perform the way we're supposed to.)
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Honami
It's my duty as the leader to carry our band forward... I have to do whatever it takes to ensure that we perform at our best.
Shindo
<However, putting this plan into practice won't be so simple. The person leading needs to be very skilled technically.>
Shindo
<These skills require more than just a day or two to learn. It's going to take time.>
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Honami
(Which means our audience won't be moved by our performances, and neither will Mr. Ota...)
Honami
(I don't want any of us to feel any regret. I want everyone who comes to see us perform to understand exactly what we're trying to do...)
Honami
But I'll practice as much as I need to in order to become the leader that we need...!
Shindo
<If you still feel compelled to do something about this, it'll mean practicing much harder than ever before.>
The next day
Rehearsal Studio
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Shindo
Haha. I'm guessing you're wondering what I could possibly know about playing musical instruments.
Shindo
The truth is, I used to dabble in them myself. I tried all kinds, so I know how to play several.
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Honami
(The way he's snapping his wrists. They're so flexible... There's no way he was only “dabbling”...!)
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Shindo
Practicing the drums is all about maintaining a steady rhythm for as long as possible. Not only does that involve staying in tempo for on-beats, but also never missing any off-beats. Listen for the ticking and match that timing.
Shindo
You need to be able to adapt to any situation. It's all but impossible to perform on stage as well as you do during practice. So, the goal for practice is to achieve perfection.
Shindo
Up, down, tap.
The muscles in your arms will also need to learn how to automatically adjust and switch between them.
The muscles in your arms will also need to learn how to automatically adjust and switch between them.
Shindo
Succeeding just once isn't enough.
Each note needs to be even and clean. No matter how tired you are, you have to maintain a steady beat and volume...
Each note needs to be even and clean. No matter how tired you are, you have to maintain a steady beat and volume...
Next Chapter: Guiding Sound