An atricle giving an introduction to the Titi Torea
Introduction
The term Titi Torea is used for the double short sticks.
There are many
forms for playing titi torea, starting from the simple ones where a player
learns to change hands with the sticks they have, through to the sticks coming
from behind and having to be caught. Both children and adults play titi torea.
Competitions are sometimes held, with the aim being for each team to
complete a certain set of patterns without going out of beat or dropping any.
Singe Stick Throw
The single stick throw can be thrown on every third beat, if the tune has 3 beats to the bar. Once this is mastered, the players move to the single stick continuous throw, where the sticks are thrown on every beat, alternating between the right hand and the left hand.
The next stage is throwing both sticks at once on every third beat. One person throws both sticks in and the other person throws both sticks out. When this is mastered, throwing both sticks on every beat. The rule is where you catch the sticks (in or out) is where you throw them.
Once throwing across is mastered, there are all the side throws and the variations. For example, throw on every third beat, throw on every beat, change direction, alternate directions throw to every second person and many others.
Throwing Sticks Out
Another form is having two rows facing the same way so that the players throw behind them and catch sticks coming from behind.
Kapa Haka - Maori Perfroming Arts Index
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