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Nisei 2nd generation Immigrants. I spent countless hours leafing through my parents’ photo albums as a child. Each faded image offered a glimpse into the past, showing younger versions of my family and relatives. At the time, I attended a predominantly white school, and it never struck me as significant that my family photos looked different from those of my classmates. Instead, I was captivated by the stories and histories captured within those pages.

As I grew older, I gradually became aware of the cultural dynamics in my town. The differences between my family and the surrounding community began to surface, subtly shaping my understanding of identity. Through this process, I developed a deeper appreciation for the uniqueness and resilience of my heritage. In 2022, inspired by this journey of self-discovery and reflection, I wrote a song titled “Nisei.” This piece serves as a homage to those same family members in the photographs, capturing their experiences as second-generation immigrants and the legacy they passed down to me.

Nisei 2nd generation Immigrants

“Nisei” is not just a song; it’s a celebration of the people who withstood adversity and maintained their cultural identity, enriching the tapestry of who I am today. Through music, I aim to honor the stories and sacrifices of my relatives and to share a message of pride and recognition of our distinct place in the diverse fabric of society. I believe art transcends the process.

For me, this song never stood on its own. Perhaps I needed to bring the photos (which inspired the song) back into work. At any rate, it feels complete now.

Creativity isn’t confined to a single medium—it flows between them. For example, sometimes I’ll watch a movie, and it sparks an idea for a song I’m working on. Other times, I’ll hear a song, and it inspires a picture I create. Art, in any form, has the power to ignite imagination and influence expression in ways that go beyond its original medium.

Nisei is a song written by Ken Hada and is available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube (free), and all streaming.

March by Ken Hada. I am thrilled to share my EP, “March,” inspired by my experiences in the 1980s and brought to life decades later. In the 1990s, with Studio Visions and some synthesizers, I composed about ten pieces of music. Collaborating with members of my band, Shoot The Moon, who played some of the rhythm parts. These pieces remained on 12 track tape for years. Decades later I added melodies and lyrics, all centered around the theme of the marching band.

“March” is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a reflection on the concept of marching. Marching was a significant part of my life in the marching band, but it also symbolizes the journey we all take through life. Each step, each beat, and each movement forward represents progress, perseverance, and the rhythms of our daily lives.

I hope you find joy and inspiration in these songs. As you listen, I hope you feel the spirit of marching and recognize the steps you take in your own journey. Thank you for listening, and keep marching on.

Listen to March free on YouTube,

and on all streaming Apple Music Spotify Amazon Music

Odd Time Reading Text. I have been thinking about adding some reading to my daily drum routine. So Im diving into the world of odd time signatures with ‘Odd Time Reading Text‘ by Louis Bellson and Gil Breines. I went through this book (among others) when I studied with Murray Spivack. This book is very good for multiple reasons.

Odd Meters

Number one it is odd meters so while you are learning how to read you are also learning odd meters simultaneously.

Drum book notation is different from real-world notation

In addition, the book is not noted like a drum book. If you studied music from most drum books you are not reading the same style of notation as you will encounter on a music job. Let me explain, most drum books are written without much thought to duration. ‘Odd Time Reading Text’ is different in that the nation has a lot of ties and combinations of ties and dots. If you as a drummer end up playing in a traditional ensemble such as an Orchestra or a small ensemble the music you will read will not look like drum music. In fact, it may be a trumpet part or some other instrument. This book, gives the drummer a real world reading experience.

This book will help your sight-reading

Lastly, your sight reading skills will increase with this book. For example, most of the book plays on sightreading weakness. In other words, this book is always making sure you are paying attention to every note and rest. Therefore sight reading will be greatly improved.

I used this book when I studied with Murray Spivack. If you would like to try it for yourself click here on my Amazon link and you will be helping my page out since I get a portion of each sale.

Ken Hada NBC article. I’m Ken Hada, a 60-year-old photographer and father of two in Southern California. In a recent article by NBC, I highlighted my approach to parenting and focused on creating a warm and loving environment for my children.

“tiger parenting” 

My father, a second-generation Japanese American, had a tough upbringing that made him more closed-off as a parent. Wanting to break this cycle, I prioritized emotional connection and openness with my kids. Despite the cultural norms that viewed vulnerability as taboo during my father’s time, I actively sought out resources and books to guide me toward a more nurturing parenting style.

Creating a loving atmosphere for my children has always been my goal. I made a conscious decision not to resort to physical discipline and ensured that my kids received the care and attention they needed. I aimed to provide them with a supportive and affectionate upbringing, different from what my father experienced.

My efforts reflect a shift towards more emotionally aware and involved parenting practices among Asian American parents. This story underscores the importance of breaking generational patterns and embracing a more empathetic and emotionally supportive approach to parenting.

In summary, my dad’s reaction to his father’s discipline style was to have a hands-off approach with me. And since I was a child I didn’t understand his reasoning for this. So with my kids I did what I had to do to make them feel seen.

Hopefully, all parents do the best they can with what they have.

The NBC article was written by Kimmy Yam and you can read it here