Presentations

Other Instruments

While drums will always be at the heart of taiko, there are a lot of instruments that add the richness, texture, and complexity that can be found in the most beautiful taiko songs.

Kuchi Shouka

Translated in Japanese as “Mouth Notes”, Kuchi Shouka is a way of verbalizing a song. Often songs are taught and mastered verbally before players try to bring them to the drums. As is often said (about using Kuchi Shouka), if you can say it, you can play it.

History & Matsuri

Taiko is both ancient and modern. The drums are old, but how we play them today is quite young, and part of a worldwide artistic phenomenon.

Also, learn about the what Matsuri are, and their place and varied expressions in Japan.

Playing Matsuri

Now you can take what you learned about Kuchi Shouka and apply it to a song. We’ll teach you the first two lines of Matsuri and the underlying shime rhythm, then show you that it is totally possible to play a taiko song without any drums at all.