A Taste of Taiko

This occasional taiko workshop does what its title suggests – gives you a taste of taiko. It’s suitable for complete (adult) beginners, and also for those with some experience. It is a great way to get used to our particular style of taiko playing, and teaching.

Advance booking is required. When emailing us please provide a phone number and always check your junk & spam folders as sometimes our replies end up there.

Our next class:

Saturday 28th November 2026,  10.00am – 12.30pm. £25 per person. Book and pay for one place by Friday 20th November and get a second place for £10.

Weekly classes

All Monday sessions are suitable for those 18yrs+.

Monday Morning Drum for Fun: 10am – 11am
Fee: £9.00.

Monday Morning Drum for Fundamentals: 11.15am – 12.15pm
Fee: £9.00

For both sessions on a Monday morning you must have regularly attended the sessions before. Please email [email protected] if you have not been for a while, and would like to attend, to check availability.

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Monday Night Taiko Beginners: 6pm – 7pm
Fee £9.00

This Monday Night Taiko class is run as a drop-in  so you can come as much or as little as you like with no need to book. They’re suitable for complete beginners (18yrs +).  

Monday Night Taiko Fun: 7.15 – 8.15pm
Fee £9.00

This drop-in class is suitable for those who’ve done at least six consistent months of Monday drop-ins and would like to challenge themselves with their taiko playing. Not suitable for beginners. No need to book. 

Please check our calendar to see when sessions are running.

Adult Recreational courses

Intermediate Recreational Courses

We are also pleased to offer a rolling programme of courses for people who have played taiko for about a year or so, and who want to progress their level of playing. Participants would normally have taken at least one or two Taste of Taiko workshops or several Drop-In Classes, and consulted with us about the suitability of this course for them. Places must be booked in advance.  To find out more about our recreational courses please email [email protected]. 

People who have taken several recreational courses may be in a position to progress to provisional membership of Tano Taiko, our adult performing group, subject to availability of places in the group.

Special workshops

From time to time, we offer special workshops, including one-day taiko experiences, at the Taiko Centre. 

Advance booking is always required.

Our next special workshops:

Workshops with Chiara Codetta & Samuele Galimberti of Taiko Lecco, Italy.

Saturday 7th November
Both workshops are now full. To go on a waiting list please email [email protected]. 

9.00am – 12.00pm: ‘Keep the Pulse Together’
£35 per person

Focusing on keeping the tempo together, learning to listen to each other and become one with the group through a series of enjoyable games and exercises. We will explore nurturing relations through taiko, for taiko (and, maybe, for life!). This workshop may be suitable for beginners but also for more experienced players in any taiko style and way of practice. Open to everyone who plays taiko regularly at the Taiko Centre (but not complete beginners).

1.30 – 3.00pm: ‘Don’t Fear Improvisation’
£18 per person

This workshop approaches improvisation through games and short achievable tasks in order to enter into this sometimes challenging world with a smile. The workshop is suitable for everybody with at

least a little experience in drumming. Open to everyone who plays taiko regularly at the Taiko Centre (but not complete beginners).

Workshops with Kenny Endo
Wednesday 21st April 2027

We are very excited to announce the opportunity to participate in two workshops led by Kenny Endo on Wednesday 21st April 2027 at the Taiko Centre. Below is all the information you need about the workshops, and how to book. Please note: if you are interested in taking part you need to book by Monday 7th December 2026, so we know we have enough participants to make the workshops viable. Payment for the workshops must be made by Monday 11th January 2027.
 
Workshop 1: Wednesday 21st April
2.00 – 4.30pm £35 per person
Nagado Basics, Philosophy and Fun!
 
This workshop will introduce the various types of taiko, and the various genre of music that taiko is used in. Basic rhythms, Kata (form), Oto, (sound), stance, grip, movement, kiai (vocalization), kuchi shoga (rhythmic syllables), and playing from the tanden (center) will be introduced. A practice piece will be taught. In Japanese, the word for music is ongaku, meaning ‘enjoyable sounds’. Taiko should always be enjoyable to both performers and the audience. This workshop will ensure, no matter how much experience you have playing taiko, that participants can dig deeper and get to a whole new level of playing. This workshop is suitable for everyone who plays taiko regularly.
 
Workshop 2: Wednesday 21st April
6.30 – 9.00pm £35 per person
Taiko Set – multiple drum use and techniques
 
This fun and challenging workshop will go over the practice and performance techniques of playing multiple taiko drums. This will include: stance, grip, basic grooves, independence, soloing, traditional Japanese rhythms and accompanying, Brazilian, Cuban, and patterns from Kotobuki Jishi (Tokyo Lion Dance drumming). This workshop is for intermediate/advanced players.
 
To book either, or both, of these workshops please email [email protected] making it clear which workshop you are booking for. Places will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Once the workshops are full we will start a waiting list.
 
Don’t miss this brilliant opportunity of teaching from an amazing taiko professional, one of the original taiko players in the US bringing some superb taiko energy all the way from Hawaii!

Cancellation Policy

We reserve the right to cancel a workshop for any reason with no less than 7 days’ notice.  In such circumstances, we will offer a full refund, or transfer to another workshop at a later date. In the event that you have to cancel your participation in a workshop, with regret we will be able to offer you a refund only if you are able to find a replacement who pays for their own place.

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