How to Play Taiko

Proper Position

This is how you play Taiko. You have to have a certain stance. You need to bend your knees while you play. When you bend your knees you have to look like your sitting on a horse. Your knees need to be bent because you might hurt your back. This also gets more power to your arms.

Using the Bachi

All Taiko is played with bachi. The only hand drum in Japan is Kotsuzumi and Otsuzuni. You have to hold the bachi without having your thumbs on them. If you put your thumbs on the bachi you might break your thumbs. Hold on tight to the bachi or they might slip out of your hands. Don't put the bachi over your shoulders, you might hit somebody. Do not use the bachi as a weapon.

Keeping Your Distance

Don't stand too close to the drum or you won't have any room to play. When you play Taiko you must be at least a foot away from your drum. But if you're too far from the drum you can't play it. If you stand too close to the drum you might hit the person in front of you. That's why it's important to have a little distance from the drum.

Proper Technique

To make a low sound on the drum you must hit near the end of the drum. To make a loud sound you must hit the center of the drum. To make a crescendo you must first hit the drum lightly near the edge and then hit the drum harder going toward the middle. Make sure you don't hit the drum too hard or you'll break the drum. When you play the drums you must only use the bachi.

The Beauty of Arms

When playing your arms must be straight. Your arms should be straight for the sake of beauty. In some songs you need to move your arms. When you play you move your wrist or arms. When you move your arms make sure that you don't hit anybody. When you play the drums put power into your arms.

The Do's and Don'ts of Taiko

Don't break the drum or get mad at it. Never hit the drums with your hands or feet. Don't throw the bachi. Don't lean or sit on the drums. Pay attention to your teacher. Don't play the drum while your teacher is teaching or talking. When you're carrying a drum don't plop it on the ground.

More to Do

Taiko is not just playing the drums. It also involves body movement as well as words and numbers.

Some words used in Taiko are:

Here are some of the numbers:
  • Ohayo gozaimasu = Good morning, or let's begin
  • Arigato = Thanks
  • Konichi wa = Hello
  • Tataki Mashoo = Lets beat the drum!
  • Sei No = Start Playing
  • Dame = Impossible
  • Masugu = straight
  • Owari Mashoo = Stop, finish, quit
  • Ishoo Ni = Together
  • Hitori de = Alone
  • Domo Arigato Gozaimashita = Thank you very much for what you have done!
  • Mata Ne! = See you later
  • Gambate = Good Luck! Try your best
  • Ichi = 1
  • Ni = 2
  • San = 3
  • Shi = 4
  • Go = 5
  • Roku = 6
  • Shichi = 7
  • Hachi = 8
  • Kyu = 9
  • Juu = 10

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