Kodo’s Taiko Fundamentals 2025
Course Dates: Jan.–Mar. 2025
Application Period: Oct. 1 (Tue)–Nov. 30 (Sat), 2024
At Kodo Taiko School, we conduct our lessons in Japanese and English so participants can connect with taiko enthusiasts around the world. Through our online group lessons taught by Kodo members, you’ll learn the spirit, physique, and technique that the ensemble has cultivated to date. They’ll help you play taiko for long stretches with nothing but good sound.
About Kodo Taiko School Fees & Applications
Kodo’s Taiko Fundamentals
In early 2025, join us for a course that focuses on the fundamentals for fuse-uchi taiko playing, aimed at taiko players of all levels from beginners to advanced performers. Kodo members will use “Tsunagu,” an original Kodo Taiko School Teaching Piece, to show you how to learn new rhythmic phrases, create solos, and more.
※This course will focus on teaching the okedo (barrel drum) part of “Tsunagu,” tailored to suit the level of the participants.
Course Dates
Jan.18 (Sat)–Mar. 29 (Sat), 2025
8 classes in total.
Day/Time: Saturday 11:00–13:00*
*All dates/times are Japan Standard Time
Course Schedule:
| Date | Lesson | Instructor |
| Jan. 18 (Sat) | 1 | T. Mitome |
| Jan. 25 (Sat) | 2 | T. Mitome |
| Feb. 1 (Sat) | ||
| Feb. 8 (Sat) | 3 | T. Mitome |
| Feb. 15 (Sat) | 4 | T. Mitome |
| Feb. 22 (Sat) | ||
| Mar. 1 (Sat) | 5 | Y. Abe |
| Mar. 8 (Sat) | 6 | Y. Kimura |
| Mar. 15 (Sat) | ||
| Mar. 22 (Sat) | 7 | T. Mitome |
| Mar. 29 (Sat) | 8 | T. Mitome |
Instructors
Tomohiro Mitome | Profile
Yoshie Abe | Profile
Yuta Kimura | Profile
Reference Videos
About Kodo Taiko School
Lesson Content
・Taiko drumming methods for fuse-uchi (upright taiko playing)
・Taiko fundamentals practice
・Playing new rhythmic phrases, creating solos, and more, through learning Kodo Taiko Teaching Piece “Tsunagu”
There are two different course options available:
① Remote Course: Join live lessons online, view lesson archives, and submit tasks to receive feedback.
② Lite Course: View lesson archive videos (no live lessons, task submission, feedback)
- For the Remote Course, lessons will take place on Zoom (video meeting app). Participants will take part remotely and can use a taiko drum, drum practice pad, cushion, or similar item.
- Students will practice fuse-uchi (upright taiko playing).
- The class will have up to 15 students. Lessons will be conducted in Japanese and English. *If one language suits all participants, classes may be held in that language only.
- An archive recording of each lesson will be shared on YouTube, with access restricted to participants, so you can review the content. (Archives will be available until one month after the course ends.)
- Participants can submit task-based performance videos to receive feedback and advice from the instructors. This task is optional.
- Remote Course participants can submit task-based performance videos to receive feedback and advice from the instructors. These tasks are optional.
Lesson Format
Lessons will be held on Zoom, conducted in Japanese (with consecutive interpreting into English).
■Equipment Required:
For taiko practice
・A taiko (small/medium size, such as okedo-daiko or electronic taiko), drum practice pad, or cushion for taiko practice that is suitable for fuse-uchi (upright taiko playing).
・Bachi (taiko drumsticks) suitable for fuse-uchi.
For attending online lessons
・Computer or mobile device with video capabilities (PC, tablet, smartphone, etc.)
※Sometimes the instructor will ask participants to change the angle of their camera, so we recommend using either a separate webcam and monitor, or using two separate devices.
・High-speed internet connection
・Zoom app
・Slack app
・YouTube account
*Note: The following items are not required, but we strongly recommend using them if possible.
・Yoga mat
・Wireless or Bluetooth headphones or earbuds (e.g.: AirPods, etc.)
Participant Requirements:
To take part, you need:
- to be 15 years old or over
- For Remote Course: to have at least one year of experience playing taiko (eg: taking lessons, playing with a taiko group)
- For Lite Course: to have at least some experience playing taiko. (Any prior experience is OK, regardless of length.)
■Notes
・An archive recording of each lesson will be shared on YouTube, with access restricted to participants, so you can review the content. (Archives will only be available to view during the course.)
・Remote Course participants can submit three task-based performance videos during the course to receive feedback and advice from the instructor. These video tasks are optional. If you submit a task, your video will be shared and discussed in class, and you will also receive personal feedback and advice from the instructor.
Fees
Remote Course
| Fees | Enrolment Fee | Course Fee |
| General (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥13,200 | ¥62,000 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥13,200 | ¥56,400 |
| General (Overseas) | ¥12,000 | ¥56,700 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Overseas) | ¥12,000 | ¥51,200 |
Lite Course
| Fees | Enrolment Fee | Course Fee |
| General (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥13,200 | ¥38,400 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Domestic) (incl. tax) | ¥13,200 | ¥36,000 |
| General (Overseas) | ¥12,000 | ¥34,800 |
| Kodo no Kai Members (Overseas) | ¥12,000 | ¥31,200 |
How the Courses Differ
| Remote Course | Lite Course | |
| Attend online lessons | ○ | ー |
| View lesson archives | ○ | ○ |
| Submit task(s) | ○ | ー |
| Join Slack group, ask questions via text | ○ | ○ |
About Kodo no Kai
Details about Kodo’s Japanese-language supporter service, Kodo no Kai, are available in Japanese only.
http://www.kodo.or.jp/friends/index_ja.html
We welcome inquiries in English via the form on this page.
Fee Payment
・Fees are due by Dec. 13 (Fri), 2024.
・Payments can be made by bank transfer (within Japan only) or PayPal.
Application Method
■Apply for the course via this form
■Application Period: Oct. 1 (Tue)–Nov. 30 (Sat), 2024
■Capacity: 15 people
Process from Application to Course Start:
If there are more applications than spaces, we will use a selection process to choose participants for this course. Staff will contact all applicants on Dec. 5 (Thu) to let them know if they are able to attend. Fees are due by Dec. 13 (Fri). We will send course information to all confirmed participants. Before the course commences, there will be communications between staff and participants and an online lesson technical check (date and time TBA).
Inquiries
Please contact us via this form:
Kodo Taiko School Inquiry Form