Taiko classes

Taiko lessons

Would you like to receive lessons with our unique Japanese instruments?

What you will learn with us:

- To make music in a very physical way
- To push your limits
- To not judge your own Taiko skills or that of each other
- Know and trust yourself in a new way

The percussionists of the world-famous percussion group Circle Percussion tailor the group lessons for all experience levels.

Scroll down to see our various taiko lesson groups.

Trial lesson for reduced price
Do you want to use your energy? Do want to delve deeper into the area of Japanese drumming? Do you want to improve your stamina? Whatever the motivation… a trial lesson is ALWAYS A GREAT IDEA!

Taiko Genkan 太鼓玄関
Sunday morning

「Learn about taiko and playing together」

In this beginner group, you’ll explore the fundamentals of taiko in a playful and accessible way. Using simple rhythms, we focus on posture, grip, body movement, and ensemble playing. You'll also get introduced to different styles, such as playing on the odaiko or in the Miyake style.

In addition, we practice the piece Zoku by the taiko group Kodō to build awareness of the basic principles involved in performing a taiko piece.

Structure:
Arrival: 08.45 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 09.15
End: 11.30

Trainer:
Jim Gubbels

Level:
Starter

Taiko Genkan 太鼓玄関
Sunday afternoon

「Learn about taiko and playing together」

In this beginner group, you’ll explore the fundamentals of taiko in a playful and accessible way. Using simple rhythms, we focus on posture, grip, body movement, and ensemble playing. You'll also get introduced to different styles, such as playing on the odaiko or in the Miyake style.

In addition, we also work with elements from an original composition called Genshi Sūpu (“Primordial Soup”), which we use to explore how different parts of taiko music connect and interact with one another, as well as becoming aware of the physical dimension of taiko playing.

Structure:
Arrival: 11.30 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 12.00
End: 14.15

Trainer:
Jim Gubbels

Level:
Starter

Taiko Genkan 太鼓玄関
Saturday afternoon

「Learn about taiko and playing together」

In this lesson group, beginners practice the basic principles of taiko playing under the guidance of Patrick Streng and work with various taiko drums and playing styles.

Structure:
Arrival: 11.30 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 12.00
End: 14.15

Trainer:
Patrick Streng

Level:
Starter

KIDÕ 気童
Saturday afternoon

「Taiko for youthly spirits」

This is the lesson group for kids from secondary school age up to their mid-20s. A target group we haven’t reached before, but perfect for starting with Taiko.

Ki stands for life energy, Dō stands for youth—the perfect name for this group.

Physical and endurance challenges, lots of playing, deep concentration, team building, and plenty of fun are the key elements for this group.

Structure:
Arrival: 14.15 – Lemonade/coffee/tea & set up
Start: 14.45
End: 16.15

Trainer:
Patrick Streng & Marit Oudshoorn

Level:
Starter / Intermediate

Taiko Tunes 太鼓節
Saturday afternoon

「Learn to understand and apply music theory in taiko」

Taiko Tunes is a lesson group focused on musical fundamentals. You’ll learn how music works – from measures and rhythm to form, dynamics, and phrasing – and how to apply this knowledge within taiko music.

The lessons are hands-on and interactive. We work on recognizing musical structures, reading basic notation, and understanding rhythmic building blocks. You’ll learn to play with greater awareness and see how musical choices enhance the overall performance.

Taiko Tunes is perfect for players who don’t just want to play, but truly want to understand what they’re doing – and why it works.

Structure:
Arrival: 08.45 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 09.15
End: 11.30

*NOTE:  Only the first class on September 6th is from 12.00 - 14.15*

Trainer:
Marit Oudshoorn

Level:
Intermediate

Taiko Zenkai 太鼓全開
Saturday afternoon

「Working on taiko technique for all levels」

Taiko Zenkai is a monthly lesson group focused on technical development, open to players of all levels. From beginners to advanced players, everyone works at their own pace on technique, strength, timing, groove, and ensemble playing.

The lessons are built around technical themes that are valuable for every player. Topics include posture, striking power, coordination, breathing, rhythmic precision, and musicality. We also explore Japanese terminology, basic rituals, and musical structures from the taiko tradition.

Taiko Zenkai offers a safe and structured learning environment where technical growth is the focus. No stage pressure, no competition – just depth, connection, and rhythmic energy.

Structure:
Arrival: 14.15 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 14.45
End: 17.00

Trainers:
Various

Level:
Intermediate

Mushin Da 無心打
Friday evening

「Improvisation and freedom in playing」

Mushin Da is a lesson group for taiko players who want to delve deeper into free-form playing. In monthly sessions, you learn to improvise, make musical choices, and find your own voice within an ensemble.

This group is not about fixed patterns, but about musical awareness. You learn to listen, respond, add color, and take or give space. We work on creative skills, self-awareness, the courage to show vulnerability, and the development of artistic freedom.

You’ll also gain insight into musical context: What is your role within the whole? How does a groove function? What does the notation tell you? How do you build tension in free structures?

Structure:
Arrival: 18.30 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 19.00
End: 21.15

Trainer:
Erwin Oudshoorn & Marit Oudshoorn

Level:
Intermediate

Narimono 鳴り物
Friday evening

「Small instruments. Big impact.」

Narimono is a lesson group where you learn to play the smaller Japanese percussion instruments that are essential in the taiko tradition for adding color, timing, and structure.

You’ll get to know instruments such as kane, chappa, atarigane, hyōshigi, and shime-daiko. In these lessons, you learn how to create maximum musical meaning with minimal means. You’ll develop precision, timing, and musical awareness, and learn how to support, color, and guide an ensemble as a narimono player.

The term “narimono” (鳴り物) literally means “sounding things” and refers to the wide range of small percussion instruments in Japanese music. These instruments play a subtle yet crucial role in rhythmic accompaniment, structure, atmosphere, and musical tension.

In this group, we train in precise entry, tone variation, timing, active listening, and the relationship between narimono and the larger ensemble. We cover notation, function, and interpretation, and learn how narimono acts as the musical glue between the different layers of a composition.

Narimono is suitable for all levels and offers a valuable deepening for any taiko player looking to broaden their musical role.

Structure:
Arrival: 18.45 – coffee/tea & set up
Start: 19.00
End: 20.30

Trainer:
Wouter van der Wildt & Erwin Oudshoorn

Level:
All levels