Year 7 - Music
The key principles of taiko
Taiko drumming
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils are introduced to Taiko drumming, performing as an ensemble, composing in groups and learning about the energy that pulse and rhythm can bring to a performance. They learn the key terminology and technique of Taiko and develop an understanding of the culture connected with the music.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify strikes and kakegoe, applying these to the stance and movement to recreate key aspects of taiko.
Key Notes
- Taiko has four key principles which are fundamental to performance.
- These are kata (movement), rei (attitude), waza (technique) and ki (energy and flow).
- The correct kamae (stance) helps performers to keep in time.
- There are a variety of strikes and kakegoe, with some performed in synchronisation. These include sore, hup and sa.
- The common strikes are don and doko which are on the head of the drum (hara) and kara which is on the rim (fuchi).
Vocabulary To Learn
- kamae: the stance used while performing
- waza: the correct technique, expression and synchronisation used within a performance
- hara: the head of the drum
- fuchi: the edge of the drum
- kakegoe: shouts used during performance for cues and emotion
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The movements and shouts are not related to the pulse and rhythm.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Taiko has four key principles which are fundamental to performance. These are kata (movement), rei (attitude), waza (technique) and ki (energy and flow).
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'kamae'
the stance used while performing.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The movements and shouts are not related to the pulse and rhythm. Correction: The movements and shouts, just like the drum strikes, are rhythmically important. Reinforce the pulse when teaching the movements, shouts and strikes.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 7 Music guide library.