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Lesson 1 of 4
  • Year 7

Context and terminology of taiko

I can perform a short taiko structure using don and doko and can explain the origins of taiko.

Lesson 1 of 4
New
New
  • Year 7

Context and terminology of taiko

I can perform a short taiko structure using don and doko and can explain the origins of taiko.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Taiko means ‘drum’ or ‘the art of drumming’. It is the global name for kumi daiko, which is Japanese ensemble drumming.
  2. Performers wear traditional outfits and use bachi to play the drums on the hara (head) or the fuchi (edge).
  3. Taiko is learned aurally and can be understood by using the kuchi shoga phonetic method.
  4. We have performed honji (eight-beat patterns) with don and doko sounds.

Keywords

  • Taiko - a Japanese word for ‘drum’ or the ‘art of drumming’

  • Kumi daiko - a form of ensemble drumming, originating in Japan

  • Bachi - the sticks used to play the drums

  • Kuchi shoga - phonetic notation used to describe rhythms, dynamics and pitch

  • Honji - an eight-beat pattern

Common misconception

Taiko is the name of the style.

Taiko is Japanese for 'drum' and the drums make up kumi daiko which is ensemble drumming.


To help you plan your year 7 music lesson on: Context and terminology of taiko, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Have pupils repeat back words together as a group when learning the vocabulary, as they will need to get used to participating vocally together for the kakegoes.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Voices or body percussion.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What musical element refers to how loud or soft the music is?

tempo
timbre
Correct answer: dynamics
pitch
texture

Q2.
What musical element refers to how high or low the music is?

tempo
timbre
dynamics
Correct answer: pitch
structure

Q3.
What term describes the quality of the sound?

tempo
Correct answer: timbre
dynamics
pitch
texture

Q4.
refers to fast and slow, or the speed of the music

Correct Answer: tempo

Q5.
What role do drummers usually provide in a piece of music?

melody
chords
Correct answer: rhythm
bass line

Q6.
Japan is a country in which continent?

Correct answer: Asia
Africa
North and South America
Antarctica
Europe

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word taiko mean?

loud
Correct answer: drum
ensemble
shout

Q2.
Which of these make up the traditional taiko outfit?

Correct answer: happi (coat)
Correct answer: tekkou (wristbands)
mawashi (trunks)
tsuna (rope)
Correct answer: hachimaki (headband)

Q3.
Which of the following is the correct term for the drum sticks?

kumi daiko
fuchi
hara
Correct answer: bachi

Q4.
What does 'ichi ni so re' do in a performance?

tells performers when to stop
Correct answer: gives a count-in
changes dynamics
changes tempo

Q5.
How many beats are in a honji?

2
3
4
6
Correct answer: 8

Q6.
Unlike western notation, taiko uses kuchi shoga, which is

Correct answer: a phonetic notation used to describe rhythms, dynamics and pitch.
a conductor that uses a batten to guide the orchestra
a type of stave notation written down