Aber Taiko – Japanese Drumming in Swansea

Taiko course in March 2025

Our January course was really great and we had so much fun together! 4 weeks to get used to a new instrument, new ways of drumming and moving, new people to hang out with. Participants learnt the song ‘Joy Bubble’, composed by Tiffany Tamaribuchi, and could play it at a sharing evening with Aber Taiko after the end of the course.

We did say thre will be more courses after this first one – and indeed the next course will be in March.

So – if you want to carry on playing Taiko, or maybe try something new, or if you’ve seen a taiko group performing and wanted to give it a go, join us!

Powerful, fun and groovy drumming to be expected! You will use your whole body and be as loud as you want – our drums can take it. You will meet new people, improve your stamina and coordination, and make music together. You will also hear about the origins of taiko and its place in Japanese culture.

As with the first course, we will mark the end of this course by a sharing evening with the main Aber Taiko group on the Thursday following the last session – details tbc.

Dates: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 March 2025

Time: 11:00-12:30 including time for packing up.

Venue: Gors community hub, Heol Y Gors, Swansea SA1 6SA https://maps.app.goo.gl/k81uFCVagV886wxb8

Cost for the 4 weeks: pay what you wish on a sliding scale between £30-£50. £50 is for those in work and/or comfortable. £30 for young people or those unwaged. Find yourself on that scale, no questions asked.

Booking and details: email us at aber.taiko@gmail.com to book and for further details. Payment reserves your spot and places are limited. Minimum age – 12y. Under 16 to be accompanied by an adult.

Taiko course for beginners January 2025

We are opening 2025 with a big boom and offering a 4-week beginners’ course. This is both because we really enjoy sharing our taikolove with anyone who is drawn to this drumming style, and because quite a few people were asking for an opportunity to try this out. More courses will follow after this one.

So – if you want to try something new, or if you’ve seen a taiko group performing and wanted to give it a go, this is your chance.

Powerful, fun and groovy drumming to be expected! You will use your whole body and be as loud as you want – our drums can take it! You will meet new people, improve your stamina and coordination, and make music together. You will also hear about the origins of taiko and its place in Japanese culture.

It can change your life – it definitely changed ours!

We will mark the end of the course by a sharing evening with the main Aber Taiko group on the Thursday following the last session – details tbc.

Dates: 19th, 26th January, 2nd, and 9th February.

Time: 11:00-12:30 including time for packing up.

Venue: Gors community hub, Heol Y Gors, Swansea SA1 6SA https://maps.app.goo.gl/k81uFCVagV886wxb8

Cost for the 4 weeks: pay what you wish on a sliding scale between £25-£40. £40 is for those in work and/or comfortable. £25 for young people or those unwaged. Find yourself on that scale, no questions asked.

Tawoo style coming to Swansea!

We are super excited to announce a workshop day of groovy taiko in Swansea with Ingmar Kikat and Kaori Shiozawa on Saturday 2nd November 2024.

Ingmar and Kaori will teach the basics of the Tawoo style, which is very flowy and groovy and tribal, through the most fun piece ever – Jambo! In Jambo you will find big beats, polyrhythms and strong base rhythms that come together to give a compelling piece.

You can take it back to your group and even if Tawoo is not your regular style, you will benefit from learning to use your body for a powerful and funky taiko.

The day will be suitable for those who are playing Taiko regularly for at least one year.

Date: 2nd November 2024
Time: 10:00-17:30 with breaks for refreshments and light lunch during the day
Venue: Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE
Cost: £85
Dinner together at the end of the day
Food not covered by the cost above.

To register and for more details, please drop us a line at aber.taiko@gmail.com. When signing up, please indicate if you can bring one or more shime and/or Okedo with you.

Check out information on the Tawoo style and teachers:

Tawoo & GOCOO

Tawoo Dojo, a school for taiko in Tokyo and GOCOO, the professional taiko touring band were founded in 1997 and led by the charismatic Kaoly Asano. They are known for their unconventional and groundbreaking way of playing taiko, which utilises the body in a very natural way and brings out lots of groove and connection between the player and the music, as well as the individual and the group. In Europe Tawoo now has two branches, one of them being Kion Dojo in Hamburg, Germany, where Ingmar Kikat has been teaching taiko in a “Tawoo“ way since 2006. The second one is in Lisbon, where Kaori Shiozawa has been teaching Tawoo style since 2021.

Ingmar Kikat

Ingmar first started with learning classical percussion and was a member of rock bands, youth orchestras and percussion ensembles. On his first trip to Japan in 1998 he got in touch with taiko for the first time. From 2001 he began spreading taiko in northern Germany with the first taiko group from Hamburg, Tengu Daiko. After living in Japan 2004-2005 and studying with Tawoo Dojo & GOCOO in Tokyo, Ingmar founded his own school Kion Dojo in 2006. Besides teaching in Hamburg and in Germany, Ingmar has also been giving workshops in various countries in Europe, the USA and Japan. Taiko fascinated Ingmar from early on, because it is challenging on various levels and it brings people together!

Kaori Shiozawa

Kaori is from Tokyo/Japan and teaches piano, flute and taiko. She became a member of Tawoo Dojo (lead by Kaoly Asano) in 2004 and has also toured with GOCOO. After living in Brazil for 8 years and founding “Tawoo Brasil“ in São Paulo, she has now moved to Portugal and brought taiko to Lisbon, where taiko is still new and fresh.