Aber Taiko – Japanese Drumming in Swansea

Tiffany Tamaribuchi workshop in Swansea

We are very pleased to be able to offer a few spaces at a Taiko workshop led by Tiffany Tamaribuchi, who is stoping in Swansea on her way to Taiko Baka on Gower.

When: Saturday January 24^th 2026 10am – 4pm

Where: Hangar 18, 50 Plymouth Street, SA1 3QQ; Several pay-and-display car parks can be found close to the venue.

What: Tiffany will teach the basic tenets of playing Taiko safely and joyfully: stance, grip, striking technique, movement and attitude to performing and practicing. In the morning we will learn ‘Joy Bubble’ – Tiffany’s piece suitable for all levels of experience; in the afternoon we will get stuck in on two drum work, playing parts of her piece ‘Kokorozashi‘.

Costs and requirements: £85 for the full day; let us know if you can bring a shime or a mia; shime especially would be most welcome! bring your own bachi.

Suitable for those who play taiko regularly for at least one year.

About Tiffany Tamaribuchi

Tiffany sensei is an internationally recognized Taiko artist whose career spans more than three decades of performance, instruction, composition and artistic leadership. She toured in Japan with well-known groups such as Ondekoza, founded Sacramento Taiko Dan and the all-women’s Jodaiko. In 2002 Tiffany became the first woman to win the All-Japan Odaiko Competition in Fukui. She was also one of the Taiko artists featured in the ‘Her Beat’ documentary and always a sought-out instructor in Taiko conferences in the US.

Interested?

Payment secures your place.

More Taiko in May and June

Have you ever seen a group of drummers and felt the vibration of the drums going right through you? Did the deep, resonant beats pull you in?

With Taiko, there are also big movements and bursts of energy and joy.

If you are saying to yourself – ‘I’ve got to try this’, then read on!

Our 6-week Taiko Drumming Course is a high-energy way to move, challenge yourself, and connect with rhythm. We will learn the basics of the art form through the piece ‘Hiryu San Dan Gaeshi’ (the flying dragon god circles down three times’). At the end of the course, if you wish, you will have the opportunity to perform the piece together with Aber Taiko.

✅ Feel the Power – Strike with strength and experience the deep, immersive sound of Taiko
✅ Move & Play – Engage your whole body in dynamic, rhythmic motion
✅ Drum as a Team – Practice together to create something bold and unforgettable

No experience needed—just bring your energy and curiosity! Join us and find your rhythm.

Dates: 27th April, 11 and 18th May, 1st, 22nd and 29th of June.

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 6 weeks: pay what you wish on a sliding scale between £45-£60. £60 is for those in work and/or comfortable. £45 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 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 5 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.