Japanese Taiko "Thunder Drum" Workshop, Demo, & Jam Session

If you're walking around the neighborhood of South Williamsburg in Brooklyn, don't be startled if you hear loud drums in the distance. Instead, follow those bellowing sound waves down a nondescript alleyway to a hidden dojo ready to teach you a 1,500-year-old drumming art from Japan.

Join New York Adventure Club for a private drumming workshop at Taiko Masala Dojo, a Brooklyn-based dojo dedicated to the art of Taiko, a traditional Japanese drumming and martial arts-inspired movement.

Led by master drummer Hiro Kurashima, owner and founder of Taiko Masala, our unique musical experience will include:

• A brief history of the ancient Japanese art of Taiko as well as Hiro's Brooklyn dojo
• A walkthrough of the studio to see the dojo's arsenal of hand-made instruments, including small eight-inch hand-held drums, five-foot barrel drums, and the giant 250-pound O-daiko
• A one-hour lesson on the art of Taiko — you'll learn everything from a simple Taiko backbeat rhythm to simple melody pattern
• A jam session with your fellow Adventure Club Taiko orchestra members that incorporates your newly learned Taiko skills

Before the interactive lesson and jam session, we'll listen to a live musical demonstration by Taiko Masala Dojo's top students, some of which are in the Thunder Drumming Troupe — a professional Taiko drumming orchestra that travel the country performing at some of the nation's largest Japanese events and festivals.

Click here to see pictures from one of our last taiko workshops.

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle as taiko drumming is a full-body exercise

**Please wear socks as shoes must be taken off before walking onto the main dojo floor

***Entrance instructions are shared in the 'additional information' section of the confirmation email, which is sent immediately upon registration

About Taiko Masala

Taiko Masala was formed in 2001 under the leadership and instruction of Suwa-style Master Drummer and Founder of the New York Suwa Taiko Association, Hiro Kurashima.

Based in Brooklyn, NY, Taiko Masala strives to carry on the tradition of Grand Master Daihachi Oguchi. Grand Master Oguchi developed and introduced Suwa-style ensemble Taiko drumming first to Japanese audiences in the 1950s and then to audiences around the world until his untimely death seven years ago. Grand Master Oguchi’s goal was, and the intention of Taiko Masala and all the other Suwa Taiko Association teams in the New York Metropolitan area is, to spread the joy of Taiko to as many people as possible.

Taiko Masala drummers—men and women of different ages, with different cultural, religious and music backgrounds; from different walks of life, for a wide range of personal reasons — come together with the intention to play well and share the joy of both traditional and contemporary Taiko music with everyone.

Testimonials

"I liked the atmosphere, the teacher's responsiveness with respect to the participants' different levels and abilities, and the kindness of the teacher and his students during the entire workshop" - Mélanie

"Great teacher. Excellent idea to have his students on hand for demo and collaboration" -Elisa

"It was a wonderful experience. The people involved were very friendly and the instructor and group where professional while maintaining a certain levity. Many thanks." - Jose

"It was super fun, and the instructor was very nice." -Edward

"One of the most user friendly and fun taiko workshops I've seen. Hiro sensei makes it very engaging for the beginners." -Bartlomiej

"I love the hands on experience." -Mary

"I had a chance to try it my self and received some info that is enough to drive the interest further." -Inna

"It was super fun, and the instructor was very nice." -Edward

"I always wanted to play the taiko drums as i had attended a japanese ochestra and loved the energy of the drums. To be able to play these drums was the most exciting part of it for me." -Manisha

"One of the most user friendly and fun taiko workshops I've seen. Hiro sensei makes it very engaging for the beginners." -Bartlomiej

"I love the hands on experience." -Mary

"Performance and Talk were both interesting and drum instruction was clear." -Joy

"Loved the chance to learn about Japanese drumming and actually the instruction made it possible to feel like we were actually playing." -Jack

"The atmosphere The teacher's responsiveness with respect to the participants' different levels and abilities The kindness of the teacher and his students during the entire workshop." -Mélanie

"The rhythms were not too complicated, so that everyone of varying skill levels could follow along. Also, I appreciate that there were students who could help us individually with the lesson." -Olivia

"Great teacher. Excellent idea to have his students on hand for demo and collaboration." -Elisa

"Great group , loved the drums!" -Rona

"The instructor was very talented at coaching beginners." -Kindra

"I liked getting to try something new." -Andrine

"It was very educational, interactive and immersive." -Erik

"It was a wonderful experience. The people involved were very friendly and the instructor and group where professional while maintaining a certain levity. Many thanks." -Jose

"Friendly people, we'll planned event, learned a lot!" -Dominic

"Everything! Loved the initial demonstration and then, with a couple of lessons we got right into it" -Nancy

" This class was very enjoyable. Everyone introduced themselves and shared why they were there treating us to a performance too. Then when it was our to play the taiko it bought me so much pleasure because I felt connected to something higher. Hiro did such a good job explaining each pattern to us and played along with us too. I’m thinking about coming back or taking lessons since this is something I want to do again." -Rohan

" Immersive, immediate participation, fun" -Julia

"It was everything I expected it to be as laid out by the description of the event. It started on time and ended on time and it was so much fun. Getting to see them perform and then getting hands on experience learning the instrument was amazing. And the teacher's positivity in our playing was motivation enough to keep trying to nail the drum sections. Also everyone was super friendly and helpful." -Liz

" The class was very well organized - starting with a demo and then excellent instruction provided by the Sensei. He had us drumming very quickly and provided the right amount of challenge." -Emily

" It was fun; it was easy. try it; it's not too physically taxing at all. There's no judging - everyone tries their best. Sensei/teacher was great!" -Peter

" Very fun and personable group...loved the demonstration and lesson! Highly recommend it..been wanting to do this adventure a long time...it was a great day!" -Ginger

"The instructor was great." -Elisabeth

"Fun, interesting and friendly" -R

"New experience. The drumming was fun. Friendly staff" -Lorraine

"It was really interesting, unique, and a lot of fun!" -Nori

"Loved the workshop. A very welcoming and interesting place. The sound of the drums was fantastic and I really enjoyed playing with the group. Sensei is so nice and such a good teacher." -Lindsay

"Hiro is an amazing instructor when teacher us how to play taiko and the significance of the pieces played. I keep enjoying myself when I go there. It is something I find a lot of interest in and want to keep learning about." -Rohan

"Brilliant experience!" -Tracey

"Fascinating! The instructor was wonderful and guided our group to a very fun experience. The drumming was peaceful yet strong at the same time. It was a great feeling of being at one with the vibration. Would recommend to anyone! We will try to follow the performers to an event this year! Thank you to the instructor and the performers!" -Lori

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