Taiko Composition Library

​Song Title："Malambo Taiko"

(Argentina, South America)

From the composer(s) & team:

"Malambo is a traditional rhythm in Argentina played with Bombo Legüero and body percussion. The bombo legüero is also played hanged like the katsugi, so we also use katsugis in our song. The first time we played this song was last year when we traveled to Japan to do some workshops and performances. We wanted to share with people some of our roots through their culture. It is very powerful and cheerful at the same time."

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Composed by: Romina Taverna

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Contact information:

• Email：zendaikotalleres@gmail.com

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@romitaverna

@zendaiko

SONG Title："Hana Hachijo (WTC Version)"

​（Niigata Prefecture, Sado City)

Hana Hachijo: Infinity Project

～Blossoming Taiko Rhythms Around the World～

“Hana Hachijo (WTC Version )" Song submission & video collaboration:

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Message from Chieko Kojima: “My name is Chieko Kojiama of Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo. 
Kodo is based on Sado Island and tour all over the world. 
But this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to meet everyone in person.
Upon receiving this project, I asked our friends around the world to join us by submitting their videos.There is a taiko piece called ‘Hana Hachijo’, where ‘hana’ means flower.  My wish is that through this piece, each person’s flower will bloom through taiko.

In commemoration of the first WTC which will be held in Japan, I would like to connect many of your "flowers" from all over the world starting by passing to you my "Hachijo" flower baton. Please continue to play, share and pass on the baton with the hashtag #hanabaton to your friends around the world!”

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We received many flowers from everyone,  and we submitted a collaboration video for the exhibition at the Niigata Prefectural Cultural Festival.  I would like to show you the bouquet of flowers that we have gathered. Please enjoy!​

https://n-story.jp/bunkasai/​

Created by: Chieko Kojima

*Chieko was featured in the Live Talk sessions. Be sure to check it out the archive here!

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Contact information:

• Email：cfp012220@gmail.com

From the composer(s) & team:

"I was thinking about a way to add something to the Taiko World during this pandemic. So I wrote this score.
You can use it to practice during the pandemic and when it is all over you can use it as a solo in between songs.
The theme is the quarantine we are going through. We were carefree and then this whirlwind of changes happened.
It is best played in a well tuned Shimedaiko, because of the higher pitch and the tighter leather tension.
Although my original intention was for it to be easy for any player, the final score is tricky, so please see it as a challenge, even for experienced players.
It is free to use, free to teach, royalty-free and free to arrange it as you wish."

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Composed by: Lucas Muraguchi - Ishindaiko, Brazil

*Lucas will be featured in the Live Talk sessions. Be sure to check it out!

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Hashtag(s)：#ishindaiko #drumming #taiko #quarantine

Contact information:

• Email：lucas.muraguchi@gmail.com

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​Song Title："Wombat Combat"

(Belgium & Germany)

Composed by:  Jonas vom Orde, Arranged by : TAIKO BASTARDS

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Trouble is brewing in the Australian outback today! 

The Clutterbuck Creek dried out long ago and the tumbleweeds have been ruling the wastelands ever since. In the dusty heat of the outback, two wombats are having a fur-ious disagreement.

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Their paws are scraping the ground as they circle each other, their butts are wiggling and waggling as they dash forward – and then retreat again - as they search for the perfect moment to bite each other's ears.

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From TAIKO BASTARDS:
We’d like to offer to you “Wombat Combat”, a piece very special to us that is inspired by the idea of two animals fighting in the wild.

It’s a piece which combines the different movement and rhythmic Kumi-Daiko styles, and also showcases all players by distributing the melodic motifs across all instruments.

You are welcome to make this piece your own - every stylistic approach is fine with us. As long as everyone in the group is playing with the same intention, and telling a little story about some fighting wombats... it will still be “Wombat Combat”.
Have fun with this piece, and release the wombats!!Ingmar Kikat, Mel Ski, Jonas vom Orde, Steven Cools

Contact：

• Email : TaikoBastards@gmail.com

Taiko Bastards are happy to respond to any feedback or questions you have about this piece. Email them and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

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Socal Media: 

We’d love to see you playing this piece! If you have a video of your progress, please upload and tag it with #ReleaseTheWombats and #WombatCombat to share it with the community.

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Find us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram:

​Song Title：" yamishibai "

(" teatro das trevas (PT-BR) / 「闇芝居」")

(Brazil, South America)

From the composer(s) & team:

"Yamishibai was inspired by the peculiar way of playing taiko, focused on making “sound effects” in the stage, inspired in the traditional Japanese theater, Kabuki.

The music is composed of rhythms and melodies that intend to cause a feeling of suspense in those who watch.

The main theme of the song is a theater play with a horror plot, the Theater of Darkness (yamishibai). The song's title came from a Japanese animated series with the same name, in which Japanese urban legends are portrayed.

Our performance of Yamishibai was performed unfinished, and currently remains as is.  

The reason why we wanted to share this piece with the global taiko community, is because perhaps, this piece may find its ending in another part of the world.

To our dear taiko friends in the world, we invite you to please tell us how this piece ends to you!"

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Composed by: HIBIKI WADAIKO

Hashtag(s) : #hibikiwadaiko

Contact：

• Email :  hibiki.wadaiko@gmail.com

Find us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram:

​Song Title："Ittari kitari"

(Germany, Europe)

From the composer(s) & team:

"A part of my practice piece, which I composed to learn fluent movement forms.

It can be drummed with the X stand, but also in a normal position.

Basic rhythm and solo parts alternate between the two drummers and

promote their communication through the Taiko."

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Composed by:  Andreas Prescher - Kumano Taiko Dojo

​Music Score (download)

Hashtag(s) :  #行ったり来たり #Kumano Taiko Dojo #ittarikitari

Contact：

• Email :  taiko@prescher.net

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• Website: https://taiko.prescher.net/

​Song Title：" Remix!"

(U.S.A, North America)

From the composer(s) & team:

"Remix! is a very uptempo and lively song that serves as the finale of almost all La Jolla performances. With lots of interaction and energy among performing members, Remix! strives to connect those on stage, as well as with audience members, though an infectious groove and joyous atmosphere. 

Played with a fun "hip-hop" feel, Remix! got it's name by the wide variety of songs that it reminded our members of, blending together these combined experiences.

The included video shows only a shime solo in the middle of the song, but the included score contains an optional odaiko/nagadou solo as well. 

Please email with any questions, as we would love to see you enjoy playing Remix! as much as we do!"

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Composed by:  Chad Przymus

Hashtag(s) : #lajollataiko

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Contact：

• Email :  lajollataiko@gmail.com

• Webpage: www.lajollataiko.org

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​Song Title："ORIGENS"

(Brazil, South America &Niigata Prefecture, Sado City - JAPAN)

(Portuguese)

O nome Origens nasceu por ambos se inspirarem em ritmos que remetem sua terra natal. Yoohey Kaito (brasileiro) com o ritmo tradicional Maracatu, e Yuta Sumiyoshi (japonês) com o ritmo tradicional da sua região da província de Kagawa.

Tenho o Yuta Sumiyoshi como um irmão da música. Estudamos e vivenciamos juntos durante o estágio no grupo Kodo.

Compor esta música juntos, foi de uma alegria e satisfação enorme, onde pudemos desfrutar todo o processo de composição, sendo de uma harmonia e respeito mútuo desde o início ao fim com trocas de mensagens, ideias e gravações. Desfrutem da música Origens seja tocando ou ouvindo.

* É permitida a utilização quanto a alteração no arranjo da música.

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(English)

Yuta Sumiyoshi from Kodo (JAPAN) and Yoohey Kaito from Kaito Taiko (BRAZIL), are classmates from Kodo’s apprentice program.  They have co-created this piece, ORIGENS, through the internet to share with the larger taiko community!

It uses the Brazilian rhythm, Maracatu, and Yuta’s home shishimai rhythm as a base.

Feel the groove and floating melody!  Everyone is free to make arrangements to the piece :) 

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Composed by:  Yoohey Kaito , Yuta Sumiyoshi

Hashtag(s) : #ORIGENS

Contacts：

KODO

• Offical Website：  https://www.kodo.or.jp

• Yuta Sumiyoshi's email：yuta.sumiyoshi@kodo.or.jp

Kaito Taiko

• Official Website：  http://www.kaitotaiko.com.br

• Yoohey Kaito's email:　contato@kaitotaiko.com.br

​Song Title："Mugen"

(Miyagi Prefecture, Shiogamao City)

From the composer(s) & team:

"To share my piece through WTC, I have composed, performed, video recorded, and edited everything on my own.  The piece is called “Mugen”, which expressed a fleeting dream or illusion.  I personally think that music has no ending, and wanted to express being free of not always having an answer, letting the piece become fun and somewhat fleeting.

The piece is OK to arrange, including the katsugi-okedo solo.  I use a shinobue #5 for this piece."

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Composed by : Naito Tsuboe

Hashtag(s) : #taikomugen

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Contacts：

• Email：tsuboeknight@gmail.com

​Song Title："Kyoudai"

(Hungary, Europe)

From the composer(s) & team:

"Our friendship (István and Zsolt) began several years ago and became as strong as brotherhood.

 There are times when life is very simple, sometimes it turns into chaos. Though we always have each other to help. 

Kyoudai is our first composition which represents our connection. Originally it started as taiko practice and later we put every part into a structure. We couldn't miss our best Taiko friend Nóra to participate in this piece, so we expanded it with an atarigane part. This piece is about this road and how to make connections.

Feel free to learn, practice and play this piece. We would be happy to get feedback and your version of Kyoudai."

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Composed by : Zsolt Botfa and István Borbély

Hashtag(s) : #kyoudai

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Contacts：

• Email：zsolt.botfa@gmail.com

​Song Title："Uteya-Hayaseya"

(Japan)

From the composer(s) & team:

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"Congratulations for the WTC! We are sharing “Uteya-Hayaseya” by Tsuyoshi Maeda from kaDON x Hibikus course. “Uteya-Hayaseya” is a composition by Tsuyoshi Maeda based on the lively syncopated rhythm. In this course, Tsuyoshi will teach you the piece focusing on two of the parts: Nagado and the Okedo/Shime set parts. Please refer to the Full Score to challenge yourself to learn the other parts.The parts he teaches do not have too many fast, intricate rhythms, but has many spacious “ma” built in where Tsuyoshi features big body movements and arm swings. “Rhythm” is of course an important aspect of taiko, but “physicality” is also as important. Moving emotions lead to movements.

Tsuyoshi believes that taiko is not just a musical form, but also packed with peoples wishes and prayers, as well as love for someone or something that they hold dear.  In our daily lives, we may feel or experience joy and affection, and at times, anger or sadness. These real emotions within you move your heart and become physical movement and finally turn into sounds. Through this piece, Tsuyoshi hopes you can experiment with such an approach to taiko.Think of the movements and bachi swinging presented in this course as one option amongst many possibilities. If your heart takes you to move differently, that’s totally OK! Feel free to make your own arrangements and enjoy!

Tsuyoshi decided on the title “Uteya-Hayaseya” because he wanted this piece to be played and enjoyed without the need to strictly follow the score. ”Hayasu” is a Japanese term for “to cheer” Therefore, the piece is meant to be directed outwards such as your taiko friends that are playing with you, the audience, or it could even be directed towards something bigger, like nature and earth. To convey your feelings in the sound you create for that someone or something, is a concept that Tsuyoshi explores and cherishes.

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If you want to learn further, you can watch the full lesson on kaDON or you can contact kaDON for direct teaching from Tsuyoshi (limited to Japan for the time being)."

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Composed by : Tsuyoshi Maeda

Hashtag(s) : #tsuyoshimaeda #kadon #hibikus

Contacts：

• Email：info@kadon.com / uno@miyamoto-unosuke.co.jp

• Website: https://kadon.com/

​Song Title："Shingetsu"

(Perth, Australia)

From the composer(s) & team:

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"Shingetsu was inspired during a camping trip whilst sitting by the campfire, and admiring the sky on the night of a new moon.  The piece draws on the idea of shedding and decluttering and then harnessing the new moon’s energy to refocus for new beginnings. "

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Composed by : Treoen Phillips from Taiko Do

Hashtag(s) :#shingetsu #taikodo #shingetsubytaikodo

Contacts：

• Email：admin@taikodo.com.au

​Song Title："Omiyage"

(U.S.A)

From the composer:

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"I wrote this song as a gift to the taiko community back in 2004 and it has become one of the most widely shared and performed pieces in North America. Now with the first  World Taiko Conference I hope that the spirit of this piece spreads across the world.

Within the taiko community there is a spirit of generosity that is very important to me. I know that many amazing taiko players have put their heart and soul into this art form. Taiko people around the world have welcomed me into their homes and these deep connections we make through taiko changes each of us. I gave this song to the taiko community to encourage this spirit of generosity. You are free to learn, teach and perform this song so long as you also do what you can to encourage and grow this spirit of generosity in our community."

There are many clips of groups around the world playing Omiyage!

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Composed by : Shoji Kameda

Hashtag(s) :#kadon #omiyage

Contacts：

• If you have any questions about the piece feel free to contact Shoji at: info@kadon.com or shoji@onensemble.org

• There is also a full video course available for Omiyage at kaDON.com: https://kadon.com/course/omiyage/

​Song Title："Lion Chant"

(U.S.A)

From the composer:

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"Lion Chant is based off of two of my favorite styles of music: the music for the Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Lion Dance of the Tokyo Area) and the Balinese style of vocal percussion called kecak. I originally composed this piece for On Ensemble and as such it has a more contemporary feel to it.

The first half of the piece is based on the pattern Yatai for Kotobuki Jishi that you play when the lion first makes its entrance. The second half of the piece is based on kecak patterns that interlock to form an intricate rhythmic tapestry.

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This piece can be arranged in many different ways. In the On Ensemble videos you'll see it played with taiko and western drum kit. You can create all taiko versions or collaborate with other percussionists. There are many directions this piece can take. Enjoy Lion Chant!”

There are many clips of groups around the world playing Omiyage!

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Composed by : Shoji Kameda

Lion Chant

practice material (zip)➜

On Ensemble Performance:

On Ensemble + Ho Etsu Performance:

Hashtag(s) : #lionchant #kaDON

Contacts：

• If you have any questions about the piece feel free to contact Shoji at:  shoji@onensemble.org

• If you'd like to get deeper into the piece it's available as a full course at kaDON.com: https://kadon.com/course/lion-chant/

Website: onensemble.org ,​kadon.com

​Song Title："Ready Set kaDON"

(U.S.A)

From the composer:

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"This piece was the first composition I composed for kaDON! The purpose of this piece was to create a fun groovy piece that was relatively simple to learn but had some interesting lessons hidden within it.

This piece really encourages ensemble playing and rewards good listening. It's also a piece that scales well into a large group. It's a piece that is meant to be fun and played with friends in celebration of the joy that taiko brings into our lives!
Have fun!"

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Composed by : Shoji Kameda

​Music Score (download)

Ready Set kaDON

practice material (zip)➜

Taikopalooza Performance:

Hashtag(s) : #RSK #kaDON

Contacts：

• If you have any questions about the piece feel free to contact kaDON: info@kadon.com

• If you'd like to learn more about the piece it's also available as a full course at kadon.com: https://kadon.com/course/ready-set-kadon/

Website: ​kadon.com

​Song Title："烈-RETSU-"

(Aomori prefecture, Japan)

From the composer:

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"The Tsugaru region of Aomori prefecture, which is also famous for the Tsugaru shamisen, is a region where the Nebuta Festival is popular.

The katsugi okedo drums, which have originated and developed at festivals in Tsugaru, are now world-famous. I made a song with the drums that spread from Tsugaru and the sound of the fue that is irreplaceable for the festivals in Tsugaru. The fue is not a traditional Tsugaru, but it uses the six sounds of the Doremi-style Shinobue, so many people who play the Shinobue can play it.

When I play this song, I feel that the fue and drums are mutually emphasized.

This tingling feeling of excitement is the Tsugaru festival itself.

Wishing that I will have local friends to play with me when Covid-19 calms down.  "

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Composed by : Bunta Satoh

Practice videos can also be found here:

http://sato-bunta.boo.jp/shinhayashi/practice-video/

NEORETSU_v03

(pdf)➜

HUERETSU_v02 

(pdf)➜

Hashtag(s) : ＃RETSU

Contacts：

• Email: hue.bunta@gmail.com

Website: 

• NEOHAYASHI: http://sato-bunta.boo.jp/shinhayashi/  

• Satoh Bunta: http://on-l.net/satoh-bunta/

• Asano sota: https://www.sotaasano-taiko.com/ 

​Song Title："~Kokoro no Michi ~Path to Your Heart"

(Michigan, U.S.A)

From the composer:

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"The piece “Kokoro no Michi” or “Path to Your Heart” was not quite complete when the state of Michigan shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result, members initially never had a chance to get together to practice the piece in person; instead, for nearly six months, we learned “Kokoro no Michi” remotely through our weekly Zoom meetings.  It wasn’t until October that we were finally able to gather in a park and play together under the same sky.

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The long journey of life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes it is peaceful, sometimes it is painful, but its one constant is that you live your own life, not somebody else’s.  It is your own life.  Through “Kokoro no Michi,” we hope to celebrate the joy of living life to its fullest.

There are still many aspects of “Kokoro no Michi” that we would like to improve, such as by adding choreography, solo parts, or improvisation.  As we try out different things, we continue to polish the piece, and we invite taiko players all over the world to do the same by arranging and completing “Kokoro no Michi” in your own way. After all, you are the hero of your own life! We look forward to seeing your take on this composition—the song of your own life—and hope you will share it with us if you decide to learn it.

Thank you for watching."

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Composed by : Kyoko Johnson (Godaiko Drummers, Great Lakes Taiko Center

Kokoro no Michi_

心の道_long ver(pdf)➜

Kokoro no Michi_

心の道_short ver(pdf)➜

Hashtag(s) : #KokoronoMichi #GodaikoDrummers #GreatLakesTaikoCenter

Contacts：

• Email: hello@michigantaiko.net

Website: 

• Great Lakes Taiko Center: https://michigantaiko.net  

​Song Title："Arashima"

(Japan)

From the composer:

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Taishi Yamabe:
"Yuta provided the overall picture on the score canvas, and I filled in the gaps with my music.
Playing with mindfulness of the strike position and the angle, rather than using accepts for tone pitches, helps you make new discoveries that can be approached in other pieces.
Having chops for playing faster isn’t always important, but it comes useful when you need it.
Some people say that having chops for taiko makes it seem “percussive”, but I think it’s a matter of striking technique and usage.
Let's also think again on what it means to “be too percussive” on a taiko?"
 
Yuta Sumiyoshi:
"I was able to co-compose this piece with Taishi Yamabe, whom I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration from.
Taishi wrote the shime daiko part, while I wrote the low-toned parts.
The rhythms are quite difficult to play, but please feel free to challenge yourselves! "

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Composed by : Taishi Yamabe , Yuta Sumiyoshi

*Taishi is also one of our speakers for the panel discussion, 'Taiko as a Perfroming Art' held on November 22nd. Stay tuned!