TJC Rehearsal
2023-06-12 18:00 - 20:30, 2023-06-19 18:00 - 20:30, 2023-06-26 18:00 - 20:30, 2023-07-03 18:00 - 20:30, 2023-07-10 18:00 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
It’s rehearsal season! Taiko Journey Collective members only. Check back in August for regular public weekly sessions, and don’t forget our Taiko Sundays that offer taiko sessions for all.
This taiko rehearsal will be 6-8.30pm, for everyone wanting to perform in the weeks and months to come. As you have all given me your availability, you will be each emailed with the cost of the term which you can transfer to me or pay in cash in one or two instalments.
Please check in with HJ to enquire which is being studied each session so that you can come prepared. Most of our songs are backed up with online videos to get you refreshed so that you can make the most of the session.
Please arrive promptly to help set up, and stay to pack away the drums we’ve been playing at the end.
Who is it for?
Anyone with a starting/working knowledge of the songs being played. If you’re not sure, but want to join us, please give HJ a call or email to find out (hj@taikojourney.com).
Where is it?
This class is held on the outskirts of Exeter, in the Kenn Centre, Kennford, just off the A38, minutes away from Exeter. We’re in the main hall, so just park in one of the many free parking spaces and come and find us! More details of public transport etc on the Kenn Centre website.
What do I need to bring?
Everything you would usually bring to a taiko session – your own bachi are needed for these rehearsals – and some lunch to keep your energy up. Some people like to bring some homemade food to share which is always welcomed…

Taiko Beats
2023-10-15 13:00 - 17:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
This 4-hour session will be focussing on the beautiful style of naname playing. This is where the nagado taiko is held at an angle, which opens up a lovely range of kata, or movement. It really opens channels of whole-body experience with the taiko drum and is one of my most favourite to play and share.
We will do some basic naname warm-ups at the start of the session, moving on to some patterns, building into some new repertoire with some more complex rhythms and taught at a faster pace than our usual sessions. There will be opportunity for stepping out and rotating into the ji / shime-okedo section of the song, and there is never any pressure to achieve anything. If you need to slow it down, we will create that for you. Great fun, lots of energy, and joyful expression of life!
What do we pay?
The exchange for this 4-hour session is £35.
We understand that many of us are balancing unpredictable work and family lives, and we want to make this as accessible as possible, so if this is unviable for you, let us know and we can arrange a skill-swap, or exchange of goods (home-grown veggies or home-made produce, or something else that has come from the heart is always welcome – we know that things can get hard and that drumming time is precious and valuable for us to connect with ourselves and feel good. No-one should have to go without that).
What to expect:
This 4 hour session starts with a warm-up to prepare the body for playing, eases into connection with self, and opening up to playing with others, connecting with drums, learning some specific technique, and moving on to a specific style, or song. This is not a sweat-it-out session and everything we do isheld in a light-hearted, fun way, pushing our sense of comfort zones in a playful way, always coming back to what brings us joy. We close with a cool-down to end the session, and all stay to pack away the drums we’ve been playing. There will be comfort breaks, with a longer break around halfway through for topping up on snacks and chats.

Is this session appropriate for me?
This taiko exploration is for those with previous taiko experience. That doesn’t need to be hours or taiko, or even necessarily taiko at all, if you have previous movement and rhythm experience and like a challenge, are prepared to not go at the slowest pace, then we welcome you.
We don’t really have a linear progression with taiko, preferring to think of our journeys as ever-continuing spirals, so there is usually a wide range of experienced in the space, all learning something from everyone.
It really is up to you and how you feel – if you want a challenge and usually pick physical/rhythmical things up fairly quickly then come along – we’d love to have you. If this is all quite new to you, it’s advisable to come along to a session specifically made for beginners, because…there’s no need to rush this.

Where is it?
This session is at the Kenn Centre, near Exeter. Plenty of parking and great accessibility.
What do I need to bring?
You will need comfortable clothing and flexible footwear (or go barefoot). You’ll probably get thirsty, so bring a drink (there is tap water available at the centre) and possibly a snack if you need it to keep your energy up.
You’ll need bachi (these are available to borrow if you’re new to taiko for the first few workshops, but it is lovely to begin a connection with your own, connecting with them before each taiko session, building a relationship that will grow with you). (Available to buy from us at a session – email if you need some).
You’ll need to provide your own hearing protection – ear-defenders and disposable earplugs are always available at every session as we promote looking after your hearing, but if you’re a regular taiko player, please consider buying your own – they offer better protection and can be a worthwhile purchase longer term.

Taiko Beats
2023-11-05 13:00 - 17:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
This 4-hour session will embrace the Autumn weather with a re-imagined version of ‘Bachi Rain’. Keeping key elements, this song has grown into itself during its hibernation and is ready to be enjoyed again with new stormy rain energy! This song is played by two sides of beta-style nagado players, and celebrates the thunder of the Odaiko and other instruments.
We will learn the thematic rhythms at the start of the session, and move to create a song from start to end. You might find that this session has some more complex rhythms and is taught at a faster pace than our usual sessions, but as ever you are welcomed to come as you are, and there will be opportunity for stepping out of the faster-pace and still be an integral part of the song as there are other roles to play. There is never any pressure to achieve anything – this is about enjoying the journey!
What do we pay?
The exchange for this 4-hour session is £35.
We understand that many of us are balancing unpredictable work and family lives, and we want to make this as accessible as possible, so if this is unviable for you, let us know and we can arrange a skill-swap, or exchange of goods (home-grown veggies or home-made produce, or something else that has come from the heart is always welcome – we know that things can get hard and that drumming time is precious and valuable for us to connect with ourselves and feel good. No-one should have to go without that).
What to expect:
This 4 hour session starts with a warm-up to prepare the body for playing, eases into connection with self, and opening up to playing with others, connecting with drums, learning some specific technique, and moving on to a specific style, or song. This is not a sweat-it-out session and everything we do is held in a light-hearted, fun way, pushing our sense of comfort zones in a playful way, always coming back to what brings us joy. We close with a cool-down to end the session, and all stay to pack away the drums we’ve been playing. There will be comfort breaks, with a longer break around halfway through for topping up on snacks and chats.

Is this session appropriate for me?
This taiko exploration is for those with previous taiko experience. That doesn’t need to be hours or taiko, or even necessarily taiko at all, if you have previous movement and rhythm experience and like a challenge, are prepared to not go at the slowest pace, then we welcome you.
We don’t really have a linear progression with taiko, preferring to think of our journeys as ever-continuing spirals, so there is usually a wide range of experienced in the space, all learning something from everyone.
It really is up to you and how you feel – if you want a challenge and usually pick physical/rhythmical things up fairly quickly then come along – we’d love to have you. If this is all quite new to you, it’s advisable to come along to a session specifically made for beginners, because…there’s no need to rush this.

Where is it?
This session is at the Kenn Centre, near Exeter. Plenty of parking and great accessibility.
What do I need to bring?
You will need comfortable clothing and flexible footwear (or go barefoot). You’ll probably get thirsty, so bring a drink (there is tap water available at the centre) and possibly a snack if you need it to keep your energy up.
You’ll need bachi (these are available to borrow if you’re new to taiko for the first few workshops, but it is lovely to begin a connection with your own, connecting with them before each taiko session, building a relationship that will grow with you). (Available to buy from us at a session – email if you need some).
You’ll need to provide your own hearing protection – ear-defenders and disposable earplugs are always available at every session as we promote looking after your hearing, but if you’re a regular taiko player, please consider buying your own – they offer better protection and can be a worthwhile purchase longer term.

Family Taiko
2023-12-11 17:45 - 18:45, 2023-12-18 17:45 - 18:45 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko fun for all the family – children 7yrs+ and their adults are encouraged to join in too – that’s the point…this class is as enjoyable for the adults as it is the children, and a lovely opportunity to enjoy a meaningful, social, community activity together. The class is held in a light, fun way that also encourages focus, musical expression and teamwork. Absolutely no experience is needed for this and we welcome everyone.
Can we come and try it out?
YES! Come along and see if you like it, just bring £3.50 cash per person and we’ll go from there. If you love it, you can join part-way through the term, you’ll pay from the date you start to the end of the current term. It’s really helpful for us to know that you’re intending to come along, so if you can, email hj@taikojourney.com or text/WhatsApp me on 07853 423415.
Can my child join in without me?
We encourage adults to join in, as it can be such a wonderful opportunity to share this experience together. However, if you prefer, adults can stay and watch the class in the room, or there is seating in the foyer just outside the room but we do ask that you stay with your children during the session.
How much does it cost?
Still £3.50 per person per session! Your first session is just a trial, so come along and see how you feel about it first, and then you can sign up for the term.
What do we need to bring?
Everything you need is provided, including hearing protection for those who want it. You will be best to wear comfortable clothing and flexible shoes (or join those playing bare-foot), and bring a bottle of water as you might feel you need it.
I can’t make Mondays, are there other opportunities?
Family Taiko Sundays are once a month in the same venue. You can bring along other family members or friends who might like to join the joyful rhythms but can’t commit to Monday evenings.
Will we perform?
If you are interested, there may be opportunities to come and drum as part of our community group, Taiko Journey Collective, who perform at local community events. Or you can keep it just for yourself, as something fun you do on a Monday night…who knows where your taiko journey will take you?
Any questions, please do not hesitate to email, text, call, send a pigeon…
hj@taikojourney.com / 07853 423415

Taiko Journey Collective
2023-12-11 18:45 - 21:00, 2023-12-18 18:45 - 21:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko Journey Collective sessions are run by Sarah & Ruth, who will lead a fun, energetic and inspiring taiko session that keeps the group gig-ready whilst learning new repertoire in the Autumn & Winter terms.
What to expect?
1. A warm up / play / skills (1/2 hour)
2. A look at a particular piece in a bit of detail (either something new or one of the pieces in the rep) (1 hour)
3. A run of the rep that we have. (1/2 hour) If this includes something that you don’t know, then please be prepared to sit, watch, and get to know the piece, appreciate it from the audience’s perspective.
Who is it for?
This session is mainly for existing TJC members. However, if you have played taiko before, to the point of confidently playing though a taiko song/piece, and you’d like to come and join us, come and try it out. If this is you, please book a 2-session trial and we’ll take it from there.
When?
These sessions are on Mondays, but not every Monday see below for dates:
September 4th, 18th
October 2nd, 23rd, 30th
November 20th
December 4th, 18th
Sessions run from 6.45-9pm.
Please arrive promptly to help set up, and stay to pack away the drums we’ve been playing at the end.
How do I pay for it?
Payments are made half-termly, in advance. You can do that here:
Where is it?
This class is held on the outskirts of Exeter, in the Kenn Centre, Kennford, just off the A38, minutes away from Exeter. We’re in the main hall, so just park in one of the many free parking spaces and come and find us! More details of public transport etc on the Kenn Centre website.
What do I need to bring?
Everything you would usually bring to a taiko session – your own bachi are needed for these rehearsals, and importantly, your own hearing protection. Maybe a snack / drink to keep your energy up. Your taiko notebooks / folders so that you can take responsibility for your own taiko journeys!

Open Class
2024-01-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-01-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-01-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-01-29 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-02-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-02-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-02-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-03-04 18:00 - 19:00 and 1 more date | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Open Class is a lovely opportunity to enjoy taiko – a meaningful, social, community activity that’s fun, active, accessible, affordable, and gives you time for yourself.
What to expect:
The class will start with a
5-minute fun warm-up
1o-minutes of drum skills
30-minutes rhythm & movement
10 minutes of drum-jam circle
5-minute cool-down
Everything is paced so that we are having fun, learning, and feeling great.
Is this session appropriate for me?
Yes! No experience is needed, and we aim to be as accessible as possible. This Open Class is for adults and children 9yrs+ if accompanied by a participating adult. If you have questions about accessibility, email or call and we’ll do our best to make sure you can join in.
How much does it cost?
Still £3.50 per person as a drop-in rate.
Visit our Taiko Shop for pre-pay cards that makes this session even more affordable.
We understand that many of us are balancing unpredictable work and family lives, and we want to make taiko as accessible as possible, so if the financial exchange is unviable for you, let us know. We can arrange a skill-swap, or exchange of goods (home-grown veggies or home-made produce, or something else that has come from the heart is always welcome) – we know that things can get hard and that drumming time is a precious and valuable time for us to connect with ourselves, our communities, and to feel good. No-one should have to go without that.
Can we come and try it out?
YES! This is a drop-in class where every week is something different, so you won’t feel like you’re joining part-way through a course.
What do we need to bring?
Everything you need is provided, including hearing protection for those who want it. You will be best to wear comfortable clothing and flexible shoes (or join those playing bare-foot), and bring a bottle of water as you might feel you need it.
Can my child join in without me?
We ask that all children are accompanied by a paying and playing adult when they begin – this is mostly to encourage adults to have fun too, but also to ensure that the adult to child ratio works for everyone taking part.

Repertoire Class
2024-01-08 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-01-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-01-22 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-01-29 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-02-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-02-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-02-26 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Repertoire Classes focus on learning taiko songs, giving an experience of playing in a taiko group. We will learn a new song every few weeks, and focus on kata and technique a little more here than in the Open Class.
What to expect?

A short physical warm up, and a drum-skills session. (20 mins)
Learning a piece of taiko repertoire, taught with a beginners heart and mind (even if you know it, there is always another position to play in, and something new to learn). (40 mins)
Here the class will split:
– new players will go to a break-out room with an instructor to continue learning while others will run-through of previously-learned repertoire (30 mins).

Who is it for?
This session is for people who want to learn taiko songs and play in a taiko group.
Where is it?
This class is held on the outskirts of Exeter, in the Kenn Centre, Kennford, just off the A38, minutes away from Exeter. We’re in the main hall, so just park in one of the many free parking spaces and come and find us! More details of public transport etc on the Kenn Centre website.
What do I need to bring?
For your first few sessions we can provide everything you need. Most players like to buy their own bachi (drum sticks) after a while, available from Taiko Journey. Also, most want to take responsibility for their own hearing protection. We can always help point you in the right direction when it comes to this.
Bring a snack / drink to keep your energy up. You might want to bring a notebook so that you can keep notes on the songs we learn.
What do we pay?
We want to make taiko as accessible to as wide a range of people as possible and so for the first few months of 2024 we are trialling a sliding scale payment system. Basic rate is £13, Supporting rate £16, Supported rate £6. Please read the definitions below to ensure you select the appropriate rate when booking.
Visit our Taiko Shop for pre-pay cards that makes this session even more affordable.

Sliding scales work best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support!
​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

Home-Ed Family Taiko (8-15yrs)
2024-01-21 10:00 - 12:00 | On the Hill, Oxen Park Farm, Lower Ashton, Exeter, Select a State or Province:, EX6 7QW, United Kingdom
This session has been designed for families who are home-educating their children. Taiko is big, loud, fun and everyone is supported to enjoy a meaningful, social, community activity together. Taiko is very active and if played with energy, can be a good addition to a fit and healthy lifestyle.
In September 2023 a home-educator thought taiko would be a great home-ed family activity, and initiated this session in collaboration with Taiko Journey. It was a great success (and over-subscribed!) so we’re continuing with them every three or four months and at present, this is exclusively being offered within the home-ed networks around Exeter.
Who is this for?
This session is for children 8-15yrs and their adults. We ask for adults to join-in so that it can be a shared experience, unless there is a reason they cannot. We provide hearing protection for those who are sound-sensitive and aim to include everyone in our sessions.
Do you have younger children?
We do provide other sessions for younger children at other times of the week / month / year – see Open Class & Tiny Beats.
What to expect
We will warm-up together, practice some basic strikes, set some rhythm challenges, and learn a rhythm pattern to play all together. There is usually time at the end of the session for free-play / improv on these wonderful big drums, for those who want it, but no-one is asked to do anything they’re not comfortable with. This session is held in a very relaxed, light, fun way, where everyone can feel they truly belong.
How much does it cost?
The exchange is £15 for the first adult & child pair, and then £7.50 per additional adult, and £4 for siblings.
What should we bring?
Please wear comfortable clothing & flexible footwear (or be prepared to go barefoot) and bring a drink with you. All equipment is provided, including hearing protection for those who would like it.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to email, text, call….
hj@taikojourney.com

Rhythms of Winter
2024-01-21 13:00 - 17:00 | On the Hill, Oxen Park Farm, Lower Ashton, Exeter, Select a State or Province:, EX6 7QW, United Kingdom
This 4-hour session will be a creative exploration into the rhythm of Winter and the inner stillness that it welcomes. An invitation to drum in a slower, quieter way whilst not in any way diminishing the power synonymous with taiko.
There will be an introduction to taiko (no experience needed), followed by a short walk / time to sit and be still outside in the beautiful Teign Valley. We will then re-group inside, and explore the rhythms of the winter land together, in a taiko piece crafted just for this occasion. There will be tea and cake before we finish up and make our way home feeling centred and replenished.
Held in the Cob Barn, at On the Hill in the Teign Valley, we will bring ourselves into connection with the beautifully cultivated gardens and farmland, and move into our work indoors with the drums playing with the rhythms of winter. This will be a warming, joyful workshop with time for connection, reflection and celebration.
What do we pay?
The exchange for this 4-hour session is £35.
We understand that many of us are balancing unpredictable work and family lives, and we want to make this as accessible as possible, so if this is unviable for you, let us know and we can arrange a skill-swap, or exchange of goods (home-grown veggies or home-made produce, or something else that has come from the heart is always welcome – we know that things can get hard and that drumming time is precious and valuable for us to connect with ourselves and feel good. No-one should have to go without that).
What to expect:
This 4 hour session starts with a warm-up to prepare the body for playing, moves to give an introduction to playing taiko in naname style, we them move outside to spend some time in our beautiful environment before returning to learn and co-create a taiko song. We close with a cool-down to end the session.
This is not a sweat-it-out session and everything we do is held in a light-hearted, fun way, pushing our sense of comfort zones in a playful way, always coming back to what brings us joy. There will be comfort breaks, with a longer break around halfway through for tea and cake.

Is this session appropriate for me?
No experience of taiko is needed – this will be rewarding for people curious to explore and express themselves with drum. This is not a racy, pacey loud song – the great energy synonymous with taiko drums will be present and we shall raise our energy leaving truly refreshed.

This song will be created on naname style taiko, and can include people who are seated, and standing.

We don’t really have a linear progression with taiko, preferring to think of our journeys as ever-continuing spirals, so there is usually a wide range of experienced in the space, all learning something from everyone.
Where is it?
This session is at the beautiful Cob Barn, On the Hill near Exeter, EX6 7QW. Access can be a little muddy if we’ve had a lot of rain, so come prepared!
What do I need to bring?

We will be spending some time outside (unless the weather really advises us against it) so bring wellies and waterproofs for a brief venture out onto the land before we go inside. It will be dark as we leave, so a torch may be of use.
For our indoor work you will need comfortable clothing and flexible footwear (or go barefoot). it would be good to bring a water bottle, but there is water available on-site. You will be welcomed with hot drinks, and we will stop midway for a snack – bring something to share if you’d like.
