Five Ways to Train Without a Taiko Drum

When you finish a great taiko class and your body is still buzzing, the drum sounds echo in your head. On the way home, all you think about is that you still want to practice again and again.

However , the reality hits you. For most of us, owning a real taiko drum and playing it at home is just not possible.

But the truth is that many professional taiko masters spent years practicing without a real drum. They practiced even on their own legs.

A real drum tells you how you sound. But silent practice is what builds your skills.

Now I would like to introduce 5 ways for you to train at home.

Method 1: Practice Pad

If you want to have the feel of a real drum without the noise, a practice pad is the answer.

Some beginners try pillows or blankets to replace the drum. But pillows are too soft that your drumstick sinks in with no rebound. Your wrist works too hard to lift it back up. This can lead to injury easily.

If you need to practice, JINLEI practice pad is a good option. Its special rubber gives rebound like real cowhide and is great for practicing fast strokes. On the other hand, it makes a soft sound. Family will not hear it with the door closed. The most important advantage is that it can absorb shock and protect your wrists and joints. You need to put it on a table at the right height or use a JINLEI stand. Then you can just focus on wrist control and small movements.

Method 2: Tire Training

If you want to sweat and build strength, you can also try a tire.This is a traditional taiko training method. Some professional groups use tires to build stamina. The reason is very simple. Tire rubber is tough, which absorbs your power and gives back a weird rebound. This method forces you to use your whole body, such as your back, core and fingers. You also need more strength to pull the drumsticks back up. So if you can play strong and smooth on a tire, a real drum will feel easy and fast.

There are some steps to make a tire by yourself. Firstly, you get an old car tire from a repair shop .It is usually free. And then, you should clean it well and let it dry in the sun.Finally, you need to put it on a sturdy chair or stand and practice.

Method 3: Air Drumming

There is an old saying goes “No drum in hand, but drum in heart.” Air drumming is not just waving your arms. In taiko, it is a serious form of training.

Taiko is a visual performance. A good drummer should look good even without sound. But when players playing a real drum, we will focus on sound and forget their body.

Therefore, using a mirror to practice is very effective. You are required to stand in front of a big mirror or a window to check your postures and movement. Then, you can close your eyes to image the sound. You feel the drumsticks hit the drum and hear the sound in your head. This method really works well.

Method 4: Cushion or Sofa

This is the simplest method. Many Japanese drummers will stack cushions on a chair for practicing. For many players, they can use a sofa arm or a firm pillow.

There are a lot of benefits, because it doesn’t cost and is easily available. It is more likely to give you a target to hit. But it still has some bad effects. This material doesn’t rebound. Its height is usually wrong. So this method is a usual practice while watching TV or listening to music, which can develop your sense of rhythm.

Method 5: Drum with Your Mouth

If even a quiet practice pad bothers your roommate, you can use your own voice.

Drum with your mouth is an old taiko tradition. Before writing music, teachers used it to pass down rhythms. If you can say it smoothly, your hands can play it smoothly. It is the most convenient way that you can practice anywhere, like walking, on the subway, in the shower. When you can rap a complex rhythm, your hands will know what to do next time.

Final Thought

Taiko is not just an instrument. It is also a musical spirit. It is gathering all of your energy and releasing it in one moment.

It always teaches us that real training happens alone, even sometimes without lights and drums.

When you fix your posture in the mirror and play clean rolls on your JINLEI pad, you are building power for your next performance.

Please don’t let your space limit you. You should pick up the drumsticks and feel your heartbeat match the rhythm everywhere.

Now, start your practice!