Japanese taiko drum training in Estonia.
Discover the Japanese taiko tradition through rhythm, movement and community.
Learn to play authentic Japanese taiko drums in a friendly and supportive environment – regardless of previous experience.
More than just a drum workout…
– it is an active holiday for body and mind.
- Physical and mental training! Playing taiko keeps the body active and develops coordination and concentration.
- Flow -state! Rhythm, movement, and sound fully capture your attention, allowing everyday stress and thoughts to fade into the background. Precise timing and continuous focus create a state where you no longer consciously think about every movement, but instead act intuitively and in the moment, together with others. A deep sense of presence emerges – your perception of time changes, and you become one with the rhythm.
- Memory & Brain Training! – Learning new rhythms challenges the brain to create new neural connections and strengthen existing ones, helping us maintain mental fitness and support cognitive function.
- Cooperation and a sense of unity! – Taiko drums are played in groups, which develops cooperation skills and creates a strong sense of community.
We learn authentic playing techniques, develop a sense of rhythm, coordination and physical endurance, and create an inspiring community where everyone can discover Japanese taiko culture – regardless of previous experience.
See what taiko drum training is like.
What awaits you in the lesson?
Every drum lesson is varied and combines learning, movement and playing together.
Within the hour:
- let's warm up the body and get ready to play;
- let's learn the correct playing posture and how to hold the sticks;
- we will practise basic taiko hits and techniques;
- let's play rhythm exercises and develop coordination;
- we learn new tunes and revise what we have already learnt;
- Let's play together as a group and experience the powerful energy of taiko.
The training takes place in a supportive and friendly atmosphere, where everyone can develop at their own pace.
Autumn–Winter Course
Starting November 4 in Tallinn, at Tao Centre
Start with the taiko
Invincible drum ZEN I / ZEN II
6 weeks
210€
For beginners
It suits you if…
- never played taiko before;
- you want a new hobby;
- You enjoy music and movement.
You're learning
- core techniques
- first rhythms
- simpler stories
- cooperative game
Classes
On Wednesdays
Muteki Taiko ZEN I
🕟 16.30–17.30
or
On Wednesdays
Muteki taiko ZEN II
🕠 17:30–18:30
Continue training
Muteki Taiko KODŌ
Annual membership
125€
Taiko doesn't just have to be a course.
Muteki Taiko Community is for those who want taiko to become a part of their lives.
We meet once a week, learn new tunes, develop our technique and enjoy playing together.
You may:
- just to come and play
- learn new repertoire
- develop at one's own pace
- take part in community events
- performing is not compulsory
Classes
Thursdays
🕟 17.00–18.00
Advanced group
Tao
Annual membership
135 €
If you would like more…
Community members have the opportunity over time to develop into performance-ready players.
This is an option for those who wish to:
- learn more complex repertoire;
- performing at festivals and concerts;
- invest more in joint creation.
Joining takes place by teacher invitation and mutual agreement.
Members of the performing cast are selected according to their performance level, availability and the needs of the specific project.
Classes
Thursdays
🕟 18:00–19:20
Taiko FLOW
Juhendaja Katrin Saali-Saul
Tule siis, kui soovid!
29 €
Vaba formaadiga taikotund, mis üheaegselt ergutab ja lõõgastab.
See on võimalus neile, kes soovid mängida taikot, kuid ei saa osaleda iganädalastel treeningutel…
- trummimise energia ja mängurõõm
- liikumine ja rütm
- lihtsad taikorütmid ja mänguvormid
Taiko Flow on mõeldud neile, kes tahavad lihtsalt mängida, liikuda ja nautida trummimise energiat ilma pikaajalise kohustuseta.
Juhendaja Katrin Saali-Saul seob erialased teadmised sisemise rõõmsa lapse leidmisega läbi trummide.
Iga tund on omaette tervik ja algab uue lihtsa materjaliga. Sa ei pea eelmisest tunnist midagi mäletama, kodus harjutama ega kindlat repertuaari omandama.
Osalemiseks on vajalik eelregistreerimine hiljemalt päev enne tundi.
Classes
Teisipäeviti
🕟 10.00–11.00
MUTEKI TAIKO TEAM
Meet our dedicated taiko drum specialists who share their skills and knowledge.
Hele-Riin Uib-Pachel
Founder. Head coach.
A classically trained percussionist with a Master's degree from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and a five-year higher education in pop-jazz percussion from the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki.
Since 2009, she has studied Japanese taiko under the guidance of recognised masters and brought this tradition to Estonia by founding Muteki Taiko.
In addition to playing the taiko, Hele-Riin has worked as a professional percussionist in well-known Estonian bands and performed at hundreds of concerts.
Supervisor Marilin Kaprei
Taiko instructor. Percussionist.
Graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and works as a percussion teacher at Nõmme Music School. She has been studying and playing Japanese taiko drums in Muteki Taiko since 2021 and is a taiko student of Hele-Riin Uib-Pachel.
Supervisor Katrin Saali Saul
Wellbeing and mindful movement instructor.
Family therapist, trainer, columnist for the magazines Eesti Naine and Edasi, and author of several books.
She has been studying taiko drumming under the guidance of Hele-Riin Uib-Pachel since 2022. Although Katrin is not a trained musician, she is a great example of how anyone with a good sense of rhythm can learn to play the taiko drums
even as an adult - when they discover within themselves the passion, dedication, and courage
to try something completely new in life.
In her taiko classes, Katrin combines rhythm, movement, and principles that support personal well-being.
Experience and feedback:
„Go drum with Hele-Riin Uib-Pachel! You can unwind from everyday life and recharge with positive energy for at least a week. Taiko combines rhythm, movement and energy, and it's absolutely suitable for people of any age who are able to hold a drumstick as thick as a broom handle. As for energy, Hele-Riin has sooooo much positive energy that it can't even fit in the room!“
Vi Ca
Student at Muteki Taiko drumming school, police officer
„Thank you for the wonderful experience and for making a dream come true! I have finally and irreversibly fallen in love with taiko drums! It is an indescribable feeling when multiple people do the same thing together, in the same rhythm, in the same mood—it is priceless! I am very much looking forward to the start of the new course!“
Kati
Student at Muteki Taiko drumming school from Tartu
„That trio was a band of highly intuitive female master drummers. Women with a completely unique power. The way they blended with their instruments, each other, and the rhythm! It is like the art of wushu, which gives strength. They had such incredible control over their inner beauty combined with physical alertness.“
Henn Antson
Muteki Taiko concert-goer
Frequently asked questions
Suitable for everyone!
It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician. The course is designed for everyone who wants to learn and enjoy playing taiko drums.
Age is no barrier!
Whether you are young or old, playing taiko drums is a fun and energising activity for enthusiasts of all ages.
Physical and mental training!
Playing taiko keeps the body active and develops coordination and concentration.
Are you ready to try?
The first workout can change more than you might think.
