Ichiban Daiko

A Taiko song based off the rhythms of Ichiban Daiko, a phrase playing before a Kabuki theater play.  A fun opener with tons of rolls and energy!

Song Structure

• Introduction:

  • • Oroshi Intro

    • Add-on Don Don Dontokoi

    • Speed up Dontokoi x 8

    • Roll 

• Call and Response Section

  • • Donto koi x 6 + DoKONSore

• Kalody Section

  • • (Don Kon Don Kon) *3 su koDon KON (Pose)

• Call and Response

• Ending: 

  • Dontokoi*4

  • Doko*16

  • Don*16 slow down

  • su ko don Kon!

Call and Response Section

• • Don Don Don do Koi (Repeat)

  • su To su To su To Koi (Repeat)

  • Don Don Don do Koi (Repeat)

  • Do kon to Koi (Together)

  • Don do koi Don do koi  (ka ra Ka ka ra Ka)

  • Don do koi Don do koi  (ka ra Ka ka ra Ka)

  • Don do koi (ka ra Ka)

  • Don do koi (ka ra Ka)

Kalody (Ka-Melody)

• • ka ra KA * 5 ka Kon DON

  • ka ra KA karakara KA (kara KA)*3 Chi Kon DON

  • (Kara KA Do to KOI )*4

Ichiban Daiko References

FB Video 1, FB Video 2, Youtube Demo

Used in intro of contemporary piece: Seiten by Zashiki Warashi

"We started off playing here with Ichiban Daiko, which is a short drumming traditionally played early mornings to let people know that the Kabuki Theatre show is on today. The rhythm used here, "don don don to koi" in Japanese language, is a phrase that encourages people to come. We like to start off with Ichiban Daiko to encourage people to come, inviting people in for those events."

Page from Malm's Japanese Instruments Text: