Hello!
I am Jonas,
I live in Hamburg
and I play drums!
I am a taiko and Western drum-set player, and this homepage is about all the stuff I do.
I discovered taiko through my studies in education at the Europa-Universität Flensburg and wrote my bachelor’s and master’s theses on contemporary kumi-daiko. One year later (2019), I co-founded TAIKO BASTARDS, an international taiko group based in Germany and Belgium. My taiko journey has taken me through stage performances, international workshop tours, online courses, organizing large-scale taiko events, theater shows and, most recently, writing my first book on taiko composition.
I’m intrigued by the interconnection between music and movement in modern kumi-daiko and discovering everyone’s individual voice and expression. However, my favorite workshop subject is the topic of composition and improvisation. In that spirit, I have written multiple community pieces, which are played by numerous taiko groups all over Europe and North America. Additionally, I take commissions as a taiko composer.
I am a multi-instrumentalist and have studied popular music and the Western drum-kit at the Hamburg School of Music and completed the Popkurs at the Hamburg University of Music and Theater. This lead me to become a live and studio drum-kit player. I enjoy toying around with ideas on how to transfer Western music theory and playing techniques to the taiko drum.
Besides my work as a taiko artist and drum-kit player, I work as a state-certified school teacher, and base my workshops on modern principles of education.
My name is Jonas vom Orde – and I’m a TAIKOHEAD.
PROJECTS
TAIKO BASTARDS
International taiko performance group, founded in 2019. TAIKO BASTARDS are know for their original pieces and creative composition concepts. The groups has a rich history of collaborations with taiko artists from around the world.
See: Taikobastards.net
Independent
Active as a workshop instructor, commisioned taiko composer and author. I composed multiple „free to play“ and „play with permission“ pieces.
See: SHODAIKO & Wombat Combat & SQUIDFIST
Euro Taiko Expo
Co-Founder of one of Europes biggest taiko gatherings; consisting of a months-spanning online event and an in person gathering in Hamburg (GER), showcasing Europes taiko community.
See: eurotaikoexpo.com
WellBad
Award winning new-blues band, with a discography of 7 live- and studio records. Touring through Germany and Canada, playing prestigious venues and festivals, such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Rockpalast and the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie.
See: wellbad.de
Gutbier & Vogeler
German singer/songwriter duo with two studio records and multiple EPs. Vintage-inspired music with introspective German lyrics.
Theater
Drummer in various theater productions, ranging from musicals like „West Side Story“ or „Dracula,“ to stage revues and classical music. Taiko player in the contemporary theater production „Dionysos“ at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus.
WORKSHOPS
I offer a number of different workshop topics for taiko players.
The length and level of any workshop can be adjusted to the needs of the individual group.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are interested in one of the workshop topics below.
Composition
Composing is not witch-craft, it’s just craft! In this workshop, we will explore how to create something from nothing and adress the „how“, „what“, and „why“ of taiko composition. We will establish our own artistic rules and discuss fundamental principle that will help us creating something meaningful and directed. Not for composers only!
Improvisation
This workshop engages with ways on how to be creative on the spot, form a powerful taiko-statements, and express our own voices. We will use specific concepts and tools that allow us to tell a story with our instruments. This workshop is about gaining confidence in improvised expression and being aware of what we are communicating in the moment.
Small drum technique
In this workshop we will gain access to various grips and approaches of taiko playing that allow us to build speed, control and articulation. These techniques are suitable for shime-daiko and taiko-set, allow for relaxed playing, a calm mind, and freedom of expression when playing fast and complex patterns.
Music & Movement
The focus of this workshop lies on exploring the interconnection between movement and sound. We will engage with ways on how to use both core elements of taiko playing to enrich our artistic expression. This workshop shines a light on how our interpretation of movement influences its musical outcome and vice versa.
SHODAIKO [Community piece]
SHODAIKO features three different styles and approaches of taiko drumming for three playing voices: Focussing on choreography, groove and technical playing. A fun storytelling piece for various playing levels!
SHODAIKO
Wombat Combat [Community piece]
An energetic and groovy community piece for nidan-style and taiko-set. It focusses on ways of transitioning between two drums and a competitive, yet cheerful back-and-forth between both playing voices.
Wombat Combat
Wombat Combat
MISSION COMPOSITION
About the book
– A guide to creative kumi-daiko
I’ve often heard people say it takes a special kind of talent to write a taiko piece. I don’t believe that’s true.
To me, it’s more about having access to concrete tools, rules, and techniques that anyone can learn and apply. These guidelines allow us to make informed artistic and creative decisions.
In my book, I aim to provide clear and practical advice on the composition process. My goal is to empower anyone interested in writing for kumi-daiko by offering pathways to create compelling rhythms, arrangements, and stories. Once these basics are mastered, we can move on to exploring the exciting realm of bending—and creatively breaking—these rules.
I hope these guidelines will be as helpful to you as they have been to me.
Three sections
This book addresses the initial concept of kumi-daiko, offers a detailed guide for composing (from the first note to a complete arrangement), and includes additional material for further exploration.
Countless approaches
Mission composition offers various approaches to composition: through the music, the movement, and the setup. This book allows everyone to choose their preferred writing approach.
Media supported
The book is accompanied by over 40 videos, accessible via a password (see below), which demonstrate the techniques discussed.
Add-ons
Composer quotes, notation crash course, three community pieces, glossar, 50 take home messages, accompanying homework, …
START COMPOSING!
Click the button to get yourself a copy!
Already own a copy?
Click the button to get to the demonstration videos!
TAIKOHEAD 