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The Clarendon Muse is hosting Watford's first Japanese taiko drum master-class for pupils at Watford Grammar School for Boys. Seventeen taiko drums will be used during the master-class giving pupils the opportunity to hear these powerful instruments for the first time. The typical drum is the nagado-daiko, an elongated drum, roughly shaped like a wine barrel, that can be shifted in many different ways that affect the sound of the instrument. This style of drum also signifies the family of drums that are made from a single piece of wood. Nakado-daiko are available in a variety of sizes. The "N" odaiko, is 240cm long, has a maximum diameter of 240cm, and a weight of three tons. Made from a single piece of wood, some ôdaiko can come from trees that are hundreds of years old. In feudal Japan, taiko were often used to motivate troops, to help set a marching pace, and to call out orders or announcements. Approaching or entering a battle, the taiko yaku (drummer) was responsible for setting the marching pace, usually with six paces per beat of the drum. According to historical chronicles, nine sets of five beats would summon an ally to battle, while nine sets of three beats, sped up three or four times is the call to advance and pursue an enemy.