About Drum Circles What is a drum circle? A drum circle is a musical gathering. But a drum circle is more than just the instruments and the act of drumming; it is also the shared experience of the participants. The drums and drumming are the vehicles that take the group to its final destination‹a place where everyone has a voice and is empowered to use it, and where the creative spirit is shared by everyone in the circle. A drum circle is really a people circle. "I see their souls, and I hold them in my hands, and because I love them they weigh nothing". - Pearl Bailey A drum circle can be simply defined as "a group of people working together to create in-the-moment music using drums and percussion instruments." Key words and phrases are group, working together, create, and in-the-moment. A drum circle is not a percussion ensemble performing a prepared piece of music, or a drumming class led by a teacher, nor any group that is re-creating music it has played before. It's a unique event that is spontaneously created by the participants, preferably with the help of a facilitator‹a musical guide who helps the group achieve its goals. Drum circles are a form of recreational music making, which means that the focus is not on performance but rather on personal or group development and wellness, or just plain fun. The word recreational actually means "refreshment of strength and spirits after work." Playing music that renews our spirits is recreational. What is Recreational Music Making? Recreational Music Making is: • less about playing tunes and more about tuning into our playfulness; • less about re-creating what others have done before and more about co-creating something in the moment; • less about being on stage and more about reaching new stages of being; • less about tuning out the environment and more about tuning into your heart. Of course, the concept of recreational music making is nothing new. Before there were televisions, video games and the Internet, people would often gather in a living room or porch to sing songs, play their favorite tunes and drum out the rhythms of the day on a washboard or bucket. Thankfully, we seem to be remembering the importance of taking time to create music in a social atmosphere once again. Why drums? Percussion instruments were the first musical tools people created for use in group music making. They comprise the largest family of instruments, and virtually every culture on earth has some form of drumming. People all over the world use drums to celebrate life, explore their creativity, and unite in rhythm. One of the best reasons to use drums is that they are accessible to most of us. Most people can find a drum or percussion instrument that suits their style. From beating out the pulse on a bass drum to adding a light shaker part, there¹s something for everyone in the world of percussion. From the earliest percussion gesture - striking two sticks or rocks together - to the use of specialized instruments such as congas and jembes, drums have provided people of all ages and abilities access to music making. As one drum circle participant commented, "You never see a group of keyboardists jamming together, and even three guitar players in a room often can¹t get along, but you can have a group of 20, 30 or even 50 drummers playing together and they¹ll ask for more to join." Drums are truly instruments of the people. We use drums because they: • work well in large numbers; • are generally inexpensive and easy to find or make; • provide open access to music making; • are portable, durable and convenient to store; • offer variety and flexibility. Are there different types of drum circles? Yes, and they attract people for a variety of reasons, though of course there are universal qualities such as sharing, cooperation and focusing on a common goal. Some general categories include the following: Community drum circles Educational drum circles Training & Development drum circles Health & Wellness drum circles Community Drum Circles Drum circles take place in parks, beaches, community centers, music stores, sacred sites, and homes. All kinds of people participate in community drum circles, from those who have some drumming experience and want to play their drum for a couple of hours to those who are looking for a doorway into the world of music making and find drumming both intriguing and accessible. Still, there are those who gather for spiritual reasons and others who are simply looking for an opportunity to socialize or try something different and be exposed to new ideas and people. Benefits of a community drum circle include: • new opportunities for socializing and making friends; • an outlet for creativity and a forum for community music making; • an open door to people who may not otherwise play music; • a setting for spiritual growth and practice. Educational Drum Circles Music educators hold drum circles in classrooms, gyms and multipurpose rooms. These circles are geared towards helping children discover the joys of creating their own music through exploration, play and active participation. Educational drum circles often focus on learning about the principles of music; the development of social skills such as sharing, listening and cooperation; and allowing students multiple avenues of expression. Educational drum circles may also include music games with specific themes or goals and may extend into other disciplines such as creative movement, singing and the visual arts. Benefits of an educational drum circle include: • encouraging students to participate in ways that are right for them, which helps them gain confidence through positive experiences; • allowing for a multiple intelligence approach by which students learn through exploration and the child¹s uniqueness is celebrated; • placing the teacher in the role of a musical coach rather than a leader, allowing more freedom to observe and assess student progress. Training & Development Drum Circles Drum circles are used in business and professional settings as a developmental tool to illustrate the principles and advantages of teamwork, the value of diverse abilities, and the benefits of developing camaraderie among coworkers. Many corporations seeking to provide beneficial activities for their employees look to drum circles as a way to promote a sense of partnership, reduce stress, and encourage healthy peer relationships. Benefits of training & development drum circles include: • illustrating the benefits of diversity; • showing that by cooperating, people can achieve more together than they could alone (synergy); • new and strengthened peer relationships, created through cooperation, that carry over into the workplace. Health & Wellness Drum Circles There are two main types of health-oriented drum circles: those used for therapy and those used for fitness. Therapists, counselors and health care workers use drum circles as music-based interventions when working with clients in a variety of settings, from inpatient mental health clinics to wellness centers. The focus can range from the development of fine or gross motor skills to helping clients with issues of self-esteem, cognitive functions, communication, impulse control, and coping or social skills. Health and fitness applications are for people who enjoy active music making and the benefits gained from participating in a health-oriented drumming program. These include programs designed with physical and mental benefits in mind, and are best suited for recreational facilities, schools, and health clubs. Participants may experience benefits similar to those of practicing yoga, aerobics or meditation. Benefits of health & wellness drum circle include: • a supportive environment for creative expression; • opportunities for communication without using words; • potential for improved physical, emotional and mental conditioning. What does a facilitator do? A drum circle has the potential to accomplish many things, but it won't necessarily produce specific results without an experienced facilitator. A facilitator is not only a musician and teacher who guides the group through a process of inclusion, cooperation and appreciation, but is also a caring and compassionate guide with the training and experience to help the group reach its goals. The role of the facilitator is to: • provide an atmosphere that helps people feel welcome; • help participants play music together; • present activities that are fun and accessible; • encourage creativity and cooperation; • foster a sense of appreciation. "Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve." - Marianne Williamson Can I become a facilitator? YES!