"What is it?" "Why?" and "How Do I Join In?"
By Arthur Hull
A Community Drum Circle is a noisy and fun, family friendly event, where people come together in order to share their spirit by entraining rhythmically as a percussion ensemble. They empower each other in the act of celebrating community and life through rhythm and music. People of all levels of musical expertise come together and share their rhythmical spirit with whatever drums and percussion they bring to the event. Everyone who comes and participates has something to offer the circle, and any one is welcome. The spirit and magic of rhythm expressed on drums and percussion instruments cuts through all ages, sexes, religions, races and cultures. "Rhythm," as Gabriel Roth says, "is the mother tongue." Rhythm is a universal language known to every one, even the youngest child, if we can just "remember." So in a very objective, yet beautiful way, an interactive rhythm event puts us all on an equal footing with each other and brings us closer together.
Co-operation and collabration is the basic glue to a community. A community drum circle is a collaborative self organized musical event created, "in the moment," by all the people who participate. When we, as a community, drum together, sharing our spirit in the form of rhythm, it changes our relationships for the positive. As we play together, we give ourselves a rhythmical massage, an emotional release and healing. The release and healing is different for every person that is in the rhythm circle, and it happens whether we are entraining ourselves into the circle by drumming, or standing outside the circle and listening while tapping our feet or clapping along with the music. To make beautiful music together, with rhythm instruments, all we have to do is bring the circle whatever rhythmical expertise we have to offer, along with the excitement of sharing it with other people. We don't have to be a drummer to participate or even have a drum. We can play a plastic water bottle turned upside down with the neck cut off. We can shake a soda can with rocks in it or hit two stick together. It is enough that we are there.. in the circle participating, if only by listening and being changed for the positive...
The quality of the music produced in an event like this is not based on the rhythmical expertise of the players, but on the quality of their relationship with the other people in the circle. The result is those magical musical moments where one powerful voice is created out of the many. In those moments, the players stop worrying about keeing time because time, as they know it, has stopped. In its place is a living, breathing entity, expressing timeless joy, passion and release through the power of rhythm.
That is the beauty of a community drum circle.
By Arthur Hull
Drum circle events of any kind, are about dynamic interactive musical and personal relationships. These relationships, when involved in any group rhythmical alchemy event, are based on a simple set of unwritten guide lines. When adhered to, these relationship guide lines can help direct the group of players to their highest musical potential. Using these "Arthurian" suggestions will help you comfortably merge into an ongoing drumming circle without being obtrusive. by adhereing to these Drum Circle Etiquette guide lines, you will make the drum circle experience more enjoyable for yourself and the people around you.
* Ask permission before playing somebody else's drum. For some drummers, his or her instrument is a very personal possession. Also, if someone gets up and leaves the circle, don't immediately jump in and take their seat. Some drummers will put something in their seat or cover their drum or lay their drum on it's side to signify they will be back.
* Listen as much as you play. By listening to what's going on in the circle as much as you play, you will have a better sense of how you might fit into the groove that is being created.
* Support the fundamental groove that you hear in the drum song being created. You don't have to be a rhythm robot and hold down the same part all night long. There is plenty of freedom within the fundamental groove to experiment with while expressing your rhythmical spirit.
* Leave rhythmical space for other players to express themselves. Don't fill up the space with your own notes so much that there isn't much creative space left for the other players.
* Play at the volume of the group. If you can only hear yourself, you are probably not having a constructive musical relationship with the rest of the circle.
* Don't smoke in the circle. Drumming is a high energy aerobic exercise. Respect the need of everyone to breath uncontaminated air in such a closely packed environment
Along with the standard Arthurian drum circle etiquette suggestions, Arthur Hull has some advice for beginning beginners who are joining a drum circle for the first time.
* Don't worry even if you might think that you are rhythmicaly challenged. Just get started and you will find the rhythms inside of you that you didn't know you had. You don't even need to play a drum. You can bring a simple percussion instrument, like a shaker, a bell or wood block. They can be purchased at a musical store or made from items in and around your home. Be creative!
* Support the drum community experience. If you are participating in a drum cirlce event for the first time, the best way to play is with an attitude of humility and support. Be very observant of the actions and reactions of the more advanced drummers and you will learn a lot quicker.
* Keep it simple. Listen for, then play along with, and around the pulse that will always be somewhere in the music. Once you are comfortable with what you are playing, you can explore deeper rhythmical waters.. just keep the pulse in sight.
* Just Ask. If you are not sure what is appropriate, just ask somebody. They usually will respond with supportive suggestions.
* Skill level doesn't matter. Your drumming skill level is less important than how much of yourself you contribute to the experience. If every person is there to share their spirit and have fun, the musical part will take care of itself!
* Tell others about your drum circle experience!
