Musicians can sometimes be solitary people. Especially drummers! It’s not easy to find people who love listening to someone practice their drums all day, so drummers often have to find their own space to shred. That’s where the drum circle comes in!
It can also be difficult to meet other musicians in general. Drummers can go long periods without finding opportunities to play with others. But take a moment and imagine having a group of drummers doing what they love the most, drumming amongst a group of like-minded music enthusiasts.
That’s where a drum circle comes in. A drum circle encompasses the warmth and togetherness that a group of people enjoying an instrument and playing together provides.
What Makes A Great Drum Circle?
A well-run drum circle can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience for all involved. Group drumming brings a unique feeling of emancipation, creativity, relaxation, and joy all in one! The free-form nature adopted in a drum circle means that there’s no real pressure to stick to short section lengths of, say, sixteen bars. Drum circles therefore provide a great opportunity for us to break past our musical constraints.
A community drum circle helps you realize the wide variety of sounds that can be played on one drum. It also means exploring a variety of rhythms, techniques, dynamic levels, timbres, and subdivisions. It also makes a drummer work in a much more adaptive way. It becomes essential to contribute intelligently to the music being created, and so a high level of listening, communicating, and responding is required.
A good Drum circle often highlights the process of making music together, rather than the final product. A good drum circle facilitator encourages participants to listen and respond to each other, rather than trying to play perfectly.
Drum circles often bring together a variety of percussion instruments, such as shakers, tambourines, and bells, providing a spectrum of options for participants to choose from based on their skill and comfort level. In this way, drum circles can be a fun and inclusive way for people to explore music and rhythm, irrespective of their musical background or experience.
FAQ: What You Need to Know About Drum Circles
What sets a drumming circle apart from other musical community activities?
A key aspect that sets group drumming apart from other musical activities is its emphasis on participation over performance. Unlike traditional concerts where the focus is on watching skilled musicians perform, group drumming encourages everyone present to actively engage in creating music together.
How do I host a drum circle, and what do I need?
If you are a good drummer—or if you know some excellent drummers—you might be starting a circle to socialize, improve your playing, or have fun. Under such circumstances, you will need five or six participants, a venue, an agreed date, and some hand drums (djembe, bongos, congas, etc.). It’s best to find an affordable venue, including community centers and event spaces in many areas. In addition, it may be a good idea to split the cost of venue hire between everyone who attends. The length and frequency of sessions is up to you. However, it is recommended that each session lasts between 1 to 1.5 hours, with a coffee break in the middle.
It’s great to encourage participants to bring their drums, but it’s best to have a few spare drums as a lot of newcomers and enthusiasts may join.
Can anyone participate in a drum circle?
You do not have to be a good musician to play in a drum circle. The beauty of a drum circle is that it is a collaborative and inclusive musical experience that welcomes people of all ages and skill levels. One of the goals of a drum circle is to create a sense of community and connection through shared musical expression, rather than focusing on individual skill or talent. While it can be helpful to have some knowledge of rhythm and percussion practices, it is not required to be a highly skilled musician to participate in a drum circle.
How can I find drumming circles near me?
The best ways to search for drumming circles are online directories, local community boards, music stores, or social media groups dedicated to drumming and percussion activities in your area.
Do I need to bring my own drum?
It’s always good to check with the organizers if they have spare drums or on whether you would have to bring your own. And, many participants prefer to bring their drums to drum circles.
What are the best types of drums for a drum circle?
Popular drums include djembes, doumbeks, congas, bongos and frame drums. The variety of drums contributes to the intricate weave of rhythms and beats.
How long does a drum circle usually last?
The duration of drum circles can vary, but they mostly last anywhere from one to three hours. Some may even last longer, especially during special events or festivals.
Where Should You Have a Drum Circle?
Drum circles are often held at parks and beaches. But the perk is, even without a great beach or park, drumming circles can happen almost anywhere like your basement, and even your local church all-purpose room.
Drum Circle Location Tips
You would have had a burning question, “How to lead a drum circle”?. The below-mentioned content will help you with choosing the location and the important aspects you have to consider when starting a drum circle regarding location.
Make sure to use this checklist which will help you understand all the facets needed to set up a drum circle in a place
Checklist:
- Would it be okay to play loud music at the venue?
- How many chairs might you need? What seating arrangement are you planning?
- Do participants know to bring their own or are you providing all of it?
- Is there adequate lighting, Heat / AC / Restrooms?
- Is there parking available? Where is it?
- Is the space wheelchair accessible?
- How many instruments do you have? How many instruments would you need?
- Will anyone else bring extra instruments?
- Who is promoting the event and how will it be promoted? What are the various platforms that you will be using for the promotion?
- Who will be greeting participants as they arrive?
- Who will be helping set up and load out?
- Do I have name tags, markers, and pens?
- If I am charging money for the circle, or asking for a donation, how much will I charge? Who is in charge of collecting money?