ALL OVER THE WORLD, a new social phenomena is developing... drumming circles... or "rhythm parties". Since the beginning of 2003, we've been organizing a full moon, drum circle, dance (community-spirit, rhythm-event) on the beaches of Boca de Tomatlan. Bring a drum... a percussion toy, or just your dancing energy... and add to the rhythm created in the moment.
Por todo el mundo, se esta desarrollando un nuevo fenomeno social...circulos de tambores...o "fiestas del ritmo". Desde el principio del 2003, hemos estado organizando circulos de tambores (evento comunitario espiritual y ritmico) el dia de la luna llena en la playa de Boca de Tomatlan. Trae un tambor... percusion o simplemente tu energia... y sumate al ritmo creado.

LINKS AROUND THE WORLD

Seattle World Percussion Society - the largest annual rhythm festival in the world

Rhythm dot com - Drum circle facilitators in New Zealand

Arthur Hull's site - one of the main drum circle facilitator trainers in North America

umndance.com - Santa Cruz based (Santa Cruz has a great drumming community) Doers of drum n dance workshops and retreats...

Village Green Drum Collective

Drum Brothers - a Montana based, family owned company committed to drumming, rhythm, and rhythm awareness. good content on this site.. 

Inner Rhythms - based in the Pacific Northwest, Inner Rhythms is a crew of five highly experienced facilitators under the direction of Eric Donaldson. Eric has posted pics of the 2002 Seattle Rhythm Festival; click here

www.ubdrumcircles.com - Christine Stevens, drum circle facilitator and REMO artist now in the Los Angeles area, does very interesting work..

Drumming for Heath and Wellness with REMO - click on "Health Rhythms" to see the official page for Christine and her fine colleagues at REMO

www.rhythmjourney.com - Paulo Mattioli is another fellow who has greatly helped the drum circle scene over the last few years...

Study: Group Drumming Boosts Cancer-Killer Cells

GetRhythmnow.com - John Scalici from Birmingham, Alabama is a student of Arthur Hull doing fine work.

Drum Circles at Rainbow Gatherings

Jeff Salem - a Toronto based facilitator and pro drummer/clinician.

iamrhythmism.com - James Day uses ethnic drums to teach leadership, diversity, and positive peer pressure.

www.drumming-about-you.com - Bob Bloom is a highly experienced drum circle facilitator based in Connecticut.

Psalm Drummers - a worldwide network of people who use drumming to create unity and bring about change. Their core values are rooted in the Christian faith, and biblical teaching. A very interesting development..

Rhythm is going to Get You - Steve Gryb does a percussion program for kids entitled

Resonance & Rhythms - Judy Piazza details her drumming and other related musical activities... her workshops often utilize frame drums...

Tribull Drums - Grant Knowles' site, based in NewZealand, makes some beautiful drums, and plays a style influenced by Haitian and African rhythms,,.

UU Community Drumming Circle - Sandusky, Ohio - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Erie County has a drumming circle.

Group Drumming Boosts Cancer-Killer Cells - Health Study:

Cedar River Drum company - Peggy & David make quality shaman style frame drums

Venice Beach Drum Circle - a great drum circle page... includes history, events, boardwalk photos, profiles of local artists, and more

Percuctitis, the Midwest drum project - these are drum circle facilitators out of Chicago, Illinois

Jim Greiner's Hands-On! Drumming - a fine drum circle facilitator who works throughout North America

Rhythm Traders - Heads and drum building supplies...

healthysounds.com - Music Therapist Barry Berstein's laudable activities

MSound percussion corner - a place to ponder about percussion...part of Yahoo Clubs... they also have a monthly jam

Martin Klabunde - of Tucson, AZ a good resource, still under construction as regards the rhythms pages

Welcome to Yoruba House - L.A. based site

International Drum Circle Directory

Dougie's Drum Directory - Dougie Niellands, a London based Djembe list member, maintains this page for the benefit of the UK drumming community

Robert M. Palmer's Djembe page - Robert (a djembe list member) sells Ivory Coast djembes for a reasonable price from this page; based in Cape Coral Florida

Percussion in North Carolina, and Cuba! - are two sites maintained by Mary Overby

Holy Goat Percussion - Taylor, a Chicago based Teacher and Facilitator...

The Drumming Hippie Jesus Freak's Website

www.earthdrum.com - Earth Drum Council is doing great work on the drumming for wellness scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Drums.org

www.handdrumming.org - Vancouver's hand drumming scene...

  Please join our mailing list if you'd like to stay informed of developments...
 add me to the drum circle mailing list 
Si te gustaria mantenerte informado, porfavor agregate a nuestra lista de correos... agregame al circulo de tambores

Rhythm

Everything vibrates and has rhythm. The earth, the ebb and flow of the sea, the seasons, the sun and the moon, our family, social, and working environments . We have a physical body, emotions, mind, soul and spirit; each of which can be considered to be a vibratory field. Our bodies are a symphony of rhythms, the constant firing of neurons, our brainwaves, the rhythms of our breath and heart . The very first sound we all heard was the constant rhythm of our mother's heart beat. Connecting with rhythm in the form of drumming will quickly reduce stress, free the mind of its chatter, energize the body and create unity within groups. It also assists in the healing of physical, emotional and social damage.

Throughout human history, the beating of the drum has been used as a healing tool in all of the world's cultures. This is not a new form of alternative or "new age" healing, but a traditional method that has been rediscovered. When we play drums with others, vibrations enter our ears and dance within our cells. We find creative expression, a sense of inner joy and a deep connection to ourselves, with others and the universe.

With the use of drums and other rhythm making instruments a drum circle facilitator introduces these benefits in a synchronized and enjoyable way. Corporates can restore harmony amongst their employees and experience stress relief within themselves. Groups will discover an entertaining method of self discovery. Friends and family can be united in a playful and creative way. And the unwell can be helped to restore their health with a holistic approach.


But most important of all:
It's Fun!
 FAQ's

What is a drum circle?
A drum circle or rhythm circle, simply put, is a group of people gathered into a circle for the purpose of making rhythm based music. It can be as simple as three friends in a living room, or as involved as a hundreds of people jamming outside the Civic Center in Anaheim

The makeup of the group, along with the instrumentation and the skill of the facilitator, determines the direction the circle will take. Often some people will choose to dance in the middle of the circle. Drum Circles take many forms; the level of expertise and leadership tend to vary widely from group to group, and different circles display varying degrees of success.

How is a drum circle different from regular African or other ethnic drumming?
Many cultures have long and distinct musical traditions, and the goal of many of these musicians is not only the making of good music, but the preservation of the culture in a relatively traditional form. Indeed, many traditions have religious, ritual, and spiritual implications, and are best treated with respect.  Perhaps, for example, you'll encounter a drumming group of students, led by their teacher, or a small group of friends who obviously can play. In situations like this, it's important NOT TO PLAY unless you invited to do so. You'll get much more out of simply listening to the interaction. The styles are defined by particular parts, rhythms, tempos, etc., and unless you know what to play, you won't be helping the music, but messing it up. Respect the cultures involved. Pay attention. Listen and learn. Know when to Lay Out. Your drumming will improve as a result.

A commUNITY drum circle, in contrast, grows out of a realization that rhythm is a language that can unite the diverse elements of humanity. Rhythm succeeds where words fail. The same principles (of rhythmic entrainment) always apply, even in a culturally non-specific context. Specific religious references are AVOIDED, so as not to alienate anyone based on religion, but to allow all to experience the liberating forces of rhythmic entrainment. As in the drum circle, so in life. It's vitally important to return now to what music is supposed to be all about; healing the spirit - When the circle works as a team, everyone benefits, because we all hit THE GROOVE, where the energy flows, time stops and we all evaporate....that bliss only occurs when the circle works as a team. Those principles carry over into everyday life.

Why is the music so much fun one time, and so frustrating another time? 
Community drum circles tend vary widely in quality, depending on the facilitator, who is attending, the beginner to advanced ratio, and the general state of mind of the players. It can be very subjective. More than once, I have finished playing, feeling (one way or another), to discover that the guy next to me had been feeling just the opposite. Music is a many faceted and wonderful thing. The qualities of relaxation and simple awareness greatly enhance the experience. With practice, the unpleasant jams subside, and the good ones increase. As you increase in skill and knowledge, you may begin to seek out playing situations with fewer people of higher skill (lessons, classes, solitary practice, etc.) This is natural. Then, when you return to the commUNITY setting, you'll be better equipped to serve the energy of the circle.
In a good community drum circle, there has to be a balance between spontaneity and order. Give him a chance. Play your part modestly for awhile to let the groove get going, and instead of doodling, use the extra consciousness to listen to everyone else. Leave lots of open spaces. Listen more than you speak. Don't play too loud. See how the main parts all interact. THEN, if you feel a certain part, go with it.