What's a Drum Circle?

[d_vela_dum]

Simple question: what's a drum circle?

I've been invited to one that lasts five hours. I kind of want to go, but I want to know what to expect first.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

I can tell you , my friend...simply put , a group of drummers ,
in a circle formation...( most of the time )...creating , and following , and changing beat , and rythm , weaving sound...

Now...depending on those involved , you may find traditional ,
or cultural rythms , or modern variations...and , again , depending
on those involved , chordant , or dischordant results...

You may also find those insistent on taking the lead , even when
their aptitude is not up to par...they generally find eventual disdain , or moderation suggestions , from the circle atmosphere...

One of the people better able to give you your answer , here ?

Lunacie !

Where are you ?

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

There will also sometimes be singing/chanting and dancing.

If you've ever been to a pagan festival, the giant clump of drummers and dancers that congeals around the big fire at night is a drum circle. They can be quite fun, especially if the attractive dancers get a little overheated and start to undress ;)

Of course, then the unattractive ones do, too.

[Rudas Starblaze]

kinda like a crop circle cept with people beating on things and not making pretty designs in fields. :weirdsmil

[Teresa]

Simple question: what's a drum circle?

I've been invited to one that lasts five hours. I kind of want to go, but I want to know what to expect first.

The others have pretty much summed up what takes place. I can say expect to have fun and to enjoy the drumming and chants and dance that takes place. It is a wonderful thing to experience.

[Terra Mater]

What goes on varies from group to group. Some circles will start with simple beats so new drummers can learn the basic rhythms and experience drummers can warm up. Some circles will include discussion on the benefits and playing variations of the different drums. Some hosts provide drums in case people show up without a drum.

If possible, contact the host of the drum circle you are going to and find out what the basic routnie is, if you should bring a little something (many of the drum circles I have gone to include a "nosh" break, others forbid bringing alcohol).

[d_vela_dum]

Thanks to everyone. I think I've seen events like this before, but just wasn't familiar with the term. I'm going to just watch for a while. I'm terrible at drums anyway, but if it's nothing formal and everyone can dance, I'll dance. I love dancing and I love tribal dance especially.

[Miabella]

Oh wow lucky you, I wish Id know where I could go and be invited to one. Sounds amazing and alot of postive energy too :clapping:

[teishabee]

Tell us how it goes:ballonsmi

[Lunacie]

Thanks to everyone. I think I've seen events like this before, but just wasn't familiar with the term. I'm going to just watch for a while. I'm terrible at drums anyway, but if it's nothing formal and everyone can dance, I'll dance. I love dancing and I love tribal dance especially.

Sounds wonderful ! Hope you have a great time ! Dance a little, drum a little, you don't have to be great at drums to provide a steady beat and it's always great when someone can keep the steady beat for everyone else to come back to. Or you can shake the maracas or the tambourine, there are other percussion instruments besides drums.

I'm part of a community drum circle that's been meeting in a plaza in downtown Wichita since May (before that we were in a park) and we have lots of folks stop by and drum for a little while, and a few who stay for the whole evening.

Here are a couple of videos from our community drum circle...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjETv7b0gnk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS0KEcpmeZE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SjhyquwOAo

You can find lots of stuff about drum circles on you tube.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

It is a wonderful thing to experience.

Until everyone gets nicely likkered up (which isn't bad) and a trashy 50-year-old woman tries to put her hand down the front of your man-skirt to feel your junk. And then a slightly-younger man tries to take it off.

Of course, at that same festival I found myself making out with an insanely beautiful black girl, so it's par for the course I guess :P

Still, ew.

[BearDancing]

any of the drum circles that I have been to.....there is NO liquor... also I find you can easily change levels of conciousness while in the circle....I find them an incredible spiritual experience.....:uhhuhuh:

[Teresa]

Until everyone gets nicely likkered up (which isn't bad) and a trashy 50-year-old woman tries to put her hand down the front of your man-skirt to feel your junk. And then a slightly-younger man tries to take it off.

Of course, at that same festival I found myself making out with an insanely beautiful black girl, so it's par for the course I guess :P

Still, ew.

The ones that I have attended had no alcohol or drugs involved.

[Astara Seague]

The ones that I have attended had no alcohol or drugs involved.

same here..at least there isnt supposed to be...
but the experiance is wonderful
they have one every Sunday Morning at one of the big parks downtown
there are quite a few different types of people that go

[Lunacie]

Well, we have people stop by that were already wasted, but none of that stuff was brought into the drum circle to be shared. Some drum circles are private affairs, almost invitation only, or held in a space where someone is responsible for kicking out the drunks and druggies. Ours has always been a public drum circle held in a park or a downtown plaza, where anyone can stop by and drum along for awhile. So even if someone were drunk or wasted, the most we could do would be to call 911 and have the cops come and deal with that person. However, with the drum circle meeting at least 2 nights a week every week from May through October, there was never any need to do that. People tend to mellow out when there's drumming going on. :smile:

[Shawn Blackwolf]

I live in Mendocino , Ca. , area...

Alteration of consciousness , by whatever methods ,
is very accepted , by those who attend the drum circles ,
normally held on the beach , all night long , fire circle ,
clothed , semi - naked , or naked people...

Respectful , and self - policed , it is quite an affair...

As well , a true pagan ritual...:bigredgri

You ever make love , on a beach , with waves crashing ,
and drums pounding ?

[Astara Seague]

I live in Mendocino , Ca. , area...

Alteration of consciousness , by whatever methods ,
is very accepted , by those who attend the drum circles ,
normally held on the beach , all night long , fire circle ,
clothed , semi - naked , or naked people...

Respectful , and self - policed , it is quite an affair...

As well , a true pagan ritual...:bigredgri

You ever make love , on a beach , with waves crashing ,
and drums pounding ?

Indeed..but not during a "regular" drumming session:hahugh:

[Teresa]

You ever make love , on a beach , with waves crashing ,
and drums pounding ?

Waves crashing yes, but there was no one else around that we knew of. The waves were our music the stars and the moon our audience. It was a very moving spontaneous experience.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

I should have added that the events I mentioned above happened at a large pagan festival, and not a small drum circle or anything.