Drumming circles (or drum circles) are a wholly interactive experience where participants co-create rhythmic music together using a variety of drums and percussion instruments. NO PRIOR MUSICAL EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. With only a few instructions, each member of the group will contribute his/her personal voice guided loosely by a facilitator who will coach and help the group sculpt new musical compositions.
Drum circles have been successfully used to create team synergy in such major corporations as Toyota. Participants learn to co-create complex rhythmic patterns by working together, eliminating egos, and placing all people in equality–great for leadership training and succession development.
Drum circles have also been proven to promote health, both psychological and physical. Community drumming has been proven to increase circulation, boost immune systems, and stimulate brain activity. A healthy staff is a happy and productive staff, and with the focus on health and wellness in America, drum circles are a great way to energize and enliven your work force. They are also great for special events for customers and clients.
According to Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead: “The Drum Circle is a huge jam session. The ultimate goal is not precise rhythmic articulation or perfection of patterned structure, but the ability to entrain and reach the state of a group mind. It is built on cooperation in the groove, but with little reference to any classic styles. So this is a work in constant progress, a phenomenon of the new rhythm culture emerging here in the West.”
In the words of Arthur Hull, the father of the modern drum circle: “The Community Drum Circle is a fun entry-level learning experience that is accessible to anyone who wants to participate. Drum Circle participants express themselves collectively by using a chorus of tuned drums, percussion, and vocals to create a musical song together while having a great time.”
The staff at Play On The Drum, has been trained in the art of drum circle facilitation by some of the top programs in the nation including Paulo Mattioli’s Rhythm Journey, and Will Schmid’s (former MENC [Music Educator’s National Convention] President) World Music Drumming Curriculum.
Play On The Drum, can provide interactive, fun, and energizing drum circles for groups as large as 120 people or as few as 15.