How You Benefit from Joining a Drumming Circle

Drum circles are a traditional way to celebrate, mourn, heal, and meditate, and they have been around for thousands of years. In recent years, it is common to find people gathering and playing a wide variety of drums together at festivals and other occasions. 

Drum circles are also often held as workshops where people of all ages can join in with different drums and percussion and learn what it is like to connect with the rhythm.

Anthropology tells us that the earliest native peoples got together to make music and to share stories and celebrate. Additionally, drumming was a method of communication between communities. Drumming continues to remain a part of native cultures around the world.

Participating in a drum circle can be very relaxing and it is easy to fall into a meditative state while playing. The heartbeat of the base tones’ vibrations can actually cause your body to relax and unwind, if you allow it. The activity level of drumming is dependent on the style of music that is being played. Drum circles focus on all types of people and many groups cater to senior citizens and children. These circles allow them to not only make music, but also enjoy the therapeutic side of the activity and the enjoyment of community. Sometime a drum can be quite difficult to play, so for those that are having difficulty playing one, other instruments, such a shakers, claves, and even guiro can be used.

Drum circles can also be used to promote healing. Drumming can be used as physical therapy or even as a means of expression for those who may not be able to communicate with words, for example children with speech difficulties or even conditions like autism. When drumming, everyone has a voice and all are equal.

Another way to build community is to hold drum circles. By their nature, they bring people together, to dance, sing, play and share. A drum can be played so that it says a lot of different things, much like having a conversation. The steady low heartbeat carries an undertone of stability and accented hits using higher tones can punctuate.

When you drum with a group, you will also become a better percussionist. As you drum with other people, it is easy to forget that you have to listen to what's going on. Some drummers do not take into account any of the other players in their group. By listening for changes, you can adjust your playing to keep to the natural ebb and flow that happens in a drum circle. After you've been at it for a while you could find that you are leading and helping the drum circle change into various tempos and rhythms.