What do you think about drum circles

[James]

I was participating in discussion about drum circles in another forum.

There was a lot of negativity directed at djembes. Main about them being so loud and being in the hands of beginners blasting people off and not being aware of those they're playing with.

What do you guys think about drum circles?

Personally I enjoy (in a different sort've way to playing a traditional Manding setup) them if someone's directing it... but if they're an all for themselves one, I find it pretty uninpiring...

[Dugafola]

i choose not to play in drum circles.

too much duga duga.

[DrumKarma]

Personally, I've been in circles that are almost "trippy". Everyone is so entrained that we drum as one. The rhythms morph again and again with slight changes that are picked by others. Reaching that place is the ultimate for me. (I've reached the same place with some West African rhythms too.)
Drum circles have also provided my worst experiences - dead, boring, totally uninspired, or dominated by one drummer. Now that I'm trained as a facilitator (Arthur Hull style) I understand that there are many things that effect the success of the circle: the beginning to advanced drummer ratio, the ability of the facilitator, the mind set of the players in whether they are willing to work as a team or are only on an ego trip.
When participants listen to others drum circles provide a wonderful way to relax and get rid of stress. They're also a way to build a drumming community so that there are more people ready to explore ethnic drumming. I'll always try to support them for those reasons. Hope

[James]

I too have had many good experiences with drum circles. I love playing Haitian and sufi rhythms that can be really challenging as well as crazy trancey.

There's one person in particular in Ireland who's built a beautiful big community on the west coast. He is an amazing facilitator and wouldn't be surprised if he knows who Arthus Hull is. He prefers bougarabous to djembes.

I think I agree that bougs are perhaps better for his type of set up since a djembe is almost designed for playing over other drums..

I have heard of Arthur Hull and have a note too myself to find out who he is / was and what he's about. I'd be interested in hearing more about him what he's about...

[Tou'Bab]

yep, it is true that drum circle are very organic (non-facilitated one).
Rhythms and energy starts, then slows down, maybe struggle to survive, maybe goes so fast that it falls apart or just die out.

Use to live in Chicago and played in drum circles facilitated by my friend John Yost (founder of Rhythm Revolution, director of Dahui amongst other groups). He did workshops with Arthur Hull. Facilitation is a great mean to keep the energy flowing around the circle and integrate all instruments regardless of sound.

Since I first tried 'organic' circles, I avoided them for the reasons mention above. I lately tried again with a different approach (have a look at events in NZ): I bring a bunch of West African drummers to maintain a proper structure to the rhythms with generally a deep bass drum. Consciously or not, everyone tend to follow the deeper bass. This seem to work out and keep the groove going...
I must admit, this is for purely selfish reasons... if the rhythms goes then I can solo! (which probably pisses people off)

One thing I hate for sure in these non-facilitated drum circles is people playing every single pulse ending up in a nasty background noise covering up more subtle instrument.
But fortunately I play a lead djembe... ah ah ah

Anyway, am gonna get Arthur's book and probably try to facilitate the whole thing against the will of free-flow energy and wild organic drumming style adepts.

to be continued...

[seeker]

Tou'Bab, did you follow up on your plan? I'm very interested to know how it worked out, if you did that.

Most of my experience is with organic drum circles and the quality of experience is certainly wildly variable. Sometimes it almost seems that we're all in telepathic communication with one another. Other times, there will be some "djembe cowboy", or a group of them, that seem to feel the need to trample all over anything that the other players are doing. Then there are the times when no two drummers can get in sync with one another.

Often it's better to have a facilitator or, at least, a pace-setter for the drum circle. Mostly, I just show up for any drum circle that I can reach and hope for the best.