Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Drum Circle?
A drum circle is a group of people coming together to create, ” in the moment” music using hand drums and percussion instruments. A drum circle is not a percussion group performing a prepared piece of music, or a drumming class lead by a teacher. It is not a form for re-creating music it has played before. Drum circles are a form of recreational music making which means that the focus is not on performance but rather on personal or group development or wellness or just plain fun.
When drumming together, people entrain. This entrainment creates a strength that’s similar to that of a bundle of small sticks. Every stick is a contrubutor to the strength and quality of the bundle….every person is a contributor to the enduring quality of a rhythm, a musical piece and a community.
Babatunde Olatunji speaks of “Unity of Purpose.” He says that by playing drum in a group, we are supporting each other, that we are putting aside our differences for the sake of the music. Even though some people have less musical training that others, or no musical training whatsoever, even though they are “different” from you and me, they are a necessary ingredient to the overall character of the music, and to the well-being of their communities.
A drum circle offers a setting in which there is a level playing field for everybody.
