Joining or Forming a Drumming Circle

Posted by John Robinson on August 15, 2007 11:12 PM PDT

Recommend this? YES NO

OK, it's Beth's fault. Her goal inspired my goal. Or at least reminded me of something that I love to do that I'm not doing. (Got any of those yourself?) I've drummed with 50 strangers in a club in Chicago, with a group of 23 coaches in a leadership program in California, with six pilgrims in a Pueblo kiva in Colorado, solo on a Vision Quest in Utah, and with a group of friends of a friend at the friend's birthday party in Ohio. I always love the "full permission" of it. Drumming sweeps me away - not up and out but down and in. It takes me to places I don't usually go, away from doing and into soul. I own my own djembe and a Native American cowhide drum, as well as several shakers and rattles. I've said several times that I would join (or form) a drumming circle back home here in Maryland. Guess maybe I'll finally have to do it now, eh?

There are two possibilities. Either I will have joined and be actively, regularly participating in a drumming circle somewhere here in the metro area. Or, I will be hosting drumming circles in my house/yard. Either way, I'll use the drumming as a form of self expression and diving into the soul. And be more grounded for the practice of it.

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4 Comments

John-

Great Goal, I'd love to see you do it. Try giving yourself a date of completion. What are the first steps that you can take today to ensure that you'll be drummin' with the best of 'em? Please share, perhaps your steps will lead me to my own drumming circle or to a pre-existing one on the shores of Venice Beach. And when your circle is up and beating, I just know you're going to video-tape it and put it up on our site. Now that's entertainment!

Good Luck.

Posted by Amanda on August 16, 2007 2:30 PM PDT

I just love it when my random thoughts spark a fire. I am inspired by your experiences with drum circles and YOU reminded me to get on my goal! Thank you. And ya know, with the web today, technically, we could form a web-based drum circle, anyone with us??

beth |community coordinator | life coach |seeker of knowledge|

Posted by beth on August 16, 2007 6:44 PM PDT

Funny you should mention web-based drumming, Beth. I've been thinking for awhile of trying to link up my drumming buddies in Ohio and Toronto with local friends here in the DC area for virtual drumming circles. Don't even have a webcam yet, but would love to hear more from you. If you form or find an existing WebDrum circle (should I copyright that?), count me in.

Take care,

John

The Possibilities Coach

Posted by John Robinson on August 17, 2007 11:50 AM PDT

In February, 2007 we started a monthly Drum Circle in a private residence. Sandie, the leader, brings many drums and percussion instruments to share with those who don't have any. She also brings friends with whom she's been drumming a long time, and that makes all the difference, because they all keep the energy going, while we less-practiced drummers are learning.

I loved meeting at our friend's home, especially because we made it a potluck too, so people stopped drumming whenever they wanted to nibble on some delicious food. In April, we took our Drum Circle to a Gazebo at the Beach, and we stopped having a potluck.

At first, I really missed the food and chatting part of the evening; but now, I appreciate being out in the fresh air, and also having more space. I also like the fact that people passing by will stop and join in the drumming sometimes. I especially like it when children join us. At first they are shy, but after a few minutes they really get into the spirit of things, and start having fun.

Since it's now an open group in a public place, we meet many new people who've read the free announcement we put in our local paper. A few months' ago a local Belly Dance group dropped in to drum and belly dance. It was a lot of fun trying to gyrate my hips like they did.

I love knowing that on the 1st Saturday of each month all I have to do is drive one mile to the beach gazebo to have a lot of fun with friends old and new.

Happy Drumming!