Strategies for participants.
An experienced participant in a drumcircle can have a major effect on the whole energy and outcome of the experience. A skilled facilitator is also a skilled participant by definition. So what can you do as a participant to maximise your own experience, and at the same time be part of the facilitation process of the whole group?
Learning to look at what is happening already in a drumcircle and then make informed choices about your contribution, is a great way of serving a circle as a participant.
If you are completely new to drumcircles spend some time listening. A really good way to connect with a group is to listen to everyone, watch what they are doing, notice any connections between participants. Let your hands just keep a simple pulse while you do this.
If you have attended drum classes or been part of a drum ensemble the advice is the same. Listen first. You may be tempted to rattle off your whole repertoire of rhythms as a warm up, but if you do you have missed the opportunity to connect and contribute.
Once you have connected by listening and watching. You will probably find your hand start to dance on their own. The key to drumcircle drumming is to let your hands take over and send your “thinking brain” on holiday.
Another great contribution you can make to any drumcircle is to take along some percussion instruments. All drums in a circle is like a meal with just meat and potatoes. The feeling can be heavy, muddy and bland. So the vegetables, herbs and spices are the whole range of hand percussion.
I really enjoy some informal festival drum circles particularly at the annual WOMAD Festival in the UK. There professional performers are jamming alongside complete beginners. They can move from blissful grooves to complete chaos in the blink of an eye. I like to look for what is needed in those situations. If no one is playing a bass drum that is what I contribute, no shakers or cowbells I pull them out of my bag. If all of those foundation and support roles are in place I am free to get out my djembe and fly.