Drum-N-Fun offers this Drum Workshop, which includes an introduction to the origination of drums from around the world, the different voices of percussion in a drum circle, how we layer beats (poly rhythm) and chants in a community drum circle. We use the body to create sounds, layer these sounds, and then pick a sound and beat for our names (as the group gets to know each other). We then learn how to layer two beats taught by their sounds.

This first workshop is fun for children ages 2-82, and WE ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO CONSIDER ATTENDING WITH THEIR CHILDREN. A mixture of djembes, dun duns, frame drums, paddle drums and a variety of hand percussion will be provided, however, participants may bring their own.

The entire Drum-N-Fun Jam-boree is devoted to learning how to play rhythms, and to layer poly-rhythms, while having fun when we are all playing together! This is also a great model for events that have community circles, fire circles and other festival drum circles. We welcome children of all ages.

The group has opportunities to play different types of percussion instruments as we break up into four types of sound. To emulate four types of sound created by hand drums and percussion, we utilize a successful and simple model of AIR, WATER, EARTH, and FIRE. We rotate instruments so that everyone has options to play all four instrument groups. We also layer each group into a communal jam session. As we learn the four sound groups, we encourage the participants to also layer a song/chant with the beats. This model has worked well for anywhere from 8 - 30 participants and could work for up to 50 participants or more, with advanced planning and preparation.

Many other West African and other rhythms may be taught within these groupings. Often the best jams originate from each individual groups' own direction and inspiration. The same drums and percussion are available as for the workshop listed above.

Join in the magic created in a facilitated drum circle, in the style of Arthur Hull; who is recognized as the father of the community drum circle movement. Let Drum N Fun bring our instruments, energy, and training to guide your group! Novices and “rhythmically challenged” folks are especially encouraged to attend. Drum circles work for all ages, with groups of 12 – 60. Larger groups could be accommodated with advance notice and planning. All you need are open minds and spirits!

Drum Circle Facilitation is a mesmerizing movement of energy and enthusiasm, whereby the Drum Circle Facilitator (DCF) encourages the group to listen to each other across the circle as they play. For example, the bass drums are first given a solo to lay down the groove and then later the bells, woodblocks, and shakers alone are encouraged to sing their own sounds while the djembes take a break. The DCF enters the circle to encourage the group to listen intently to each other, to highlight hot soloists, to weave call & response, teeter totters, rumbles & waves, and to avoid train wrecks. By the end of the event the group may become independent of the DCF.

Do you have an upcoming event that might benefit from the fun and cohesive spirit radiating from one of our circles?

Moshe Adler is a certified Drum Circle Facilitator, having trained with Arthur Hull of Village Music Circles.