Hey Roberthelpus
I second Roc Stone's suggestion. I would love to see and hear some of your drumming. That would be cool!
I second Roc Stone's suggestion. I would love to see and hear some of your drumming. That would be cool!
But I'd like to address some of your comments concerning Drum Circles because I disagree on several points.
Quote:Originally Posted by roberthelpus
How do I say this without sounding like the grinch who stole rhythm
As a conguero and bongocero who has been studying AfroCuban percussion for over 11 years - been a musician for over over thirty - I have some problems with the whole drum circle scene. I mean I'm happy for them and all that, and am glad that they are having fun but it has led to some disrespect for my instrument and what I do. You don't hear of violin circles because of course a violin is a real musical instrument that you have to actually learn how to play.
No way you are the grinch who stole rhythm, - you've got too much of it inside to steal someone elses. But I do think you're viewing a community drum circle, and the people that attend them, with a too critical eye.
Quote:Originally Posted by roberthelpus
How do I say this without sounding like the grinch who stole rhythm
As a conguero and bongocero who has been studying AfroCuban percussion for over 11 years - been a musician for over over thirty - I have some problems with the whole drum circle scene. I mean I'm happy for them and all that, and am glad that they are having fun but it has led to some disrespect for my instrument and what I do. You don't hear of violin circles because of course a violin is a real musical instrument that you have to actually learn how to play.
No way you are the grinch who stole rhythm, - you've got too much of it inside to steal someone elses. But I do think you're viewing a community drum circle, and the people that attend them, with a too critical eye.
There's folks that are more against than I am. Check out this http://www.chidjembe.com/drumdollars.html It gets pretty harsh in places, but I agree with most of it.
As possibly a master musician yourself,
you understand the complexity of your instrument and your special gift to play it. Obviously you take it seriously. But the Drum Circle is not about the Drum itself, or who is the "lead" or best drummer. It is about the people in the circle, sharing the experience of rhythm together. Any drum of any shape is welcome. The circle activity is about total inclusion of all attending, and by that very nature, the drum rhythms must be kept simple. You are right about a violin circle. It is a complicated instrument, and after two hours a beginner would struggle to play five decent notes. Not so with drums. Most people, and kids, can replicate a simple beat on any of the many types of drums. That certainly doesn't imply that the drum is a lesser instrument, it is just more accessible to the average person. Most circle rhythms doesn't demand any specific level of skill
The history of Drum Circles.
In the drum circle, people who are not necessarily professional musicians come together to create an improvised composition that becomes the score for their own lives. The drum circle provides a portal into musical expression, making it an accessible experience for anyone at any age or level of ability. In it’s simplest form, the drum is an accessible tool for creative expression Anybody can use it in this context.
The history of Drum Circles.
In the drum circle, people who are not necessarily professional musicians come together to create an improvised composition that becomes the score for their own lives. The drum circle provides a portal into musical expression, making it an accessible experience for anyone at any age or level of ability. In it’s simplest form, the drum is an accessible tool for creative expression Anybody can use it in this context.
A lot of times I leave my drums in the car and just show up with bells and a shekere so that I can be less obtrusive. On the other hand you can lead a whole crew anywhere you want with a bell if they've got ears. I started doing that after I've brought whole circles to a screaching halt by playing simple polyrhythmic ostinatos that come from the traditions that their drums come from.
...and I completely disagree that drum circles lead to disrespect for the "drum instrument" or lessens the skills of a dedicated practiced drummer in the eyes of circle members. I think it champions the act of drumming, and the experience of everyone there to participate, at whatever level, as a "drummer" (or dancer). Any disrespect comes from excluding people from joining.
Then there are others that do "get it" and say as much.
Quote:Originally Posted by roberthelpus
I will still go to the damn things, trolling for actual drummers, or someone who would like to learn something, but that rarely happens...
.....The thing that gets me is the reluctance, of most of the drum circle folks that I have run into, to practicing or learning how to actually play their instruments, let alone learning actual rhythms or songs.
If you are looking for serious drum students to practice and play with, than I'd think you are looking in the wrong place. Most people in a community drum circle are probably NOT serious drummers, but just folks looking to share the experience and have fun through the rhythm and dance. This ain't nothing but a good time. Maybe some Afrocuban seminars or camps would help you locate more serious drummers to work with.
I will still go to the damn things, trolling for actual drummers, or someone who would like to learn something, but that rarely happens...
.....The thing that gets me is the reluctance, of most of the drum circle folks that I have run into, to practicing or learning how to actually play their instruments, let alone learning actual rhythms or songs.
If you are looking for serious drum students to practice and play with, than I'd think you are looking in the wrong place. Most people in a community drum circle are probably NOT serious drummers, but just folks looking to share the experience and have fun through the rhythm and dance. This ain't nothing but a good time. Maybe some Afrocuban seminars or camps would help you locate more serious drummers to work with.
Quote:Originally Posted by roberthelpus
Hey, I've even met Arthur Hull at one of his "playshops" and let him join a friend and I in a Bembe 6/8 I even gave up my drum and jumped on bell. But his whole spiel is a load of BS.
I have not met Arthur Hull, but as an internationally recognized percussionist, he is known to many fans of rhythm. I would say you are lucky to have actually played with him. Consider this for a moment: As a great drummer, he (or you) could come into town, give a concert, and let many people sit and watch him play. in effect - He plays for them. Instead, he comes into town, creates a drum circle and plays WITH them. No matter how simple the rhythms (and dance) I will not fault him for allowing the crowd to join with him in the drumming experience. Perhaps they won't reach that mystical, spiritual nirvana of "inner rhythm" or some sacred inner change, - but - they did get the chance to sit and play with a renown drummer, and perhaps some members gained a real desire to study the drums. I don't think that's BS, I think that is sharing the experience. Drum Circle theory video
Hey, I've even met Arthur Hull at one of his "playshops" and let him join a friend and I in a Bembe 6/8 I even gave up my drum and jumped on bell. But his whole spiel is a load of BS.
I have not met Arthur Hull, but as an internationally recognized percussionist, he is known to many fans of rhythm. I would say you are lucky to have actually played with him. Consider this for a moment: As a great drummer, he (or you) could come into town, give a concert, and let many people sit and watch him play. in effect - He plays for them. Instead, he comes into town, creates a drum circle and plays WITH them. No matter how simple the rhythms (and dance) I will not fault him for allowing the crowd to join with him in the drumming experience. Perhaps they won't reach that mystical, spiritual nirvana of "inner rhythm" or some sacred inner change, - but - they did get the chance to sit and play with a renown drummer, and perhaps some members gained a real desire to study the drums. I don't think that's BS, I think that is sharing the experience. Drum Circle theory video
Arthur can play but he's but he's not that great. There are some that say that he went into the drum circle thing because of just that.
Arthur does equate (verbally and in print) what he is doing to various cultural traditions, which is a load of horse potatos. In all of the traditions that I know of the drums are played by the drummers and they play very specific rhythms that are specific to the ocassion. Rhythms that have been handed down by oral tradition through years if not centuries. What creativity that is allowed is always within the structure of a very specific rhythm that has evolved over time. When spring planting time comes along, the drummers and singers play the fertility song, not whatever happens to pop up into their head.
There are traditions where a student is only allowed to carry the master drummers drum or even just the bell for years before he is allowed to play. There are certain rites that are only allowed to be played by those who are initiates that must go through years of procedures. There are sacred drums that even picking the tree from which the drum is made is a ceremony.
Just aint the same thing as shat Arthur's up to.
...and yes I'm just a Ukrainian-Irish-American boy from Cincinnati, Ohio that happens to play some of this stuff as a hobby. I play mostly secular rhythms and there are definitely some thing that I just wont touch.
I think I could stabilize a freestanding speed bag frame given enough room for attaching luggage straps. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about being heard over someone else, but if they were that annoying, I'd just move to another location.
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Perhaps the "spiritual, rhythmic transcendence" and "mystical rhythmic journal" references in Drum Circles is overhyped. But from Native Americans to African based, or just beach drum circles, they are a blast to go to.
(* secretly, I long to learn this...) or turn one of these big bad boys (2:35) into a rebound board.
imagine dragging that sucker to the beach....
imagine dragging that sucker to the beach....
A friend of mine and his carpenter brother made a couple of Native American style drums that are that large in diameter but not as deep. They are pretty intense when the temperature and humidity is right so that the deerskin heads are in tune. Have to admit that I've gotten a bit drum circley trancey on a couple of evenings with them
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