Great list of suggestions. I'd add a few observations from playing in the
same local drum circle for the past 6 years:
1. Make new drummers feel immediately welcome with smiles, introductions
and a chair or place in the circle, make the circle bigger if necessary.
2. Be sure that everyone understands that all skill levels and ages are
welcome.
3. Do not fear chaos. A lot of our best jams start out with everyone just
noodling. It's a beautiful thing when a beat emerges and people start
filling in.
4. At the end of the circle, take a few moments to chat with newbies and
give them some tips on drum technique. "hey, you did great, here's a neat
little exercise that will strengthen your weak hand..." Stuff like that.
5. Be patient with exuberant "soloists". They usually calm down after a few
numbers. The core group can keep the pulse going when one or two drummers
are playing in between the beat. Again, after the circle, jam with them 1
on 1 a bit and show them some riffs and patterns. Ask them if they find
time to practise at home and encourage them to do so along with heavily
rhythmic music like salsa on their stereo.
6. Work also on structured traditional numbers with drum parts and teach
everyone the calls.
7. Encourage members to bring partners and family and encourage dancing.
We drum at a local restaurant on their slow night, Monday. The owner is
great, moves the tables and sets the chairs out for us. I've cut an old
carpet into squares that we set the foot of the drums on to protect the
floor. It's way cool to have food and drink available and Jeannie, the
owner, sometimes tries out her experimental desserts on us.
Walter
Dragonfly Creek Drum Circle
Coos Bay, OR
"Reverend R Clark" <clark@acceleration.net>
<snip>
goal I appeal to ya'll for suggestions, that could be printed up as
guidelines of "fair play" in Drumcircles.
In addition we seek other aspects of genteel "Drum Etiquette" or
courtesies enabling the greatest good for the greatest basic
number and outlining appropriate behavior on the Drumcircle scene.
<snip>
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