There are 12 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. 11,000 drumming bash in Hong Kong --- a world record
From: JonathanMCrowder@aol.com
2a. Thought Trains and Thought Circles
From: Mary Tolena
2b. Re: Thought Trains and Thought Circles
From: smalltime_2000
2c. Re: Thought Trains and Thought Circles
From: LuixSalda’fffffffffff1a
3. My Biggest Learning
From: yshenrs3269
4. Re: Drumcircle Etiquette?
From: Steve Hill
5. Right On....... STEVE HILL
From: artxtraworld
6. Re: Beyond Drum Circle Facilitation...
From: David Chaus
7. Drumcircle Etiquette
From: Stream Ohrstrom
8. Program Director Comments
From: john scalici
9. Re: *****SPAM***** [DrumCircleMusic] Program Director Comments
From: One Tribe
10. I did it!
From: Jeni Swerdlow
Messages
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1. 11,000 drumming bash in Hong Kong --- a world record
Posted by: "JonathanMCrowder@aol.com" JonathanMCrowder@aol.com jmcbreck
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:46 am ((PST))
Kumi,
Thanks for sharing this.
I love the title of the piece your group played, "The Earth Shall Move."
Sounds like it did.
In rhythm,
Jon
www.peakrhythms.com
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2a. Thought Trains and Thought Circles
Posted by: "Mary Tolena" mary@rhythmweavers.net marytolena
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:43 am ((PST))
On 12/17/06 5:26 AM, Barky wrote:
Subject: [DrumCircles] Re: Beyond Drum Circle Facilitation...
Business is ugly, drum circles are beautiful!
Let use 'practice' or 'service' instead.
Hello friends,
First let me say here that I don't mean to take Barky's comments for more
than they were intended. I, too, like the heart-felt, relationship-oriented
angle of practice¹ and service¹. I imagine he¹s contrasting that with the
purely transactional I-sell-you-this, you-pay-me-that interaction of so much
daily commerce. Not to mention the myriad ways that the planet and human
spirit are ravaged on a daily basis in the course of business dealings. I
agree with all of that. Barky also has an enviable and very successful DCF
service that includes many corporate clients. So he is apparently navigating
in the world of business in a way that integrates into his life, values and
practice.
OK, that said, the phrase ³business is ugly² really jumped out at me, crying
for comment.
Even more than about whether or not it¹s true, this post is about taking
care with HOW WE THINK in order to best move towards our goals. Because I
believe we pretty much get what we believe and want subconsciously, too,
and that world is slippery. Which is to say ³be careful what you think
about.²
SCENARIO:
Let¹s say that I¹m a drum circle facilitator with a goal of building my
practice to the point that I can make a comfortable living. I want to quit
my day job, make enough money to live comfortably and travel a bit, etc.
I¹ve got about 20 drums, I¹m getting a few gigs a week, starting to get paid
for most of them.
THOUGHT TRAIN #1:
What if I read ³business is ugly² and thought ³yeah man, the business world
sucks!² Where might my thoughts go from that launch point? How might
³ugly² infiltrate my subconscious attitude toward the woman from ABC Corp
who just called? Or the gizmo-tech product launch that she¹s thinking about
hiring drumming for? Or the local business networking lunch my regular-job
buddy just invited me to?
How might that thought affect how ³businesslike² I run my own practice? How
promptly I respond to inquiries? How punctually and smoothly I arrive and
set up my circles? The quality of my website, the completeness of my
message, how well I answer my clients¹ questions about ³why would I want
this?²
And here¹s the real goal-derailer thought-train-wreck (remember the
subconscious is at work here):
³Business is ugly. I don¹t want to be ugly.
Therefore, I don¹t want to be a businessperson.
Therefore, I won¹t act like a business person.
People don¹t call me back.
But I¹m trying to make a living at this. So I¹ll keep trying.
But it¹s hard, it¹s a struggle.
I don¹t know if I¹ll make it.
I¹m just a struggling musician (or _____)
The world just doesn¹t appreciate us artists.
Will I ever be able to give up my day job?²
Crraaasssshhh!
THOUGHT TRAIN #2:
What if instead I thought, ³Business just IS.² Business for better or
worse is the largest system of human interaction on the planet. It¹s like
the weather it just IS. Sometimes it¹s ugly, sometimes it¹s not. It
operates according to principles and rules and methods that are largely
understood and usable by those who want to play in this arena.
Usable for Good! To do good work for the planet and for humanity. At it¹s
essence, business economics is simply a system of value and energy exchange.
If I deliver an experience that energizes my client¹s participant group,
helping them to create more value for their company, the company circulates
value/energy back to me in the form of money. The more I genuinely earn in
this way, the more I can invest in my business to bring more drumming to
more people.
As examples, John Hayden and Jana Broder are two DCF friends whose
businesses I¹ve had the privilege to see up close. Neither hesitates to use
that word. They are both doing an enormous amount of Good for the world,
and making a decent living at it, too. As a result of doing good, in fact.
John¹s JAMTOWN business imports hand percussion items from villages in
Africa, Latin America, and SE Asia, all on a fair trade basis, meaning the
local artisans get a fair local living wage for their work. John is also
active in the national Fair Trade Federation, which promotes more fair trade
commerce. And how¹s this for being a conduit of Good from the top of the
economic ladder to the bottom: Jamtown products made the cover of the FAO
Schwarz holiday catalog this year! http://www.jamtown.com.
Jana¹s phone is ringing off the hook at Drum Magic in Tampa. Almost every
gig leads to 1 or 2 others, and she often has 3 or 4 gigs a day. She
connects equally warmly and eagerly with all participants, from Viola, the
Alzheimer¹s patient, to eager 5th graders, to members of her local chamber
of commerce, to the regional managers of a health care megacorp. Her
website is loaded with testimonials showing why everyone wants to hire her!
http://www.drummagic.net.
These are just 2 examples of our colleagues who I happen to know a lot
about. There are many others out there, both in our DCF world and the
larger world of commerce. Of business people who embrace the HEALTHY
principles and dynamics of business, and use them to bring more Good to the
world.
FACILITATE YOUR THOUGHT CIRCLE
Once again, I was sparked to write this not to defend the institution of
business, but rather to highlight the importance of becoming more and more
aware of our thoughts so we can CHOOSE more often which thought trains we
want to ride on. Or, to use our favorite metaphor, to hear our thoughts as
simply voices in our mental drum circle. Which ones are loud, annoying
clanging on a cowbell? Which ones are serving up a sweet groove under all
that racket? How can I facilitate my thought circle to volume-down the
clanger and ride the cool groove?
Sometimes it¹s easy, sometimes it¹s not, sometimes it seems near impossible.
What I do know is that Breathing always helps.
Love to all,
Mary
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2b. Re: Thought Trains and Thought Circles
Posted by: "smalltime_2000" barkman@workinrhythm.com smalltime_2000
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:11 am ((PST))
--- In DrumCircles@yahoogroups.com, Mary Tolena <mary@...> wrote:
.
What I do know is that Breathing always helps.
Love to all,
Mary
Thats why I always start my corporate work with breathing!
My way of working has come to this. Just call me to do the gig.
Tell me your shipping account number. I show up and do the job.
I do a good job. I get more.
Thats what I practice. And it seems to work for me.
Some people may like that real business end of all this. Do what you
want with it. Interject the whole things with words. Call it what
you want. I just want to bang on these drums all day.
Happy and Harmonious Drumming
Barky
Samba Beach NJ
http://www.workinrhythm.com
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2c. Re: Thought Trains and Thought Circles
Posted by: "LuixSalda’fffffffffff1a" peacedeluix@yahoo.com peacedeluix
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:40 pm ((PST))
Hola Mary and list
here Luix
Mary thank you for your wisdom, for the balanced dance that you present to us all, i find it very grounding for me the dreamer, very inspiring to keep on trying.
i totally agree with the idea that to give more you have to have more, to give the best you have to be the best and to live with dignity one has to work hard and focused and take the fun of it seriously... and always positive thinking
peace
Mary Tolena <mary@rhythmweavers.net> wrote:
__________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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3. My Biggest Learning
Posted by: "yshenrs3269" yshenrs3269@yahoo.com yshenrs3269
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:30 am ((PST))
Dear all of members
I am Yoshie Naruse, writing from Tokyo,Japan.
Ifm happy to join this community.
Ifm a teacher of piano, electone,rhythmique,and HealthRhythms
Facilitator, and Health psychologist(authorized by The Japanese
association of health psychology)
My daily work is teaching piano, electone,rhythmique at my house. I
enjoy small group drum circle for children a couple of a month.
My first learning of drum circle is the first HealthRhythms training
in Japan. And I participated in 9th Hawaii Facilitatorfs Playshop,
Japan Facilitatorfs Training,Tokyo 2004, 2005, 2006 and Japan
Rhythmical@Alchemy@Playshop.
My biggest learning is keeping balance between inside and outside
and a convoy is built up by human relationships.
Balance implies many contents.(heart,body,mental
horizons,relationships,material etc.) I think balance of mental
horizon have an influence on quality of life. It is very important
for recognition.
In these days, chain reaction of suicide among students is breaking
out in Japan. It caused by bullying. Society canft be prepared for
wrong condition of children. Mothers working full time canft have
sufficient hours. Their children feel lonely. But they arenft
loneliness except they must spend a little time waiting mothers.
Changing and expanding of mental horizons bring stability of
conditions. There are many similar situations in our life. So I
think balance between inside and outside is very important.
And next my biggest learning is making our convoy ourselves. Family
is closest to one. If we have many convoys in our society, we keep
truth in our life. Sadly, in the case of family canft keep their
convoy, there are happened ill-treatment. The more we have many good
convoys ,the more we keep our good balance.
The play shops presented the source for me. I thank you bottom of my
heart for all members shared the play shops.
Messages in this topic (1)
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4. Re: Drumcircle Etiquette?
Posted by: "Steve Hill" steve.hill@stevehil.globalnet.co.uk jbshilluk
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:36 am ((PST))
Yikes - it's even longer than the European Community's "Meat Pie and Sausage
Roll" Regulations and, I dare say, the Declaration of Independence - which
managed to lay down enough grooves to run a country on, let alone a drum
circle.
Do I need clean underpants, a note from my mum, to be in a state of grace
and recently shriven? I didn't read that far.
- Steve Hill
-----Original Message-----
From: DrumCircles@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DrumCircles@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Reverend R Clark
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 10:50 PM
Subject: [DrumCircles] Drumcircle Etiquette?
Greetings ALL!
While there is certainly something to be said about the
unfacilitated "free form" aspect of large drumcircles we've
mixed emotions in terms of it's musicality.
<SNIP> oh, <SNIP> those mighty snippers.
Messages in this topic (4)
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5. Right On....... STEVE HILL
Posted by: "artxtraworld" artxtraworld@yahoo.com artxtraworld
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:06 am ((PST))
Only one thing to say to you Steve Hill (You Hit the Nail on the Head)
PEACE With FREEDOM......Barry
Messages in this topic (1)
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6. Re: Beyond Drum Circle Facilitation...
Posted by: "David Chaus" tazja@blarg.net tazzjazz2002
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:36 am ((PST))
Hmmmmm.....I guess I don't have the same reaction to the use of
"business". Business is not inherently ugly and sometimes is beautiful
(although not nearly enough). I've also experienced a few "drum
circles" that flirted with being ugly, due to actions and behavior of
some people, and just the fact that it was called a drum circle didn't
make it beautiful.
Whereas, some are consummate professionals and a credit to whatever
business they do. Our friend Barkman for example. ;-)
I think it's more a matter of how we are in business or the world (or
drum circles) than what business we are in. Juliana's post was
excellent, in my mind, because it asks how can we best make a
difference and pay attention to the beautiful parts.
David
(who is busy in Seattle helping to make beautiful things happen with
the WRF, hope you will all come)
Posted by: "smalltime_2000" barkman@workinrhythm.com smalltime_2000
Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:26 am (PST)
Just one thought of my personal feelings. I really do not like the
word 'drum circle' and 'business' used together. It gives me the
creeps. Business is ugly, drum circles are beautiful!
Let use 'practice' or 'service' instead.
Happy and Harmonious Drumming
Barky
Samba Beach NJ
http://www.workinrhythm.com
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7. Drumcircle Etiquette
Posted by: "Stream Ohrstrom" cmndrx@verizon.net franspontus
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:37 pm ((PST))
9 simple drumcircle guidelines from BEATJAM:
1. Trust the rhythm - if you feel unsure, close your eyes and let it carry you. Listen with your whole body - feel the rhythm move you.
2. Drums are rhythm amplifiers. Don't be afraid to make noise - you need to be able to hear both yourself and the others in the circle.
3. Rhythm lives in simple repetition. Dare to be simple. One sound from you in the right place is better than many all over the place. Support the pulse first, then let your hands dance if they want to.
4. Our eardrums are the most valuable instruments in the circle - be conscious of volume. Listen with the same intensity as you play.
5. Relax! The world won't end if you stop drumming. Value the spaces in the rhythm and treasure all silences.
6. Instruments left in the center are there for anyone to use. Don't hoard what you borrow, and don't leave yours there if you don't want to share them. Please never touch anyone's personal drum without asking permission.
7. A drumcircle is a participatory rhythm ritual and different from a party or a class. Greet friends with a smile and a wave. Keep your focus in the center.
8. If you need help or advice ask discretly when there is a break. Save lengthy conversation for when you are no longer in the circle, and turn off your cellphone.
9. When you are inspired to chant or sing or dance, let it happen. There are no critics in the circle - we are all creators!
peace Stream
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8. Program Director Comments
Posted by: "john scalici" johnscalici@mac.com getrhythmprograms
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:50 pm ((PST))
Dear List-
I'd like to share with you an email I just received from the program
director at one of the at-risk sites where I facilitate. I share
this as a testament to the power and appeal of drumming at ALL levels.
Best,
john
"We got wind from some of the kids last week that the last time you
were here, some guys unrelated to our program had come to our parking
lot with a gun (No bullets, they said, but still!). Our Mustaffa was
with them. He had been hanging out with these guys that day instead
of coming straight to Urban as he should have. Mustaffa said that
when he saw that the guy had a gun, he decided it would be better to
come on in and go to drumming. Thank God it was your day to be here
to give him such an appealing alternative!"
Thank youYoure important.
For info on John Scalici:
www.GetRhythmPrograms.com
http://remo.com/portal/artists/4882/John_Scalici.html
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9. Re: *****SPAM***** [DrumCircleMusic] Program Director Comments
Posted by: "One Tribe" onetribe@csolve.net leyshya257
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:38 pm ((PST))
Namaste John!
Thank you for sharing this! And thank goodness you were there for that boy! You are making such a difference in these people's lives. I'm sure you do amazing work and will continue to do so for many years to come. They are very blessed to have you working with them.
I think of what Babatunde Olatunji would share...how he believed that the drum was so powerful to change people's lives and how it would be such a better world if people would pick up a drum instead of guns. This experience you have shared illustrates exactly how this is possible!!!!! May we all have strength and courage and compassion of heart to continue doing this important work! I feel this story you share has just gifted us with that.
blessings,
leyshya
www.onetribecanada.ca
John wrote:
I'd like to share with you an email I just received from the program director at one of the at-risk sites where I facilitate. I share this as a testament to the power and appeal of drumming at ALL levels.
"We got wind from some of the kids last week that the last time you were here, some guys unrelated to our program had come to our parking lot with a gun (No bullets, they said, but still!). Our Mustaffa was with them. He had been hanging out with these guys that day instead of coming straight to Urban as he should have. Mustaffa said that when he saw that the guy had a gun, he decided it would be better to come on in and go to drumming. Thank God it was your day to be here to give him such an appealing alternative!"
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10. I did it!
Posted by: "Jeni Swerdlow" jeni_swerdlow@yahoo.com jeni_swerdlow
Date: Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:03 pm ((PST))
I did it!
I facilitated a rhythm based event with a group of 400-500 people at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento. Comprised of intergenerational families--the Jewish community of California, many from Israel. An annual international Hanukah celebration, it drew people from up and down the state.
I planned, proposed, negotiated, organized, rehearsed, coordinated, performed (drummed, danced, dreideled, sang) and facilitated a program involving three other musicians and one client who was responsible for putting on the whole event. We co-created a rhythm-based event that fused music and traditions from Jewish and Israeli culture, the Mideast, Jamaica and North and West Africa. And that was all in just two weeks! Whew
I gathered sound shapes, consulted with ever-helpful and supportive Christine Stevens, and collected stuff for everyones costumes. I made a dreidel not out of clay but out of a ginormous cardboard Remo boxI was the dancing, spinning Dreidel, and the kids loved me (probably mostly because I was tossing out gold coins filled with chocolate).
I got to play as a musician, a dancer and a facilitator at various points throughout the evening. I got to help people find the connection between rhythm and family, community, spiritand boy did they find it! The entrainment happened almost immediately, and it just kept on going. My father came up from LA to document some tasty morsels on video and in photos.
It did not go according to plan, but things rarely do. Everyone took it all in stride, had a good time, and celebrated. Even me : )
I felt SO much support from this drum circle community. People who gave freely of their insights and experience. Thanks again to Christine, Arthur, Frank, John and John (Lacques and Scalici), and Juliana for your morsels of wisdom. It was very encouraging.
MY BIGGEST LEARNING:
Sometimes you dont know that you can do something until you do it.
(Side noteArthur, you know Wade Peterson? Hes on board now too! He sez hi)
I plan on writing up more about the actual what of what I did, and how I will do it differently next time
soon. For now, I just need a massage and a nap.
Happy holidays to everyone, near and far!
Drummm
Jeni
DRUMMM...Building connections through rhythm
Jeni Swerdlow, ATR
510.316.2850
jeni@drummm.com
www.drummm.com
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