Drum Circle
    Facilitation

Drumming DVD & CDs  
 
Host a Drum Circle


Drum Circle Finders
     Local, USA & World

Earth Day 2007 
     Photos & Music  

Bulletin Board


Drumcircles.net
    on My Space

Drumcircles.net
    on AM Radio

Drumcircles.net
    in the News


Djembe
     Tuning Instructions 
     & History

Dancer & Drum
    Paintings


Morse Code Djembe
    Rhythms  

Virtual Hang Drum 

Drummer Jokes  


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Shannon 


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101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD + Drum Circle CD $15 + $2 Shipping (USA)
You can order them below, or click here for more detailed information.


101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD - Full Description Link

Check out the YouTube video sample to see what my DVD looks & sounds like. 
The 2-minute sample includes 4 rhythm clips of 30 seconds each, which run 
consecutively. (On the DVD the hand drum rhythms are one minute long each.)
The focus was on getting as much material in there as possible, 2 hours +

I think we are all feeling the crunch of the economy. It's especially hard on us involved 
in the arts. Since things are so tough for us right now, and to give you a good value for 
your money, I am including a free drum circle CD with all orders of my 101 drum circle 
rhythms DVD off my website. It's over 70 minutes of great live drum circle action. 

So you get both the 101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD and the drum circle CD for $17 
shipping included anywhere in the USA. (It's $19 to All other countries.) Thanks.

(You might notice it looks like I'm wearing a ring on my finger while I'm 
drumming -- which would be bad for the drum. It's actually a wedding ring 
Tattoo. I'm not really into tattoos, I kept misplacing my wedding band.)

101 Drum Circle Rhythms For The Hand Drum. The 2 hour DVD is $15 + $2 for Shipping 
& Handling anywhere in the USA. A free drum circle CD is included with it.

The DVD actually includes 125 rhythms from around the world, each about a minute long,
it's 132 minutes total. That's a whole lot of rhythms. You can view the hand positions
up close and personal, as well as hear the various sounds created within the rhythms.

This is a huge body of work, featuring many different kinds of rhythms:

African, Afro-Cuban, Native American
Jamaican, Irish, Taiko
Greek, Middle Eastern
Funk, Soul, Blues
Rock & Roll
From Beledi to Rumba

Perfect for the Djembe, Congas, Doumbek, Bongos, Ashiko, or any kind of hand drum.



For more detail about the DVD please click below
 

101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD - Full Description Link

(Also see the Drum Lovers 6 Pack below)

Buyer Comments

A couple of nice emails from buyers:

It is an excellent and noteworthy DVD because it is a simple, easy to use 
video showing hand movements for more than 101 different rhythms that can 
be played in drum circles or by a drummer playing alone. The demonstrations 
are played on a djembe, but the rhythms could be played on almost any type 
of drum. Those of us who work with beginning drummers welcome a basic 
drumming learning tool such as this. It differs from a lot of more complex 
drumming videos in that it focuses just on the rhythm and how to play it, 
and someone playing along can "get it" without being distracted by multiple 
players, voiceovers, and complex rapid rhythms. Every drummer has a preferred 
learning style, and this DVD fills a need for simplicity. Just watch and play 
along.  -- Keith Russell, University of Kansas

Just wanted to say I watched the DVD and I think it is great. Simple yet 
brilliant, very clear in presentation, you can get the hand movements quite 
quickly and because you play them, I think you said it is a minute, which is 
quite a good amount of time you can really get a feel for the rhythm. I am 
really impressed. I have a few other instructional DVDs I think yours is the 
most practical and easy to use I have found. I have also listened to most of 
the 1st CD and again I like that it is straightforward and you play the groove 
long enough to get a feel for it, and it is clear and precise enough that you 
can pick up the rhythm quite quickly. I am looking forward to having a lot of 
fun with these. Once again thank you for making this resource available and at 
what I consider to be a very good price, certainly fantastic value for the money. 
The DVD and CDs are great quality.  -- Ian R. 



(Thanks guys, I really appreciate those kind words.)

Visit the Ultimate Drum Circles page for some mp3 samples from my CD's. Also drumming gifts, 
djembe Hats, drums, & lots more. Various live drum circles were recorded on CD just as they 
happened. Some very entertaining drum circle action, featuring all kinds of hand drums, 
djembes, congas, doumbeks, dununs, ashikos, flutes, didgeridoos, and lots more.


For more detailed information, please click below.

Ultimate Live Drum Circle CD's & Gifts for Drummers Link

    -- or get a weekly one kick started

I facilitate drum circle events throughout the state of Florida. Spice up your festival, event, 
or spiritual gathering with a multi-cultural drum circle experience everyone will enjoy.


A birthday party drum circle I hosted in Pinellas County, FL.





"Jazz on the Green" Faciliated Drum Circles 2006 & 2007
"It involved children and adults in making their own music, 
easily learning the rhythms Shannon taught."

-- Polly R., Coordinator - Jazz On The Green
   Ft. Myers Jazz Festival
   Featuring Euge Groove & The Rippingtons 2006
   Featuring Acoustic Alchemy, Rick Braun, & Jeff Golub 2007


Three views of the "Jazz on the Green" drum circle event.

I love the joy of this little boy smiling playing that great big djembe. Mom tried to give
him that little tambourine, but he wanted to play that big ol' drum.




*Tip*  Add hula hooping to your drum circle for some real fun! 







Try laying down with your eyes closed for a minute in the center of the circle. Powerful stuff!







More About Drum Circles

Read on, or click here to read more about having a drum circle:

Drum Circle Facilitation Link



The Power of Rhythm


To briefly describe drum circle facilitation by me, it's putting a bunch of people 
together, & making a band out of them. It's fun to get to be in the band for a day.
Friends, strangers, co-workers, beginners, or pros...it doesn't matter. 

The sound of drums speaks to all of us. Everything has a rhythm, from the staccato 
beat of raindrops to the soft rhythm of the surf. Most importantly, our hearts have 
a strong rhythm. Sometimes our heart beats speed up, then slows back down. But, 
there is a basic, natural rhythm that is ours exclusively.

Drum circles allow us to let our imagination soar, our heart beats changing their speed 
as we think about things we might otherwise avoid. We can feel safe doing this in a drum 
circle because that bottom beat, the basic elementary pulse of the circle will always 
bring us back to our "home" beat. And that gives us an element of security that may not 
be conscious, but which we instinctively recognize. The therapeutic benefit of feeling 
safe exploring things with our thoughts and emotions is one of the biggest factors in 
the growing popularity of modern drum circles.

A drum circle is something a little different from the usual things you tend to see. I 
provide African, Egyptian, and Latin drums, &  introduce rhythms from various cultures. 
I'm like a tour guide, that goes with you around the world in music.

My drum circle facilitation style has been influenced by what I've learned from various 
top rated drum circle facilitators, including Christine Stevens, Kalani, Arthur Hull, 
Jim Donovan, & Babatunde Olatunji. But even more so by over 30 years of just attending 
and hosting drum circles. By seeing what works (and what doesn't) in order to create 
a fun and magical atmosphere that encourages creative expression, and musicality.

I prefer to work with smaller groups, from 5 to 80 people. That way, I can give you more 
personalized and individual attention. I deliver an authentic drum circle experience. The 
emphasis with me is on fun! I believe in not telling people how, when, or what to play, 
but rather focusing more on self discovery. But I do offer a few pointers! And I help to 
guide people to find their musical selves at their own pace, with no pressure. It's kind 
of like what you see with musicians drumming at the beach at an urban drum circle, 
except in a little bit more managed format. Just a good time jamming and having fun.

Drum circles can be extremely effective for companies that want to enhance the generation 
of new ideas and better team work. When people discover that they can collectively produce 
a good sound without any musical training or background, they start to realize that they 
can be more effective at work by putting their heads together and working as a team. Also, 
drumming uses the brain in a different pattern than the linear thought process that is 
usually needed in the work environment. A drum circle brings the group to a more open 
mental and psychological process, which can be carried over to the production of new 
and better ways of working. An excellent tool to kick off any kind of brain storming 
session and optimize the quantity and quality of new ideas. Think about it...it works.

Click here for more detailed information on corporate, company, or a business drum circles.

Corporate, Company, & Small Business Team Building Link


Community, Culture, and Fun

Cultures from around the world use drumming to unify their communities. A drum circle anywhere 
brings people together by using our uniqueness to create something that belongs to all of us. 
It's educational, healthy, it releases negative emotions, provides joy, opens creative 
expression, and brings us back to the rhythms of nature. 

But most of all, it's a lot of fun to play the drums. Anyone can participate, from kids to elders. 
We smile, we play, we heal, we dance, we laugh, we learn, and have fun together. No drumming 
experience is needed. You'll love it, if you try it! Parents and thier kids can play together.

I help everyone to drum with ease in a matter of minutes, so they can discover their own sense 
of rhythm, and experience the fun of hand drumming. It's a fun colorful way to jazz up an event, 
or special occasion. And it's very casual, people can come and go as they please as it's going 
on, and stay for as long as they want to. I don't want people to be drummers, 
I just want to help them to be able to enjoy drumming together.

Click here to read more about having a facilitated drum circle event:

Drum Circle Facilitation Link



Charities and Funding

I do some charity work around the Tampa Bay area. Such as The Nina Harris Exceptional Center, 
The Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches, PARC - The Pinellas Association for Retarded Children, 
The YMCA, and a number of other organizations. 

There is a little wear and tear on the hand drums and percussion I provide at these events. 
The proceeds from the sales of my drumming CD's and DVD's helps me to fund this type of work 
in our community. I try to provide them at as reasonable a cost as possible. So thanks in advance 
for helping us all out with repairs of mutilated tambourines, drum heads, and expenses. Drum Some!

Locate drum circles worldwide with the International drumcircle finder. Includes
Canada, Australia, Thailand, Germany, Greece, The United Kingdom, and many more.

Global International Drum Circle Finder Link

---

Local Drum Circles in the Tampa Bay Area

Join The Tampa Bay Drum Circles Yahoo Group

Click to join TampaBayDrumCircles

Coconuts Comedy Club Drum Circle

On hold for now, (as of 02/27/09) 7-10 p.m., 2950 Gulf to Bay Blvd. Located in Clearwater. 
This is a fun drum circle in the Tampa Bay area. Great drumming, lots of dancers, lots of good people.  
There is dozens of great drum circle photos, and a couple of videos from recent circles. Check it out. 


Coconuts Comedy Club Drum Circle Photos, & Videos

Clearwater Beach Drum Circle

Meets Saturday, 9:30 p.m., at the Pavillion. After the hired band finishes, city staff 
turn off the lights. Then drummers gather under the shelter of the Pavillion and play.
Around 8 p.m., a small group of fire spinners and drummers gather on the shore line.



Dunedin Causeway Drum Circle
Meets 1st Fridays 8 p.m., half way down the Dunedin Causeway, just West of the 
kayak rental business on the left. Great sunsets, and parking right by the shore line. Take 
Curlew Rd. towards the ocean, and it turns right into the causeway. (Starts up again April 2009)




Dunedin Brewery Drum Circle
Meets on Tuesdays, 8-11 p.m., at The Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave. in Dunedin, FL. 
There's lots of great drum circle photos, and videos from the past 2 years, and some history on it. 


Dunedin Drum Circle Directions, Photos & Videos



Treasure Island
Meets Sunday evening, it gets hopping hours before sundown, on Treasure Island,
near Madeira Beach. This is a popular open drum circle. If you ever get down our way, 
this is a BIG one, and lots of fun. Beautiful sunsets, white sands, great drumming, 
and friendly people. Directions to the Treasure Island drum circle & photos below.
Plus a short video, and a little on the history of how this drum circle got started.


Treasure Island Drum Circle Directions & Photos 



Siesta Key
And, a little to the south of us is Sarasota Beach. The Siesta Key drum circle 
is "toadly ossum, dude". If you ever get down that way, it's a BIG one also.
Below are some more drum circle photos, and videos.


Siesta Key Drum Circle Photos & Videos



Venice Beach
A little farther on down the coast, is the Venice Beach drum circle. 
The west coast of Florida has it going on. Below are some more great drum circle photos, 
and videos from the popular Venice Nakomis Beach drum circle.


Venice Beach Drum Circle Photos & Videos 



Other Tampa area Drum Circles

Check my drum circle finder for more on our local drum circles, such as:

Mitchell's Coffee House Drum Circle in Lakeland

The Davis Island Drum Circle in Tampa

Drum Circle at Sweetwater Organic Community Farms in Tampa

Drum Circle at The Taste in Safety Harbor

The Gandy Bridge Drum Circle

St. Petersburg Drum Circle at Sacred Lands

The Brooksville Drum Circle, & Lots more. Check the circle finder list out (above link).

A photo slide show of a drum circle celebration of Earth Day held at Dunedin Beach.
Loads of great pictures set to some drum circle audio. Connecting with nature.


Earth Day Drum Circle Honeymoon Island Link

Drum Circles Bulletin Board

Dreambooks are a bit old school, but this one has survived. Got a comment, suggestion, or a 
drumming event going on? Post it on the drumcircles.net bulletin board. Lots of interesting, 
& helpful ideas. It's probably better to post it on the Tampa Bay Drum Circles Yahoo Group.

Drumcircles.net on MySpace FaceBook & Flickr

If you'd like to visit me on MySpace, or FaceBook & send me an invite, I'd like that. 
I worked in Hollywood as a character actor and musician for 14 years, and I had some
strange experiences. (Including on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and on Star Trek: 
The Next Generation as a Romulan Officer). I posted a few pictures there, and wrote a 
little bit about what it was like on a blog. Please have a look if you have a few extra 
minutes. Check out a few of my 200 + drum circle, and dancing photos on Flickr.

Drumcircles.net on AM Talk Radio

Why would a board-certified neurologist start prescribing drum circles for his patients?

Listen to this recent national AM syndicated broadcast of the Healthy Talk Radio Show, featuring 
Deborah Ray, Neurologist Dr. Hammesfahr, and myself, to find out why. It's interesting to hear 
his perspective on drum circles and their benefits. (It's 55 minutes long -- a 25MB mp3)

The follow up interview number two, taped a few months later, is posted below this one.
This interview features Dr. Knaus, Dr. Hammesfahr, and myself. We discuss the benefits of
theraputic drumming, and how it can bring you back to the rhythm of nature, and the earth.
We also talk about the resonant frequency of the planet, the human brain, and how similar 
they are. This is a fascinating interview. (It's 30 minutes long -- a 12MB mp3)

Drum Circles on AM Talk Radio download

Drum Circles on AM Talk Radio download 2

Drumcircles.net in the News

Some recent interesting articles with drum circles and myself in the news, 
at Tampa Bay Online.com (April 2007).

History

A little about the history of the Djembe drum. Also called The Storyteller. It is traced 
back to the Mandingue Empire of West Africa, the Djembe is used in ceremonial 
dances, communication and healing practices dating as far back as 800 years.

I was told the original name for the Djembe is JebeBara, coming from the Bamana 
language. This translates as the unity drum. The Djembe brings people from all 
races and nationalities together with its song. Due to its unique shape the Djembe
is able to produce distinctive low and high slaps and tones creating sounds that are
completly unmatched by any other drum.

In the language of the Maninka people, "jem" refers to the tree used to make the 
drum, while "be" refers to goat, the hides of which were used for the drum head.
Often ceremonies are held in the making of a djembe, to honor the goat, the tree
it's hand carved from, and the craftsman who builds it. These are the real djembes.



Djembe Drum Tuning Instructions
(A printable Adobe PDF file with illustrated, step-by-step instructions.)


Djembe Drum Tuning (PDF) 

Dancing and Drumming Paintings

I love it when art captures a moment in art. Below is a link to some original 
watercolor paintings depicting belly dancers, hand drummers, and various 
other performers. These original watercolor paintings are for sale.

Morse Code Drum Rhythms

I'm an amatuer radio operator, and one day I was drumming out Morse code to a few friends.
They got a kick out of it, so now we make up new rhythms all the time. Try making up your 
own Morse Code drum jam rhythm. Just pick out a couple of letters, and put them together.

When all the electricity went out like during the Northridge earthquake, amateur radios still
worked, while all the cell phones didn't. We could still communicate with friends, and pass info 
to families in other states, as well as around the world. So with growing concerns about the power 
grid going down, ham radio is making a slow comeback. The FCC test is not that difficult to pass.
As a teen with my giant green Heathkit radio that took up an entire wall back then, I think some 
of us were the OG's (Original Geeks) LoL. Consider looking into amateur radio, it's a fun hobby.

Anyway, a dash is a bass note, and a dot is a tone note, done in 4/4 time.

I like to let people yell out a couple letters or numbers, and make up new rhythms on the
spot. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it doesn't, but it's always fun to try it out!  

C + X is a nice sounding one:  ( - . - .   -  .. - )

Pretty cool with youth groups, or any group. Try it out! 

Here is a list of Dumb & Dumber Drummer Jokes -- 100's of them (seriously!).

Drummer & Drumming Jokes Link