Drum Circle
    Facilitation

101 Drum Circle 
    Rhythms DVD & CDs  
 
Host a Drum Circle

Drum Circle Finder
     USA & Global

Earth Day Circle 

Drum Circle Blog

Drumcircles.net
    on FaceBook

Drumcircles.net
    on AM Radio

Drumcircles.net
    in the News

Djembe
     Tuning Instructions, History

Dancer & Drum
    Paintings

Morse Code Djembe
    Rhythms  

Virtual Hang Drum
     Free Drum Circle mp3s 

Drummer Jokes
     (100's of them)  

Contact 


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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.


2 Hour 101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD - More Info 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. The run time is 2 hours & 12 min.

I include 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. You get both disks, the Drum Circle Rhythms DVD & the drum circle CD for $15. 

(You might notice it looks like I'm wearing a ring on my finger while I'm drumming. That of course would be bad for 
the drum. It's a wedding ring Tattoo. I'm not really into tattoos, I just didn't like taking my wedding band off to drum.)
The 101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD is $15 + $2 Shipped anywhere in the USA. Shipping to all other countries is $2 more.

The DVD includes 124 rhythms from around the world, each about a minute long. That's a whole lot of rhythms. You 
can see 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 hand drum. Bellydancers even use it to practice their "zill drills".



For more detail about the DVD please click below
 

101 Drum Circle Rhythms DVD - Full Description Link

(Also see the Drum Circle Lovers 6 Disk Pack below)

Buyer Comments

A couple of email comments 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

"I 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 to hear some mp3 samples from my CD's. Also some drums, & percussion I'm selling. 
These live drum circle CDs were recorded just as they happened. Some very entertaining drum circle action, featuring 
all kinds of hand drums, djembes, congas, doumbeks, djun djuns, ashikos, flutes, didgeridoos, and lots more.


For more detailed information, please click below.

Ultimate Live Drum Circle CD's & Used Drums For Sale Link

    -- or get a weekly one kick started

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


A birthday party drum circle I hosted in Pinellas County, FL. What a cool idea!





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

-- Polly R., Coordinator - Jazz On The Green
   Drum circles at the Ft. Myers Jazz Festivals
   Featuring Euge Groove, The Rippingtons, Acoustic Alchemy, Rick Braun, and Jeff Golub


Three views from the "Jazz on the Green" children's 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. (Don't we all?)




*Tip*  Add some hula hoops to the center of your drum circle for some real dancing fun! 







Try laying down with your eyes closed for a minute in the center of the circle. It's 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 like putting a bunch of people together, and making a band out of them. 
It's fun to be in the band for a day. Friends, strangers, co-workers, beginners, or pros...it doesn't matter, we're all equal. 

I offer drumming lessons, workshops, and drum circles. I provide only drums with synthetic drum heads, because I can clean 
and sanitize the drums after each use. Many of the people I work with are especially vulnerable to colds and flu. Children, 
seniors, and special needs groups in particular. Also synthetic djembe, doumbek, and frame drum heads are more durable, 
and they never need tuning. Personally I prefer playing goatskin head drums, but for me they aren't practical.

The sound of drums speaks to us all. 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 are one of the biggest factors in the growing popularity of open community, and facilitated 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, 
and introduce rhythms from various cultures. Think of me like a tour guide, that goes with you around the world in music.

I prefer to work with smaller groups, from 3 to 30 people. 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 
open 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 a brain storming session and optimize the quantity and quality of new ideas.

Click below for more detailed information on corporate drumming, company, or small business drum circles.

Corporate Drumming, Company, Small Business Team Building Drum Circles 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. No drumming experience is needed. 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. If you have a desire for lots more detailed information, my book is $18:

Click here to check out my 300 page book on hand drumming & drum circles

"A Practical Guide To Hand Drumming And Drum Circles" Link



Charity Work

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. I don't recieve any funding, and never 
have in the past. The proceeds from the sales of my drumming CD's, DVD's, and drum circle book helps me to do this kind 
of work in our community. I try to provide them at as reasonable a cost as possible. As an independent artist, money is 
tight, so I always appreciate a product that is a good value for the cost. That's the idea behind my book, CD's & DVD. 
Thanks in advance for helping us out with drum repairs, & expenses. (Please visit the link above to see my 300 page 
book, "A Practical Guide To Hand Drumming And Drum Circles". $18. It includes a different free drum circle CD.) 

Locate drum circles worldwide with my International drum circle finder. It includes Canada, Australia, Thailand, 
Germany, Greece, The United Kingdom, and many other countries. Locate drum circles around the globe.

Global International Drum Circle Finder Link

The Dunedin Earth Day drum circle celebration held at Honeymoon Island. A gathering of our community, and an 
adult special needs group performing in pubic up on the big stage. How it all came together, photos, and more.


Earth Day Drum Circle Honeymoon Island Link

Drumcircles.net Drum Circle Blog

My drum circle blog at blogspot.com Plenty of helpful ideas, hints, drumming tips, & more for everyone 
from beginners, to experienced musicians. Some of the current posts cover topics including:

So What's A Good Choice For That First Djembe Drum To Buy?

Improving Drum Circle Hosting & Facilitating Skills On Little Or No Money
 
Publicizing And Promoting Your Drum Circle – Getting The Word Out
 
Eeeking Out A Living Facilitating Drum Circles In Today's Economy
 
What That First Drum Circle Felt Like...
 
Different Ways To Notate, Or Jot Down Drum Circle Rhythms 

A Long List Of Assorted Notated Drum Circle Rhythms To Try Out

Suggesting And Vocalizing, Easy ways To Start Out A Drum Circle Rhythm
 
Ways To Understand And Read Music - Drum Rhythms

Having Drum Circles In Pubs, Clubs, And Cafe's...Really?

The 3 Lyric Version Of Djembe Rhythm "Fanga"

Drumcircles.net on FaceBook MySpace Twitter & YouTube

If you'd like to visit me on FaceBook or MySpace etc. & send an invite, I'd like that. I worked in Hollywood as a character actor and 
musician for 14 years, and had some mighty strange experiences. (Including on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Star Trek: 
The Next Generation as a Romulan Officer). I posted a few pictures there, and wrote a little about what it was like on MySpace. 
Please have a look if you have a few extra minutes. Also check out some drumming videos on my YouTube channel, and my 
Twitter feed has some interesting stuff. There's 100+ drum circle and dancing photos on Flickr. Some of them are pretty cool.

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 radio 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)

This 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

An interesting article about drum circles and myself in the news, at TBO.com (Tampa Bay Online) 

Djembe 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 deal djembes in my opinion.



How To Tune Up Your Djembe Drum
(A printable Adobe PDF file with illustrated, step-by-step Mali Weave djembe tuning instructions.)


Djembe Drum Tuning (PDF) 

Dancing and Drumming Watercolor 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, but free to look at!

Morse Code Drum Rhythms

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

When all the electricity went out like during the Northridge earthquake in LA, the amateur radios still worked, while all the 
cell phones did not. We could still communicate with friends, and pass important traffic, and information to families in other 
states, as well as around the world. So with growing concerns about the power grid going down, ham radio is coming back.  
The FCC Tech. test is not that difficult to pass. As a teen, my giant green Heathkit radio 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 that's part of the fun!  

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

Pretty cool with youth groups, drum circles, or drumming events. Try it out! 

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

Drummer & Drumming Jokes Link