So I went to my first drum circle

[d_vela_dum]

I wasn't very good with the drums, though I tried. It just felt uncomfortable, but I did lots and lots and lots of dancing. It was truly amazing! I loved every minute of it. The interaction with other Pagans, the music itself, the dancing, the delicious food (vegan spinach quiche, gorge).

Anyone else want to share good experiences with drum circles?

[Shaman7]

I randomly encountered a drum circle a couple years ago, walking back from a class on campus. I was offered a conga to play and some homemade wine to drink. I spent a few hours there. It was a great experience!

I really felt like I got back to some primal roots, playing hand drums among other drummers. There were people dancing along with the beats too, which really intensified the experience.

The beauty of drum circles is that everyone leads and follows the song at the same time. On a deeper level, you can really get the feel of others' rhythms, and understand where they are coming from. How a person plays the drum says a lot about them as an individual.

From a larger perspective, the cooperation of many people into one coherent song is a beautiful thing in itself. I am awestruck that complete strangers can form such a tight knitted bond, if even for a short time.

I hope that you have the opportunity to participate in this again. Moving to music is always an enlightening experience.

[Rudas Starblaze]

this drummer makes my head spin in circles. :thumbsup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYtUYw3t0wA&feature=related

[childofbast]

I love drum circles. I've played in a few, but my real passion is dancing. At Pagan Pride every year, I dance in the middle of the drummers and it's such fun. Belly dancing classes have helped my dancing come along nicely. And you're right - they connect you with something very deep and primal.

~Melanie

[lavenderdawn]

My main problem with drum circles is I don't know which I love more, dancing or drumming. I have a wonderful frame drum and I belly dance( shimmies at Melanie) so I usually do a bit of both. I actually have two dumbeks and a host of other bells, tambourines and rattles as well as zills( finger cymbals) but I love my frame drum the most.

Lav

[childofbast]

*shimmies back at Lav*

I know what you mean. Sometimes it can be hard to decide what to do. I usually end up dancing in the end. :)

I would love to get a frame drum...

~Melanie

[cheddarsox]

I love drum circles, and how they bring out the primal in me and seem to make my "over mind" melt away.

I work in a job that is really hard on my hands and involves tons of fine motor though, so I can't really drum for hours, because my hands will be useless afterwards. So, I might drum with a stick for a bit, and then dance myself into a stupor. Good times!

[lavenderdawn]

Ever hear INVOKING THE MUSE by Layne Redmond? Great frame drum music and awesome for BD! I love to play along
to Dead Can Dance too, also great belly dance music.

I need to get a drum circle going soon. I miss it but I'm not really that good a drummer. OK Universe I need a good steady drummer...

Lav

[Windsmith]

Ohhhhhh, yeah. Coming from an ecstatic Witchcraft tradition, we are big on the drum circles. But I haven't been to one in a while, 'cause I've just been drifting around the edges of the tradition. But! Will be going to Witchcamp in February, and one of our acknowledged drumming masters will be there, so I do not doubt that good times will ensue.