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How to Play in a Drum Circle

Drum circles are a great way to have a cross-cultural musical gathering. The drumming skill of those in a drum circle can range from very basic to complex. This allows anyone to participate. Another positive characteristic of drum circles is that they allow people to share a cultural experience without speaking the same language. Learning to play in a drum circle is easy and fun.

Things You'll Need

  • Hand drums (such as bongos)
  • Bells
  • Shakers
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Find a drum circle near you. There are many venues where people advertise drum circle gatherings. Look for ads, or find a drum circle online.

    • 2

      Learn a basic beat on your drums. There are video lessons online that can teach you basic beats on the bongos. There are many types of rhythms to learn from including Jamaican, African, Irish, Taiko, Middle Eastern, Funk and Soul. When you are in a drum circle, you are free to explore different beats as they will all mesh to form a cohesive rhythm.

    • 3

      Learn the basic four beat structure. This involves tapping the right and left hands and accenting one of the four beats. It doesn't matter which beat you accent, but just know that each accent will have a different effect.

    • 4

      Join a drum circle and practice. There is not much preparation needed to join a drum circle. Learning to play is a matter of being in the drum circle and learning from your peers. You may meet many drummers willing to teach you many different tricks.

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