About a week ago, Gynn and I attended out first drum circle. Having lived my life with a near complete lack of even the slightest trace of musical talent, I was understandably nervous. Gynn had been teaching herself to drum for well over a year. She got her drum at Pennsic War 1999, and has gotten confident enough to sit in with some of the musicians at the open mic night we attend in Bayonne. Now she was eager to expand her skills. And I was eager to expand my… Well, my lack of skill, I guess.
We packed up the drum and my maraca and headed into New York City, first stopping for Indian food in the East Village, and then heading to a second-floor dojo on 18th street, where the drum circle meets one Saturday each month.
The group numbered about 20 people, and was relatively informal. There were some instruments placed in the center of the circle of chairs that were available for use. Some people brought beautifully handcrafted drums, while others were content to try out the different loaner instruments. I was a bit shy at first, shaking the maraca rather tentatively as the group tried out different rhythms, but the energy of the drum circle is contagious. By the end of the night, I had tried several instruments and really felt happy with my ability to keep up. I had certainly not been transformed into a musician in one night , but I had been able to actively contribute to the music that the group was making. For someone who considered himself to be a lost cause where music was concerned, it was a great start. Besides, there is a certain primal satisfaction that comes from hitting things and making loud noise.
All in all, the drum circle was a great experience, and one that most people would enjoy. Give it a try if you get a chance. See you on the road!

Drum Circle Resources:

http://www.drums.org

http://www.nycdrumanddance.org