Drum Circle Ettiquette

[Bubbles]

My camp mates and I have been taking drumming lessons in preparation for BM 2006. Now that we have some experience under our belts, we were wonding about drum circle ettiquette. What is the mannerly way of joining a group of drummers?

[mojo]

Hi Bubbles, great question. I'm not a drummer but will be interested in the answer.

BUMP

[HughMungus]

I'll tell you one bit of etiquette I've learned just from observation: if you join a drum circle, do NOT be the only dumbshit trying to change the drumming speed despite everyone else ignoring you.

[dragonfly Jafe]

I too am a novice, but here is what I do;

approach the circle with your drum, and listen to what they are playing. Watch the circle, and try to determine who the "main" players are. These are usually the ones that are doing most of the "solo" playing or keeping the beat steady (usually up front with most of the drummers watching them). Wait for several minutes without sitting down or playing, just listen and groove for a few while watching the main players.

At some point, one of them will make eye contact with you, and "invite" you in and maybe indicate with their eyes were you should sit (maybe so they can keep an eye on you) . Either that or one of the outer players will invite you to sit down and play by them.

Start slow with the basic beat, wait for it, and soon you will be totally inside the circle jamming away. Just don't try to take over the beat (try playing softly if you have problems at first). I just play the basic rythm, try to learn all the basic parts, before I start trying to solo, but my friend (who is REALLY good) just makes eye contact and starts to answer calls.

[Desert Duck]

BUMP

[Chai Guy]

Obviously hygiene plays no role in these affairs. .

[Sensei]

Show some originality, I say. Bring a trumpet.

[theCryptofishist]

Obviously hygiene plays no role in these affairs. .

You'd know. hippie

[Chai Guy]

ITYM: Hippie/Raver

[theCryptofishist]

Oh yeah, park your oontz flags outside the drum circle. hippie/raver

[Chai Guy]

Glowstick shows are cool though, right? I mean, as long as I'm "on-time" and stuff?

[Ugly Dougly]

Obviously hygiene plays no role in these affairs. .

You go right ahead and wrap your drumstick in a rubber, there's a good lad.

[theCryptofishist]

Glowstick shows are cool though, right? I mean, as long as I'm "on-time" and stuff?

Only in the drum circle of the blind. And we all know that "on time" to hippie/ravers means 45 minutes late.

hippie/raver

[Ugly Dougly]

Don't bang on someone else's drum w/o permission.

[dragonfly Jafe]

...and if you are going to play someone else's drum, remove any rings from your fingers, as they will quickly ruin a drum head...

[chiefdanfox]

Thought I'd bring a set of LP Aspires. Brand new, and I'll bring them off the stand. They need a cherry-poppin'. What are the odds they survive?

[dragonfly Jafe]

...most drums do fine. Just remember the the desert is hot and dry during the day, but cold at night. I bring a synthetic so I don't have to worry about it. Not so good at tuning a hide drum on the fly yet...(and trying to do that with playa fingers?)

[SED]

Find all the cow bells and HIDE THEM!