The love of drum circle Facilitation
If you’ve ever experienced a drum circle that is grooving, oozing energy, vibe and joy, most likely there has been a facilitator who has guided the group to that space.
When I say drum circles, I’m talking about in the moment music making, very different to African drum classes. They are two different kinds of group drumming. The role of the teacher and facilitator is very different. So, what I’m going to share with you is purely from my own experience from over 20 years involved in community drumming.
Let’s take a look at my top 3 biggest mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
Let’s look at the role of the facilitator in the drum circle
Facilitator means to make easy or easier. And drum circle facilitation looks easy right? I mean it looks like heaps of fun and boy when people in the circle get going and everyone is united and in the zone its magic. Facilitating drum circles are my most rewarding and most challenging work, when it comes to community drumming.
Now more than ever drum circle facilitation is becoming more and more of a specialised field in the area of community building, wellness programs and team-building.
Drummer… yes, I got this
When I was first introduced to the drum circle world, I thought… yeah baby I’ve got this. I’ve been to Africa studied drum and dance, I’ve been taught by Australia’s master drummers, I’ve even performed with world class musicians. By now you may guess my first big mistake? Where do I begin… lets delve deeper.
Being an experienced drummer doesn’t necessary mean I’m going to be a good group facilitator. Yes, it helps knowing rhythm, but its not top of the list of being a wonderful facilitator.
It’s all about balance. Knowing your strengths and recognizing skills that need work.
I didn’t release the difference between facilitator to drum teacher and music performer. Being a musician, is about rehearsals to get a musical piece to a high standard of performing in front of an audience. The performance aspect and getting the music right was top priority… in my eye’s perfection. Can you see the next mistake?
There are no mistakes just learning opportunities
My approach was I mustn’t make mistakes. Don’t mistakes mean I have failed? The cross over from a music performer to facilitator was blurred and had me in trouble so many times. Even before I jumped in the circle to facilitate, my thought process was I have to be good enough to be successful. The thought of failure was too much. Success means no mistakes. This thought of not being good enough is something that I’ve had to battle with over many years. And still that thought creeps in from time to time and doubt my abilities. Have you experienced this kind of self-talk in your work?
Of course, these days I’m way gentler on myself, less critical and more compassionate.
I still get anxious now and again, though that’s what I love about facilitating drum circles, you never know what you’re going to get. And what lessons I can learn from the process.
Its not about music
Have I mentioned I love drum circles? One of my favourite aspects of the drum circle is people. I’ve been fascinated by people ever since I started my own self development and figuring out why I do what I do. Kind of like a soul journey and wanting more peace and harmony in my life instead of chaos and conflict, which had been playing out in my life and relationships.
As I mentioned coming from a background of music performance, I thought that it was ALL about drumming. Getting rhythms right so they sound good. I thought music came before anything else and making it sound as good as possible and many times being disappointed in the outcome.
I am so happy to say that drum circles are about people, where trust, connection and communication are vital. This is where it gets really exciting. As a facilitator, the skills and knowledge to guide individuals to positive group dynamics and working together is so rewarding. Imagine having a group of people who have never drummed before. Could you imagine how they must feel? Every soul that sits in the circle are so unique, there might be someone who is so excited and relish the new adventure and the person sitting right next to them have the opposite reaction, with feelings of anxiety.
How to get everyone working together is the facilitators job. My intention to facilitating every drum circle is vital and have that clear in my mind well before the event. The quality of the music-making from people in the circle is determined by the quality of connection and trust.
Because the drum circle is about people, more and more evidence is showing drumming together is beneficial to our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. So, it makes sense to delve deep into drum circle facilitation.
Let’s recap
You don’t need to be a drummer to facilitate drum circles. I believe anyone who has a passion to help build community connection and care for community wellbeing can make a fantastic facilitator. You don’t need to be a professional drummer to make a wonderful facilitator.
Be mindful of letting go and try not to control the outcome. There are no mistakes just learning moments. Be gentle on our self. Every time we jump into the circle, we bring our thoughts and beliefs. Self-development is just as important as learning rhythms. I also studied group facilitation and ICF approved training as a personal coach and now I mentor many others who are looking to go into the field of community building.
There’s a balance and only you know where you want to focus your energy.
It comes down to people full stop.
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