A drum circle can be started in several ways. For one, there can be a facilitator. The job of the facilitator is to relate rhythms to the group; as well as to keep the group sharp & in flow. One doesn't need to be a master drummer to be a facilitator. Being confident and proficient at several rhythms will allow someone to be a worthwhile facilitator. There are several ways facilitators can choose to start. Typically, however, a facilitator stands in the center of the circle of drummers & plays a rhythm. Then the other drummers join in, one at a time.

The facilitator may also use more than one rhythm. He may assign parts to different members, or sections, of the circle.

Once the music catches a groove, some facilitators may elect to take a seat, joining the drummers in the circle; yet other facilitators continue standing & playing in front of the players. Sometimes this may help the group - for the facilitator can act a bit like a conductor.

Although a facilitator can be very helpful, a drum circle doesn't have to have one. Any player within the circle can begin a jam by playing a simple rhythm. The important matter is that the rhythm find a groove & that each player keeps his rhythm tight. The result will be infectious & all the other players will be hopping to play.

Although it takes patience & concentration, the results of a circle that's in a groove is truly remarkable.

Developing a Drum Circle: Playing in sections, Soloing & other Techniques

Once the circle is in the groove, a unified sense will be experienced. The great joy is to develop this groove. It is fun for everyone to get the groove, but after several minuets of the same thing the groove can become old. So, variation is needed. The groove can & needs to change if the jam is going to be extended.

Drum circles may last twenty, thirty, sixty or more minuets when the players introduce new grooves. There are various techniques commonly used for developing the groove.

Possibly the most important is to play variations of main rhythm & sub-rhythms. Creating variations will allow one to "play" with the sound, feel & groove. It will also flow over into other techniques such as syncopation, call and response or soloing.

When a groove is in place, players may take solos. These solos can be very infectious & give creative inspiration to the non-soloists.

An advanced exercise is to invite players to contribute an improvised solo, creating variations of the main rhythm or sub-rhythms.

If the group begins to “lull” , or weaken with energy, often the group facilitator, or experienced drummers, will recognize it as “transition point”. Transition points are useful in may ways. They allow players to relax & catch their breath from a previously intense stretch of music. When playing jams, players need to rest at some point. A player who is "in practice" can play for as long as several hours, however even within that time the player may pause & use transition points to change rhythms, slow down or rest.

Transition points are an opportunity to breathe new life into the drum circle by adding rhythmic variation. Often, simple rhythmic changes will rejuvenate and extend a jam.

While a jam is in a groove, or even during a transition point, two or more drummers may use the technique Call and Response. Call and Response is largely self explanatory. One musician will play, Call, a musical phrase and, at it's completion, another musician will answer, Respond; then, the caller will answer & the cycle continues.

Each answer may be a totally new phrase, or a duplication of the other musician's statement. Call and Response can create any number of moods, from inquisitive to comical to deep & intimate. It is a wonderful technique for adding spice to a jam. Call and Response is very effective to help develop a jam, yet it is so versatile for it can be used to begin & even close a jam.

Closing a Drum Circle Jam

Closing a drum circle can be done simply or with sophistication. Sometimes transition points are used to wind down. Or sometimes all the players know they've had enough and one by one each player fades out. Sometimes a facilitator will himself signal to the players to slow down & stop. Sometimes everyone will pickup a single rhythm so clearly and all will end together on a strong & apparent accent. And, as mentioned earlier, sometimes players can pick up a call and response ending, with, typically, the responder(s) making the final, closing statement.

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