Books
The following are a few of the books that have been the foundation of and continue to inform my DC practice. They are excellent places to start your career as a Drum Circle Facilitator. The leaders in this world currently being Arthur Hull's Drum Circle Spirit and Drum Circle Facilitation, Building Community Through Rhythm. The second of these which is pretty much the bible for DC ( Drum Circle ) facilitation. Ably followed by Christine Stevens and Kalani. The advantage of Kalani's book is that it also comes with a DVD which can be especially helpful. However also see my section on DVD's. The DC Facilitators handbook is a useful small book and acts as a reminder of the basics and considerations when applying the work and booking gigs. All the other books provide excellent material to develop your practice. Rick Cornfields book is self published and provided an excellent counter point to facilitated circles.
A range of books that can help the established and beginner DCF. Each provides a myriad of activities and different approaches to use with a variety of audiences all of which are adaptable.
Kenya Massala's books offer a huge range of activities, games and songs once again adaptable to varying groups as well as some basic use of the drum and drum circle facilitation techniques.
Dave Holland's, Arthur Hull and Kalani once again offer group drum and percussion activities and all come with DVDs so you are able to see the exercises working with a group.
Taking your practice to a deeper level these books explore various facets of drumming its history through the excellent book by Layne Redmond and also the work of Mickey Hart.
The work of Robert Friedman taking drumming into clinical practice with stories of its use in a number of clinical situations.
The excellent Rhythm 2 Recovery by Simon Faulkner a scientific and evidence based programme that can be used to explore social and emotional development. It includes the science behind the work as well as a large number of activities that can used with various groups.
Also books to explore the importance of people coming together and sharing and the mmore esoteric side of drumming.
Further deepen your practice by understanding the science behind music, musical expression, teaching, rhythm and its impact on the brain. These books offer insight, practical examples and tips on working with groups and individuals in music making. Also better understand, further explore and look at creativitiy and deepen your understanding of group process and one of my favorite workds flow. To begin to get an understanding of the importance of improvised music making and your role and prescence as a facilitator.
The third part takes you into looking at expanding your understanding of drumming with a variety of circles and modalities. They also help looking at the role of the facilitator in holding space, bringing people together and the repsonsibilities that that it can and does bring. Kalani's book explores music from a music therapy perspective, but does have some useful exercises and insights that can be used in various settings.
A continued and deeper delve into the exploration of improvised music making in Christopher Small's " Musicking " and opportunity to look at the impact music on people with the work of Sacks and Levitin.
Although the vast majority of the time I work with solely improvised music making it is really important to understand the lineage of what we do and the instruments that we use. To also pay our respects to its history, its cultural significance and to pass that knowledge onto all the groups that we work with.
These books provide an excellent understanding of the background, history, rituals, wisdom and mechanics ( From beginner to advanced ) of some of the instruments that we are playing or helping others to play.
Kalani's book is an excellent book if you are unsure on how to play any of the huge amounts of different percussion instruments that are out there and will eventually make up some of your percussion boxes.
These books are aimed at understanding working with audiences from the Neuro-Diverse communty. I spend alot of time working with these joyful groups and it is important that if you make the decision to work with these groups that you understand them before you step into the work. One of the most rewarding areas of work that I am involved in. Great fun and great people.
Ann Shearer's book is especially powerful at examining our bias and preconceptions on these expceptional people with additional needs.
These books take you on a journey to a better understanding and provides useful insights as well.
The final part of a journey through some of my library and some the books that have informed my work over the years. A special mention here for games and drum circle activities we have in Drum Fun from Kalani and the work of Mary Knysh and for first hand experience Rhythm Healing by Bill Moore.
The Healing Drum Kit by Christine Stevens contains detailed rhythms, rhythm cards with explanations of their roots and accompanying CD's and a frame drum. The Rumble Zone by one of the leading elders of the drumming community exploring leadership strategies. Also a continued rummage into improvised and in the moment music making. As well as creative group work.
The Rhythm 2 Recovery library available from me ray@drumwithus.com.
The full list of books and programmes to work with all sorts of groups. Each book provides background, basic playing techniques, exercises to explore the subject matter, certificates and feedback for the particular work area and all based on researched and peer reviewed work.