Review Addendum:

I forgot to mention that Emily reached the "purple tambourine" level
last month and I think we are in for another big month of
participation awards.  Membership has its privileges...check out the
new picture in the instruments photo folder!

Speaking of which, feel free to post any pictures you have of our
gatherings or instruments you have too.  I'd like to see more active
participation here on the webgoup, because it will be the glue that
holds us together over the winter.

I have posted our first video to prove to my friend Dave that we
don't always play in the rain and under a tin roof.  It is a quick
clip from our June gathering so you may now be famous on the web :-)
Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zluEDFbDETU

The flash version is a bit choppy but the original is clear and had
pretty good sound.

I wanted to do a "melodic" theme in August, but think we will push
that to September which is also our free giveaway night – where EVERY
participant will get a free instrument just for being there.

Please watch for some new polls on the webgroup.

The weather forecast looks good for now, so I hope to see you all
next Tuesday 8/8/06.

Peace.

Hey everyone...what a fantastic circle gathered in the state park
Tuesday evening.  We got it goin' on!  The hour went by way too fast,
but the drum sounds reached the big lake I'm pretty sure!  See you all
the next time!  Great group!

  Is the next drum circle the 2nd Tuesday of the month?  How 'bout extending the time to an hour and a half?  Seems like we're just gettin' goin' and it's time to quit!  Just a suggestion!  HAGD

WMDC 8/8/06 Review.

Great gathering! … a bit smaller than expected, but we still had
great energy thanks mostly to three new gals that really came to
drum, and another founding member from last year attending for the
first time this year :-)

Congratulations to Vera for hitting purple tambourine status.  We
noted that it really rounded out her gig pack with the drum and cool
mini maraca/shaker she brought and played.

The new gals requested to "learn" some beats, so right after our
freeform start we studied two more world beats from Christine
Stevens. We did "Ayube" which is a belly dance rhythm from the Middle
East area that is believed to be named after a benevolent prince.
Then we did "Rumba Guaguanco" which is music and a dance style rooted
with African drum beats but seasoned well with Spanish poetry, song
and zest.  We also did a quick review of Agilablanca and Econcon.

Some asked for more info on the Christine Stevens discs/lessons we've
used so I created a page with links to the Amazon info and reviews.

http://www.bretmart.com/wmdc-music-dept.htm

We have been studying stuff from one disc in the healing drum kit,
but I also found her other book and disc to be a great value too.
The drum with the healing kit is a top quality Remo frame drum and
the 2 discs, book and flash cards make it a bargain for you or the
perfect gift for others.  The link page also has a search box for
musician's friend in case you are looking for equipment (like a new
conga head).

We did a round or so of jump-in-jump-out and jammed a bit more
Santana.  The weather was great and so was the company.

See you September 12, when all attendees get a free musical
instrument!

Yes, our next gathering is September 12.

You read my mind on the thought that we should maybe gather longer...
That was the question I've been contemplating and was going to
present in a poll.

We have some eager drummers coming from bigger distances this year so
I want to make sure it is worth their drive.  But I've been balancing
that with the knowledge that our May, September and October dates
occur during school, and we have family and youth participants that
are coming after sport practice and have to get home to do homework.

The truth is that most gatherings this year have been over an hour
with me trying to get set up earlier and some jamming past 8:00 when
things are going good.

How about this???  Since all the web listings and flyers for this
year say 7:00-8:00 we will stick with that as the official time, but
I will make an effort to be there and fairly set up by 6:30 on these
last two for those that want any early start.  We can share rhythms,
jamb with a live guitar player (if available), tune/talk drums …
whatever.

I do think this is a great topic to consider and I'm open to other
suggestions as we plan for 2007.

Thanks for using the board to discuss important topics like this!

--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "Synthia" <bredhead55@...> wrote:
  [:O]   Is the next drum circle the 2nd Tuesday of the month?
How 'bout
extending the time to an hour and a half?  Seems like we're just
gettin'
goin' and it's time to quit!  Just a suggestion!  HAGD

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
wmdc group:

Should we gather for longer than one hour?

   o Yes – we should meet from 6:30 – 8:00
   o Yes – we should meet from 7:00 – 8:30
   o No – 7:00 – 8:00 is just right for us


To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wmdc/surveys?id=1667032

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Just a quick reminder that this Tuesday's drum circle is "promo" night
and every attendee gets a FREE musical instrument just for being there!

I'd love to see you all at this one.  I know it is harder for families
now that school and fall sports are on ...my son even has a game that
night and it will be the first one I have ever missed :-( but last
year's promo night was one of the bigger gatherings and was a lot of
fun too.

Also, I'll be there by 6:30 for those that want to get in an earlier
start and/or more than 1 hour of drumming.

The colors haven't turned yet, but that park is still super nice in
early fall.  Bring a pull-over and enjoy the crisp air, great music and
cool people.

Peace.

Thanks for spreading the word!

We still gather when it is raining.  There is a covered pavilion down
the hill and across the soccer field.  It's visible from the parking
area but is also a 150-200 yard walk with drums and chairs!  We used it
for the July gathering and a section of fence was down so we could
drive up pretty close to it.  If you see us there, take the road in
front of the Felt Mansion to the end and look for a 2-track drive.

I don't know if we will need the pavilion or not tomorrow, but it
serves well and allows us to meet rain or shine.  The rain on the tin
roof adds ambiance - kind of like lots of shakers :-)

--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "Synthia" <bredhead55@...> wrote:
[:)]   I've invited a few friends, so hopefully the weather will be as
great as our drum circle has been!  CU t'morrow evening.  PS:  What
happens if it's raining?  ~~Sindy~~

Golly....love being called "the gals"  That's a hoot!  And, "grooving
girl"  Where did you come up with that?  Sooooooooooooo funny!  Good
seeing everyone at the shelter.  Kinda different, but certainly kept us
under cover!  See You Later, Brett and Rachel, J & E, D and all!
~~Sindy~~

WMDC 9/12/06 Review.

Sorry this is so long, but there is much to be said.

The September date weather was gloomy and wet, so I chose to gather
down in the pavilion as long as the drive was still open.  It was, so
we drove there, and I appreciate everybody walking through the tall
weeds to get down the hill.  The bonus was the deer [plural] that a
number of us encountered along the drive.

We got going early (as we still were setting up) with some discussion
on djembe vs. doumbek shapes and those that were there now know what
they could call what they play, even though it really doesn't
matter ;-)

We started with some free form jams, a couple round the circle jump-
in-jump-out activities, a lame call-answer exercise, and a brief
review on five basic sounds you can make on any drum (for a new drum
circle attendee and a good 30 second review for all).

We went on to finish our world tour of rhythm by listening and
playing to Christine Stevens version of a "samba".  I struggled to
recount the countries and culture we visited this year but believe we
made it to at least 4 continents and even more countries and cultures.

Because the collective group I call "the gals" had requested
to "learn more beats", I had taped the drumcircles.net 101 drum
circle beats CD I have.  We probably did 15-20+ of them.  The format
is about 1.5-2  minutes average per "beat" and I really liked how
it "ran" the circle and let me sit back and play/learn myself, but
looking around a realized it was all upbeat and 16th  note accent
stuff, and was alienating some folks there (personal frame drums with
mallets).

I prodded J to play (and lead) with the guitar he carried down the
hill and we added on our free form jam.  Our first attempt to connect
with his melody as a group was rough, but the second one was easier
and we not only connected but were able to hold it together much
better.   It was a good experience for us to listen too a melodic
instrument and then ADD our "vision" of a beat on top of it.  Many of
you probably didn't know that J and I were in a band [originals], so
I have had the opportunity to do that many times...and wanted to
share the joy.
J is a pretty humble dude, but I'll be quick to confirm the beauty of
his musical creativity.

E made missing my son's game far less painful.  She started with the
typical – I won't even look Mr. dumbeklove in the eye, let alone
answer his question type of attitude…but later found the bells and
also as typical, broke out of her shell.  I looked back at one point
and saw her playing 4 bells (two harmonized in each hand), her new
kazoo in her mouth, and she was dancing at the same time!  It made my
day, and reminded me of why I organize the circle and want to make
2007 even better.

We wrapped up doing some funk.

See you 10/10?  Costumes are optional (I'll have some extra masks and
treats).  I believe we have 9 participants still eligible for purple
tambourines (@3 visits) this year if they just show up!  Bring extra
citronella buckets if you have some because this one ends after
dark :-)

Peace.

Thanks Sindy for all the great support!  I love how you introduce
friends to the circle, and liven up this web board so I don't feel
like I'm just talking to myself :-)

I've got to apologize to the "gals" because as much as I'd like to
know, and feel I should know everyone by name...I am HORRIBLE with
names related to faces.  It just isn't the way my mind works.  I can
sometimes remember a 16 measure drum solo to the note, but can also
sometimes freeze on the name of a department member I've worked with
for years at a meeting, or a fellow church member, etc. I associate
people with events easily, but names very poorly.

I think I will start a database here where members can associate
there name, with their web name or nickname, with their picture, or
what they play, or when they attended, or what they like if they want
the rest of us to know more.  Maybe others suffer from that bad gene
I have too, and could benefit from the list/database.

I'm glad you like the Christine Stevens stuff.  I am not affiliated
with her or REMO but wouldn't have recommended it if I personally
hadn't found it of great value.  Like I said, I give her Healing Drum
kit as gifts to people I love.

By the way, for [see above] the gal that got the new REMO dumbek in
the print like the one I bring and had that paper and was asking
about Christine's Art and Heart CD, the song listing is:

1 = 4/4groove
2 = 6/8 groove
3 = Funk Groove
4 = Facilitated drum circle
5 = Sound-Scape
6 = Call and Response
7 = Melodic Facilitation

It is VERY good stuff to that we did at last year's circle and the
book is very cool to share with anybody the even might possibly be
interested at improving their life.

HEY!... If you know it all, and are at total peace with yourself and
the world, and don't want to help a child find the happiness you
have, because you are so good... then you SHOULDN'T attend a drum
circle.

For the rest of us, there is always WMDC during the nice months and
others in the area that you can find info on here.

Peace.


--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "Synthia" <bredhead55@...> wrote:
>
>  [:-s] Hi Ya'll...it's me, "one of the gals" just wanting to say
what a
> good time er had drumming outside under a canopy.  And...yep, E was
> quite the entertainer.    We missed the other half of your family,
also.
> See you on 10-10.    PS:  We've been really gettin' off on the 2 CD
> Christine Stevens The Healing Drum.  WOW!  Thanx for turnin' us onto
> her!
>

Hi All,

Time to ask for drum circle listing updates, or new listings for the
drum circle finder. Please have a look and see if your local
drumcircle description needs any changes. Thanks.

www.drumcircles.net

Also for a short time, a holiday special:

4 Drumming CD's & Drumming DVD Holiday Package. It will help you
further your enjoyment of drumming, and have a vast resourse of
rhythms to have at your fingertips at home, or in the car. The 2 live
drum circle CD's are very entertaining to listen to as well.

Here's what's included:

101 Drum Circle Rhythms For The Hand Drum on 2 CD's
Ultimate Live Florida Sun Coast Drum Circles on 2 CD's
125 Drum Circle Rhythms For The Hand Drum On DVD

$25 For all 5 Disks - Free shipping.

There is some other interesting things on the website, drum circle
articles, photos, rhythms, mp3's, a huge collection of drummer jokes,
a weekly drum circle blog, guestbook, and lots more.

Thanks,

www.drumcircles.net

ps.....I figured out how to post the picture I took.  Duh!  Didn't take a rocket scientist!  When I printed it, and clicked on auto enhance it came out a lot lighter and nicer.  Looks a little dark, but, hey, it was dark!

And, I'm havin' a good time w/my new tambourine.  Thanx again!   CUL  ~~S~~

  Great pic of "that hippie chick", and the others you took at the last drum circle.  Will miss everyone during the winter, but definately will check the group....hoping to hear from some.  ~~Sindy~~

WMDC 10/10/06 Review.

I've got to call it like it is, and as much as I wanted to end on the
highest of notes, October's gathering was not nearly the best of the
season :-)

Maybe it was because I was so confident in the general forecast, that
I didn't take a late radar read?  [IDIOT! think Napoleon Dynamite]
We were outside by the parking lot and played about a half hour in
the increasing drizzle.

Maybe it was because some folks I hoped would attend to claim the
purple tambourine status didn't?  Even others I hoped would be there,
or had semi-confirmed missed.

Maybe it was because less folks wore costumes than last years
Halloween and candle bash?  Plus I forgot to break out the stack of
masks I brought for the others.

Maybe it was the dark gloom of October?  Or the bad project I'm on at
work? Or the simple fact that it was the last gathering this year
that had me down?

The reality was, that the energy of our whole circle was low, and I
couldn't personally bring it up with my playing or leading.  I
totally forgot that Rachel had figured out Mary had a Little Lamb on
the samba whistle, and I wanted her to show you. [DOUBLE IDIOT!]

Oh – It wasn't all gloom and doom….

We had two Brand New attendees, and a very cool free form comedy act
too!

We had three purple tambourine awards.  Welcome to the "club"!

We did a few nice tunes from the Christine Stevens "Art and Heart" CD
that a grooving gal was interested in.  Judy had brought another cool
CD that we weren't set up to play (more on correcting that later) but
that bucket of oil lanterns sure was put to use!  I noted that
because of the lanterns and candles, and that the fact that guys were
outnumbered by OVER a 4:1 ratio, made it the best smelling gathering
ever.

The energy chimes and sugar from the candy pile drum kicked in.

Then we broke out a mix tape of the Grateful Dead that I had put
together, and jammed down under the cover over darkness, flames of
light, the pattern of the drizzle, and the beautiful guitars and
vocals of friends like Garcia and Weir.

Even when we broke after 8:00, there were hugs and "have nice
Holidays" and even "See you next years!" heard that warmed my heart.
I saw some photos of where the gals are headed (Florida circle) and
suggested we trade photos like them sort of as a "sister" site.

It was a good time for general "clowning around", and even if it
wasn't the best gathering we ever had, it sure beats most everything
else we could have been spending our time on!  Its cool how drum
circles are like that.

ALL FREE AND WITH LOVE

The bottom line from inception and forward.  See you in 2007 for a
bigger and better WMDC.  Please help the effort ;-).

Hi all you drummers....I want to put my 5 cents in!  Drumming with everyone was a highlight of my summer, even though I missed a few, the times I did make it were absolutely fantastic!  Loved meeting all of you and learning soooooo much. 

And, dumbeklove, you're so dedicated, it shows and I love it!  Really, everyone who attended  had so much to contribute. We had fun, didn't we?   Have a great Thanksgiving and special holidays and I'll see ya next year!   ~~S~~

Thanks Kit – I appreciate the Michael Fitzsimmons tip!  Just sharing
a tip like that on a book or recording we have found value in is just
another way that we can stay connected, and still help others in the
circle even if we are back in hibernation.

Next season will be all digital!  I tried it once this year, but had
problems with the connection between the player and the amp.  I have
already picked up a new ipod and have a digital transmitter on the
way.   The sound setup should be much better next year :-)

I can't wait to see you all again.

--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "kitree25" <kitree@...> wrote:
>
> Hello drummers!   I'm sorry J. & K  (that's me) missed that last
> drumming.  We were really looking forward to it!  But a medical
matter
> took over that day.   Dumbeklove, thanks for all you do.  I really
> appreciate your coordination of this group, (both physical and
virtual)
> and the instruction you provide.     When I last saw you I
mentioned a
> drummer I really liked; I think I may have mis-spoken his last
name.
> The drummer is Michael Fitzsimmons and this is his web address:
> http://www.dancingmanmusic.com/
<http://www.dancingmanmusic.com/>   .
> He has free mp3 downloads at this site; these are not the full
song, but
> they will give you a good idea of his music.  His address at Amazon
is:
> http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Fitzsimmons/artist/B000APQVJE/104-
5327142-\
> 0643951
> <http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Fitzsimmons/artist/B000APQVJE/104-
5327142\
> -0643951>   I will try to bring "Light in the Village" (on
> cassette--maybe I can copy this to my mp3 player?) to a future
drumming.
> Thanks too for the kazoo--and not just any kazoo, but a Hohner.    I
> like to play blues with it.   The October drumming sounded great to
> me--I guess I don't have your expectations.  I look forward to
seeing
> the circle next year.   Heart beats are calling,   Kit
> --- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "dumbeklove" <bwyngard@> wrote:
> >
> > WMDC 10/10/06 Review.
> >
> > I've got to call it like it is, and as much as I wanted to end on
the
> > highest of notes, October's gathering was not nearly the best of
the
> > season :-)
> >
> > Maybe it was because I was so confident in the general forecast,
that
> > I didn't take a late radar read? [IDIOT! think Napoleon Dynamite]
> > We were outside by the parking lot and played about a half hour in
> > the increasing drizzle.
> >
> > Maybe it was because some folks I hoped would attend to claim the
> > purple tambourine status didn't? Even others I hoped would be
there,
> > or had semi-confirmed missed.
> >
> > Maybe it was because less folks wore costumes than last years
> > Halloween and candle bash? Plus I forgot to break out the stack of
> > masks I brought for the others.
> >
> > Maybe it was the dark gloom of October? Or the bad project I'm on
at
> > work? Or the simple fact that it was the last gathering this year
> > that had me down?
> >
> > The reality was, that the energy of our whole circle was low, and
I
> > couldn't personally bring it up with my playing or leading. I
> > totally forgot that Rachel had figured out Mary had a Little Lamb
on
> > the samba whistle, and I wanted her to show you. [DOUBLE IDIOT!]
> >
> > Oh – It wasn't all gloom and doom….
> >
> > We had two Brand New attendees, and a very cool free form comedy
act
> > too!
> >
> > We had three purple tambourine awards. Welcome to the "club"!
> >
> > We did a few nice tunes from the Christine Stevens "Art and
Heart" CD
> > that a grooving gal was interested in. Judy had brought another
cool
> > CD that we weren't set up to play (more on correcting that later)
but
> > that bucket of oil lanterns sure was put to use! I noted that
> > because of the lanterns and candles, and that the fact that guys
were
> > outnumbered by OVER a 4:1 ratio, made it the best smelling
gathering
> > ever.
> >
> > The energy chimes and sugar from the candy pile drum kicked in.
> >
> > Then we broke out a mix tape of the Grateful Dead that I had put
> > together, and jammed down under the cover over darkness, flames of
> > light, the pattern of the drizzle, and the beautiful guitars and
> > vocals of friends like Garcia and Weir.
> >
> > Even when we broke after 8:00, there were hugs and "have nice
> > Holidays" and even "See you next years!" heard that warmed my
heart.
> > I saw some photos of where the gals are headed (Florida circle)
and
> > suggested we trade photos like them sort of as a "sister" site.
> >
> > It was a good time for general "clowning around", and even if it
> > wasn't the best gathering we ever had, it sure beats most
everything
> > else we could have been spending our time on! Its cool how drum
> > circles are like that.
> >
> > ALL FREE AND WITH LOVE
> >
> > The bottom line from inception and forward. See you in 2007 for a
> > bigger and better WMDC. Please help the effort ;-).
> >
>

Absolutely Synthia – WMDC is a highlight of my summers too!  How can
drumming with friends and making new ones outside in one of the most
beautiful settings in the world be anything but a highlight?

Thanks for noting my dedication, but I would be remiss without pointing
out that it was YOUR enthusiasm that really made the 2006 season
special.  Hooking up with new friends like you Synthia, that jump in
with both feet to bring more to the webgroup and drum circle, really
makes it easier.  The new connections we share with each other provide
all the motivation I need.

Thanks again.
Bret.

--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "Synthia" <bredhead55@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all you drummers....I want to put my 5 cents in!  Drumming with
> everyone was a highlight of my summer, even though I missed a few, the
> times I did make it were absolutely fantastic!  Loved meeting all of
you
> and learning soooooo much.
>
> And, dumbeklove, you're so dedicated, it shows and I love it!  Really,
> everyone who attended  had so much to contribute. We had fun, didn't
we?
> Have a great Thanksgiving and special holidays and I'll see ya next
> year!   ~~S~~ [:-?]
>

WMDC Video #2

I am pleased to announce that many of you are potentially, web
watched video musicians :-)

WMDC video #2 is at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrnM9TpXakU

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I like photography and audio stuff almost as much as drumming.  I
apologize for breaking out the camera at least once every circle, but
sometimes getting the images to remember us by is almost as important
as the sound to me.  I share them with you and others (your families
and friends – cool idea = send them the link

http://launch.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/wmdc/photos

so they can see and print current color photos of you and your family
for free).

Don't feel shame..."Hello, I'm [state your name] and I attend a drum
circle :-(".

Take pride, that if you are pictured or recorded at WMDC, that you
have done a community service to help others get introduced to each
other, and to music, and to other cultures, whatever.

Seriously though, Please let me know if you have any major issue with
a picture or video of you on this site.  If it makes you unhappy
because it's posted, it makes me unhappy too, and I'll remove it.

In 2007 it will be understood that video and audio capture are part
of the program (more about that later).

Peace.

Hello all,

By way of an intro, my wife and I are building a summer house down
near Covert; we expect to be in by May '07 and spend a good 5 maybe
even 6 months there each year.

Back in high school, I played tenor and bass drum for a Pennsylvania
bagpipe band for about three years Over the last three years, I've
learned the Irish bodhrán, and dabble a bit with it as a frame drum,
as well as learning dumbek. (I also play low whistles and am teaching
myself mountain dulcimer).

Ran across this group, in a search for drum circles, in order to find
another outlet for playing. Hope to drop in next spring.

Sláinte ("slan-cha," Gaelic for "cheers),
Ned Asplundh

Hi Ned – Please do join us next spring!  It sure sounds like you'll
fit right in and really help our sound.  I also checked out your
yahoo profile and found that you are into boatbuilding.  Boats and
marine design are another interest of mine so we have even more in
common :-)

Good luck with that house project and Sláinte to you too.

PS - try the onion rings at Clementines in South Haven if you haven't
already.

Bret (dumbeklove).

--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "Ned Asplundh" <nasplundh@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> By way of an intro, my wife and I are building a summer house down
> near Covert; we expect to be in by May '07 and spend a good 5 maybe
> even 6 months there each year.
>
> Back in high school, I played tenor and bass drum for a
Pennsylvania
> bagpipe band for about three years Over the last three years, I've
> learned the Irish bodhrán, and dabble a bit with it as a frame
drum,
> as well as learning dumbek. (I also play low whistles and am
teaching
> myself mountain dulcimer).
>
> Ran across this group, in a search for drum circles, in order to
find
> another outlet for playing. Hope to drop in next spring.
>
> Sláinte ("slan-cha," Gaelic for "cheers),
> Ned Asplundh
>

Hey Sindy – Great to hear from you down there in Florida!  I checked
out that primal connection link and love their mission statement
of "Using the drum to educate, heal, unite and lift the spirit".

Thanks for telling us about them, and be sure to tell them about
WMDC :-)

Merry Christmas to you and all who are reading this.  I know we drum
in the summer months, but rest assured that you are in our thoughts
throughout the year.

Take Care.  Bret (dumbeklove).


--- In wmdc@yahoogroups.com, "Synthia" <bredhead55@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone....it's me, Sindy.  On Sunday I joined a drum circle
that
> meets the 3rd Sunday of the month.  www.primalconnection.org
> <http://www.primalconnection.org> .  Awesome group.  Check it out
on the
> web.  I took pictures and will post some, probably in February when
I'm
> at my daughter's in Houston.  I usually check my email and this
group at
> the library once a week here in Sebring.  Hope all is well with
> everybody and have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!  See
you
> in the Spring!  ~~Sindy~~
>