The Art and Heart of Drum Circles [With CD]

by Christine Stevens

Book Overview

(Book). In this quintessential guide to both creating and facilitating drum circles, noted music therapist and drum circle facilitator Christine Stevens covers everything from key grooves and instrumentation, to the personal side of empowering people and creating transformational experiences through recreational drumming. Filled with practical tools, guidelines, principles, helpful hints, exercises, and even online play-along tracks, Stevens' book...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0634050664
• ISBN13: 9780634050664
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

love the book

the information was easy to understand. i have all the tools to start my own drumcircle

Drum Circles

This cd is great for small drum circles or practicing by yourself. I have bought and shared my own book with others. This has become an important book in my library

Absolutely FANTASTIC

Simply put, helpful book. I'm working to spread the word about the value of drumming in my professional presentations...and I often facilitate drum circles for those with dementia. The tips in this book significantly improved my understanding and skills. Much thanks to Christine.

The Art and Heart of Drum Circles

I have created two regular musical jam sessions in my town, but realized that there was a need for people who do not play an instrument or do not read music. My search led me to the drum circle concept. Apparently the concept has evolved from pure drumming to being inclusive of many more instruments and sound makers. The Art and Heart of Drum Circles is the most supportive book that I have read on this subject. It is an easy read (includes a CD) and it is very encouraging to new circle facilitators. Christine Stevens makes you feel good about what you are attemping to do while helping you with plenty of information and examples. This is an outstanding text.

"Art & Heart" Hits Heart of the Matter

Christine Stevens' "The Art & Heart of Drum Circles" is a short and sweet guide to facilitating a community drum circle. This book really makes sense! It breaks it all down and tells you how to facilitate a rhythm event from the start: How to arrange a room, what gear to buy, what techniques to use, what your helpers should do, problem drummers and ways to handle them, etc.A lot of this information is already out there in some form or other in other books or on the web. However, this book organizes all that into something that is clear and concise. It's less wide-open drumming enthusiasm and more practical approach to making a great event. For those of you who aren't familiar with Christine, she's a Music Therapist who is on Remo's HealthRhythms staff. The book draws largely on her partnerships with music therapists, researchers, and health and wellness folks such as Dr. Barry Bittman, Will Schmid, Barry Bernstein, Robert Lawrence Friedman, and others.At less than 100 pages, it's fairly pricey for a little book ($15) but does include a CD. Speaking of which, the CD is frequently referenced in the book (things like "for an example of this technique listen to track 9. You'll hear the interplay of conga v. djembe that illustrates....").For drum circle facilitators, this is the stuff! Add this one to your collection. "In a drum circle, if you can't see the drums, all you see is a group of people working together, expressing their unique voice in a group song, united by a common pulse." - from the book.