A drum circle is any group of people playing (usually) hand-drums and percussion in a circle. They are distinct from a drumming group or troupe in that the drum circle is an end in itself rather than preparation for a performance. They can range in size from a handful of players to circles with thousands of participants.
In 1991, during testimony before the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart stated:
Typically, people gather to drum in drum "circles" with others from the surrounding community. The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. It includes people of all ages. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with each other and themselves. To form a group consciousness. To entrain and resonate. By entrainment, I mean that a new voice, a collective voice, emerges from the group as they drum together.
Read more about Drum Circle: Types of Group Drumming and Drum Circles, Other Forms of Drumming That Are Related To Drum Circles Include, Notable Figures in The Group Drumming Movement
Famous quotes containing the words drum and/or circle:
“It shall be said that gods are stone.
Shall a dropped stone drum on the ground,
Flung gravel chime? Let the stones speak
With tongues that talk all tongues.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“Yes, thou art gone! and round me too the night
In ever-nearing circle weaves her shade.”
—Matthew Arnold (1822–1888)