Greetings! I have recently been exploring my Pagan Celtic ancestral roots, and have become, as in my youth, a devoted practitioner of ritual drumming.

Are there any drummers or fire dancers attending NABX this year?

If you know of one (or, hopefully, more!), please direct them to this forum... I would like to ensure that someone other than myself also brings along their drums... Djembe drums from Africa are my favorite, but bongos, congas, Irish drums, Indian or Arab drums, or Native American drums all contribute to the Spirit Music that tribal drumming produces.

Bonfire, 5 or 6 drummers, perhaps some Tibetan singing bowls, or, for that matter, anything you can bang on that contributes to the beat; these all make for a wonderful sound ringing across the desert floor, and can transport one back to more primitive and primal sources of energy, a communication of spirits, and a feeling of being united spriritually in the common heartbeat of nature and the great outdoors.

Whoa, have I been eating (smoking?) too much greens, lately, or what? But seriously, folks, drum circles are waaaay cool, and we have enough wild souls among us to make a joyful noise and wake up our little corner of the universe, yes?

Please post replies if you're a drummer or other musician who will bring instruments to NABX, or if you are, or know of, any fire dancers who will be attending.

J.D., are you out there?

-Dooley

P.S. Jim Spivey, you got the bagpipes. To others, any wind instrument or other non-percussion instrument that can follow the beat is welcome, too... didn't want to EXclude anybody. Let's Sing the Buggy Electric!

I sing the body electric
I celebrate the me yet to come
I toast to my own reunion
When I become one with the sun

And I'll look back on Venus, I'll look back on Mars
And I'll burn with the fire of ten million stars
And in time, and in time, we will all be stars

I sing the body electric
I glory in the glow of rebirth
Creating my own tomorrow
When I shall embody the earth

And I'll serenade Venus, I'll serenade Mars
And I'll burn with the fire of ten million stars
And in time, and in time, we will all be stars

We are the emperors now, and we are the czars
And in time, and in time, we will all be stars

I sing the body Electric
I celebrate the me yet to come
I toast to my own reunion
When I become one with the sun

And I'll look back on Venus, I'll look back on Mars
I'll burn with the fire of ten million stars
And in time, and in time, and in time, and in time
And in time, and in time, we will all be stars

WHOA!!! I was recently thinking about how cool drum circles are and how I wish I knew someone who I could join in one. I have only been to one and that was several years ago, but it really stuck with me as a deeply moving experience. I have a couple conga drums and I have been playing with them a bit recently. If no-one minds noobies at it, I would LOVE to join in. Counting days....

Sean

Greets, Jonesing...

I be jonesing, too... it's getting close now.

I sure hope we get more response on the drum thing... I see where the Redondo Beach kite thing next weekend will have a huge drum circle, so I may have to head up there.

If it's only the two of us with drums, we'll have to whack 'em even louder, but I'm still gonna drum. It's become a great form of meditation for me, and practice helps, esp. for those just stuck with listening, hee hee.

Seeya... on the playa!

Maybe I will bring both (if I have room in my car!) so ppl can join in if they want....

Sean

Yes, bring two drums, if you can. Leave the wife, bring the drum.

I was even thinking of purchasing another Djembe, as my present one is a bit high-pitched and I recently got to play one with a much larger head, and deeper tone. Awesome!

I will bring anything extra I can lay hands on, like some rhythm sticks, a tambourine, whatever. Oh, and I'm also learning to play the pennywhistle, though I try to "learn" this one in lonely places, since bad pennywhistle will drive neighbors nuts. <grin>

At least we've got a start, and maybe, if we make enough noise, we'll start an annual tradition of Drum Circles at NABX! :moon:

While I don't have a drum of my own, participating in renaissance festivals for 7 years will lead you to quite a few drum circle for sure! (when you get 60 people all banging drums it's infectious for sure!

The most memorable one was small, only 4 drums at a friends birthday party. Picture a cramped suburban backyard, small fire pit, 4 type of assorted drums, one guitar and the women folk dancing in bikinis and grass skirts. Lot of strange looks from the neighbors, that's for sure!

I'm game for a drum circle, though it may be only as a spectator. I'll be camping on the playa all week.

Counting the days! (w/ the help of the nabx.net counter!

-Chip

we started a drum circle in chattanooga,TN. it was good times. every Sunday. if you ever go, it's near the walking bridge, although i dont know if that info is current. I have gotten some crazy sounds off my ashiko before.... do you think you can create a 3/4 beat at a circle? it's hard, the natural is 4/4.....


tom

Greets, comedygene!

I have recently been learning West African beats, many of which are 12-beats with almost no discernible 1-beat, very hard to figure out where to join in. And, if you want to double the prevailing beat, you better have the fastest hands known to man! Also, the purists know that the pauses, in African beats, are as important as the beats, and it can get really interesting and difficult to "follow" the circle. Sometimes I just sit back and listen, then bust in with a solo riff, every now and then, to hide the fact that I just can't get keyed into the beat. Whatever works. And needless to say, any drumming we do at buggy events will be very informal and easy to follow.

-Dooley :moon:

my impression is that "traditional" beats, whether they are African, Indian, Native American, etc., are very difficult. People watch for years before they are 'ready'. The religious aspect of the beat leaves little room for error in thier eyes. Side note, in college, i heard a recording of a postal room in Ghana. They made the beats from the work they did. Stomp emulates this in performance. The letters have double stamps, and errors are common, but they have a good time while they work.