IDEA
The power of rhythm has been used to unite and inspire people for thousands of years. As an organizer and energizer, rhythm has a unique ability to bring people together under a common cause, rally the masses, and help people of all kinds move forward with a sense of purpose and clear direction.
In arranging and producing my last CD, Rhythm Spirit, I wanted to include not only instrumental solos played by the band members, but also have a way for community drummers to connect with the band. My first idea was to have them play along, using a simple pattern that fit the groove. To make it more interesting, I added a call-and-response element (echoing a leader), but wanted to do even more to make it meaningful. Then it struck me.
Why not create affirmations and set them to drumming patterns, then when we play, we’ll actually be affirming positive messages through the music. This is the idea behind IDEA (Interactive Drumming Expressive Affirmations).
Interactive Drumming is a form of group music making where the participants follow directions and cues from a leader (or leaders). Often there’s a musical foundations that is provided by a core set of drummers. The participants, who may or may not have drumming experience, are invited to play a simple beat and imitate the rhythms played by the leader(s). In this experience, the goal is to create ways for the participants to unite and express themselves as a group.
With this in mind, the format is unified (synchronized) drumming by the participants, even though the band or core drummers might be playing many different rhythms, some of which could be complex. The role of the leaders is to provide a solid foundation on which the participants may build their rhythms.
The affirmations provide the ‘raw material’ which is turned into drumming patters by the leaders. Each pattern reflects a unique message that has to do with unity, community, self-esteem, peer support, and other positive aspects of living and community building.
The process follows a progression from listening to chanting to playing. Participants learn the affirmation, then they chant it in unison, finally they perform it on drums as part of the ensemble. Large numbers of united players provide support and ‘safety’ as no one play gets singled out. Rhythms are scaled to be appropriate for the skill level of the population doing the community drumming, while the core drummers provide a solid rhythmic foundation and form.
The nine affirmations that are included on the Rhythm Spirit CD are:
- I am the drum. You are the drum. We are the drum. We are the Rhythm
- Say YES to this moment – I say yes!
- Live in the day, don’t wait for tomorrow. We’re made of love not fear not sorrow.
- Feel it in your body. Hey! Life is good.
- Today is a gift that’s why it’s called the present – the present.
- Let’s go with it. Start growing it. When I feel the joy I’m showing it.
- I don’t need to know your name. I see your soul and we’re the same.
- I got you. You got me. It’s how we build a community.
- Together – Yes we can!
Seven out of the ten songs on the CD feature a group drumming section playing some of the affirmations. Each song contains a few of the nine, usually three or four. Sometimes they repeat and sometimes they don’t, depending on how they fit together musically within each song. To get a better IDEA of how the affirmations are played, listen to the following audio program.
What’s the IDEA? (Click to Listen)
Using chants to reinforce ideas is not new, but as far as I know, this is the first time that affirmations have been ‘played into’ a recording of this kind. As you listen to the affirmations in Rhythm Spirit, you might find some challenging. If needed, all affirmations can be simplified to make them more accessible to entry-level drummers. Composing your own affirmations is the next step and recommended for all types of groups as a way to personalize the experience and make it more meaningful for a particular group.
IDEAs can be created and performed by anyone, drummer or not – and they can be played back at a later time to reinforce the massages of the group. This approach holds great promise as an effective program model for corporate drumming, energizers, conferences, school rallies, celebrations, special events, and more.. For more information and IDEAs, contact Kalani directly and join the playsinglaugh.com website.
Interact! Drum! Express! Affirm!
This is one IDEA whose time has come!
Rhythm Spirit (Click to listen to samples of the songs)
