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Why More Music Educators are Turning to Traditional Drumming

February 27, 2019 by kalani

Group drumming has risen in popularity over the past decade because it offers myriad features and benefits for helping meet the goals of music educators. Some of these include:

  • opportunities for ensemble and solo play
  • improvisation, composition, and recreating traditional music
  • abundant, affordable, durable instruments
  • vast musical material, vis a vis folk music from around the world
  • opportunities to explore various roles, such as leader, follower, and partner.
  • opportunities for musical and social skills assessment and development
  • tie-ins to geography, sociology, cultures, customs, languages, and more
  • connections with singing and dancing in various genres.
  • performance goals and opportunities for achievement

Not all “drumming” may be equally “potent” when it comes to meeting the educational needs of teachers and students; however. While there are many resources (both published and via live training courses) that provide educators with the skills and knowledge they need to create developmentally appropriate curricula for their students, there are also some approaches to group drumming that may fall short in terms of content.

Most music educators will have heard the term “drum circle,” largely due to heavy marketing my drum manufacturers and “facilitators,” who present them as accessible musical experiences where there are “no wrong notes” and where the focus in on “community” over musical quality. While the message sounds wonderful, a closer look at the content begs the question: What is being taught and how will students use what they learn?

While there’s certainly nothing wrong with focusing on “making music easy” or “building community,” it’s also important to make sure that students are learning. Because drum circles are improvisational in nature, musical content is often limited to what students can already play, which doesn’t provide them with new and challenging musical material. Because there are “no wrong notes,” students may not be developing critical listening and performance skills they will need in band, orchestra, and other ensembles. Because the focus in on “community” and not on the musical product, students may gain a false sense of achievement, much like getting a “participation trophy” for playing a sport, which can result in a casual attitude towards their ensemble responsibilities.

Drum circles are casual, improvised drumming experiences that provide maximum freedom for participants. They are best suited for after-school programs, fund-raisers, and “special events” where music education is not the focus or goal. When music education is the goal, traditional drumming ensembles (learning, practicing and performing) is still the most potent tool to provide students with the content, skills, and opportunities they need to become successful, both musically and socially.

The “myth” of traditional music education is that it tends to “place students into stress mode” and can “take the fun out of learning.” I disagree! It’s true that poorly taught lessons by a teacher that has lost his/her spark can be a drag, but most educators I know are absolutely some of the most amazing, inspiring, and talented people on earth. The myth that a “facilitator” (who may or may not be a drummer or a musician) is a better person to bring the joy of music to students is likely more about marketing drum circles to schools and less about supporting students with high-quality curriculum, teaching process, and the inspiration they need to be their best.

This is why I, and many other music educators, are turning towards traditional drumming, such as the World Rhythms program, as a platform for group drumming in educational settings. Music educators can still give their students plenty of opportunities for improvisation and community building without abandoning quality music in the process. Rather than lowering the bar, we can help students clear it by giving them the skills and resources they need to reach their greatest potential.

Let’s honor the power of music to transform lives, not by diluting it, but by diving deeper.


Filed Under: Community Drumming, Education, Study

DCM 2018 – More than Drum Circle Facilitation

June 4, 2018 by kalani

Why are people taking the DCM course?

It offers a lot more than drum circle facilitation.

DCM is about facilitating creativity, community, and is based in a universal process of Inclusion, Cooperation, and Appreciation.

Drum circles are fine, but we can do so much more. A lot of people are looking for fun ways to engage people in music-based experiences without the need for music skills. They want to help people enjoy some of the many benefits of music making without having people feel the anxiety that can come from music performance or learning. The DCM course provides answers. Kalani is a master musician, educator, and music therapist. His specialty is in helping people make connections while being creative.

“Facilitation is much more than standing up in the middle of a group and conducting different activities. That’s more of a form of control. What we’re doing at the DCM course, is developing our skills to help empower people to be the ones leading themselves towards something magical. We believe that people are inherently creative and playful. Our role, as facilitators, is to unlock that creative, playful side of people by creating an environment that is free from judgement, abundant in resources, and encouraging.”

When we study DCM, we’re not just thinking about drum circles, drumming, or even music. We’re thinking about people. When we root our goals in what people can do, create, and feel, we point towards a personal outcome. We’re not just thinking about getting people to play the same beat or follow directions from a conductor. We’re giving people the permission and resources they need to find the magic in purposeful play. We never have to get out of the way because we’re never in the way in the first place.

Because DCM has its roots in music, education, and therapy, it’s especially powerful for people who wish to be of service to others, whether in the areas of recreation, education, or therapeutic experiences. As founder of teh Therapeutic Drumming Network, Kalani understands how to create meaningful experiences that help people make progress in a variety of areas, from emotional to cognitive and spiritual. DCM participants often find that they learn much more than they expected, which is one of the main lessons of DCM: Always expect to discover more than you were looking for.

There’s still room in the 2018 DCM course in Los Angeles.

Register

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Education, Facilitation, Study Tagged With: drum, drum circle, drumming, faciltation, learning

Akiwowo – World Drumming Song and Classroom Arrangement

March 20, 2018 by kalani

Akiwowo – Chant and World Drumming Arrangement

Learn all the drumming parts below.

Get the notation! Join the Club.

Akiwowo (Aki Wo Wo) is a song popularized by Nigerian Sing/Drummer Babatunde Olatunji. This arrangement was produced and performed by World Drum Club founder, Kalani Das and features Djembe, Dundun, Agogo, Caxixi, Ukulele, and Bass. World Drum Club is an online resource for drum and percussion lessons in a variety of styles, including latin, brazilian, west african and more. Kalani teaches lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced players, as well as music therapists and music educators. Drummers of all kinds can enjoy percussion lessons for congas, bongos, cajon, dundun, djembe, shakers, rattles, cowbell, and a wide variety of hand percussion instruments. Music educators can use this channel to help teach their students about rhythm, timing, pulse, steady beat, dynamics, phrasing, meter, poly-rhythms, practice, ensembles, soloing, techniques, and playing world music. Support WORLD DRUM CLUB, for http://patreon.com/kalani. By supporting WDC, you support music education and the growth of quality drumming around the globe. Patrons get more access to videos, notation, and downloads and may message Kalani directly. Percussionists who are serious about their own education join WDC as part of their self-enrichment program.

Join Kalani for the Developmental Community Music Course

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Education, Study, World Drum Club Tagged With: drum, drumming, Elementary Music, kalani, music education, Percussion, World Drum Club

Universal Rhythms, Grounding, and Shaker

April 17, 2016 by kalani

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:48 — 23.6MB)

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There are rhythms that appear throughout the world, in different countries and styles of music. Learning how to recognize and reproduce these rhythms is something that percussionists do as part of their craft. Playing rhythms and music requires that we learn how to create grooves, and that requires that we tune in to micro-timing and the feel of the music. Even playing the shaker can be a deeply musical act. Learn how to get started and make progress in this episode. Kalani also talks about the Therapeutic Drumming Course and World Drum Club at YouTube and Patreon. <P>

Join WORLD DRUM CLUB

Member Downloads

Member Chat

Member Supported

Examples in this episode include music by:

  • Greg Ellis
  • Kim Atkinson
  • John Mayall
  • Poncho Sanchez

Leave your comments below and on the Kalani Music YouTube Channel.

Kalani LIVE is written and produced by Kalani as a free service to musicians around the world. Send your questions and comments using the contact form.

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Education, Study, Techniques, The Club, World Drum Club

Online Media

April 11, 2016 by kalani

Did you know that Kalani has published hundreds of online lessons? That’s right!

You can study with Kalani on several platforms, 24-7 and on just about any device.

  • Search Kalani’s YouTube Channel, which features over 400 videos.
  • Visit WORLD DRUM CLUB, a Channel for the drummer in each of us.
  • Visit Kalani’s course page on Curious.Com where there are more than 100 videos in a number of courses.
  • Visit ExpertCEUS.com to get CMTE credits as a Board-Certified Music Therapist.
  • You can also study directly with Kalani online via SKYPE lessons.

 

Filed Under: Study

The Therapeutic Drumming Course

April 11, 2016 by kalani

There are so many benefits that can be gained from participating in musical experience, from boosting a mindfulness practice to creating lasting friendships. Music is more than entertainment–it’s a way to increase our enjoyment of life and reach our full potential as humans. In order to get the most out of music, we have to understand what makes it beneficial and help train people to deliver therapeutic experiences that are informed, thoughtful, and designed for success. This is why the Therapeutic Drumming course was created. It’s for people who believe in the transformational power of music and who want to help others experiences the benefits.

You can learn directly from Kalani, an experienced teacher, musician, and music therapist, while also studying with some of the most trusted names in the field.

Visit the Therapeutic Drumming Network website to find out more about Therapeutic Drumming.

Visit ExpertCEUs.com to register. Spaces are limited to keep quality high. Registrations are accepted on a first-come first served basis.

 

Filed Under: Education, Study

Flute Harvest

April 11, 2016 by kalani

The Native American flute is an amazing instrument that millions of people enjoy playing – all over the world. Now YOU can experience the beauty and magic of this scared instrument right here in Southern California. My friend and co-teacher, Clint Goss, present the third-annal Flute Harvest, Native Flute Retreat at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, CA.

Beginners through advanced players are welcome to attend this 5-day flute and music experience in the hill of Los Angeles. Great food, wonderful people, and inspiring music. Find out more at the Flute Harvest website.

Filed Under: Education, Study

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