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Sound Toss – Musical Game

April 9, 2016 by kalani

Greetings Club Member!

This is a simple game you can play with just about any group of people. What I like about this game, is you don’t need any instruments! You can use voices or sound effects, which makes this musical game super portable and easy to present just about anywhere. It works really well as an ice-breaker or energizer, and it’s perfect for groups where the members are just getting to know each other. Tip: This game is best played with medium-size groups (10-20). If you use it in a larger group, it may take quite a while before everyone gets a turn and some people might not even get the sound passed to them! So, use it wisely and have fun tossing sounds!

For more like this, see the DRUM FUN – Musical Games for Groups DVD

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Education, Facilitation, Improvisation, The Club Tagged With: game, groups, improvisation, music

Therapeutic Music Making

September 15, 2014 by kalani

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Kalani discusses the practice and purpose of Therapeutic Music Making. Learn ways to use music to promote positive changes in your physical, cognitive, and emotional life. Kalani explains how to use music therapeutically for personal and community well-being. Find out more at http://kalanimusic.com and http://playsinglaugh.com.

Watch the video version below and comment on YouTube.

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Facilitation, World Drum Club Tagged With: MT-BC, music, therapeutic music making, therapy

How Playing Music Rescued Me

June 7, 2013 by kalani

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This is my personal story of my struggle with dyslexia, how I became discouraged with school, and how I came to believe that I couldn’t do the work until my musical experiences help me rebuild my self-concept. This podcast is dedicated to those brave people who have overcome a learning disorder and come to live rewarding lives.

If you, or someone you know, has a learning disorder, please share this with them. Comment below and share your story. Help others understand what it can mean to live with a learning disorder and what we can do to help ourselves and each other.

Thank you!

-Kalani

Filed Under: Health, World Drum Club Tagged With: belonging, dcm, drum, drumming, Education, kalani, music, musical connections, teaching

The Art of Facilitation, Part 6: Student

April 3, 2013 by kalani

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In this episode, Kalani examines ways we can each embody the student archetype or spirit as we deepen our skills as a facilitator. It doesn’t matter what you are facilitating, learning and becoming a student of your art is at the core of facilitation. Some of the concepts included in this episode are: Personal development and self-study, Observation and both a facilitator and participant, Using peer and participant feedback, and Creating opportunities for others to take the lead and become their own teachers. The Art of Facilitation is the focus of this year’s Developmental Community Music training program in L9s Angeles, July 22-26, (2013). To find our more and register for this unique and powerful course, visit playsibnglaugh.com. �Be sure to listen to the previous five episodes in this series.

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Facilitation, World Drum Club Tagged With: community drumming, drum circles, drumming, Education, facilitation, music

The Art of Facilitation, Part 4: Friend

February 20, 2013 by kalani

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Kalani discusses the Art of Facilitation from the perspective of being a Friend. Key aspects include; Saying ‘YES,’ unconditional acceptance, being non-judgmental, asking questions, being a good listener, inviting disclosure, encouraging risk-taking, and praising accomplishments and attempts.

Learn about all eight aspects of facilitation in this eight-part series based in the Developmental Community Music approach. Find out more at http://playsinglaugh.com.

The Facilitator Qualities Matrix

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Facilitation, World Drum Club Tagged With: dcm, Education, facilitation, kalani, music

The Art of Facilitation, Part 3: Observer

November 4, 2012 by kalani

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Kalani discusses the Art of Facilitation from the perspective of being an Observer. Key aspects include; Being in the moment, taking an objective view, steeping outside of the process, and practicing mindfulness. Learn about all eight aspects of facilitation in this eight-part series based in the Developmental Community Music approach. Find out more at http://playsinglaugh.com.

 

Drum Circle Facilitation

Register for the Developmental Community Music Summer Course.

PlaySingLaugh.com

 

Filed Under: Facilitation, World Drum Club Tagged With: dcm, drumming, Education, facilitation, kalani, mindfulness, music, Orff Schulwerk, therapy

The Art of Facilitation, Part 2: Teacher

October 30, 2012 by kalani

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:07 — 22.1MB)

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In part 2 of this eight-part series, Kalani discusses aspects of the Teacher archetype, as it relates to the Art of Facilitation using the Developmental Community Music approach. Topics in this episode include: having knowledge of the particular area, asking the right questions, connecting past knowledge with in-the-moment learning, saying ‘Yes’ more than anything else, being open to learning from one’s students, and keeping an attitude based in appreciation and humility. Find more at kalanimusic.com.

Drum Circle Facilitation Training

 

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Filed Under: Facilitation, World Drum Club Tagged With: dcm, drumming, Education, facilitation, learning, music, teaching, therapy

A Quick Guide to Group Drumming

December 15, 2011 by kalani

Group drumming is a popular form of music making, used by all types of people for all types of reasons. From elementary classrooms to advanced ensembles and from drumlines to drum circles, group drumming offers people multiple choices for choosing ways to plug into rhythm and do something that is both fun and rewarding on many levels.

There are many forms of group drumming. Some are defined by the types of instruments that are used, while others are defined by the goals and methods that are used by the participants. This post will help you identify different types of group drumming by name, even when they might look similar in many ways. The most important aspects in identifying any form of group drumming is 1) the qualifications, training, and  experience of the leaders, 2) the dynamics that exist between the participants and the leaders, and 3) the overall goals for the experience (education, recreation, ritual, therapy, team building, etc.)

Note that the following are general descriptions and that in reality, there is some overlap between drumming types. Each type is often used in conjunction with other types. For example, within a group drumming program, the leaders might have participants engage in different types of group drumming at different times (and for different reasons). Some types look very different and some look similar, but they all have different dynamics and qualities that make each type unique.

Drumming Ensemble

Groups of people who meet to develop their drumming skills as a group, often with the goal of performance. Most ensembles fall into two main categories; traditional music and contemporary music. Many ensembles practice and perform both traditional (re-creative) music as well as write their own pieces (compositional). Drumming Ensembles are usually run by a leader or team and often require participants to audition, come to rehearsals, and maintain specific standards of skills and knowledge.

Drum Class

A drum class is a group of students who gather under the guidance of a teacher for the purpose of learning the art of drumming. Most classes meet regularly and are progressive in nature. Some do allow drop-ins, but many are setup as a series of lessons. Students learn how to hold and play their instruments, how to play specific rhythms, how to combine instruments and rhythms to create ensembles, and how to function as a member of the musical community, often guided by traditions that provide status based on someone’s level of skill and experience. Classes are taught by experienced drummers and usually open to anyone who wants to participate.

Drumming in Music Therapy

Music Therapists sometimes use drumming, either with an individual or with a group, within their clinical practice. Within the contact of therapy, group drumming can take the form of an ensemble, an improvisation (similar in appearance to a drum circle), or even a drum lesson (demonstrating, learning, practicing, etc.). The therapist determines which type of drumming experience will best serve the clients’ therapeutic goals. Drumming in music therapy is  guided by the therapeutic needs of the client and shaped accordingly by the therapist. While there might be some similarities in appearance to other types of group drumming, music therapy services are very different with regard to the types of interactions that happen on both a musical and personal level.

Ritual Drumming

Drumming is often used as a form of ritual, as a cultural tradition and within contemporary programs, as a way to structure aspects of a gathering. Ritual literally means ‘to fit together’ and group drumming, by its nature, provides structures and dynamics that assist in the creation of both temporal and textural aspects of a program. Workshop leaders, speakers, and presenters often use drumming or drop rhythm making as a way to bring people together, organize around a central theme, and create a ‘container’ for other elements of the ritual or program.

Drum Circle

A drum circle is a form of community music making where the primary focus is on inclusion and in-the-momement music making (improvisation). The main characteristic of a drum circles is that the music is co-created by the participants, who are often at various levels of technical musical development. There’s no leader in a drum circle and no agenda, except to make music together and have fun. Drum circles take many forms and might have a host, facilitator, or conductor, or they might be completely ad-hoc and open to the public. Drum circles are unplanned and spontaneous. Often, there are no requirements for participation, aside from some etiquette and general guidelines for keeping drums and people safe.

Interactive drumming

Interactive drumming is a structured music-based program that is led by a percussionist for individuals who often have no prior drumming experience and no expectations of continuing to play drums beyond the scope of the program. Interactive drumming provides instruments, musical guidance, and thematic material to safely bring a group of people through a program. ID Programs are often designed to promote certain beneficial qualities and values, such as communication, sharing, teamwork, and mutual support. ID Leaders are sometimes accompanied by dancers, singers, and other musicians. This type of group drumming is very popular in the world of corporate training and events.

Drumming Games

Drumming games, also called Rhythm Games, are uses of drums and percussion instruments within a game or play format. To qualify as a rhythm game, there must be ‘play rules’ that structure and guide participants. The rules often limit, shape, and guide the ways people interact and play the game, just like any other type of game. Games sometimes have a beginning, a middle and an end, but they can also be cyclic – ending when the leader stops the game. Games are often played with teams, but  sometimes participants self-select or switch roles depending on the play rules. Games are typically not focused on creating music as much as they are on creating certain types of relationships and dynamics between group members.

Drum Play

We engage in drum play when we use drums and other percussion instruments in non-musical ways. For example, we might create a sculpture out of instruments, or use instruments as props in a story. We might tell a story about an instrument or use drums to create a kind of ‘obstacle course’ within a space. If there drums are being used for something other than creating music, it’s likely that drum play is happening. Drum Play can be similar to Drumming Games in many ways and the two are often combined.



These are just a few types of group drumming, but there are others. I hope this article has helped you understand some of the differences and similarities between them. As always, if you have questions, please leave them below or send me a personal message.

Filed Under: Community Drumming, Education Tagged With: drum, drum circles, drumming, kalani, music, rhythm

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords & MT

January 27, 2011 by kalani

Some of you may have read my recent post on Music Therapy. Recently, there have been a couple things that have brought this allied health profession into the forefront. You might be surprised to learn that music therapy is now entering its 60th year as a profession. To learn more, visit the American Music Therapy Association website.

One of them is the recent tragedy that befell Gabrielle Giffords, Rep. from Arizona. She was shot, point-blank, in the head and is faced with a challenging recovery. ABC news covered the story, interviewing her husband, a former astronaut and pilot.  He was also faced with a brain injury and has recovered fully. He mentioned the “high-tech” therapies that might help Giffords. An example of this, he says, is music therapy. He gives a short explanation of how it could help his wife recover and develop her speech and communication abilities.

Update as of Feb 20, 2011
This article in CHRON, Houston & Texas news mentions Music Therapy as one of the contributing factors in her recovery.

In addition, there is a movie being shown at the Sundance film festival that features a music therapist: The Music Never Stopped. The Sundance film festival is happening this week. Read about it here, on the AMTA website! And then visit their website and contact them to request a screening in your area.

The Music Never Stopped

Something we can all do, is to investigate and advocate for music therapy treatment for people with all kinds of needs. Music Therapy works with all ages and a wide spectrum of diagnosis. Music Therapists work in all types of settings, from hospitals to schools, and can make a huge difference in the lives of their clients. With more research being published and more people learning about the power of music therapy to help, we can make a difference. Tell your friends, share on Face Book, write a letter to your Representative and Congress person telling them about your support for music therapy.

Filed Under: Music Therapy Tagged With: abc news, Gabrielle Giffords, health services, husband, medicine, music, music therapist, Music Therapy, newscast, psychology, psychotherapy, sundace, the music never stopped

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