First Drum Circle Last Night

Well, we finally did it!  Mark and I attended our first drum circle last night at the coffee shop above the Boomers music store in Fort Collins!  There were three newcomers so I was a little surprised that the leader didn't show some of the basic "hits".  Luckily, we had already gotten a DVD which explained these, so we were familiar with it and were good to go.


I was surprised how it started...no introductions, the leader just started drumming and then everyone joined it with their own drumming.  We must have played for 10 or 15 minutes before we stopped the first time.  It was good!   I think there were about 15 people taking part in the circle.  We had several different kinds of drums, a digeridoo, and various other percussion noise makers.  The guy playing the digeridoo was great!  I couldn't believe how he continued the sound for at least 10 minutes, maybe longer!  Once you figure out how to make a sound, the trick is mastering circular breathing and he was definitely a master at that!


We left after two hours as my hands were getting a bit sore and tired.  Also, my left knee was aching a little bit because I wasn't used to holding the djembe between my knees with my ankles crossed.  


After we got home, I noticed I had a few little bruises on my fingers by the palm of my hand.  Guess I was getting into the drumming a little too much!  :)  I soaked my hands for a little bit in cold water and also in warm water.  It felt much better afterwards and today the bruises are almost gone!


We definitely had fun!  The only thing we weren't quite ready for were the vocals that sometimes accompanied the drumming...sort of like chanting.  I think we'll do it again, though.


And, speaking of "again", I don't know if my hands will be ready for it but I just found out there is another drum circle at the Earth Day celebration in Old Town Fort Collins on Saturday which we've been invited to join in!  We'll see!