I have been lucky enough to attend a couple of Arthur Hull’s Rhythmic Alchemy Playshops (RAPs) and the 2008 Hawaii Drum Circle Facilitation Training. I remember at my first RAP just a year after my internship, we did a clapping circle, passed out parts, had everyone make up their own, then rumbled to a stop. I was in love. Here are some of my favorite reasons to attend his trainings and playshops:
1. You learn how to empower people through rhythm. Arthur teaches facilitating without over-facilitating. He teaches to listen for space in the music that lends itself to transition. Then and only then does the facilitator step in. Drumming is about the drummers. It’s not a facilitator’s performance.
2. You don’t have to be a formally trained musician to participate.
3. You get to practice with a supportive group. Everyone at the training is in the same boat and wanting to improve skills, so you can push the envelope and try things that you might not try with clients.
4. You learn how to get rhythm going with or without drums. We practiced all sorts of body percussion (clapping, snapping, tapping, and rapping) with Arthur. I had experienced drumming with groups before his training, but to get rhythm going without drums? Beautiful. Now I know that if I ever forget to bring drums, I can always get people going with body percussion and vocal expressions instead!
5. You return to your practice rejuvenated. Arthur’s training inspired me to take his effective, fun techniques and apply them to various settings for both adults and kids (self-care, team-building, community-building, festivals). Even when I facilitate a medical bedside 1:1 session and use no drum circle techniques, I still feel refreshed. I am able to incorporate abstract ideas from the training and apply them to the session.
6. You’ll connect with some amazing people. I remember Jeni Swerdlow of Drummm showing the group how to keep a steady beat by stomping bells around the ankles. Cameron Tummel taught us some very clever techniques to use with kids for gaining immediate rapport. I learned of Scott Swimmer’s drumSTRONG organization that holds drumming events to raise funds and beat out cancer.
Because of the connection to Arthur and other facilitators, I recently ran into an awesome blog by Jim Donovan, award winning facilitator, teacher, and performer and founding member of the multi-platinum selling band Rusted Root from 1990-2005. Read some of Jim’s latest articles on Why Drumming Builds Good Teams and Why Everyone Should be Drumming.
If you get a chance, check out Arthur’s calendar and go to Hawaii for the training! Or at least attend a playshop. Also, Arthur’s most recent book Drum Circle Facilitation is an excellent addition to a drummer’s or music therapist’s library.
Arthur Hull always says “If you can say it, then you can play it.” If that’s true, then I wonder how Lori Cotler would sound on a drum:
Have you ever attended Arthur Hull’s trainings? If so, how was it for you?
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