DRUMMUNICATION TEAM BUILDING CONCEPTS:

SESSION  1: VILLAGE INTEGRATION

Circle formation represents shared power all ONE team

Ancient chant that becomes a rhythm

All voices are equally important, though some may have more responsibility

Layering in each voice to create a group/team pulse

Deepening the Listening and watching for communication cues

“Drumm-unication” with other teams

Featured teams members relaying “drum-essages” back and forth

SESSION 2: CHAOS , SPEED AND STRUCTURE COUNTERPOINTS/ CREATIVITY

TEAM SPIRIT SONG “ We will ROCK the FAST BUCKS”

RUMBLE Chaos as compared to music/ Rhythm analogy… confusion leads to clarity

ONE voice …group exercise ( hardest thing I know how to do…)

Structure and the “Cayote” in the room

Creating a structured rhythm out of chaos using signals analogy

Creating a structured rhythm together using names

“ Finding” a rhythm by Feeling it

SESSION 3: LEADERSHIP / PERSONAL STYLE

EVERYTHING is energy

“WITCH DOCTOR” Rhythm Exercise… Listening/ watching/ remembering /

Supporting others / showing off.. support/ entertaining

Confidence/ Fear of stepping up…. pushing through

Developing “RADAR”

SESSION 4:  LEADERSHIP / PERSONAL STYLE (cont.)

Density and intensity… a “special” context exercise

Dynamics/Subtlety/ …. A personal style expression exercise

“ WITCH DOCTOR” reprise with team leaders

SESSION 5: LEADERSHIP MULTI-TASKING

“TA-KE-TI-NA “ Rhythm exercise game for each team

Shared Leadership

Reluctant leadership

Different vs Difficult ( let it be” EASY”)

LEADERSHIP is FUN …. the challenge

Culmination

Rhythm Awareness  Teambuilding drumming circles  allow  a great analogy for the success components of an effective team effort. Consider how the following concepts explore efficient teamwork through a Rhythm Awareness  Teambuilding  drumming circle...

FOCUS

Teamwork allows for a process of definition and structure to unfold... a team focused on a goal or outcome, creates an efficient stream of energy that allows its manifestation to occur through shared responsibility. A team must communicate in various ways to achieve this, with a special emphasis on LISTENING and staying present...The result is a synergy where the outcome is greater than the sum of its parts.

COMMUNICATION

Rhythm may be the oldest and most direct form of communication . With rhythm and music as a foundational backdrop, a team can experience heightened sensitivity to a variety of communication skills .We create a special type of Rhythm “magic” when we communicate through a rhythm language, compelling us to tune into each other in a new exciting manner

COMMITMENT

We co-create shared responsibility for expression and contribution, present moment awareness. With this commitment  comes the challenge of navigating  the energetic shifting of loud and soft dynamics, and various percussion textures which require a thorough sensitivity and understanding of space which exists between the notes, in order for the notes themselves to have musical relevancy. This is all essential to experience an outcome of teamwork synergy.

SPEED 

Speed only has relevance if it is utilized in a structure or form. Being able to move quickly will only serve one if it is experienced with clear  intention and is energetically focused in a direction that allows for  maximum efficiency...additionally, one must exercise coherent discernment and have a sharply defined outcome when speed is applied as a directive...other wise diffusion of energy and chaos  can ensue. Once a particular velocity is decided, one is compelled to stabilize and structure energy at that speed before increasing velocity.

CHAOS

Drumming must be anchored in structure or form....(rhythmic phrases and discernable musical composition)....in order to have any relevancy . Otherwise, it quickly reveals itself as unorganized chaos and noise, rather than music. The burden of proof increases as a group of drummers begin to increase velocity...if the group is not connected deeply to the ques, feeling, and intuitive sense of when and how to increase speed together, then chaos ensues...

EQUALITY

A drumming circle creates a sense for space, and a successful outcome defined through  structure, form, and efficiency  of energy.  Sitting in a circle allows for effective visual contact to each member, and a shared sense of personal power and expression...listening and staying present is absolutely essential. This collaboration “re-powers” us to unify our individual talents

Christo Pellani  is a world recognized world percussionist, event coordinator, healer, teacher, and visionary recording and performing artist.  He provides products and services for  personal expression, growth, and wellness.  Log ontowww.soundformation.com for more info

DRUM CIRCLE STRUCTURE

• WELCOME STATEMENT/ SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS/PLAYING TIPS

• ICE BREAKER CONNECTION ( involves activities like hand clap patterns... passing a shaker etc) these patterns lead directly into a rhythm that's easily played by the group.

• PLAY WHAT YOU SAY (Focus) and concentration... an activity that uses vocal sounds/names etc to create a rhythm...a particular sound/name is introduced and others copy it...leadership is shared

• STOP AND GO (Focus) bringing the group to a full rhythm and then after getting their full attention, facilitator uses body language and after getting the group's attention, counting it 1234 to a stop! then 123 go and start the rhythm again. This is shared leadership activity.

• SCULPTING TEXTURES (focus/commitment) Facilitator creates a rhythm with the group and "sculpts" the group by instrument types and areas where people are seated... each group is featured as smaller group with in the larger group... other support with hand claps

• GIVE ME ....(Focus) When the circle is in full rhythm facilitator will stop the circle and call out how many hits he or she wants to hear the entire group will then "Give him..." This is a shared leadership activity

• CALL AND RESPONSE/SONG (Focus) This exercise is a group exercise where participants copy a rhythm that is introduced... This leads into a song based on the rhythm "WE WILL ROCK YOU"

• RHYTHM LAYERING/SONG (Commitment) Facilitator introduces a rhythm
then each participant adds their own unique drum rhythm or "voice" one at a time to the circle until everyone is playing together. Leads into a song "WALKING IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS"

• TEMPO EXERCISES (Speed) Once a rhythm is introduced we use various signals to increase dynamics and tempo carefully observing the elements that allow the group to speed up effectively. Facilitator introduces the "Rumble" as a method to increase speed together. This can also be a leadership exercise.

• HEARTBEAT/CHANT (Focus and Commitment) to end the activity the group is led to a quieter heart beat exercise where the facilitator creates the dynamics of a group meditation to focus on the team's connection, success and commitment to excellence. We create a chant based on the name of company everyone shares in this chant.