Product Description

Together in Rhythm is a complete guide to Drum Circle Music™, a unique music facilitation approach that supports the highest standards of professionals in music-based disciplines. The book and 80-minute DVD provide the learning resources needed for anyone to successfully create in-the-moment drum circle activities for education, wellness, development, training, and recreation. The layout is easy to follow and the information is clear and concise. In addition to the core material, there is a strong personal aspect to both the book and DVD that reflects Kalani’s 25+ years of experience through the many photos, stories, quotes and tips.

In Chapter one, Kalani provides an overview of drum circles, the Drum Circle Music approach, and its various applications (community, educational, therapy/fitness, and training). Chapter two outlines the DCM philosophy, process, and illustrates the importance of its key concepts and how they are crucial for creating the best possible outcomes. It also provides numerous activities and strategies for facilitating successful musical and interpersonal outcomes. Chapter three familiarizes the reader with the world percussion family of instruments and various ways individuals and groups can make music together. Chapter four demonstrates Kalani’s effective facilitation techniques from the three main categories and introduces Kalani’s drum circle notation system, DCMI (Drum Circle Music Iconography) that has many applications, from helping visual learners to cross-curricular support in the classroom. In chapter five Kalani presents six effective drum circle activities that can help! anyone have immediate success with groups of all sizes. (Each activity also appears on the DVD). Chapter six shows how to present a Drum Circle Music event in a step-by-step process that is easy to follow. This section also features special tips for music stores. Chapter seven dives deeper into the DCM approach with strategies for creating a holistic experience for all the participants, creating meaningful personal connections, and helping the reader learn about and apply the theory of multiple intelligences which is widely recognized as a way foster learning and aid in the developmental process of diverse populations. Chapter eight shows how to present four unique cooperative learning games. The games are outcome-oriented activities that are designed to reach specific developmental goals. Each game is presented in an easy-to-follow format and shown on the DVD. (More games can be found in the companion book, The Amazing Jamnasium). Music educators, music therapists, trainers and counselors will find these particularly useful in their work. Chapter nine addresses the needs of specific populations and offers many activities, strategies, and tips for creating effective programs that address their needs. Special populations include Community Circles, Educational Circles, Training & Development Circles, and Health & Wellness Circles. Kalani addresses the finer points of music facilitation, including how group drumming can benefit our health and ways to make sure the experience is safe and supportive for all participants.

The chapters are supplemented with a wealth of information including an instrument guide, an instrument quick reference chart, how to build an Instrument kit, rhythm basics, a table of DCMI symbols, information about DCM Training Programs, and an overview of the National Standards for Music Education.

The 80-minute DVD shows a complete drum circle event from start to finish (with DCMI in the upper left corner of the screen), games and activities, interviews with Kalani and the participants, and demonstrations of over 25 World Percussion instruments.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140124 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 102 pages

Customer Reviews

The book I've been looking for..
I am grateful to Berry Bernstein for introducing me to drum circles at a Music Therapy Conference in Nashville. That was around 15 years ago. This is the book (and DVD) that I have been looking for ever since. A very practical methodology; good activities and concepts, excellent DVD with examples, and plenty of resources with which to expand. If I could have only one resource, this would be it. It presents so well the how, what, and why of drum circle facilitation. I am looking forward to receiving the companion volume, Jamnasium. Thanks Kalani!

An absolute must for the evolution of group music making!
Kalani has been prolific in his media works. Communicating important concepts on many percussion instruments in the past, he has now created a concisely eloquent manual on group music making. Of the three popularly accepted books on drum circle facilitation, this was the last one I read. While I enjoy all three books, I personally believe that this book is the best organized, best communicated, and most engaging of the three. Kalani communicates his ideas with clarity, using a "less words say more" approach. Sequentially speaking, Together in Rhythm begins with the important descriptive and philosophical underpinnings of the Drum Circle Music approach. The book then offers an introduction to the "mechanics" of facilitation and rhythm games, and then the logistics of creating group events, be they for training and development, music education, general community, or wellness. The book continues with an instrument guide, and ends with many appendix resources.

There are two things in my mind that stand out in this book that are part of what separates it from the other books out there. First, during the well-thought out sequence, Kalani consistently returns to his concise underpinnings in order to elaborate important points throughout the book. This contributes to the books overall organization and ease of use. Second, Kalani has developed a facilitation notation system called Drum Circle Music Iconography. The symbols are easy to use, and offer an invaluable tool for creation of musical sequences, and more importantly, analysis of our facilitation skills through visual representation and recollection.

As if that weren't enough (and no, I don't have Kalani's gift for concise speaking ; ) )
The book also comes with a DVD. The video gives the all important visual reference of facilitation cues and sequences in action, as well as an introduction to many percussion instruments and how they can be played. It is an excellent accompaniment to the book, making it's offerings relevantly sequential as well.

As a part of my profession, I conduct various types of drumming programs with many populations. This book, as well as attendance of one of Kalani's Drum Circle Music workshops, have been invaluable assets to my personal development and subsequent implementation of group music making. Therefore, I highly recommend Together in Rhythm to current facilitators, music educators, music therapists, and anyone interested in drum circle facilitation.

A Great Resource
Kalani has done it again! An excellent resource for the music facilitator, classroom teacher, or music therapist. Kalani breaks down the skills needed to facilitate successful music experiences and lays the techniques out in a clear and easy to follow format. His DCMI innovation is a great way to communicate ideas for drumcircle facilitation. I highly recommend this resource for the beginner all the way to the seasoned pro in music facilitation. This book is chock full of helpful tips to get you out there to help others find their rhythm. AND you have to see the DVD that is included. An eyes on approach that lets you see the facilitation in action with a true community drumcircle.