Community drums are large drums that can be played by many
people at the same time. A community drum symbolizes the heartbeat of a drum
circle. Community drums are usually open to any participant who wishes to join
in, however it is a "sign of respect" to ask permission before you
sit on a drum. Each drum is different, but there is some basic protocol when
you play on a community drum: Have respect for the drum and the drum keeper.
Anything being passed at a community drum should be passed clockwise around the
drum, never over, across or counterclockwise. Do not rest anything on top of
the drum except for a drumstick or blanket when instructed by the drum keeper.
Community drums are usually covered with a blanket when not in use.
Some drum circles like to open each gathering with a round
of drumming on a community drum. One way to do this is to ask a community drum
keeper to set up the beat, and then the rest of the circle will stand up and
join in one at a time. When no more room is left to drum, the first drummer
leaves to make room for another, and so on until everyone has drummed.
The community drum in the photo of this post is named
"Rolling Thunder." She is a Taos
