Jana Broder's DrumMagic Weblog

I was honored yesterday to be the guest presenter at The Tampa Rotary Club. It was an amazing group of business men and woman whom make a difference in peoples lives. The best part is, I got to drum with them...for their first time. It was a great example of community drumming in Tampa. Drumming can be used for so many things but first and foremost, it brings together a community. Here were these poor "volunteers" being sent to the front of the room (nearly 150 people) to drum together. Not only did they rise to the occassion, they smiled and laughed and played together like they had played together for years. And, thats how the drum brings people together.

Drumming in Tampa wasn't easy to find when I moved here almost 5 years ago. It took a real effort to bring community drumming to an area that wasn't so familar with it. There wasn't any opportunities for non-drummers to try it and certainly no team-building programs that included hand drumming. Now when I drum with a new group, as I did with the Tampa Rotary yesterday, There is always a few people that say "wait a minute, I've drummed with you before". That's when I know I'm doing my work.

Can I bring my drums to your community?

Jana

Posted by Jana Broder at 03:22 PM | Permalink

Seems as though every year, right after school is out and the rainy season begins, the fleet of drums is in dire need of tuning. All those little hands and all those humid days. On December 31st, every drum was unloaded at Straub Park, in the moist grass and heavy dewy fog for First Night St. Pete. A wonderful gig with thousands of people and ended with 100 wet drum heads.

Anyway, now is tuning time. It's a process that always brings so many thoughts in my head. One thought that repeats yearly is "why not fiberskin heads?" Then, I complete tuning one and remember the wonderful sound of goatskin and that thought quickly passes. The actual process feels like therapy to me. Each skin is different and responds differently to my pulling and tugging. I have developed a real system now and my favorite part is that final test of the sound before tying off the remaining rope. There is nothing like instant gratification!

If you want your drum tuned, just ask. I don't charge money for tuning drums...just a coffee or smoothie when the time is right.

Have a safe holiday!

The Drum Lady

Posted by Jana Broder at 08:47 AM | Permalink

Summer is much different for Drum Magic than all other seasons. School age kids become camp kids, teenagers become counselors, business grown-ups become company picnic and retreat grown-ups. There are some things that do not change in the summer. The seniors in the senior centers do not change in the summer and the youth offenders don't change a bit. I do get the opportunity to drum more with these two groups in the summer because my schedule frees up so much after school's out. I also think that these particular groups benefit the most from Drum Magic.

Seniors are such a wealth of wisdom in our communities. Sometimes the seniors I am privlidged to drum with, have fallen into a quiet, deep place within themselves and it makes it more challenging to understand the gifts they have in there. When I drum with them, they appear to awaken that quiet side. The louder and quicker the pulse gets, the more they respond and, in turn, share that beauty with everyone in the room. Some will sing, some dance, some seem to go back to a time when they were performers, some just smile. It still amazes me to witness the transformation. How lucky am I?

The youth offenders are some of the most powerful drummers I get to work with. They have a playful energy that is always on the move. Some might view this as too much; in terms of volume, speed, movement and vocalizing. What it does to me inside the center of the circle is hard to describe. It only happens in youth facilities. I try to stay totally aware of the boys and what is taking place. There are always other adults in the room and that is a good thing. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the feelings and actually use the power in the room to hold me up. There have been many occasions when I actually felt light headed and faint.

My hopes is that someone will want to study these groups of people. I would love to do the drumming while someone else documents the results and publishes the results. Imagine knowing what happens to seniors and youth offenders after I leave. How does it change their behavior, their awareness, their study habits, their sleep habits. What if drumming was found to be a tool for rehabilitation, for memory stimulation, for anger management?

 Is anyone out there?

 Badabaday!

jana

Posted by Jana Broder at 09:16 AM | Permalink

I spent a little time today reflecting on this school year. It's kind of strange since I'm not a teacher or a school age person...but, I do spend a lot of time in schools. This school year I calculated an estimate of 7500 school children that I drummed with. What an incredible number! 7500 hundred kids. If only those drums could talk and describe each pair of hands that touched those skins.

I remember how I use to feel right before the end of school. And, I can feel that same energy in each school I have entered these last few weeks. Everyone from teachers to custodians..from first graders to graduating seniors can't wait until the last day of school. This year...I'm gonna miss the kids and all the schools and all those little hands beating on those skins. I know, I get to drum at summer camps and beach parties but nothing is like watching one class line up while the others wait for their turn to enter the drum circle.

 At the end of the school day, when I lay down to sleep, I can still hear those kids laughing and waving "badabaday, drum lady, badabaday!"

I still just love my job...

Posted by Jana Broder at 07:21 PM | Permalink

It's called Paralounge Drum Gathering and it happens twice a year. This past weekend was my second of many to come. It started as a small gathering and has grown-up in many positive ways. It is held at The Spirit of the Suannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. This is a magical area of our country that clearly holds all the incredible gifts that nature has to offer...fresh air, trees, foilage and flowers, rivers and ponds, dirt and sand, and animals.

The folks that put this together are what keeps it so special. They are tireless in their efforts to make the experience as welcoming to all as it can be...and that is one great gift to the community. My hats go off to Clint and Sharee who truly are the heartbeat of the event. I drummed with this community and feel a part of this community. Put it on your calendar for November and April each year. Bring the family, bring your camping gear, leave your worries at home, and don't miss this incredible event.

 Thank you Paralounge and thank you Universe for introducing us..

 Ashe'

Jana

Posted by Jana Broder at 08:17 AM | Permalink