The drum has an obvious effect on the sound that we hear, and the sound created by the drum plays an important role in supporting zikr and the Dances. 

 

The drum also affects the energy of the space it�s in, and awareness of this can help the drummer support the circle in a deeper way.  Subtle changes in playing that may not be detected by the ears of those in the circle can nevertheless help them in their experience of the zikr or the Dance. 

 

Another way that the drum affects the circle is through the interaction with the other musicians.  Subtle changes in the drum are often picked up and amplified by other musicians.  In turn, the drummer responds to changes by the other musicians, along with signals from the Dance leader.

 

A substantial portion of this manual is devoted to the five elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether, and how they relate to playing the frame drum.  We will explore various ways to invoke the elements, what aspects of the elements are invoked by different drum strokes, and how use of the elements can be used for the benefit of the zikr or Dance circle.

It is clear from this manual that Munir Michael Hagmeier  has done his homework and served his time serving numerous dance circles and Zikr groups.

Sincerity rings through the pages and I was certain I could trust this person to teach me about frame drum techniques and appropriate adab for serving the Dances of Universal Peace and Zikr. I will personally use this method with my students and request all of them to follow Munir's advice and techniques.

I hope many people around the world take advantage of Munir's kind instruction.

-- Anahata Iradah

    Senior Mentor in the Mentor Guild of Dances of Universal Peace

    Composer, Videographer, DVD Author  & Dance Leader

 

I enjoyed reading this very much! I appreciate the tone of (the) presentation - very thorough and sensitive to the dynamics of Dance musicianship. This seems to me to be a very useful resource for drummers and I especially like the emphasis on the Elements which conveys more than the usual approach to drumming. Great job! 

-- Munir Peter Reynolds

   Senior mentor in the Mentor’s Guild of the Dances of Universal peace and guitarist.

I am delighted to read and have access to this document! As a long-time dumbek player for the Dances and Zikr (and also to some extent belly dance and kirtan), I look forward to taking up the tar with the assistance of this well-written, thorough attunement to the tar and its technique. Shabash! (Well done!) The instruction about the instrument, about the uniqueness of each player’s body and about the strokes and rhythms is very much like my own teaching style. This is a document I can relate to and also learn and deepen with.

 

This document will no doubt become a valuable tool for drummers, and thereby for the Dances of Universal Peace. 

-- Shivadam Adam Burke

    Musician, certified Dance leader and Mentor-in-training,

    Board of Directors, DUP North America