What’s your favorite new percussion toy?

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~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~

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Jan 8, 2026, 10:02:29 AMJan 8
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Percussion acquisition addiction….I’ve warned many a newbie of this Pandora’s box…ha,ha. All kidding aside, wondering what new tool you’ve discovered as a meaningful addition to your kit?
Time to adopt a new percussion toy!
Blessings,
Giselle

Pat Cain

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Jan 8, 2026, 10:25:46 AMJan 8
to ~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~, Drumcircle-Facilitators
Most of my circles are small and intimate settings, and everything is unique.   
I have a guideline of one new drum or toy per year these days, and I am also seeking ideas. 


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Jeremy Hopkin

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Jan 9, 2026, 10:01:57 AMJan 9
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Meinl helix bowl. (Designed by Bill Saragossa, a dcf). You get your own portable birimbau...
Also a set of pentatonic chime bars or alternatively wah wah tubes. I had one but it mysteriously vanished..
Jeremy Hopkin

~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~

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Jan 9, 2026, 10:44:46 AMJan 9
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Thanks for all those suggestions,  Jeremy!
Blessings, 
Giselle


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Daveed Scott Korup

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Jan 9, 2026, 11:57:50 AMJan 9
to ~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~, Drumcircle-Facilitators
Hello. I enjoy playing different tank drums without mallets, using only my hands and fingers. I usually play the instrument placing it sideways in my lap so the hole if the tank drum is rested against my belly and I play the drum in a circular motions, which I call playing the circle.

I'll post a video this weekend to demonstrate. 

Daveed Korup 

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Terri Kuberski

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Jan 9, 2026, 3:48:26 PMJan 9
to Daveed Scott Korup, ~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~, Drumcircle-Facilitators
Have you all seen this? Roland Mood Pan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmH3e-WemnY&t=14s
Thank You
 
Terri Kuberski  MA, LCPC-IL, LPC/MHSP-TN
Healing Artist  
Professional Consultant
REMO endorsed HealthRhythms Facilitator
Master Level Reiki Practitioner
SoulCollage® Facilitator
Sound Bath Facilitator
DCFG Member
Creator of the Percussion Troll !!
Check me out on Remo.com!
 
"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain." -Carl Jung 


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Daveed Scott Korup

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Jan 9, 2026, 3:59:27 PMJan 9
to Terri Kuberski, ~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~, Drumcircle-Facilitators
I have not. Sounds like a fun thing to try out. For me, playing circles with my tank drum, the vibrations of the instrument resonate throughout my whole body. By rotating the it in my lap the dominate notes changes, as do the chord possibilities. 

Playing in circles also allows for exceptional dynamic and rhythmic dimensions that playing flat on the ground or any other surface does not happen.

Daveed Korup 

shak...@gmail.com

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Jan 10, 2026, 2:21:08 PMJan 10
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Hello Giselle et al !!

Well, I was at NAMM and found an amazing handpan from India of all places, and it was INSTANT love. Of course, I now rep them and will be at their booth at NAMM!! LOL
The sound hand pans make is so fab, but of course you have to bring the volume down in a circle if you want it to be heard. 
I now have 4 different tunings and plan to also use them in my personal music-making and start recording stuff! 
Also, adding singing bowls... and now also selling them! Sorry, not sorry! More toys for my friends to make life mo' better!!!

Next? 

Shakerman

~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~

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Jan 10, 2026, 8:43:56 PMJan 10
to Terri Kuberski, Daveed Scott Korup, Drumcircle-Facilitators
Looks cool Terri! Wonder what gets lost acoustically digital vs acoustic handspan? The sound healing vs the musical listening experience? I feel the difference personally…
Wouldn’t say no.
Thanks for putting it on the radar!
Blessings,
Giselle

Giselle Felicia Vivian, BM CHT, Founder & Facilitator
ONE HEARTBEAT RHYTHM CIRCLES

Albuquerque, NM 

~Giselle Felicia Vivian BM CHT~

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Jan 10, 2026, 8:48:00 PMJan 10
to shak...@gmail.com, Drumcircle-Facilitators
What’s the brand, Shakerman? Great to hear your latest discoveries!
Blessings,
Giselle

Giselle Felicia Vivian, BM CHT, Founder & Facilitator
ONE HEARTBEAT RHYTHM CIRCLES

Albuquerque, NM 

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Steve Hill

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Jan 13, 2026, 10:29:28 AMJan 13
to shak...@gmail.com, Drumcircle-Facilitators
What-Ho, Shakerman et al (who the heck is this al geezer anyway?)
Good to see you'e still roaming the earth, finding new percussion stuff for our delectation and delight!

Hang loose,
 ~ Steve

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Jim Greiner

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Jan 19, 2026, 2:01:46 PMJan 19
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Great question and responses!

One of my favorite instruments to play while facilitating rhythm sessions is the Shekere. 

Originally from west Africa, this dried gourd and bead-netted instrument is now found in musical styles around the. globe.

I've used it to facilitate drumming sessions for small to huge groups (well over 1,000 participants) in community, corporate, youth and senior settings. I've used it while seated, and while moving around the circle!

One caveat: the Shekere can be somewhat fragile.

For that reason, I've designed an unbreakable Shekere that is manufactured and distributed globally by percussion company LP (The LP Jim Greiner Shekere - LP 484) 

It is available globally online and in music stores.

I personally harvested a beautiful "bottle gourd", dried it for 6 months, cut and cleaned it and sent it  to my friends at LP. They created a computer assisted mold that is used to create the unbreakable fiberglass shell. I then worked with them to create unbreakable plastic beads that give a rich, versatile low to mid-range to high-pitched sounds at any volume when the gourd is shaken and struck.

Here is a 3-minute video of me using it to facilitate a 650-person conference group to chant and clap in rhythm and reinforce the themes of the gathering: 

Please feel free to visit my YouTube channel for more information and videos.

The Shakerman

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Jan 19, 2026, 5:12:02 PMJan 19
to Jim Greiner, Steve Hill, Drumcircle-Facilitators
I look forward to learning more about the shakere', I'm still a beginner on that Compared to my Shakers. You're the man Jim it's been so much fun playing with you from time to time and I just love watching you perform with your custom shekere'

I'm actually gonna be picking one up in the next few weeks, I don't know why I haven't had one in my collection yet, looking forward to it though!!!

Fun awaits!!!

Shakerman

On Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 10:54 AM Jim Greiner <jgre...@handsondrum.com> wrote:
Great question and responses!

One of my favorite instruments to play while facilitating rhythm sessions is the Shekere. 

Originally from west Africa, this dried gourd and bead-netted instrument is now found in musical styles around the. globe.

I've used it to facilitate drumming sessions for small to huge groups (well over 1,000 participants) in community, corporate, youth and senior settings. I've used it while seated, and while moving around the circle!

One caveat: the Shekere can be somewhat fragile.

For that reason, I've designed an unbreakable Shekere that is manufactured and distributed globally by percussion company LP (The LP Jim Greiner Shekere - LP 484) 

It is available globally online and in music stores.

I personally harvested a beautiful "bottle gourd", dried it for 6 months, cut and cleaned it and sent it  to my friends at LP. They created a computer assisted mold that is used to create the unbreakable fiberglass shell. I then worked with them to create unbreakable plastic beads that give a rich, versatile low to mid-range to high-pitched sounds at any volume when the gourd is shaken and struck.

Here is a 3-minute video of me to facilitate a 650-person conference group to chant and clap in rhythm and reinforce the themes of the gathering: 

Please feel free to visit my YouTube channel for more information and videos.

Best to you all!

Jim



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Teri shaw

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Jan 28, 2026, 12:35:39 PMJan 28
to Jim Greiner, Steve Hill, shak...@gmail.com, Drumcircle-Facilitators
Jim,

That video was amazing! It reminds me of when I was asked to facilitate a group of 160 seniors... from the stage while they were all seated at tables. Instruments were handed out ahead of time.

It's incredible what we can come up with as facilitators on how to single-handedly lead a large group and synchronize rhythms.

Keep the beat moving! 

Regards,
Teri Shaw 
DCF - Sound Waves Drumming 
"Connecting and Creating Communities Through Rhythm"

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Jim Greiner

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Jan 28, 2026, 12:43:03 PMJan 28
to tlsh...@gmail.com, Steve Hill, shak...@gmail.com, Drumcircle-Facilitators
Thank you, Teri... I appreciate your comment!

Way to go with the group of seniors!

Yes, facilitating rhythm activities is a powerful way to help uplift and energize people... we are fortunate to do what we do.

Best to you,

Jim

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Jim Greiner's Hands-On! Drumming® Events

"Communicating, Collaborating & Celebrating Through Rhythm"™

"Rhythm As A Life Practice"™

Interactive Drumming Programs, Performance & Percussion Education
Corporations, Conferences, Community Groups, Schools & Private Events Worldwide

jgre...@handsondrum.com

www.handsondrum.com

Mobile phone: 831-239-2007

Facebook
YouTube Channel
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