InRhythm Blog

This is an article by Beat Mag in Bali Indonesia. They couldn't help but hear drumming all over the island so they wanted to find out more...

Interview by Athron at Beat Mag with Beau Bruderlin...

When did you first get involved with drumming yourself? What’s your background? Muso?

I got involved with drums and rhythm after I quit as a stockbroker in 1994. I was feeling that I wanted to feel more soul in life…thats when I found  myself leaving the rat race and traveling through about 10 African countries in search of ‘da riddim’. I ended up living in West Africa for 2 years. West Africa is the birth place of the most popular hand drum in the world…the Djembe..that’s the drum you see in so many places all around bali. I have been very fortunate to have some great masters teach me the art and meaning of African drumming. Since 95 I have been teaching drum and helping create communities both for the general public and companies and organisations. I am co director of InRhythm Australia and  have now landed in Bali to create InRhythm Indonesia the first company of its kind in Indonesia.

When did you first come to Bali? Why?

I came to Bali for the lifestyle. The culture of the Balinese is so beautiful, so inspiring. The way they practice their religion and culture daily is the key. I also like to groove on my surfboard...the waves are just too good.

Are you aware of the drumming history in Bali? What’s the story?

A little. Of course gamelan music is very percussive and involves mainly percussion instruments as well as some drums. Here is some info from Wikipedia….Balinese instruments include bronze and bamboo xylophones. Gongs and a number of gong chimes, are used, such as the solo instrument trompong, and a variety of percussion instruments like cymbals, bells, drums and the anklung (a bamboo rattle). There are two sizes of bamboo flutes, both used in theatrical music, and a rebab (two-stringed spike fiddle).

Modern forms of Balinese gamelan include kebyar, an energetic style played by clubs, which generally compose their own music.

Does Bali have a drumming culture /history or has it been introduced through African music?

Yes the culture is really strong but differs greatly to the introduced African style. The idea of groups of people drumming together like you see on the beach and in drum circles is an informal gathering of people from all cultures. This is not African either. The drums manily used are African. What is African influenced are the groups you hear around bali that have pratised actual African rhythms.   The Balinese drumming ( which includes many percussive instruments other than drums) is used mainly for ceremonies and performance. And is usually very set or structured in its approach whereas African music has a strudutre where people can solo within. Also the “jam” you hear around the island are informal and free flowing.

Are there any drum rhythms specific to Bali?

Yes all gamelan specific the bali. But you usually only here 1 or 2 drums within an ensemble of many percussion instruments.

How did you get involved with drumming here?

I performed at bali Spirit festival with a Guinean friend of mine called Sibo bangoura. InRhythm sponsored him to play at the festival as a headline act. It was awesome. I also played with a few of the local African drumming groups here in Bali. Also Arron an local from America has done great things for helping introduce the African style drumming culture in Bali. He has helped introduce African rhythms that he has learnt from friends and recordings. Some of the groups here play surprisingly well considering they have leant complete rhythms from cds!!

What does In Rhythm do exactly?

InRhythm create unique interactive drumming events for any group of people to create a sense of community within that group. Everybody gets a drum and our professionally trained facilitators lead the group on a rhythmical journey where they rediscover themselves and meet each other and groove like they never thought they could…even if they have never drummed before. We work with all types of communities; mainly for corporate team building, staff motivation, conference & summit icebreakers, weddings, parties and community gatherings etc…  Our most recent gig was inspiring 250 kids from SLB B deaf school to all drum in rhythm. This was a charity event for the United Nations International Literacy Day. We also did 2  events for the ROLE Foundation called Beat Illiteracy where we had over 130 corporate clients in total  from many of the major 5 star hotels including Nikko, Conrad and the Westin Hotels all drumming together in rhythm…a staff motivation and reward.

Exactly how big is the drumming scene in Bali? Is it growing rapidly?

The scene is pretty small at the moment but its about to get huge. There is a great community waiting to happen here. It will continue to diversify and touch almost all communities that are here. For example we just held two  events for the ROLE Foundation called Beat Illiteracy where we had over 130 corporate clients in total  from many of the major 5 star hotels including including Nikko, Conrad and the Westin all drumming together in rhythm…it was for staff motivation and reward. We also inspired 250 kids from SLB B deaf school to all drum in rhythm. This was a charity event for the United Nations International Literacy Day.

In Australia we have doctors, lawyers and brain surgeons drumming next to surfers and university students as well as retired couple and corporate hard cores…..We’ll do a gig for a corporate group from a bank one day then a group of University students the next. The old stereotype of the hippy dreadlock drummer is well and truly over just like the stereotype of surfers bum no longer fits the truth. Drumming is touching everyone…and for a very good reason…it puts you in the present moment with lots of other people and because of that it’s a great individual and collective meditation and social activity…it feel great.

Is it a competitive scene or is everyone involved supportive of each other?

For me drumming is not about competition. Competition is a state of mind isn’t it? For me it’s always been and is about community. InRhythm has built itself on this philosophy.  The idea of competing with one another goes against the whole reason of group drumming.  I feel drumming is about bringing people together.  If there is competition here it may be that some hold the limiting belief that there is “not enough for everyone”. But the real truth is that whatever you believe is what you will see right?  They never taught us that at school but I hear they are teaching that at some outstanding schools here in Bali like the Green School. Full Respect!

There are a huge amount of Djembe stores and wholesalers on the island, how do you separate those with good quality instruments from those with ordinary?

Yes heaps! And the quality just keeps getting better. There are 2 suppliers I think are really good. One is Drum Factory. I am told that Drum Factory solely sources certified timber for drums from the Indonesian Government. That means that when you buy a drum from them it is legal and supported by the government…in other words its coming from a legally logged area. That’s a great thing considering the number of drums coming out of Bali. Also Drum Factory are incredibly innovative…they have a huge range of fiberglass djembe drums available as well as djembes and other drums made from other alternative materials. They are actually leading the way worldwide when it comes to Djembe drums. The other is Bintang Mulia. The drum makers and the owner there are great people and craftsman. They are makers and players and love what they do. 

Are many of these manufacturers actually involved with the local drumming scene?

Yes both Bintang Mulia and Drum Factory fully support the scene by performing and offering special events. The drum factory sponsored the Bali Spirit Festival for example.

What are the benefits of drumming circles?

• It feels fantastic!

• Shows we need each other

• Defies genre, race & socio economic status

• Illustrates the power & joy of present moment awareness

• Powerful listening & communication exercise

• Illustrates the importance of diversity

• Transcends the boundaries of language, culture and roles...allowing people to share concepts and ideas

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• A powerful kinesthetic charge accessible to all people

• Develops a sense of camaraderie among us as everyone can participate...music is a universal language

• Strenghtens team-working skills

What are your personal beliefs towards drumming? Is it a spiritual thing? More than just keeping a beat?

My aim is to bring awareness to groups of people that true wealth and power lies in the fact that we are all connected. In this knowledge we can make great things happen. My drive is to help empower, connect and awakened people and communities. By showing that we are all connected, through the simply powerful experience of being in rhythm, we see that what we do individually affects everyone and every living thing around us. When we truly realise that we are all connected, we can make life changes that support sustainability…in people, in companies and in turn help create a sustainable world. By encouraging this realisation in individuals it flows that communities will benefit greatly...building healthy communities.

What are the first things someone needs to learn if they want to get involved in a drumming group?

Drum with an open heart, have fun, be light, and have plenty of gratitude and thanks for being here.

Are there any major events coming up in the near future that people should keep an eye out for?

Yes, we’ll be holding some huge events in November for the general community. Well also supply the drums. To find out when and where you will have to subscribe to our “Bali InRhythm” email list at www.inrhythm.com.au  We’ll keep you posted on everything that’s going on.

Anything else? Other info?

Yeh thanks for the questions and the writing an article on drumming…!

beats n peaces

Beau Bruderlin