Drumming up team bonding through rhythm

Eager faces look at each other as they sit huddled in a circle, hands resting on goblet-looking drums called “djembe” straddled between their legs while few clutch tambourines and maracas, experimenting with the sounds made by the musical instruments and creating rhythms.

Such music-playing sessions are a favourite among corporate staff, who come together to partake in the “creative drum circle team building” programme under the guidance of 36-year-old Rodger Roy Joseph, founder and director of RaM Music Network - Drum Circle Malaysia.

“Corporate companies love what I do as they get to connect with one another and express themselves through music,” he told M&C Asia, noting that the language of rhythm is a powerful medium, transcending oral language.

“Basically, drumming in a circle creates a bond among people. There’s magic in the room that’s felt by everyone regardless of gender, age and race. Participants leave with a smile on their face, feeling energised,” said Joseph, an avid drummer since young.

Powerful language

In between drum lessons for children, Joseph established drum circle sessions using plastic buckets before shifting to djembes, which are made in Bali. Today, instruments used in the events include tambourines, maracas, claves, bass drums, V-drums, black shakers and egg shakers.

Of the 10 drum circle programmes that Joseph runs, the creative drum circle team building is designed for corporate groups and is divided into 45-minute, two-hour and four-hour categories depending on the company’s theme and objective.

The sessions enable participants to stand out and be fully involved to ensure quality end results. Participants also inadvertently make “discoveries” on a personal level, as a team and an organisation. “The process could help you discover yourself or be able to display your capabilities to your department or corporation,” he said.

Team building enhances cooperation, communication and commitment while bringing out latent leadership skills or potential, and cultivating bonds, he said.

“One person from each group will then be invited to lead their team by following my beat. It can be anyone, the CEO, manager or the receptionist. The idea is to get their support to produce good results together,” Joseph said.

From Kuala Lumpur, where his company is based, Joseph has led drum circle team building sessions in Singapore and Australia via Zoom. “They participated by using plastic buckets and cups, so there isn’t a need to buy drums,” he said, adding that he works closely with 25 corporate training providers, with whom he partners.