Recommended Gear
The instruments we trust to run a great Integrated Community Drum Circle - chosen over 25+ years of facilitation for durability, sound, and joy in every pair of hands.
A community drum circle is hard on instruments - hundreds of hands, every skill level, moved in and out of vehicles and venues week after week. We recommend Remo because they hold up, and they sound beautiful doing it.
Engineered for heavy use by children, youth, and "heavy hitters" alike - and for a life of loading in and out, week after week.
Rich, full, in-tune tone that carries a room and rewards a beginner's very first strike - the sound that makes a circle come alive.
Synthetic pre-tuned and tunable heads shrug off the swings in temperature and humidity that split traditional skins - reliable indoors or out.
The gear we actually facilitate with. Circles of Rhythm is a Remo-endorsed artist and North America's #1 ICDC.
A great circle is balanced, not just loud. The ICDC method builds a kit in thirds - then you adapt the mix to the people in the room.
Tubanos and djembes carry the core rhythms - the voices most participants play.
Buffalo and frame drums add deep, grounding bass tone that anchors the group.
Shakers, bells, and wood add orchestral colour - but go easy: too much spice ruins the soup.
For seniors, wheelchair users, and anyone with physical or cognitive limitations, lean into tubanos and tubolos played with soft mallets - they can be played seated without holding the drum between the legs like a djembe - plus small frame drums, shakers, and tambourines. Go light on djembes. For young children, keep it simple and playful. The instruments serve the people, never the other way around.
You don't need one of everything - you need the right mix for your group (see the balanced-kit guide above). Tap Add to my kit on anything that fits, set quantities below, and we'll quote it for you. No prices here on purpose - we beat retail and quote to your exact kit.
Most Remo and Groove Master drums come in many finishes and colourways - browse the full range at remo.com and gmpercussion.com, and we'll get you the look you want.
We'll suggest a balanced kit from 25+ years of facilitation - the right spread of tubanos, djembes, frame drums, a bass, and percussion. Add it in one tap, then adjust anything you like.
Outfitting on a budget? We keep a rotating selection of quality pre-owned and demo drums and percussion in excellent shape. Mention "used" in your kit request and we'll show you what's available.
Breath-made, meditative sound-healing flutes that pair beautifully with rhythm work. We're proud partners - so you get a genuine welcome offer.
You save 20% at checkout with our code - and it supports Circles of Rhythm at no extra cost to you.
iamsound.one/CIRCLESOFRHYTHMAdd instruments above, adjust the quantities here, and send it over. You order through us, we source it from our suppliers at below-retail, and you pick up in Calgary (or we arrange delivery on larger orders).
Nothing added yet - tap Add to my kit on the instruments above and they'll appear here.
Anyone who books an ICDC facilitator training with Circles of Rhythm - or who has trained with us in the past - receives preferred pricing on their kit. Mention it in your request and we'll take care of you.
Build my kitThese aren't in our catalogue and we don't sell them - but over the years we've come to trust these makers for authentic, world, and sound-healing voices that enrich a circle. Explore their stores directly.
We have no affiliation with these makers and earn nothing from them - it's simply gear we've enjoyed. Prices and availability are theirs. (Our one partner offer is the I AM SOUND flute discount above.)
Circles of Rhythm is a dealer for the drum and percussion brands recommended here - we supply them directly, usually below retail, and earn a margin on what we sell. The I AM SOUND flute link is an affiliate link: if you buy using our code you receive 20% off, and we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend gear we actually use and stand behind, and our recommendations are our honest opinion.
