What other instruments work in a drum circle
- Shreya Guleria
- May 29
- 2 min read
The djembe might be the heartbeat — but it’s not the whole band. A rich drumcircle includes textures, tones, and voices that go beyond just one drum.
At Drum Circle India, we’ve seen how layering different percussion instruments deepens the group experience — whether in drum circle therapy or corporate team building drum circles.
Here’s a list of instruments that groove beautifully in the circle.
Dunun, Sangban, and Kenkeni — the African bass line
These cylindrical bass drums are often played with sticks and are traditionally used alongside the djembe.
Dununba = deep bass
Sangban = mid voice
Kenkeni = high accent
Together, they lay down the rhythmic structure that keeps a drumming circle grounded and grooving.

Frame drums — for breath and mindfulness
Used in Sufi, Celtic, and Native traditions, frame drums are soft, resonant, and meditative.
Ideal for:
Spiritual retreats
Sound healing sessions
They add a contemplative voice to the more percussive energy of the circle.
Shakers, shekeres, and rainsticks — the details that lift
These aren’t flashy, but they’re vital.
Shakers fill the space between beats
Rainsticks add ambiance
Shekeres (gourd rattles) bring Afro-Brazilian texture
We use these extensively in corporate drum circle sessions to help first-timers contribute with confidence.
Boomwhackers and sound tubes — great for schools and team building
Color-coded, pitched plastic tubes that anyone can play. They’re:
Visually engaging
Tonally interesting
Perfect for corporate team building drum circles and school groups
They make music accessible — and fun.
Body percussion and voice — no instruments required
Sometimes, the most powerful part of the circle is… you.
Claps
Stomps
Vocal beats
Breath pulses
We integrate body percussion into many of our drum circle sessions, especially when facilitating in minimal gear environments like remote retreats or pop-up festivals.
Why we mix instruments at Drum Circle India
Because just like teams, circles thrive on diversity.
A corporate team building drum circle activity with djembe, shaker, frame drum, and rainstick becomes more than a circle — it becomes a sound ecosystem.
Every layer matters. Every voice counts. And every instrument adds something unforgettable.
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