Drumming at the Edge of Magic: A Journey into the Spirit of Percussion

by Mickey Hart, Jay Stevens

Delve into the world of drums, rattles, and gongs through the course of human evolution, and uncover the primal hypnotic power of rhythm!"Learn the difference between noise and music, and between music and magic.

Read it and weep!"
—Jerry Garcia

"You pick up this book wondering what there is to say about drums ... You put it down roundly initiated into humanity's second oldest pastime."
—Robert Hunter

"A percussionist’s progress through the mysteries and the magic of drumming in search of what he calls 'the Edge.'"
—LA Times

"Explore the altered states of consciousness the drum evokes, with Joseph Campbell, Alla Rakha, and the Siberian shamans as our guides. From blues and jazz to African talking drums and the bullroarers found worldwide, we are introduced to percussionists of all stripes, spots and plaids."—Pagan Book Reviews

Mickey Hart, percussionist for the Grateful Dead, tells the compelling tale of his quest to unlock the power, myths, and legends of percussion. Complemented by more than 90 photographs and illustrations, it is a compelling, panoramic adventure into a vibrant living tradition of myth, power, and magic.

Along his journey of discovery, Hart takes us to the very beginning of his life behind the drums, from the basics of rudiments, to his introduction to world jazz and Avant-Garde, from the headiness of 1960s Haight-Ashbury and his time with the Grateful Dead, to the explosion of ethnomusicology in the 1980s and '90s.

On the way, we hear the stories of anthropologists and legends of world music and percussion, including Joseph Campbell, Steven Feld, Buddy Rich, Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Babatunde Olatunji, and Airto Moreira.

Now available for the first time in eBook format!

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Biography, Spirituality

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this so much! A great look at drums and drumming as an anthropological study, with some of Hart’s own biography stitched in. And so much actual heart.

[John Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, especially from a musicological perspective. The greatest thing is that Mickey's passion for drumming, its anthropology and its impact on our culture makes for a very accessible read—it helps keep something alive that is certainly endangered in a world where people now more than ever are caught up in technology and rarely taking a moment to stop and take in the world and just breathe. Whether you're a drummer or simply a curious music fan, his excitement is infectious. Since he touches briefly on the Grateful Dead at various points in the book, its also given me a better understanding of what they were all about, which is appreciated regardless of personal musical taste.

While the pace slows down a little and reading becomes a bit dry towards the middle where he gets a bit wrapped up in talking about storing his massive database (the Anaconda) in primitive computers of the time, it soon picks back up again. So the only real complaint I have about the book—if you can call it one—is that sometimes the cadence of the writing can make you lose track of things chronologically, but perhaps that's half the point: to get caught up in a rhythmic trance of your own while reading. I also found a little bit too much credence being given to the supernatural, but in all fairness Mickey doesn't really give any indication of how much of that he truly believes, so much as he is simply telling the tales that were taught to him and conveying them as authentically as he can.

My favorite parts of the book are probably his recount of the Dan of West Africa telling the tale of the origin of their slit drum, titled "The Origin of the Drum", and Mickey's brief and amusing foray into judo while serving in the US armed forces and stationed overseas. His three-week adventure at Camp Winnarainbow making an Ojibwa drum with the kiddies is icing on the cake.

Neil Peart, another drummer, world traveler and collector of ethnic percussion instruments, spoke very highly of this book in a Modern Drummer interview back in 1993, which is how I learned about it, and so I always kept an eye out for it in the used book stores.

A great starting point for anyone interested in the historical aspects of ethnic drumming through pop culture eyes, a solid read for any music fan, and a must read for any percussionist.

[Jessica L Brandenburg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this for my book club, and it is not something I would have chosen on my own. While I can appreciate the passion and depth of research that Mickey Hart put into this book, I personally found it incredibly difficult to get through.

For a book about drumming, there are a surprising number of violent myths and disturbing stories, particularly involving dead animals. I would strongly caution against this book for vegans or anyone sensitive to that kind of content. When it wasn’t being graphic, I found it painfully boring.

That said, I can see how someone who is deeply into drumming and percussion might find this book fascinating. Hart has clearly lived an incredible life, and his dedication to exploring rhythm and its cultural significance is admirable. Unfortunately, it was not for me. I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately found this to be my least favorite book of all time.

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I’d read in many places over many years that Mickey Hart was deeply immersed in all aspects of drums from a deeper-than-rock POV. He certainly is. He works with advanced academics who regard him with respect. His lifelong interest in ethnomusicology is covered nicely in this book [he’s written others] and he serves on various authoritative boards addressing the studies of ethnomusicology. This book is a bit of autobiography, a bit of musicology and a generous dollop of shamanism. If you are looking for rock and rollers’ backstage stories you need to move on because you’ll probably be wondering what he’s going on about. Mickey exhibits a serious turn of mind here. This is far beyond Rolling Stone magazine.

[Chris Frangou · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book! A highly enjoyable book about music creation from the drummer Mickey Hart. Partly autobiographical, partly a history of musicology and ethnomusicology, Drumming at the Edge of Magic is a light, enjoyable read but not without packing a tonne of information inside an inspirational book.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a drummer and want to find your soul or need to explore the deeper meaning of the connectivity to the drumming experience, this is the book for you. Hart helps you dive deep into the meaningful aspects and connection to the primal urge - and magic - of drumming.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Reconnecting to something ancient, magical and human. Anyone interested in percussion, drums, or dancing to club music will love reading this.
Not sure why it is out of print nowadays, but easy to find on ebay

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

All musicians should read this book. It's available at the Cheboygan Area Public Library.

[in8 · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://www.5cense.com/18/587.htm

[Jack Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It really is an exploration into the heart (and Hart) of drumming. Drummers and nondrummers alike should find these roots of percussion fascinating.

[Olivia Druxerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Tony Foxhoven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endlessly fascinating..... made me want to start to collect Drums from all over the world

[Isaac Karns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, engrossing book that's part memoir/part treatise on the history of drumming from a mystical and spiritual perspective. Came for the drum folklore, stayed for the Dead anecdotes.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into musicology and the anthropology of rhythm

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book- in enjoyed it immensely. Mickeys stories of his young life, his father’s influence and disappointments, his passion for rhythm and sound, and his subsequent time with the Grateful Dead were compelling. I went to some of these shows.
But the tales of the instruments and drums were the superstars of the book.
Great read

[Brok3n · Rating 3 out of 5]

A passionate drummer

When I was in biz school, the Grateful Dead somehow came up in a management class. (No, I don't remember any more than that.) I therefore got hold of what I could find in print about them. There wasn't much, and this book by drummer Mickey Hart was certainly the best. It's a personal journey by a talented and committed artist. Unfortunately, it seems I was the only person who liked it -- it is now out of print. I know that some people think it is absurd to read books about music, instead of listening to the music. While I agree with that, I would suggest an alternative is still viable: don't read books about music INSTEAD of listening to music, read books about music IN ADDITION to listening.

So I enjoyed this. Hart even persuaded me to read Joseph Campbell's much more famous book The Hero With a Thousand Faces, which turned out to be a dreary tedium-fest.

Blog review.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hart is one of the two drummers of the Grateful Dead and a true believer of the magical powers of music. In this book he talks about his musical journey from growing up on Long Island to his years with the band and the time he spent in a barn collecting instruments from around the world and researching the myths and folklore associated with them.

Now, given that he quite obviously believes in these things wholeheartedly, it still smacks of cultural tourism and noble savagery to read his thoughts on the various cultures whose stories he's gathered and the supposed powers of the drums within each culture. You also get the sense that he is owed a medal of recognition for his efforts in keeping the LSD industry afloat.

I just can't get with the mystical potpourri that floats over the whole thing. There are kernels of neurological truth in his thoughts on flow and trance states induced by drumming, but when it gets to shamans and "energy" and communing with spirits...oy. He loses me completely.

Maybe I'm just taking the whole thing too seriously, but he seems to be too. My tolerance for New Age is close to zero, so this book was obviously not for me. At least there is some good ethnomusicology included here. I might keep it around for that.

[John Form · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Mickey Hart's book after hearing him interviewed on a Sunday morning talk show in the back in the 90's. Something about his passion for drums and music made me curious. I am glad I did. His story of how moving from a military band to Greatful Dead to out of The Dead and back in and beyond is human story. He makes no excuses and thanks those the nudged him a long the way. While he is telling this story he pulls you in to the world of music, drums and world music. He writes of his mentors who contributed to his life and through this book you will be introduced to Joseph Campbell an author and lecturer who, if you have tried already, I encourage you to check out. Hart's book is a good and a learning experience which has stayed on my shelf and still loaned out to friends looking for something different.

[Benny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mickey Hart is a drummer for the Grateful Dead. This book is about his spiritual quest to learn the history and secrets of the world of percussion. Percussion has been used since the beginnings of humanity as ritualistic instrument. Reading this book introduced me to Joseph Campbell and sparked an interest in Mythology as it relates to the human experience. You don't have to be a Deadhead to get something out of this book.

[Kater Cheek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read a book that gave such an in-depth history of drums and drumming before. This provides a great ethnomusical intro. Hart's passionate description of the spiritual side of drumming were less fascinating. Fans of the Grateful Dead might like to hear about the band's history. I care nothing for the Grateful Dead, but I was grateful that the author managed to keep Hart on track as much as he did, as Mickey Hart's hippy background shines through.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book 3 or 4 of times. The first time I didn't really get it, despite being the target audience (I've been a drummer for 30 years), I found it a bit 'Nanoo Nanoo' (you know, Mork and Mindy, here come the spaceships etc) which I guess is to be expected from a guy in the Grateful Dead!
However, on subsequent reads and with a bit more maturity I can see it is a lovingly put together book and the guy's spirit of adventure is infectious.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love hand drums and I appreciate very good drummers--of all music genres. So, the author is already going to score points w/me (hello!). But on top of it...to read his stories of spiritual trancendence and mysticism blows me away. THEN there's his connection w/Joseph Campbell--this book can't get anything less than 5 stars--are there any more stars??!! And why not??!!??

[Sydni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know much about the Grateful Dead, and I am not much of a drummer, but I was not able to put this book down after the first page. I am a musician and am in love with religions of all kinds, and I was immediately hooked. This is a compelling energetic mix of autobiography, history, and just an incredible description of what it feels like to have a passion. Thank you, Mickey Hart!

[Christine Leiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written, unbelievably powerful book. Looking at the history of rhythm, ritual, magic, sound, and compelling nature of the drum - throughout mankind's history. I highly recommend this book for musicians, creatives of all sorts, and anyone who recognizes that there is no life, nor spirit without rhythm.

[Frances Sawaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago my students and I used this book as the basis for learning about the spiritual elements of a drumming circle. Years later I find my thoughts returning to Hart and how he "drummed out" his wastrel of a father; one of the most moving looks at a funeral service I have ever seen! There was far more in this book than just a look at the Grateful Dead.

[Chris Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice exploration of drumming in various world cultures, especially in shamanistic traditions. There is also an album named "Planet Drum," which Hart assembled with the help of various top notch percussionists from around the planet.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drumming at the Edge of Magic: A Journey Into the Spirit of Percussion by Mickey Hart (Harper Collins 1990) (786.9) summarizes the author's philosophy of drumming. It also includes a history of the various types of drums used throughout history. My rating: 6/10, finished 4/18/2005.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about Mickey Harts long reltionship with drums, Not going to tell you anymore, don't want to spoil it for you. This book is for everyone who drums, loves drums and love to dance to drums!

[Miroku Nemeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to the Native American drummers on KPFA commemorating Indigenous People's Day took me back to this book that explored drumming and the sacred....it's been twenty years since I read it, but a good book abides in one's consciousness.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

in another life time, i'd love to explore culture and music the way Mickey Hart did. I don't think I'd have the dedication to write about it like he did, though. glad he took the time to create this!