Michelle Connolly

Power of Simplicity in Rhythm Facilitation

Arthur Hull’s “Intuitive Skills” Triplicity—Listening, Feeling, Watching—has become an essential guide in my development as a drum circle facilitator, particularly within the work of Drum 4UR Life. These intuitive skills are not additional extras; they are at the very heart of creating a responsive, inclusive, and co-created rhythm space.

Listening in this context goes far beyond simply hearing sound. It requires what Arthur calls “global listening”—being attuned not only to the rhythmic content but also to the energy of the group, to what is unspoken, and to the subtle shifts in mood or confidence. In the session pictured, this meant listening to the silences as much as the beats—recognising when the group needed space to explore their own sounds without direction, and when to gently guide them back into cohesion.

Feeling is equally important—it speaks to the atmosphere of the room and the relational undercurrents that run through the circle. In Drum 4UR Life sessions, many participants are navigating personal challenges—be it mental health recovery, neurodiversity, or trauma. Feeling the collective mood helps me decide whether to introduce energy, hold space for reflection, or allow leadership to emerge from within the group. During one session, the shift in energy was palpable when a normally quiet participant stepped forward to lead a call-and-response rhythm; my felt sense of readiness in the group told me to stand back and let this moment unfold without interruption.

Watching ties these threads together. It is about noticing the small cues—body language, eye contact, physical engagement—that signal where the group is and what it might need next. In the pictured set-up, the orchestration spot becomes the ideal vantage point to practise this skill. By maintaining wide, gentle visual awareness (“visual radar”), I can spot who is ready to contribute, who might need encouragement, or who requires a quieter space within the rhythm. My father’s experience as a deaf drummer taught me the depth of this skill—where rhythm is not only heard but seen and sensed through vibration and movement.

Incorporating this intuitive Triplicity transforms the way I facilitate. Rather than relying on rigid structure or predetermined outcomes, I allow the circle to guide itself—trusting that my listening, feeling, and watching will inform the right moment to lead, to support, or to let go. This approach aligns with the CHIME recovery principles that underpin Drum 4UR Life. It encourages connection by tuning in deeply to each person and to the group as a whole. It supports empowerment by recognising and responding to the moments when participants are ready to lead or create their own rhythm pathways.

One of the most rewarding outcomes of using the Intuitive Skills Triplicity is seeing emerging leaders step into confidence—not because I told them to, but because the space felt safe, open, and responsive enough for them to try. These quiet, felt shifts—when participants take ownership of the rhythm—are where true co-production happens. Ultimately, Arthur Hull’s intuitive skills remind me that facilitation is not about control, but about relationship. By listening carefully, feeling sensitively, and watching attentively, I help to shape a space where the group’s collective rhythm, creativity, and joy can naturally emerge.