My life was very short of like minded people until then. I believe this has to do with entrainment— as you drum together in rhythm, your own hearts and bodies begin to entrain to the same beat.
And this always feels SO satisfying. We humans are herd creatures and we need each other. Or when we need the support of others during trying times. And when we are having trying times, that is precisely when we need to drum , or dance, or cook, or just hang out, with like minded souls. Thank you so much for your reply Dr. I love that… I shared the link to your article with our Drum Maker who coordinates our group.
I am excited for other members to read it because you do such a beautiful job of explaining the dynamics. After reading our article, I feel confident. If you have any comments in general, thoughts please let me know. I believe this is a most wonderful idea. What you are describing is using drumming to raise the vibration of a group. When you set up a high frequency, others rise to meet it. And it uplifts those in alignment. And is very healthy. Even metronomes do it. Check this out!! Feel free to reference this blog.
Amazing piece. My name is Katy Lantz but really its Kay Flava. That was when god gave me a coach! My mom who sings in a choir of Angels at her church had a crush on the bands drummer. I often went to the jazz bar with her to see him play. She told me that god was telling her to reach out to him. I instantly agreed and told her I was sure god wanted him to teach me the drums. Turns out they never even dated. He was kinda messed up BUT when she finally asked him about lessons for me knowing he needed any extra money that is when the magic started.
I had my first drum kit 2 weeks later and have been in the pocket ever since. I cure my daily diabetic discomfort with my drums. I sing and drum too! And now, after a 15 year hiatus after a fruitless 6 year stint at community college, I have returned to finish for my BS in Alternative Medicine! I know! The class that I finish in two weeks is Relaxation and Stress Reduction. For our final project we are to design and present our own stress reduction program.
I will share your link too! Wish me luck! T h anks f o r further inspiration! Thank you SO much for sharing this here. You have a wonderful sense of humor!! I began hand drumming in a drum circle after toxic mold exposure turned my life upside down with chronic fatigue, insomnia and numerous other health deficits.
I quickly found that the rhythm of the drums began lifting my energy. Hand drumming, along with natural remedies and acupuncture gave me my life back. Hand drumming is actually my best form of meditation because I am so present and so in the moment, the past and future do not exist in the 3 hours of drumming that feels like 15 minutes. It also has many social benefits, as our regular participants have become like family. So much so that our annual holiday traditions are now drum circles.
In fact, hand drumming has changed my life so much, my last request in my will is to have a drum circle send off! So happy to see your post about this, and obvious endorsement of hand drumming. Hopefully, that will erode the stigma of a hippy culture that drumming seems to conjure up my Mom could never understand my love of drumming. There is a health insurer in Pennsylvania that also bought drums as part of a getting healthy program for seniors. Drumming is such an ancient and healing practice.
You have captured the experience so beautifully. Thank you for this great comment. Amazing about that health insurer. Right on track!! These are questions that have puzzled exercise scientists for some time, and studies have not confirmed one way or the other whether exercise will make your skin look younger.
Health is being physical social and mental well being while being free from illness specific fitness is performing specific activities at high level without becoming tired easily general fitness is performing everyday activities without becoming tired easily.
I totally agree that Drumming is beneficial therapy. I have been playing the djembe since around They sing random, popular and traditional songs, and I just pick up the rhythm and thump along. I also join in a jam session at a local coffee shop once in a while, doing the same thing. They did indulge me though, for my 65th birthday they let me have a Drum Circle. We had 55 people on the drums! It was truly awe inspiring. Keep spreading the word, …da-da-dada — dut-dut-dada-da.
Part of karma, I suppose. Anyway, I love this post. And I know that it will help a LOT of people. I have loved the drums for a very long time. Several years ago I started Reiki drumming which proved to be a huge benefit for those who came in for reiki. The reiki filled drum vibration was like having an organ massage, which is what participants told me. I just recently started a drum circle which I hope will continue to grow.
Drumming is such an amazing release. Both at one point had living souls and moved onto to a different purpose and to live and provide energy in different way. This article is amazing and well written, has definitely educated me a difference sense and giving more Love for drumming. So delighted to hear this! Yes, hand drumming is a wonderful healing activity.
Good Luck with the drum circle and keep spreading the word. My son is getting older and I want to get him a hobby! I,ve been a drummer for 20 years. This accelerates my brain and provides additional stimulation to the mind and soul.
When I bust out on the practice pad my hands get super quick. My skills on actual drums are on par.. I discovered drumming specifically, the djembe, a hand drum from West Africa in at a caregivers conference and immediately signed up for classes.
Amazing comment. And such a beautiful example of something healing and uplifting coming from loss. Thank you for sharing! I guess you could say that the drums saved my life. There are way to many benefits of drum therapy to mention. Other then teaching the school students other art based projects, I added music into the mix. I designed a percussion based music program. I added elements that are both beneficial and create the love for music. My music program is a performing art music program, which incorporates together both; drum therapy and dance movement therapy combined.
Students enjoy the interactive therapy session that reduces, tension, stress and anxiety, and is highly beneficial for those with; ADHD, ADD, Autism, and neurological disorders. Performing drummers and dancers recognize how music and changes in music effect each other.
Growing up taking music in high school, I failed terribly, the system was set up for failure. That was a confirmation to me that I was also doing a good job. I look forward to doing more good work in the neerby communities if any are interested. Art, Culture, and Music Therapy Teacher. Holy Healing!!
Temple Grandin? And so your method really speaks to me. Well done!! And thank you SO much for this incredible gift to your students and to the planet. One year later, i have just read your article on drumming and music, i am interested what you have done in the past 12 months.
I am studying to be a teacher and i am currently doing an assignment. But i came across Dr Northrup site and read your article. Have you done any further music therapy with special needs children? I would like to hear more of your success.
Regards Tania. Last year just before ending my last sessions with the students, I was asked to come back to the school for couple more times. All because a student on the spectrum saw me packing up the instruments, as I was to slow to draw the stage curtains.
He wanted to have a percussion session instead of gym class, but I had an art project with another class. One class l had set up for I was going to sing them a couple of songs while playing the drums, just to give them more inspiration on what also can be done while drumming. The class was held back to finish their math, although one student from the class that was on the spectrum got to come in.
He heard my microphone making a little noise, I told him it was my microphone, the gym teacher asked if he wanted to go one the stage, so I took him up. He held the mic tapped out three beats on the mic, said a couple of words, tapped three beats, said his words, he done this amazing song for us before the rest of the class came in. Sometimes I brought my vintage p. System also. Another time I had my microphone hooked up for the 8th graders.
A lot of times that I came in an E. She would do activities and probably words or songs with him off to the side. While students were drumming and dancing one student asked if he wanted to say something on the mic. He started to speak on the microphone, were as I never heard this boy speak before, then I thought to myself, this is what he needs, he can hear himself, others can hear him.
I thought of different ways this can be used as a teaching tool also. We have to forget about the diagnosis, and what the disability is. I hope this gives you a little insight into drum therapy. Thank you, and best wishes,. I can attest to the benefits named above. However what I love about it is that you feel a sense of tribal primal togetherness. I love the sound and the joint participation and having our chief teaching us and how we can laugh whey we get it wrong but keep going.
I started it because of a longing to get back to a feeling of tribe. All it needed was a fire burning in the circle. Drumming, yoga, dancing and pottery to me are heavenly. It is such an important part of my life.. I have been playing the drums for about 5 months now and I will tell you emphatically that I am thinking better and FEELING a sense of love in my heart, a rhythmic flow to my life and overall improvement being able to think a little quicker… I was displaying symptoms of an 80 year old but now I am feeling younger and younger.
I am so happy for your Kristina! Drumming does return life to oneself and makes it even better I think. Thank you for serving too.
This is a great article. I never knew about all the wonderful things drumming can do. I have lupus and my immune system is compromised. I always loved drums and I was taught somewhat about the conga drum from my cousin. I forgot about it for years and one day I said I want to do this. I got a drum from my daughter for my birthday and I practice everyday. I love it so much. I play music from my I pad from u tube and record it on my phone. My daughter has friends that have a coffee house and my 2 friends and myself will probably play there.
Thank you for sharing this article. It made me so happy to read this. Keep it up and others will learn of drummings wonderful healing properties too. Christine, Thank you for your contributions, I am a fan. I am a 30 year veteran Afro-Cuban drum teacher. My work had morphed into therapeutic drumming and I agree with your 10 benefits. I work with special needs people in many areas including ex-cons, which I love. Math skills increase with drumming over time as do all mental functions.
Also a sense of self-confidence. I see this especially with the ex-cons as they come broken and self-loathing often. Given a little encouragement they brighten up, lighten up and have an experience of being worthy and appreciated.
I love my work and the opportunities I am given to serve. Thank you. What a wonderful service you offer, Patty. Sounds like sharing your gift is helping to rebuild lives.
My original facilitator also taught us Afro-Cuban rhythms which I love. Veronica, Research grants if your area. The state of local Arts council is a place to start. Best of luck. I never knew that drumming can make one smarter alongside being able to heal physically and emotionally.
I was planning a mother-daughter trip for the weekend and your article gave me an idea. I will find a studio that offers drumming lessons so that not only will I be able to learn a new skill but have fun doing it with my mom as well.
Greetings from Ohio, Thank you Christine for sharing this information and affirming what I already knew about drumming. I wish we had more access to places to drum and an unlimited number of drums to share. I have been in drumming circles, drummed for entertainment, and drummed for healing for the past 20 years. My mother introduced me to it and she loves drumming in a circle or anywhere, she is If you know of some Grant Money available for me to acquire Drums to volunteer at our local Jouvenile Detention Center, Hospital and Nursing Homes, I would appreciate any info you have.
I will be sure to tell my wife that we should get our son into drumming! I love Drums Alive! I can be tired and cranky and after a drumming class feel renewed. I suffer from anxiety and PTSD and it such a useful tool for alleviating stress and keeping you grounded n the present.
I go once a week but if they offered more I would be there. Hi, Thanks for the very informative article. I love drumming. I play in a couple of Samba bands and I am establishing a project where I deliver facilitated drum circles to various at-risk groups. Do you have any references for the studies which you mentioned?
I ask because I am compiling some literature which demonstrates some of the benefits of drumming and I wish to include as much evidence as possible. Best wishes,. You can access some of Dr. Actually, if you search his name and the benefits of hand drumming that should also provide you with references for the health benefits of drumming.
I like your idea by the way, of delivering facilitated drum circles to at risk groups. Sounds like a life changing service. Best of wishes with it. As an HSP highly sensitive person I am generally uncomfortable in large gatherings. However, a drum circle is quite different. The only conversation is among the drums and I feel quite comfortable.
Doing this for 15 years has also helped me get over shyness. The drums speaking heart to heart has created such a bond with these people, they are like family. I have since explored many other styles of Drumming and in found myself entrenched in the Drumming of the Native American Healers in my region of Canada. The experiences were profound and re-shaped my life. I am now putting together a program that integrates Drumming with Reiki. It has been a very emotional day as I research the ways in which Drumming can influence our health and well-being.
Great Article!! Feeling joyful is one of the best feelings one could have. Playing Drum can give a feeling of joyful by lowering your stress down and making your mood light. Drum playing is my favorite time pass and I love doing that. Knowing such amazing health benefits of playing drum make me more enthusiastic and happy. Hi , My name is Margie. I get exercise, work my left and right brain, connect with others on a deeper level than just talking, and It always lifts my self esteem.
I go to a circle each month and I look forward to it. I am a professional drummer and health advocate I am obsessed w the health benefits of drumming! Drumming workshops for Schools, Colleges, Kindergartens,Drum circles for community events,Staff motivation,Icebreakers for Corporate team building activities,Interactive drumming events.
Awesome read! I actually linked back to this article from my blog, as I run a drumming website. First Sound Workshops facebook. I started playing drums at an early age and played semi-pro for 10 years and sold my kit of drums aged 25 then I met my wife in Love this!
Thank you for wording so well. Mind, body, inner rockstar! My name is Martin, I have been playing drums since I was 16 years old. I am desperate to play again after a year off because of the following symptoms. Neck and shoulder pain. After an hour or so, my neck feels like its burning, and goes tight and into a spasm. I have tried massage, chiropractor, physio, just about everything, but I so want to get back playing. I know I have a bad posture, and I am trying to keep upright.
Whishing you all the best. Hi Martin. Frame drum? Get friends or family members to join you. I hope that this inspires you in some way. All the best to you, Rock Star! As a guitarist of many years I was looking into realistic sounding drums to record with. I went down the route of drum machines and programming drum hits but was left frustrated at the tediousness of the process and mediocre results. Not having the room for a full drum kit, I started experimenting with a small drum pad keyboard sounds and sampled hits from my drum machine.
Playing in real time I almost immediately found things much more enjoyable and the results were also much more natural sounding to my ear. As a by product, I also experienced a feeling of wellbeing after longish sessions. I am also looking at getting a cajon, which might not suit someone with back problems but there is a model that you can sit across your lap. Good luck. In order to change the root of posture the reason your neurology is altering it must be found.
The pain part… regarding chronic pain, not acute injury- we only feel pain that is second third or fourth tier; our system is designed to block the primary pain by avoidance, distortion, etc.. The good news is there are two primary issues that are usually found here, jaw pain and upper neck c1,c2 pain. Drummers who are aware of the many levels of dynamics pp — ff can take charge of the performance and guide the band sonically throughout the piece.
Dance, dance, dance. Drums make you move! Back to the opening paragraph, dance and drumming have been bedfellows since day one. Think about one of the most significant dance periods in music, The Swing Era. Of course, there is a lot of great music that does not involve drums or percussion. But specifically, what can the drums do to provide substance to a piece of music?
Playing melodically within a group using the same ideas as mentioned above gives the song a homophonic texture. When phrasing with an ensemble and avoiding the often discordant polyphonic textures, the drums are creating another voice for the listener. These are growing in popularity in not just funk but in jazz with Mark Guiliana and his Beat Music!
Not to mention metal drummers like Matt Halpern with Periphery. Ghost notes, when played in contrast to accenting, subdivide the beat and give it a groove that differs from just laying it down on two and four. The addition of ghost notes is similar to what swing does to the straight beat. The sense of groove has become enhanced and provides propulsion to the music that might otherwise drag with a straight-ahead two and four or halftime groove.
This is a texture not heard in the other instruments in your typical rock band or jazz combo. These unique qualities of the drum-set bring a welcomed texture to compliment and repel off of the other instruments. If drums had the same length of decaying notes as a guitar or even a vocalist, this would maybe not blend so well. The drum-set naturally sets up to compliment and accompany the other instruments in an ensemble. Finding a drummer who understands the elements of music, and can act on them, is difficult.
The right drummer is someone who listens to the band while playing and adapting to the musical situation at hand. Not doing this can make the job for everyone in the band very difficult. But, the drummer who listens can fit in into any situation and make the performance work.
All musicians are filled with ego. Musical Instrument Guide. Drum As the "keeper of the rhythm," the drum provides the foundation for the overall sound of music. Origins The birth of the drum The evolution of the foot pedal. Structure The drum kit-a collection of percussion instruments What are drums made of?
0コメント