Then I bought a jemba (spelling?) Marla The main role of the drummer is to provide the backbone of the music, and he or she is required to play with assertiveness and authority. 5. to enjoy..I loved it..I never forgot about it.. Hi,I have a brian injury and have epilepsy ,blind and no co ordination in my left arm,after a road accident 30 years ago,could playing drums be any help to me? Tania. Maybe you can consider starting up a drumming circle in your area-benefiting yourself & others. Drums have been used in every culture for many purposes from religious rituals and other ceremonies, to sporting events, and as a way to communicate or signal. Just make sure you credit it to http://www.drnorthrup.com. I have since explored many other styles of Drumming and in 1994 found myself entrenched in the Drumming of the Native American Healers in my region of Canada. Ive been drumming for 47 years and several personality tests, including Briggs Meyers, that Ive taken show that I am not right or left hemisphere dominant. My point is that I dont believe that you necessarily need to wield a full drum kit to feel the benefits. So that means usually once or twice a week for two hours I am totally concentrating On my timing and the pattern on playing. Several years ago I started Reiki drumming which proved to be a huge benefit for those who came in for reiki. Back when I began this journey, little was known about the drum, although this is not quite right because the traditional earth cultures have been using this instrument for many thousands of years for healing and shamanic work (as we know). My doctor says its cervical spondilosis, and or, Fibra mialga, but I want to prove him wrong, and back behind a kit. Art, Culture, and Music Therapy Teacher. The third reason for hammering is for communication. Pressure. 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. I loved playing Rock n Roll, Heavy Metal, Punk, Classic Rockstuff like that. There are 2 women I know of in Florida, however. My hands, however, still work pretty good. 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. I am a part of a cardio drumming group in Wyandotte MI and I LOVE IT! They are YOU! Depending on their age and personality, kids have a lot of energy. I forgot about it for years and one day I said I want to do this. I slept so deeply after it. Im known as the rockin grandma by my instructor who is also in her early 60s and awesome. 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. First Sound Workshops (facebook). Hello, i have a GOD GIVEN TALENT TO PLAY AND ENJOY THE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT. The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments.In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. https://powerdrummingcanada.com/. I have been Drumming since I saw Ringo Starr with the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. Please share your experiences with me in the comments section. And teaching a toddler even the simple basic rhythm patterns is going to tremendously improve their motor skills and teach them to control their body much faster than their peers. Kripalu R&Ra self-guided experienceallows you the freedom to choose what you need while you're here. I am transfixed. Awesome read! I live in St. Louis and would like more info on your retreat. All the the best to you on your drum journey. HI Irene, I am so inspired by this post. I ordered padded drum bags which fit perfectly so were ready to go to our next workshop. This is what most cultures would consider a "manly" duty. What a joy! at this state they can put what they want into your brain. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Drumming and its effects on our whole being. If you're in your head, you're not playing. I work with special needs people in many areas including ex-cons, which I love. Ive made wonderful lifetime friends and we laugh so much sometimes my face hurts! It was magical and I miss it!! Ive been playing for 10 years now and cant imagine life without drums. Research shows that the physical transmission of rhythmic energy to the brain actually synchronizes the left and right hemispheres. Greetings from Ohio, Thank you Christine for sharing this information and affirming what I already knew about drumming. the power of music and drumming within a fitness class is revolutionary. I am sure there are other drumming programs available. You will also read about the protocols and benefits, as well as what qualifies me to do this ceremony and others. Im not a MD but I cant possibly imagine how a natural or synthetic drum head could hurt you. Soreness is a good thing! I have always been very physically strong but I am finding that it almost seems that I have reached a strength limit which is very inconvenient as this affects everything you do. 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). We are a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to empowering people and communities to realize their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. Ill have to keep that in mind and find some drum lessons he would like! I loved them. His words Ill never forget, he said, I need the drums. I am excited for other members to read it because you do such a beautiful job of explaining the dynamics. Im a drum circle facilitator and drum circles dont normally include movement. And he was even more cautious about the repetition of his general life. I love the way playing makes me feel, I love the sound and its just so much fun. You're not in your head . I never knew it was an actual brain reason. What is DRUMS from HEAVEN? For people with larger hands or a larger frame, Id go with a drum with a 14 head. Hi Dr. Northrup, thank you so much for all of your wisdom! Why drumming is so good for you - InRhythm I am a professional drummer and health advocate Example, every time we play La Bamba by Richie Valenz. (reciprocal learning) For one thing, everyone is smiling and having a ball! 2. I have had a rough year, lost my job, death of a pet, family problems, car accident and some other minor issues. left. I am a 30 year veteran Afro-Cuban drum teacher. My original facilitator also taught us Afro-Cuban rhythms which I love. Drums are important in a band because they provide melody, dynamics, and rhythm. I can pick up 25kg of dog food etc, as an example, so I thought I was strong. Certainly burning more calories than playing the flute. So happy to see your post about this, and obvious endorsement of hand drumming. How To Improve Your Gut Microbiome In A Day, 8 Ways to Turn Your Empathy into A Super Power, 13 Habits to Protect Yourself from The Dangers of 5G Radiation. for my son. Plus, hand drumming is easy and loads of fun! Even metronomes do it. My name is Dr. Ron Neuhauser and I am a multiple award winning pro drummer from the California bay area, martial arts sensei, and retired mental health specialist (PhD in behavioral psych, BS in Org. However, a drum circle is quite different. Thanks for taking the time to share the benefits of drumming with us! Even historically, drums were used in war to give/relay commands, intimidate enemies and rile up troops & morale. Lovely sound. The men drum and the women dance in our Goddess power. I have added another dimension in using drum circles and their related culture dances to bring together people not only to drum & dance but to raise money for good causes. Janice reading your comment was so inspirational! . 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. My Mum and I were introduced to shamanic drumming and we go to drumming workshops at weekends. Sounds like a life changing service. Playing to a backing track with a click is perhaps the simplest way to improve your playing. Good luck and bless you for playing djembe. Love love love love love this! There are several organizations that teach people how to become either a drum circle facilitator or a drum therapist. For some of them even their own families dont visit them and if they do it is far and few between. I love seeing more people encouraging people and particularly women to drum. I am part of a womens drumming performance group, Les Femmes de Kissidugu. Some of us connect through drum and dance. I have carried on a lineage passed down to me. My husband chuckled at my lack of rhythm, but I did get better over time. Maybe you would like to go and explore different kinds of drums, if you havent already, and have a fell, what FEELS right for now? Another time I had my microphone hooked up for the 8th graders. The good news is there are two primary issues that are usually found here, jaw pain and upper neck (c1,c2) pain. Allison Gemmel Laframboise is a cofounder of the KDZ Drummers and Handsdown Productions. I often went to the jazz bar with her to see him play. For those of us who have experienced a drum circle we know the rewarding feeling we all get when we participate. Brilliant article and great reminder to follow the primal passion of our core. Hey, MartinI, too, am almost 57 yrs old and, like you, picked up the drums when I was 16. Seeing your name, Dr. Northrup attached to this article has convinced me I need to try it. Highly recommend. Its very valuable and I will use it as a link. What an amazing story. My skills on actual drums are on par..when im beaming Im double speed but even at a normal level my hands get extremely fast but its all about the groove. 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. This is why you might see a flicker pounding on a metal power pole or your house siding - to make the loudest sound he can, not to look for food or drill a hole, but to make a statement. Hi, you can look on the HealthRHYTHMS facebook page for facilitators in your area, or do a google search. I would think some people might get stimulated, and so this might not be a sleep remedy. In addition, at a point during the ceremony I will offer drum healing to those who have interest. Last year just before ending my last sessions with the students, I was asked to come back to the school for couple more times. Tip 2: Play to a Backing Track with a Click. I think this would be a great way for her to continue to learn and expand her mind and her skills, but also a way for her to learn a new skill. It is always good to read about the benefits of group rhythm circles for all kinds of populations. Most supply the drums to use, and offer classes on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. Thank you SO much for sharing this here. I have experienced profound transformation in myself and many musicians / drummers throughout my career in the music industry and mental health field ! I listen to hip-hop, R&B and pop music and this beat . This is called coherence. I thought of different ways this can be used as a teaching tool also. Thanks. It has also helped me with sinus issues as well. Ill have to look into getting her a custom drum for Christmas as a way to get started! HI Rick thank you SO much for this reply. TM and Copyright @ 20012023 Christiane Northrup, Inc. All rights reserved. Good luck and drum on! And you right. Explore the different ways to support Kripalu. He was a drummer who always strived to make his performance exceptional. Thank you for sharing this work. The Lakota prayer songs we sing are amazing and my life has been changed for the better through participating. And is very healthy. I quickly found that the rhythm of the drums began lifting my energy. As a tongue drummer and djembe enthusiast, I especially like the part where you call out the neural connections and the way the brainwaves sort of sync with the rhythm. I am a band director with a degree in percussion performance and played and taught Drum and Bugle corp a long time. The spirit takes you. I really want to start,but cant find where to buy a drum. Playing to a Click Track For Drums - 4 Essential Tips! - Drum Helper I had drumming at a memory/life celebration ceremony in honor of my youngest son who had walked past us the year before. 10 Health Benefits of Drumming: A Quick Guide NORMAL? I would relish the idea of translating my knowledge and love of rhythm and drumming to positive participation by others for their physical, emotional or other types of healing. Should I Still Be Menstruating at Age 55? It is honored and held to be scared. Why is African drumming often very complex? Dr. Zakir Naik, a renowned Islamic scholar and President of the Islamic Research Foundation, also shared his views on the subject in an interview (source). Best of luck. I also join in a jam session at a local coffee shop once in a while, doing the same thing. Hi, The drumming I have done which was minimal was fabulous. I hope you can continue to enjoy and revel in the amount of physical power that you have . Hi Dr. Northrup, I was introduced to your work years ago by my sister, and have been following your insightful instagram posts for some time. Playing drums can relieve frustration, disappointment, and stress. Drumming is so powerful for overall health for several reasons, the main ones being: It reduces feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Im going to try and find a group here in the Eau Claire WI area. As an HSP (highly sensitive person) I am generally uncomfortable in large gatherings. Drum circles have come a long way over the last 20 years. Much Thanks Do you have any references for the studies which you mentioned? The musician, who is 70, appeared on BBC Breakfast with his Genesis band members to promote the group's . But thats no reason to accept not ever playing the drums again. My feelings grew very strong towards helping some of the survivors. When I turned 29, I didnt want that to be my story at 30, so I took private drum lessons for a year. "Kumi-daiko" literally means a taiko ensemble that consists of various taikos. I am now putting together a program that integrates Drumming with Reiki. I will share this post with my Facebook friends. But you are not getting any of the health benefits of exercise while playing the drums. But, the benefits you receive when you take this type of class are so much greater than those of your average aerobics class. Also, please check out Mary Knyshs website: http://www.rhythmicconnections.com Some people may learn these things faster than others thanks to their natural sense of rhythm. My wife and I have been thinking of getting our son into a new hobby while he is in high school so he doesnt get into any worse habits. ), there are huge benefits to drumming, a few of which include. It is one thing to mimic the virtuosity of others and a completely different thing to create your own virtuosity. As well as the foot speed, Joey had incredible speed and stamina from his hands too. Drum making workshops last one to four days, depending on how much of the work has already been done for you. And if that means . When you're sitting at the throne, leaning back into a backrest will cause all kinds of technique problems. I really enjoy every moment in my life and every month in one circle of drums is a blessing for me, Loved your comprehensive blog about the benefits of Rhythmacize. After every class I felt better and clear minded. I currently teach drums part time at the Guitar Center, play live and in sessions with many well known bay area artists, and conduct seminars on drum/percussion therapy (and play an annual concert with other doctor friends). During this covid crisis and feeling very tense and negative, I looked him up on youtube. When you play the drum, you're gone. And thank you Dr. Northrup for writing about this! 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. Knowing such amazing health benefits of playing drum make me more enthusiastic and happy. Hi, After three years of kickboxing training which was the toughest training I have ever experienced and I became incredibly strong and fit, I have taken up pole dancing. Im in an all-wimmin drum troupe that gathers weekly to practicethey quickly became my soul sisters. I attend 3 hours of classes weeklyjust can hardly get enough of this wonderful, ancient practice. What a wonderful service you offer, Patty. 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. Its like a meditation with your whole being in synch and totally in the moment. I love the term walked past us. In defence of Ringo Starr - a masterful drummer and the Beatles' unsung If it is okay I would love to quote you on my website as some further reading for my students and parents. Thank you for popping that bubble for me. Why Charlie Watts Was the Ultimate Rock and Roll Drum God - Rolling Stone His E.A.teacher asked if it was alright, the gym teacher and myself agreed he could come in, so the E.A. then you located primary issues that need addressing. I have lupus and my immune system is compromised. Male spiders have many complex courtship rituals and have to avoid being eaten by the females, with the males of most species survive a few matings, and having short life spans. The backrest would have to extend halfway into the seat to connect with the lumbar area, and it doesn't. Sitting that far back in the throne also changes your balance points as to how you connect to the pedals. I am also an Army veteran and have been facilitating percussion /drum/music therapy groups and classes at the VA and several special education schools for many years. It burns calories. I drum weekly with people with dementia and Alzheimers and other disabilities. For these reasons therapeutic drumming may be a powerful tool in helping retrain the brains of people who have some level of damage or impairment, such as with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), after a stroke, or where there is neurological disease such as Parkinsons. Since then, I have taken classes and workshops, and bought a drum to practice at home. 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. Explore upcoming programs led by Kripalu faculty and expert presenters on topics ranging from yoga to societal and personal transformation. I have gone to a few drumming circles with different leaders. Music Lit Midterm Study Guide Flashcards | Quizlet Great Article!! Strutting, Spitting and Drumming Defined. http://www.drumconnection.com. Ive purchased shamanic drums for us as a Christmas present to ourselves. Drumming is such an amazing release . Djembe? Our community of drummers & dancers have grown now to crowds of up to 200 over the 10 years of existence. The issue is finding it; without a series of convoluted tests we can grab low hanging fruit (jaw and neck). On 'This Is Why,' Paramore emerges from our collective fever dream Now, 15 years later, I do all the advanced moves. Richie! Thank you for sharing! Why is drumming important? : drums - reddit.com Technically speaking, he wasn't very impressive at all. Modern Taiko History. All funds raised, minus costs are turned over to that charitable need. West African drumming is my passion. I love it. Yes, hand drumming is a wonderful healing activity. drumming is so mush better than just beating on something. Drumming is an aural skill as much, and possibly more than even a physical one. A lot of times that I came in an E.A. Understanding The Significant Role Of The Native American Drum Love this! #25. I dont know how I would have been able to make it through those extremely difficult days and the time after his death without the benefits of drumming and the supportive community that came from it. Hi Martin, I just read your comment and thought maybe its time to change the type of your drum Im no specialist at all, but I started joining occasional drum-meditation-evenings, and up until then I thought drum is drum but the lady who leads the evenings explained that there are fire drums, that are mor about whats going on outside like the african drums that are very common and the shamanic drums she uses, they take you back to yourself so you are centered within yourself. The drums can be both musical instruments and works of art, sculptural forms that are often decorated in a resplendent manner suited to their . ~Lonnie L. Jones Its important to get the right size drum and there are videos on the X8 Drums site to help you with that. Drumming plays a major role in disciplining and calming the mind in both Buddhism and martial arts. It means your muscles are getting stronger. All types of drums and percussion can create such a special blend, its like nothing else. I have been in drumming circles, drummed for entertainment, and drummed for healing for the past 20 years. Please come experience DRUMS from HEAVEN! lightly slap the back and sides of your upper neck for 10sec. What about the neighbors who have to listen to this drumming banging going on across the street. Please feel free to contact me and maybe we can talk about how I can assist your organization ! Thankyou. Part of karma, I suppose. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. I didnt know drumming could boost your immune system and increases your T-cell production. Kripalus evidence-based resilience program, RISE, is anchored in the science of mindfulness, yoga, and positive psychology. I am a drummer for horses and an equine reiki healer. Christiane. Drumming has been proven in human clinical research to do the following six things: 1. Shamans used drumming as a means of reaching an altered or trance-like state so that they can connect with the spirit dimension. You can access some of Dr. Bitmans studies at the NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11191041. Thank you. And this always feels SO satisfying. I think we need some Thundergods in Portland Maine playing beside the Atlantic ocean. We get energized, we get relaxed. Drumming Boosts Confidence. 1. Now, thats the type of health care we need not more pills or sterile tech. the frequency of the sound, released from the drum synchronises with the brain waves of the listener, causing a sort of hypnosis. I have chronic pain from a pinched nerve (sciatic) in my back. I play drums, and I feel great after I play, even just for a few minutes, Ive been playing drums and percussion instruments for 26yrs, off and on. Why every musician should learn to play drums - Roland I would like to hear more of your success. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, dietary supplement, exercise, or other health program. Any recommendations as to where, or what kind of drums? When you set up a high frequency, others rise to meet it. 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. Here, the International drumming group Tao performs (see video below.) She told me that god was telling her to reach out to him. I was quite athletic as a child and young adult, I never learned how to play any instrument. Is Music Haram in Islam? - Halal Guidance NOT SURE. Its awesome and one of my absolute favorite things in life. Ive been a drummer for my entire life, only up until three years ago, I had never actually played them. Come visit the Kripalu campus, nestled in the breathtaking Berkshire mountains, for a nourishing retreat full of yoga, nutritious meals, mindful outdoor experiences, and more.