| From the earliest times drums and their rhythms | | | | entrainment of rhythm in the body and the |
| have been at the centre of social and cultural | | | | appreciation of the music). The two brain |
| activities all over the world, in fact it is said to be | | | | hemispheres often emanate different wave |
| man's oldest musical percussion instrument. However, | | | | frequencies; drumming, like deep meditation, brings |
| drums have not always been used for creating music | | | | them into synchronisation, creating feelings of |
| or entertainment. In African tribal cultures, drums | | | | euphoria and flowing creativity. |
| bore an important role in the use of rituals and | | | | Group drumming can complement traditional talk |
| religious ceremonies, to express themselves and for | | | | therapy methods. Players can drum out their feelings |
| communication purposes. Across history the drum has | | | | without saying a word or without having to reveal |
| been used in warfare, both as a means of giving | | | | their issues. Drumming circles, ensembles and making |
| signals to the soldiers and to create noise and drive | | | | music together in a group can be a unifying |
| fear into the enemy. The drum is a deep and sacred | | | | experience, encouraging self-expression and |
| element of Native American culture, believing the | | | | camaraderie as well as lots of hands-on fun! |
| beat of the drum to be in sync with the heartbeat | | | | Drumming together breaks down barriers, builds |
| of mother earth. And now? The primitive drumming | | | | personal and team confidence, it releases stress, |
| circle is emerging as a significant therapeutic tool in | | | | motivates and creates spontaneity. |
| the modern technological age. Drums and drumming is | | | | Many Companies and Corporations are searching out |
| increasingly being used as powerful means of | | | | consultants to organise drumming workshops as |
| improving health and well-being, personal development | | | | team building programs. The workshops aim to |
| and improving communication by large companies and | | | | encourage employees to work more effectively - |
| corporations, music therapists, youth groups, schools | | | | playing drums together becomes a metaphor for |
| and even prisons. | | | | how people work together as a team. The |
| Music therapists and therapy programs are | | | | workshops aim to improve communications, break |
| increasingly using drums and rhythm to promote | | | | down barriers, boost morale, motivate, re-energise |
| healing and self-expression. Drumming can be very | | | | staff, cut stress and increase productivity. As barriers |
| therapeutic, helping us to get in touch with our inner | | | | are broken down and the junk falls away, people |
| selves as well as being a fun way to relax and | | | | become more honest with each other and conflicts |
| rejuvenate our mind, body and soul. Recent research | | | | are resolved, leaving the team more in tune with |
| indicates that drumming accelerates physical healing, | | | | each other. |
| boosts the immune system and produces feelings of | | | | The rhythm and order of drumming even provides a |
| well being. Study results demonstrate that drumming | | | | creative outlet for even the most hardened individual. |
| is a valuable treatment for stress, fatigue, anxiety, | | | | Drumming workshops have been used in prisons and |
| hypertension, asthma, chronic pain, arthritis, dementia, | | | | with young offenders - providing creative ways to |
| mental illness, migraines, cancer, multiple sclerosis, | | | | re-channel negative energy, diffuse anger and build |
| Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, stroke, paralysis, | | | | team spirit through the power of percussion. |
| emotional disorders, ADHD sufferer's, people with | | | | Many community groups, youth groups and centres |
| learning difficulties, a wide range of physical disabilities | | | | have introduced informal drumming workshops to |
| as well as for recovering addicts, older people, | | | | bring children and adults together in a fun-filled, |
| troubled adolescents and prisoners. | | | | cooperative environment where they build |
| Drumming induces deep relaxation, lowers blood | | | | community, create music and learn a new skill that |
| pressure, and reduces stress. Moreover, drumming | | | | they can even take away and share with their |
| promotes the production of endorphins, the bodies | | | | friends. Drumming captures the heart of most who |
| own morphine-like pain killers, and can thereby help in | | | | encounter it. Drummers don't have to worry about |
| the control of pain and those suffering grief. | | | | melody or chords and absolutely NO previous musical |
| Drumming and rhythm is such a powerful tool as it | | | | experience is required. |
| permeates the entire brain. The sound of drumming | | | | So it seems the drum continues to play a central role |
| generates neuronal connections in all parts of the | | | | in our society. Why not find the rhythm and beat of |
| brain even where there is significant damage or | | | | your own drum? There are many drumming |
| impairment such as in ADHD. The process of | | | | communities across the country promising anxiety |
| drumming engages both the linear, rational left side of | | | | release, physical toning, spiritual growth, creativity and |
| the brain (in the learning of polyrhythmic parts and | | | | personal empowerment whilst being a whole lot of |
| the analysis of how rhythms fit together) and the | | | | fun - who couldn't use that? |
| creative, intuitive right side of the brain (in the | | | | |