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. Other issues from below may also contribute, like neuro reflex info from the feet, hips, gut, etc.. Fix the pain and the neuro-reflex issues, the body will stand up straight immediately.
The issue is finding it; without a series of convoluted tests we can grab low hanging fruit jaw and neck. Jaw pain is easily remedied in the short term for testing reasons. We want to use of the phone lines so pain gets a busy signal- caveat, it works for about 3 minutes. If you are having sleep breathing issues like hypopnea or apnea take an oximetry test or buy a contec o2 monitor on eBay and have low O2 during the night the upper neck tension and jaw tension will continue, another separate conversation… hope that helps as a framework for guidance.
Hey, Martin…I, too, am almost 57 yrs old and, like you, picked up the drums when I was My body has been abused a bit through racing motocross, off-roading accidents, freeway motorcycle accidents, commercial deep-sea diving, ten years in the Army, drug rehab and eighteen years of physically fighting with the criminally insane while working at a state institution. My hands, however, still work pretty good. I am sure there are other drumming programs available. Martin, I will say that playing drums on a keyboard will take some getting used to…it was difficult to translate arm, leg, feet and wrist movements into just my fingers tapping keys, but it happened with practice.
It works for me and I hope it works for you… Our bodies have limits, man. Good luck, Martin. Great subject, Dr. Since I am doing some personal research on drumming and health, I wonder whether you might supply some citations for the research mentioned above. Michael Drake wrote the above, almost verbatim back in My friend has been trying to get me to join a drumming circle for quite a while. Seeing your name, Dr. Northrup attached to this article has convinced me I need to try it.
I am a data architect, which is very logical, but I am also very creative and have hobbies making music and art. I love how you have wired your brain and body to be ambidextrous as it were. Thanks so much for this amazing testimonial.
Or kicked or batted with your left hand. I suspect you have a very creative and unusual brain structure. Thank you for sharing the benefits of drumming. I will share this post with my Facebook friends…. The Thundergods of Portland play very hard, beside the Willamette River, all year every Sunday night.
Peace, love, joy and drum. The Thundergods of Portland inspires me. I think we need some Thundergods in Portland Maine playing beside the Atlantic ocean. Thanks for this wonderful comment. Every word Dr. So that means usually once or twice a week for two hours I am totally concentrating On my timing and the pattern on playing. I play the djembe and ashiko primarily but I also play frame drums.
Any drum, in my humble opinion, will do. I always feel energized during and afterr the spiritual drummimg groups I attend! I never knew there was scientific reasoning behind it! I just play! Good luck and bless you for playing djembe. My first experience with drumming was when I was fortunate enough to stay a traditional native village in the North West Territories of Canada. My in-laws had a teaching post. Since they were trusted and respected in the community we were all invited to a community feast and drumming celebration.
I swear I went into a trance after listening to the drumming for about 1 hour. Mind you I might have become tired and sleepy after the feast of caribou, bannock and Jello. Yes, jello was a surprise. I swear I always felt so relaxed after playing his drums. My husband chuckled at my lack of rhythm, but I did get better over time. Then I bought a jemba spelling? The instructor was very good and I soon found I was drumming along in the circle with a great sense of rhythm and feeling of accomplishment.
The connection you feel to others in the drumming circle must also be good for mental health. Again, I experienced such profound relaxation at this evening outing. I slept so deeply after it. I would think some people might get stimulated, and so this might not be a sleep remedy.
I have gone to a few drumming circles with different leaders. Thanks so much for your article. It motivated me to get out and go drumming again. I was quite athletic as a child and young adult, I never learned how to play any instrument. I loved them. I moved to another city and it no longer fit into my space, but I had gotten pretty good at it.
Looking forward to revisiting at sine point. I fell in love with Taiko drumming during an Obon festival I attended a few years ago. Since then, I have taken classes and workshops, and bought a drum to practice at home. Everything you said about drumming is true. I even use shamanic drumming in my sound healing sessions because it opens the heart chakra.
Thank you for the excellent article. We used drums to welcome folks and as a background to prayers as we scattered his ashes on the mountain and into the river. It was confusing to some. Unnecessary and unnerving to a few. And downright scary to others. Yet, in its simplicity, it was profound, soothing and comforting to the rest of us..
Nothing sends out unconditional love more than that. And this ceremony sounds so profound and wonderful. A very good context here Dr. As the building blocks were being put into place to form our new little community, a devastating storm hit the southern United States.
Hurricane Katrina blasted through Louisianna and other southern states causing horrifying damage and loss of life. My feelings grew very strong towards helping some of the survivors. It was decided we would now do our first drum circle as a huge benefit and raise money to send to school age kids and their families in need. Through the efforts of about people, drummers and or dancers alike, we came together for an extraoidinary night of percussion.
Everyone who came felt the vibe of goodness. Drum circles have come a long way over the last 20 years. They are showing up all over the place.
Mitchell top-center , Jim Banks and Dr. Kennicott Park Chicago after school program: students performing at the end-of-year recital for the school year.
Lilian's Hinton Elementary School students playing dununs at the program's finale performance, February Contact us about bringing a youth program to your school or organization. Visit the Hooked On Drums Website, www. The co-chair of a national research project into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention, Professor Pat Dudgeon, said Drumbeat works for young people because it is fun. It's just doing a fun thing," she said. Vaughan Appo, a primary school student with Drumbeat in the Northern Territory, agreed.
Professor Dudgeon and her team are evaluating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention programs across Australia. They identified Drumbeat as one of six projects "showing [the] most promising results for suicide prevention for Indigenous children". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures from showed suicide was the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 15 to 34, accounting for one in three deaths.
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