| As
science and human attitudes evolve, researchers
and practitioners are finding numerous benefits
from the use of drumming and rhythm in a variety
of treatments.
We have listed a variety of related articles
below; all of them add weight to our claim that
"Rhythm is Life!"
Health & Immune function
A recent scientific study into group drumming
has shown
"important scientific
evidence documenting potential health benefits
associated with a single group drumming session.
Statistically significant increases in the activity
of cellular immune components responsible for
seeking out and destroying cancer cells and viruses
were noted in normal subjects who drummed."
Dr
Barry Bittman MD.
For details of this research study see:
www.remo.com
Right Brain and Left Brain Coordination
In general the left and right hemispheres of
our brain process information in different ways.
The learning and thinking process is enhanced
when both sides of the brain participate in a
balanced manner. Most people, for a multitude
of reasons, tend to process information using
their dominant side (often to the detriment of
their less developed side).
The bi lateral nature of drumming makes it an
excellent tool for strengthening the less dominant
hemisphere of the brain.
For more information see www.tolearn.net
Children's Learning Abilities
Widely published research indicates that playing
musical instruments increases children's learning
abilities. This appears especially true of those
instruments which can be played intuitively, like
the drum. Qualitative studies have shown that
drumming enhances right-brain functions such as
intuition and creativity.
Music and rhythm are important because they help
children:
• Express their emotion, release energy
and channel it in creative, productive directions.
• Gain confidence in themselves as
they realize they can use their minds and bodies
together.
• Learn new words and ideas.
• Create their own songs, melodies
and movements and learn about themselves and the
relationships they have with others.
• In the development of fine motor
skills.
• Learn to read and write sooner than
children who have not had rhythm and music integrated
into early childcare.
For more information see: www.ufoc.org
www.nncc.org
Therapy
Michael Winkelman from The Department of Anthropology,
Arizona State University, has concluded from a
study using drumming circles with subjects suffering
from substance abuse, that
"drumming enhances recovery
through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave
production and brain-wave synchronization. Drumming
produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness
of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional
trauma and reintegration of self."
Drumming circles have applications as complementary
addiction therapy.”
For more information see: www.public.asu.edu
Stress Release
According to the New York Times, medical studies
have shown that the relaxation effects of drumming
have helped improve the lives of those suffering
form Alzheimer's disease and autism. Other studies
indicate that the brain requires rhythm for proper
development. According to Barry Quinn, Ph.D.,
a clinical psychologist specializing in neurobiofeedback
in Colorado Springs, biofeedback also indicates
that brainwave activity may be altered by drumming,
in turn reducing stress.
Rehabilitation
At the Royal Institution of Great Britain, London,
Professor Michael Thaut demonstrated a specific
rhythm protocol that helped stroke patients with
severe uncoordinated walking abilities to gain
immediate benefits in orientation and gait.
"Through the use of
rhythm, we can stimulate the improvement of neurological
processing and cortical reorganization in the
injured brain. This technique is proving to be
more effective than conventional physiotherapy."
Professor
Thaut
For more information see www.rigb.org
Rhythm in Life
At the Royal Institution, scientists from the
United Kingdom and North America presented the
mounting evidence that music is not merely a cultural
phenomenon. It is a biological fact of human life
- as demonstrated by infants who are too young
for even informal music training, yet distinguish
consonance from dissonance, and recognize tunes
even when their timing or pitch has been altered.
Among the potential applications of this new
understanding are therapies for brain injury,
protocols to alleviate anxiety without medication,
methodology to enhance children's learning and
development, and moreover, the presenters offered
dramatic evidence of their progress in these areas.
For more information see www.amc-music.com
Shamanic
Studies have shown that vibrations from rhythmic
sounds have a profound effect on brain activity.
In shamanic traditions, drums were used in periodic
rhythm to transport the shaman into other realms
of reality. The vibrations from this constant
rhythm affected the brain in a very specific manner,
allowing the shaman to achieve an altered state
of mind and journey out of his or her body.
Brain pattern studies conducted by researcher
Melinda Maxfield into the Shamanic State of Consciousness
found that the steady rhythmic beat of the drum
struck four and one half times per second was
the key to transporting a shaman into the deepest
part of his shamanic state of consciousness. It
is no coincidence that 4.5 beats, or cycles per
second corresponds to the trance-like state of
theta brain-wave activity. In direct correlation,
we see similar effects brought on by the constant
and rhythmic drone of Tibetan Buddhist chants
which transport the monks and even other listeners
into realms of blissful meditation.
For more information see: www.geocities.com
The Sounds Drums create
The type of sound is mostly a result of the shape
and size of the drum body and the nature and tension
of the drum head. Put simply, long or large-shaped
drums have a low sound, small or short drums create
a high sound. Loose skins have a low sound and
tight skins a high sound.
Other important concepts to consider when understanding
the sounds drums make, are vibration and resonance.
Vibration is basically the movement of air; sound
waves are created by rarefactions and compressions
between air molecules. Resonance involves the
enhancement of sound by forcing a contained body
of air into vibration.
Drums vibrate in extremely complex ways and are
capable of producing a wide spectrum of pitched
and unpitched sounds depending on the relationship
between the vibrating membrane, the resonating
air space and the resulting harmonic content of
the sound.
Striking different areas of the drumhead produces
very different qualities of timbre. The implement
used to strike the drum also makes a huge difference
to the sound.
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