“The drum is a musical instrument with great power and presence that gives the ‘pulse’ or backbone to the music it is incorporated with.”
1. DRUMMING IS GOOD FOR YOU!
Physical activity
A well as being one of the more fun instruments, drums are also one of the most energetic & physically demanding. A recent study (1) with Clem Burke, the veteran Blondie drummer, revealed that 90 minutes of drumming could raise his heart rate to 190 beats a minute, and one hour in concert could burn between 400 and 600 calories. Comparable to top athletes! This obviously applies more liberally to more intensive rock drumming, but you’ll still be working out a little even just on a practice pad for half an hour. Besides, your body isn’t the only thing that can get a workout…
Stress relief
There is NO better stress-relieving instrument than the drums - If you need to vent, what better way than to hit something? In fact, a friend told me that in one of the London offices he worked in, they had introduced an electronic drum kit so that stressed office workers could go and drum away some frustration! It’s not only the action of smashing the skins that can help relieve stress, listening to the rhythms you create can be meditative which helps to reduce anxiety and tension (2, 3).
Brain Power
Improved IQ scores can now officially be added to the growing list of benefits from playing drums! Drumming activates both sides of the brain and can help the mind achieve hemispheric coordination, a situation where both halves of the brain are active and brain waves are synchronized. A recent study shows that playing the drums or other percussion instruments actually improves IQ scores of children. While previous studies have hinted that musical training improves a child's literacy and math skills, this is the first time that a study has shown that one's intelligence level can be improved by drumming (4).
Another recent study demonstrated that the synchronous brain activities induced by drumming can be beneficial for ADHD, alleviating anxiety & (as mentioned before) stress relief (5).
2. DRUMS ARE FUN
Any time I have left the room at any band practice - the guitarist, singer or bass player ALWAYS take the opportunity to jump behind the drums & have a go. Everyone secretly wants to be a drummer - and that’s because drums are a super fun instrument to play! (6) Drumming is a very physical way of musical expression, and creating rhythm is a very primitive and gratifying experience.
3. BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
Drum lessons can be a great way to gain confidence and build self-esteem. As you slowly learn to coordinate every limb independently & gain better stick control, you will find yourself becoming more disciplined within your practice routine - which will then have a positive impact on your everyday life.
In a band situation, the rest of the band relies on the drummer for setting the pace & keeping the rhythm section together, so you quickly learn to be confident & in control.
Get started today! Check out some free lessons & song transcriptions or book a drum lesson online at http://www.zelfiredrums.com
References
1. http://www.newser.com/story/33099/athletes-got-nothin-on-rock-n-roll-drummers.html
2. http://www.ubdrumcircles.com/article_silentdrum.html
3. http://healing.answers.com/physical-health/healing-effects-of-drum-sounds
4. http://www.musicexplorium.com/DrummingSmarter.php
5 http://www.trunity.net/drumbus/topics/view/20432/
6. https://www.facebook.com/IWishICouldPlayTheDrums
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