"Where words fail, music speaks." - Hans Christian Andersen
What is it about music that can shift our mood from one of sadness to one of hope? How can music bridge the gap of numbness to feeling? How does music understand exactly what’s in our heart?
These words are personal, I’m writing this post from my resent experience. You see, my father passed away just before Christmas 2022, he was at an age, however it was out of the blue. I’ve never been fully prepared when either of my parents had passed on.
Sometimes there are just no words that can describe what our heart is saying. Can you relate to this? When I’m not sure what I’m feeling, especially in emotional times such as losing a love one, I know I can pop on music and be transported into a world of sound, beautifully crafted with melody, harmony and rhythm. Music has this magic like no other creative outlet. I always feel 100% better when music is in my life.
Music has been there for me ever since my dad introduced me to the world of jazz as a child (I am eternally grateful of dad for sharing his love of music with me). As an adolescent music gave me a voice and belonging in the world. As I moved into adult hood losing a loved one, seeing a close relative go through depression and suicide attempts or feeling overwhelmed by life and recently going through grief with the loss of my dad, music-making has been a therapeutic outlet of processing emotion, expressing feelings and tapping into creativity.
Music is for everyone
As an experienced drum teacher and group facilitator I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with social workers, wellbeing facilitators, therapist and counselors applying drum therapy for their clients and teaching Positive Music drum circle facilitation for people who work with community groups as a way to help others who are going through life challenges.
Professional health workers are saying that many of their clients’ where talk therapy is not working, the next best way to communicate and work through the process of trauma and move toward a better life is with drum therapy.
Really, music should be seen as medicine, a healthy way for people to lower blood pressure, build the immune system, build neural pathways for a whole brain workout and a creative way of connecting with others. The best medicine is preventive medicine and learning to play the drum can certainly assist in this area.
Let’s face it the drum is such an accessible musical instrument that anyone who has never played a drum before can quickly gain and feel the benefits straight away (clinical research proves this) as opposed to learning the piano, guitar or violin, which can take a long time. I’m not saying playing the drum is easy to master… far from that, I’m saying lots can be gained by a simple heart beat rhythm on the drum.
Drumming for wellness
I’m always looking for ways where I can support therapists, wellbeing facilitators and those who work with vulnerable people and communities. Whether through my wellness trainings or digital tools comprising drum therapy cards and play-along music, called Ambient rhythms, to support and build knowledge.
Not only is learning to play the drum stimulating, fun and energising, getting proficient at playing a variety of rhythms to express ourself. The drum can also be a used as drumming meditation for those who suffer deep trauma to help ease over thinking and bring us gently into body consciousness, to work through emotions.
Learning to play simple rhythms on the drum as a meditation, whether the drum is an African djembe, Cuban conga, Ghanaian kpanlogo or American buffalo drum, medicine drum or Irish bodhran. All these drums can easily be implemented for drumming meditation.
Playing along to music that is especially created to transport the player into relaxation and calm can create an even deeper experience with the benefits of drumming meditation.
I recently finished composing a song called Dancing Wildflowers (this song has been dedicated to my late father) a composition comprising world drums and percussion instruments. Somehow during the last month or so made time to create a video showcasing the Dancing Wildflowers composition with all these beautiful instruments.
I love sitting still and listening to music. Listening deeply to the connection between the timbre of each instrument, the rhythm and flow of the song. One genre of music I love listening to is music for film. Created purely to enhance the story, to connect our emotion to the scene, taking us on a journey of wonder, intrigue, even enlightenment.
Music speaks to my soul, I feel heard, my feelings are validated and I know I’m not alone. I begin to understand what I am feeling, therefore begin the process of healing.
Over to you, what music do you listen in times of need?
What instrument do you play to help ease the burden of everyday life? Please leave your comment below, I’d love to hear from you.
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