Learn to drum with ease and mindfulness
Technology these days is amazing, just do a google search for online drumming courses, even Zoom drumming circles. We have a plethora of options to choose from. Learning to play drums has never been easier.
Power up your learning to play drums
Learn to play drums is so rewarding, whether it’s in group drum classes or sitting at home learning online by yourself. There’s so much research out there now to back up the benefits of drumming. However, are we missing the special ingredient of learning how to play a musical instrument? My mum would tell me stories about on Sunday’s her family would drag out the piano in the living room, invite friends and neighbors to pop over for a cuppa and a sing along. This was a regular occurrence. This was before the Telly. This was a great way to learn folk songs, even just having a piano for anyone to tinkle with.
How we listen to music can enhance the way we learn. There are three ways we listen. Watching the rhythm (visual), listening to the rhythm (ears) and feeling the rhythm (kinesthetic). Do you know which is your strongest out of all three? You might have two out of the three? Master musicians have all three that are just as strong as each other. I wonder with all the visual learning opportunities these days that we are forgetting one element of learning, which is listening to music, developing the ear.
Stop… listen
I did an experiment with my drum students. I asked them to close their eyes while playing their instrument in the drum circle. It had taken about a minute for them to feel comfortable with their eyes close. But what really jumped out was how the feel of the group rhythm changed to more in sync, in the groove and the music was more dynamic. I asked the group ‘what happened when you closed your eyes?’ The answers were a learning moment for everyone.
When we strengthen the way we listen, especially with our ears, we begin to hear the most subtle of tones, sounds and dynamic. I encourage drum students to play along to music to help develop and maintain this skill. And when we develop our ear our drumming begins to groove and sit in the pocket, there becomes a drumming with easiness and fulfilment, just like mindfulness.
Take a listen to some Angel Eyes and Meditation In Rhythm student resources I have created, to help develop time and feel.
This week give it a go. Pull up a chair, pop some music on and… listen. Depending on the music you choose, listen to the drums. Is there any hand held percussion, maybe a hand drum, listen to the tones of the instruments, listen to how the rhythms all fit together.
Have you found this post helpful?
If you found this post helpful, please help support my blog and music-making by purchasing from the store (there are NEW Positive Music t-shirts and other goodies) or download music. Or leave a comment in the comment box below, so others can find this post helpful. Every bit helps. Thanks so much for your love and support, it means a lot and inspires me to continue helping people like you.
Thanks so much for your love and support, it means a lot and inspires me to continue helping people like you.
You can download the meditative music to help boost personal wellbeing at Energise Your Life album.
A little gift for you as you continue to build your djembe drumming skills.
I want to help you out as much as I can so I’ve added some great hand drum beats for beginners and ensemble drums that accompany the djembe, called 7 Easy Steps to Develop Rhythm, Technique, Timing and Feel ebook. It’s filled with lots of tips on technique and how to improve your timing and feel, to really take your playing to the next level.
This is my gift to you and something that can accompany you on your drumming journey.
Get your instant copy for absolutely free!! Price $15 - FREE today!!
Download your FREE Djembe Drumming PDF Now
Thank you so much for taking the time to be here. If you like this post please leave a comment below and share by clicking the button at the bottom of this page, many good wishes, Peta.