Chinook School of Music

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Top 10 Benefits of Learning Drums for Adults and Children

Reduce Stress

Playing drums can relieve frustration, disappointment and stress. Playing for just a few minutes can boost your mood.

Similar to a “runner’s high,” drummers’ brains release feel-good endorphins immediately after playing. The physical stimulation of drumming and the sound vibrations that resonate through every cell in the body stimulate the release of negative emotions.

Boost Brain Power and Increase Academic Performance

When you play the drumkit, you coordinate all four limbs to work together at the same time requiring you to use both sides of your brain simultaneously. This type of brain activity can improve an individual’s IQ level.

Learning drums can boost academic performance especially in math; after all, drummers have to count! Drumming can also help students learn fractions, frequencies and intervals.

Develop Confidence

Drumming is powerful. To be successful, drummers must learn to play dynamically: loud and soft. The act of playing a loud beat takes guts and confidence.

In the act of learning the instrument, drummers develop a growth mindset. That is, you must believe that you can learn challenging parts by starting slow and breaking them down. The skill of breaking complex tasks into manageable parts carries over in many areas of life. Believing you are able to learn difficult material is crucial to overcoming obstacles both in music and in life

Motor Skill Development

Playing the drums requires a synchronicity between the brains visual encoding and the body’s muscular coordination. Research shows that drummers are better able to control their motor functions, possess a higher degree of dexterity, are better at activities that require steady hands, and have the ability to react quickly.

Drumming demands the coordination of both fine and gross motor skills, mental speed, listening ability and the ability to automate movements.

A Therapeutic Tool

The physical sensory nature of drumming provides a unique aesthetic experience. Recent research indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and assists in releasing emotional trauma. Drumming has a positive effect on anxiety, grief, fatigue, depression and behavioral issues.

While drumming children strengthen their ability to focus and work on impulse control and decision making skills.

Self Expression

Playing the drums can help people express themselves and get in touch with their emotional state. Drumming helps us connect to our core, enhances our sense of empowerment and stimulates our creative expression.

Get Fit

Nothing gets your adrenaline flowing like playing the drums! A drum practice session is a great way to break a sweat while having fun.

Drum students burn an average of 270.4 calories in 30 minutes just by playing the drumkit and moving to the beat.

Make New Friends

When you learn how to speak drums, the opportunities to meet new and interesting people grow. You may find yourself forming your own band or joining a percussion ensemble.

Lifelong Learning

You can be a drummer at any age. Once you start, you can keep drumming as long as you want. Learning drums will enhance your life well beyond your first few lessons, and as long as you never stop learning, you will have endless opportunities to improve, perform, and be the best musician you can be.

Be in the Present Moment

When one plays the drum, they are placed squarely in the here and now. One of the paradoxes of rhythm is that it has both the capacity to move your awareness out of your body into realms beyond time and space and to ground you firmly in the present moment.

Sources:

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-musical-self/201103/drumming-development-how-drumming-helps-children-special-needs%3famp
https://takelessons.com/blog/learning-drums-benefits-z07
https://www.thoughtco.com/drum-therapy-1729574
http://artdrum.com/HOW_CAN_DRUMMING_HELP_STUDENTS_GROW_ACADEMICALLY.HTM
http.//www.musicexplorium.com/drummingsmarter.php
http.//www.biosync.com/2013/the-biological-benefits-of-drumming/
http.//daverobertsononline.com/10-reasons-to-drum-for-your-health.html
http.//www.x8drums.com/blog/drumming-and-endorphins/