Drum Circle

Ever pondered on playing an instrument like the djembe or a guitar, but thought it was not worth your time? Think again! Music is beneficial to everybody. There are thousands of reasons to convince yourself that playing an instrument is worth every minute.

Several studies show that playing music helps develop the cognitive skills of children and adolescents. It also instills self-discipline, builds confidence, increases productivity and socially connects kids and teens with their peers. Music also relaxes the soul and uplifts the spirit; thus, reducing the stress level on the body.

Here are 10 benefits of playing a musical instrument:

1. Better intellectual capacity

Researchers say that children, who play an instrument or those who are exposed to music, perform better in school. Simple tunes and classical music help students concentrate, focus their minds on the activity and retain more information. Studies also show that exposing the children to music positively affects their IQ, reading age, and the development of certain parts of the brain. An adult mind stays active, alert and has better memory when they play an instrument.

2. Discipline and patience

Learning to play an instrument is like learning to speak another language. You need to practice every day and have the discipline to master playing your instrument. Music also lengthens the attention span of its player.

3. Relieves stress

Playing an instrument relaxes the body and calms the mind. Creating music can soothe the mind, calm tempers and even lower blood pressure. Music also helps in creative problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication.

4. Sense of achievement

Music helps build confidence and give a sense of achievement. It can be frustrating for a beginner to play their first piece. But once you have mastered it, the satisfaction you will feel is priceless. Hard work pays off in music when you dedicate yourself studying music.

5. Communicate your emotions

If you are looking for an outlet for your emotions, play a djembe rather than punch a punching bag. If you feel sad and lonely, play something slow. If you are happy and elated, play something loud and joyful.

Music also helps adolescents control their emotions and cope with difficult and complicated situations, such as peer pressure, pressures of study and family, substance abuse, the pain of loss or abuse, and the dynamics of friendships and social life.

7. Emanate your personal style

Have you ever tried playing rock “n” roll on a flute? Music gives the freedom to be your own self, be different, somebody you thought you could never be.

8. Teamwork

Musicians play with other musicians who make each other feel belongingness. They combine their talents to show off their musical abilities and make music they cannot play on their own. They share ideas and values to work together on sound, tempo and style.

9. Physical Workout

Music is also good for the body. It can strengthen your facial muscles, arms, fingers and hands, even your legs. Breathing on wind instruments can also improve your endurance.

10. Bragging Rights

Music is in. People cannot look down at you when you can play an instrument.

11. Fun!

Though it takes a lot of hard work, music is fun. It is the key to life. It can open up a lot of good possibilities that will definitely enrich your life. You will be able to share your skill with your family and friends. You can also play professionally

Labels: drum tips, drum.circle, drum.circle.facilitator, drum.magic, drumming, drums, music, Music Education, music.therapy, School Music Program

Have you ever walked past a store with thumping music, so loud that it vibrates your eardrums while you are still on the sidewalk? We all love to listen to music, some of us with the volume set to 10, but are you actually enticed to go into the store? 9 times out of 10, a person who could be a potential customer simply walks away because of the music inside. If you've ever asked yourself why we psychologically gravitate toward pleasant sounds while avoiding the unpleasant noise around us, look no further than Julian Treasure. Treasure chairs the Sound Agency, a company that advises big businesses on how to harness the power of sound.

Our world is a noisy place, whether you are listening to construction on your way to work or relaxing at the beach with gulls flying overhead. For the most part, people have learned to tune out the sounds that surround us, but unconsciously we always have a reaction to the noise in our environment. Treasure's business focuses on the human response to sound. How we react to noise, no matter if it is pleasant or annoying, is hard wired into our consciousness. If you were to play the sound of crickets or birds singing, your response is most likely going to be relaxation. When you hear footsteps behind you or the sound of a chain saw, your first instinct is going to be to run away! Treasures theorizes that unpleasant sounds, especially those that invoke fear, can induce a physiological response that will bring on hormone secretions, raise your heart beat, and alter your breathing.

Yet another way that we react to sound is shown in our psychological response to music. We've all been to concerts that have really moved us, or listened to a song on the radio that takes us away to another time and place. Music is a powerful force in this way. For example, if you associate a certain song with a sad period in your life and it plays on the radio unexpectedly after you haven't heard it in 10 years? You will be transported back to that time, and in some cases the emotional connection is so strong you can practically see and smell things that are long gone.

A third way that Treasure feels that sound effects us is cognitively. He advocates individual offices for employees that would normally work in an open floor plan with cubicles. The sounds of others working, talking, and carrying on with their business can be so distracting that productivity drops significantly. Treasures' advice? If you can't work in an individual, quiet office, bring headphones to minimize outside disturbances.

The last way that sound affects us is behaviorally. Treasure states that we naturally move away from annoying noises to an environment of more satisfactory noises. If we are in a room in our house where we can really hear the traffic from the street, our response may be to never try to work, read, or sleep in that room. Some can 'tune out' outside noises to the point that they can avoid distractions anywhere, but it's a rare person who can minimize all outside sound.

Our four responses to sound work not only individually, but in a business environment as well. Treasure recognizes the intrinsic value to developing a conscious awareness of the sounds around us, and works with companies to bring their customers to that level. According to Julian Treasure, being aware of what surrounds us is the first step to good health and even better productivity.

Labels: music, Music Education, music.therapy

Every January 1st, people around the world make New Year's resolutions. 9 times out of 10, that resolution is to lose weight. Whether you are in tip top shape and want to trim down an extra pound or two, or you are 50 pounds overweight and want to create a whole new you, your goal to lose weight is the beginning of a journey toward better health. Unfortunately, the best way to lose weight is through exercise, and there are many people out there who do not find exercise to be fun. One way to jazz up your exercise program is to pop on your iPod and get motivated through the sounds of your favorite rock tunes, djembe beats or jazz classics. Even better, research has found that there is a connection between music and your brain's ability to exercise and lose weight. Music is there to motivate you, make exercise more pleasant, and can even assist in your weight loss.

Recent studies have shown that our bodies have what is called a 'Rhythm response' to music. As we exercise and listen to music that we like, our internal rhythm adjusts to the beat of the song. Because we adjust to it and match our movements to the beat, it motivates our bodies to persist and can actually increase our enjoyment. The rhythmic activity drives you to continue exercising by distracting you from that little voice that may say "Stop, I'm tired."

The rhythm response is tied to your hearts beats per minute (bpm) as well. In cycling, your exercise level is measured by the cadence of your spinning wheels. If you continue to spin at a high rate without a lot of rest, you are said to have a high cadence. The beat of the music can match and increase your cadence, thus pushing you to perform longer and harder than if you were not listening. When you hear a runner say that they were really 'in the groove' of the run, you can be sure that the music they were listening to helped them along.

Your body's rhythm response can create internal memories that can affect your eating patterns. If you listen to the same playlist around the house that you listen to when you are exercising, it can help distract you from activities you'd rather not engage in. For example, if you are making lunch and listening to a particularly motivating song, you might not be as tempted to pop food in your mouth as you are cooking. A song that really ramps you up and makes you want to get out and exercise might make you think twice about eating an entire chocolate bar.

Another reason that music can help you with weight loss? Music is always there for you. Unlike your jogging buddy who decides that 6 am is way too early to get up and move, your favorite songs are just an iPod and a set of headphones away. The thought of music may be enough to get you out of bed and moving each morning, which can contribute greatly to your weight loss.

There is a reason that people respond to music in the way that they do: Our bodies are programmed too. Starting out on an exercise program? Grab your iPod and get going on your way to a new and healthy you!

Share your favorite exercise playlists below!

Labels: african dance, music, Music Education, music.therapy

With funding to education being cut nationwide, most schools are focusing on reading and math as a consequence of the Center on Education's policy, No Child Left Behind. Because funding overall is limited, money that had previously supported programs in physical education, the arts, and other areas of study is disappearing in favor of state-tested subjects.

However, schools are making a mistake when they cut funding to their music programs over their math or English programs. As reported by the College Entrance Entrance Examination Board, students who have studied music score at least 40 points higher on each section of the SAT - 44 points above their peers in math, 63 points above in verbal.

These findings are reflected in the average American's views as well, as a Gallup poll by NAMM (the trade association of the international music products industry), show that almost all Americans, 94%, believe that studying music increases intelligence.

NAMM has also shown that music studying can help in other avenues of life as well. Students who have undergone music training are better adjusted, and work well in groups. They also exhibit a higher level of confidence than their less musical schoolmates, and later in life, turn to academia rather than alcohol, cigarette, or drug use.

A study performed in 2003 backs up these views: researchers in Hong Kong analyzed the effect of musical training on ninety students over the course of five years. Half of students were given lessons on traditional instruments and played in the school's orchestra, while the other half took no lessons. After five years, students who played with orchestra showed a greater increase in verbal memory than their nonmusical peers.

In fact, learning to play music has been linked with increased development of brain tissue, which leads to a better sense of proportions and verbal skills. This helps in an increase in intelligence that helps not only the SAT test, but in life as well.

Virgil Griffith, a CalTech grad student, recently charted his peers' taste in music against their average SAT score. During this test, he found that students who listen to music, like Beethoven, scored around a 1300 SAT score, while his peers who listened to music forged on a less classical tradition, like reggaeton or country, scored between 900 and 1000 on the SAT. By cutting funding to arts programs, schools are limiting their students abilities and their opportunities to exceed.

The First Lady has begun a program from the White House that teams professional musicians with music students in order to foster their interests and provide a positive outlet for creativity. This program, which began in June, is planned to continue during Obama's term of office. Although changes have begun in the White House, they're taking hold elsewhere as well.

In Boston, schools are struggling to hold on to their music programs. Despite cuts to music programs, 70% of Boston students are still enrolled in some variety of a music program. For students in other states, there are a number of programs outside the classroom you could try.

X8 Drums is proud of the relationships we have developed with school districts and music teachers across the country. We have worked with state boards of education, school principals and private drum instructors to develop complete drum circle packages for a variety of classroom environments. Find out more about integrating drum circles at your school.

Labels: Learn Music, Mozart, music, Music Education, music.therapy, NAMM, Pagan Drumming, the.healing.power.of.the.drum

Ask a person what regret they have from their childhood is, and very often they will say that they wish they had learned to play an instrument. Whether it was the guitar, piano, violin, or drums, a child's innate ability to learn music and excel as they grow cannot be matched by an adult attempting to learn a similar instrument. Musical talent is not something that everyone has, but with practice it can become a valuable part of your daily life.

Music is all around us. It is such a powerful force that you can't walk down the street without hearing some type of music. It has the ability to elevate mood and relax us, and the creation of music can be extremely therapeutic. Autistic children, for example, benefit greatly from the creation of music. Group sessions involving music, such as a drum circle, allow the children to form a sense of connection with their peers. Music therapy is a widely prevalent form of treatment for anxiety, stress, and depression.

Learning to play music doesn't come as easily for some as it does for others. If you are in your 30's and just starting out, your learning curve on the instrument will be steeper and it may take you a bit longer than a younger person to pick it up. Why is it more difficult as you get older? For one, our brain's ability to learn new things declines slightly with age. We are no longer a sponge, ready and able to pick up new things, in the same way that children are. Another reason adults take longer to learn to play music is that they lack motivation. For adults, there are many distractions that will prevent us from focusing solely on music. Children, without a care in the world for the most part, can concentrate on one task without worrying about work or what to make for dinner. Yet another reason is that, as we age, we develop into left or right brained functioning people. Some people are artists, some excel at business. We are all different, and as such our musical abilities are different as well.

If you are looking for an instrument that suits you, consider your interests first and foremost. What type of music do you like? Rock, classical, pop, Latino? Focus your instrument search on the type of music that suits you best. Second, consider your budget. How much money do you have to spend on an instrument? Items such as pianos can be rented, but guitars or drums are inexpensive and easy to purchase. Third, ask yourself if you are planning on playing an instrument as a social medium. Do you want to participate in a band and play electric guitar or a drum kit? Are you interested in drum circles and want to join a community of drummers playing the djembe, congas or didgeridoo? Music can be part of a social setting, but also can be used as a solitary mode of relaxation.

Learning to play music can be difficult, but it can also be a very fulfilling part of your life. Decide which instrument or style of music is the best for you and focus on it as much as possible. With time and dedication, your ability to play music will flourish.

Labels: drum.circle, Fun, Learn Music, music, Music Education, music.therapy, world.percussion

Music therapy is used widely for rehabilitation of patients that have had a severe stroke. A study out of Finland reported that incorporating music into standard stroke rehabilitation treatments helps improve recovery of speech and memory. The music had a more significant impact on recovery than the use of audio books or no additional stimuli at all. The study also showed that the music lightened the spirits of patients as well.

After six months of therapy, the music listeners' verbal memory improved by 60% and focused attention improved by 17%, much higher than the results noted in audio book listeners or patients with nothing. Furthermore, the music listeners were happier and less confused than members of the other groups. The research was carried out on adults who had suffered an ischaemic middle cerebral artery stroke with no prior history of neurological disorder.

Strokes occur when blood is unable to reach the brain, killing brain tissues.

This can cause disability in movement and cognition, as well as death.

Medical treatment includes medication to thin the blood that will prevent further clotting, and restrictions on the patient's diet will help to improve cholesterol levels. The stroke even causes weakness, loss of coordination, and pain. The aftermath of the event includes memory loss, confusion, depression, difficulty speaking, paralysis, and sensory loss.

While listening to music, the brain boosts alertness, mood and attention due to stimulation of the dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic system, which moderates feelings of pleasure and memory, among other emotions.

By stimulating this system, you trigger the wires for other parts of the brain through a neurological crossing effect. Doctors believe that the combination of music and lyrics leads to this cross over effect, which helps to recover losses in other parts of the brain.

Many therapists already use music as a tool. Singing songs can boost speech recovery in stroke patients. By putting words to a familiar song melody, the patient has an easier time of forming words and phrases. Rhythm and clapping, also used by therapists, aid in the recovery of movement and muscle control.

After a stroke, it's important to begin music therapy early, during the acute post-stroke stage. During this period, the brain undergoes many changes that relate to movement, memory and speech that can be augmented by stimulation. The largest benefit of musical therapy is that it fits in well with every day life. Music is everywhere, so with proper guidance you can treat yourself or your loved ones outside of the hospital, maintaining ongoing recovery and a routine of incorporating healthy brain stimulation.

Music can be a worthwhile therapeutic addition to a stroke patient's care, and is cheap and easy to provide. Patients may also respond to live performance music or by playing on simple instruments themselves. Experiment with recorded music, live music and present the patient with an instrument like a small djembe or shaker.

When selecting the type of music, choose something that is familiar to the patient. Playing something that they recognize will improve results of the therapy and improve memory development. Interesting enough, this study of music therapy on stroke patients showed that songs by Kenny Rogers delivered the most significant response from the patients. However, you should allow the patient to choose the music him or herself, or use music that you know the patient likes, as the familiarity of the music is frequently the key to memory retention. Selecting the type of music that stimulates the brain to craft thoughts is the technique used in music therapy to recover speech and recollection.


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Labels: kenny.rogers, music, music.therapy, stroke