Drumming for Autism

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, it compels us to talk about the increasing popularity of drum therapy and the positive impact it can have on those with autism. Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Although there is no known cure, music therapy, and in particular, drum therapy, has been shown to significantly improve socialization as well as reduce anxiety and behavioral problems.

Drum Therapy-Why it Works:

When a person drums, they access more of their right brain, which controls emotions, intuition, creativity, and relaxation. This is of particular benefit to the individual with autism, as it can provide a type of neurological restructuring for the systematically-focused brain.

Music therapy and especially drum therapy utilizes special hand-eye coordination, vestibular movement, and visual perception. The tactile striking of the drum helps the person learn necessary placement and movement of the body. The patterned approach of drumming also allows the autistic patient to channel his or her repetitive behavior in a healthy and stress-relieving way. In addition, the group nature of drumming promotes language skills such as categorization, sequencing, predicting, turn-taking, problem-solving, and following directions. Drumming groups also offer a level of social interaction in a structured environment that other peer groups simply take for granted. All of these benefits in turn help to promote positive self-esteem, which is especially helpful to the autistic person.

When introducing drum therapy for your child, it can be helpful to start out slow. Start by having a drum at home that they can practice on at their liesure--a hand drum such as a djembe is frequently the percussion instrument of choice. Once he or she feels more comfortable and confident with the instrument, it can then be helpful to take it to a group setting where the child can then reap the benefits thereof.

Resources:

http://nurse-practitioners-and-physician-assistants.advanceweb.com/Features/Articles/Drumming-for-Autism-Therapy.aspx

http://drummingforautism.org/

http://www.coda.org.uk/tag/music-therapy

Drumming as Therapy

Studies have shown that music, along with other positive attributes, can have a profoundly healing affect. Music therapy has been used with great results in pain management, correctional and rehabilitational settings, with those who have suffered a trauma or crisis, Alzheimer's patients, autistic patients, and with a whole host of other conditions and settings.

Drumming in particular, has been shown to have many positive affects. Drumming stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain, which is responsible for emotion, intuition, creativity, and relaxation. This stimulation reduces blood pressure (and stress and anxiety by extension) as well as decreases pain levels for those suffering from chronic pain. Research also indicates that music and drumming increases your level of dopamine (the feel-good neurotransmitter), which helps those battling depression or other mental illnesses. 

One notable example of the powerful healing affects of drumming comes from Idris Hester, who claims to have drummed away four brain tumors. Now a certified health rhythms facilitator, he's acquired the nickname "Miracle Man" for overcoming his terminal diagnosis. His goal is to perpetuate the healing drumming can provide. He states, "different cultures use the drums for wellness and wholeness, and I thought, 'Why aren't we doing this here?'"

Another example is Mark Seaman. A recovering addict, Seaman claims to have undergone a personal transformation with drumming which has led him to start his own drum therapy program. "Because addicted people are very self-centered, are disconnected, and feel isolated even around other people, the drumming produces the sense of connectedness that they are desperate for," he says. "All of us need this reconnection to ourselves, to our soul, to a higher power. Drums bring this out. Drums penetrate people at a deeper level. Drumming produces a sense of connectedness and community, integrating body, mind and spirit."

Promoting personal healing with drumming can be as simple as picking up a djembe and joining a drum circle. As research continues to be brought forth proving the deeply healing affects of rhythm, music and drum therapy will likely continue to gain momentum as widespread alternative treatments.

Djembe Size: Why It Matters

Djembe drums can come in many sizes from a 12" x 8" mini djembe right up to those with a 14" head and booming bass. Due to all of the size options available, it can be overwhelming knowing which drum to choose based on material and construction alone without having to worry about the proper size. Knowing the correct size right away will eliminate some of the guesswork from your buying experience. 

The size of the djembe will affect the most important aspects of the playing experience including comfort and sound. With regards to comfort, it's a good idea to keep the following in mind: in a seated position, the djembe should be held between the knees with the drum head about 2-3 inches above your legs. The drum base should be lifted slightly off the ground so the sound can project outward (a djembe with its base on the ground with the hole covered will have muffled bass). Many adult players find that a drum that measures 23"-24" tall with an 11"-12" playing surface is the drum most conducive for playing in this position comfortably. 

Aside from playing position comfort, the djembe head size will also affect the sound. Generally speaking, you can compare the head size to a sub woofer in that the larger the head diameter, the more bass output. However, this is not to say that you should go out and grab the djembe with the largest head diameter you can find, as djembes with monster head diameters also tend to have more overtones and you'll be sacrificing those crisp slap and rim tones for more than average bass (ideally a djembe should have a good blend of both). You will also be making a huge mistake going with the smallest, cheapest djembe you can find and expecting to become an excellent player in no time. Trying to learn on a djembe that is too small for you will have a direct affect on the progression of your playing skills. Your hands should not be like shovels on a paper plate; they need room to explore so you can learn the proper technique as well as the various sounds your djembe is capable of making! 

Cajon Drum: Origin and History

The cajon (pronounced ka-HONE) is a box-shaped percussion instrument, usually made out of a thin wood such as plywood. It's played by slapping the front face of the box with the hands with the person seated on the box.

The cajon is thought to have originated out of Peru from later nineteenth century slaves. The theory is that shipping crates used to transport codfish were used to make the first cajon. Shipping crates were easily accessible for Peruvian slaves at the time and, since they were banned from listening to or playing music, it was important to play something that wouldn't be easily identified as a musical instrument. Today, the instrument has evolved to include a presence in modern-day Cuban styles, rumba, flamenco, and many other Western musical  genres (including various "unplugged" sessions for Western rock bands). 


The modern cajon has various screws at the top for adjusting the timbre. You may also find stretched cords pressed against the tapa (the hole opposite the striking surface) for a buzz-like effect. Cajons can also be played with brushes made from metal or plastic for varying sounds.

Check out a basic cajon beat in the video below: