Traditional Methods Of Learning To Drum 

For thousands of generations people all around the world have drummed to raise their spirits, energize their bodies, release tension, strengthen their community bonds and celebrate the pure joy of being alive! Whether we drum by ourselves, with bands, or in drum ensembles, drumming has very specific, very positive, effects upon our bodies and minds. This is especially true when approached in ways that traditional people drum. In the past few years, studies conducted in hospitals and universities (some commissioned by the U.S. Senate) have documented the health and healing aspects of drumming. Drumming is very much like athletics and martial arts. In all three we practice repetitive movements over and over until they become effortless, reflexive and intuitive. In drumming these movements result in patterns of sound, that is, rhythms. The constant repetition can put us in a transcendental state that athletes call the "Zone", where we become very alert and focused and able to react effortlessly and spontaneously to our surroundings.

There are many ways to play drums, depending upon the drum, the drummer and the context. There are, however, some basics that hold true to drumming because it is such a physical activity. These basics are; breathing properly, relaxing, building a solid foundation, progressing to new levels only when ready and practicing and playing. In many of the traditional cultures from which we learn new drumming styles, such elements are taken for granted. In our modern, fast paced, channel surfing society we will be well served to re-integrate them into our learning process. Especially if we hope to remain true to the natures and traditions of these instruments and rhythms.

Breathing properly, using the diaphragm (breathing into the belly, not just the chest), helps us relax and gets much needed oxygen to the muscles and the brain for efficient operation and clearer thinking. Relaxing prepares our minds and bodies for the task at hand, releasing physical tensions that inhibit our bodies and distractions that keep us from focusing. Performing a short (one minute or so), relaxing ritual before playing is a very effective way to prepare ourselves physically and mentally. This is time very well spent. Listening is a crucial skill for every musician. Playing music with other people is like a conversation. We have our best conversations when we listen to each other. Building a solid foundation means beginning at the beginning. Learn about the nature of your instrument (how it's made, how to tune it, how to take care of it and it's traditional sound). Then learn a simple basic pattern made up of just a couple of basic sounds. Sing the pattern! In many cultures where drumming is an integral part of life, drummers sing their parts as well as play them. There's a saying if you can say it, you can play it! Just say a sound that sounds like the sound you want to play. Singing the pattern gets us (and the pattern) out of our heads and into our bodies. Once it is in our bodies it can then travel through the drum (especially if we are relaxed). Progressing to new levels only when ready means exactly that. There's no rush! First learn a couple of basic sounds.

For example; If playing a conga drum, stay with the bass tone and the open tone, save the slap for a little later. then learn a simple pattern using just these sounds. Then groove! Stay with it until you can play the sound and the pattern with the right feel fairly effortlessly. This may take 20 or thirty minutes, or it might take a week or more. That's okay! Drumming by nature is more about how it sounds and feels than about how much we can do or how many rhythms we know. Over time we increase what we can do. Practicing and playing are part of the same thing. Our practice should be disciplined and focused but also playful! We want both precision and passion in our playing. Precision means playing clear, distinct sounds that fall in the right place for a proper feel. Passion means releasing inhibitions and playing from our hearts and bodies. Play for long periods of time! Our minds may get bored and want to keep learning new rhythms, but we show respect for the drum and it's tradition (and become more proficient drummers) by exploring a few rhythms in depth in the beginning. The process gets the playing out of our heads, into our bodies and allows the rhythm to come alive within us, uninhibited by the minds need to analyze and control. The process of drumming and learning become more important than the goal of learning as many rhythms as we can. So begin at the beginning , take your time, stay true to whatever style you are exploring and have lots of fun on your drumming journey!

-- Latin Percussion Education Magazine

Jim Greiner is a nationally known touring and recording percussionist, educator and community drumming leader based in Santa Cruz, California. He has been playing since 1970, including two years in Africa where he was deeply moved by the community-building, invigorating powers of drumming and celebration. He has been leading drumming events since 1980 and is recognized as "One of the leaders in the contemporary drum circle movement in the U.S.". To learn more about Jim Greiner and his facilitation services, please visit http://www.handsondrum.com.