Using percussion for therapy or fun is easy. There are no rules, just have fun. Percussion shares basic principles with singing:
- They don't have to cost anything.
- They can both be fun.
- They both promote connection to others.
- Packing tape drum #1
- Packing tape drum #2
- Soft drink can or water bottle shaker
- Baked bean can/soup can bell
- Baked bean can/soup can scraper.
One thing I would like to mention is the importance of flattening the sharp edges if you are using a can. In the videos a hammer is used but I have found that a pair of pliers pushing down on the sharp edges to be a bit easier and just as effective.
For anyone so inclined, if you want to try some set rhythms, here is a list of ones that I sometimes use in group or family counselling. However, there is just as much fun and therapy to be found in doing you own thing. As for cost, it can be as cheap or as expensive as you want.In this photo you can see to homemade djembes; one cost about $40.00 and another $12.00. The tambourine was $2.00 from a garage sale, the hand-held frame drum $5.00. The soup can bell and scraper was made using the steps in the videos above and we all enjoyed the soup.
A djembe similar in looks to the one below can be bought online for as little as $100.00 and prices keep going up from there. If using one inside the house, I would suggest looking at one that has a head about 8.5 inches or 22 cms across. It will normally sit about 50 cms tall. You can purchase a "second" from some stores at a substantial saving. This usually means a visual flaw in the wood but no issues with the quality of sound.
Tips:
Websites and clips:
- Welcome to percussion discussion. A clip not from one of the best but another way of connecting, I hope.
- Some basic notes when playing a Djembe.
- Three foundation rhythms to try - with a few mistakes!
- Four basic heartbeat rhythms to try - with plenty more mistakes.
Science and research type stuff:
For those who would like to know a bit more about why drumming is a good idea, here are a few research articles:
Perkins, R, Sara Ascenso, S, Atkins, L, Fancourt, D & Williamon, A 2016, 'Making music for mental health: how group drumming mediates recovery' Psych Well-Being, No. 6, Vol. 11.
Ascenso, S, Perkins, R, Atkins, L, Fancourt, D & Williamon A 'Promoting well-being through group drumming with mental health service users and their clients', International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, Vol. 13, No. 1.
Ho, P, Tsao, J, Bloch, L and Zeltzer, L, 'The Impact of Group Drumming on Social-Emotional
Behavior in Low-Income Children', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol. 2011, Article ID 250708.
Fancourt D, Perkins R, Ascenso S, Carvalho LA, Steptoe A, Williamon A, 'Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response among Mental Health Service', Users. PLoS ONE Vol. 11, No. 3.
