Using Djembe Drums for Music Therapy

Hand-crafted African djembe drums are beautiful musical instruments with an interesting sound. Not just that, these drums are useful for therapy and recovery. Rhythm is an important element of the human experience, starting with the sound of the mothers heartbeat while still in the womb. Drum therapy develops that sensation to further promote healing.

Music therapy with djembe drums can be employed in many different institutional surroundings. For example, school kids of every age group like a session of playing rhythm musical instruments. However the gain goes over and above simple pleasure. Making music has been discovered to be beneficial to a child's intellectual advancement in addition to minimizing stress levels, both facts that make drumming useful as a therapy for youngsters with problems like ADHD, mental retardation, or physical difficulties.

The djembe drum extends back about seven hundred years, where it was initially created in the African country of Mali. The craftsman carves the drum from a single length of tree trunk and tops it with an animal skin drum head. The drum was designed to fit between the legs of the player and be drummed on with the hands. Musicians can learn conventional rhythms or play depending on the way they feel.

Drum circles can be used various kinds of therapy. When employed in an organization, the feeling of community aids the music in generating well being. Drum circles have been seen to be useful for stroke victims, cancer sufferers, people attempting to break addictions, and other individuals young and old who are dealing with difficulties. Drums are used with Alzheimer's patients and it's thought that drumming may even assist the immune system.

In the drum circle, the lead djembe drummer will often lay out the rhythm for the circle, with other instruments following his lead. Other instruments used include rattles, shakers, bongo drums, rhythm sticks, and tambourines. Schools often buy the instruments in classroom kits to ensure that there will be something for everyone to play.

When selecting a djembe drum, it is essential to think of the size of the person who'll be playing it. Heights of the drums range from 12 to 28 inches with the diameter of the head increasing proportionately. The drum should rest on the floor or chair when the player is seated. The top of the drum really should be located 3 or 4 inches above the lap. Consequently, the smallest children ought to be equipped with the shortest size of djembe drums.