Hearing the beat of a drum will not make you want to bang your head and start moving your body to the beat. That’s why live performances and gigs are so appealing and enjoyable for everyone. But have you ever imagined what it feels like when you’re the one behind the lively music? Believe it or not, there are several great reasons for both adults and children to learn drums besides for a hobby. If you’re still considering learning drums, take a look at the reasons we listed down why you should start taking up drums. Don’t forget to personalize your kit with a unique set of drum shell wraps.
1. Stress Reliever
There is something stress-reducing about banging on things when you’re stressed, so why not channel that urge into playing a percussion instrument. Playing drums can relieve stress, frustration, and disappointment because it can boost your mood in a few minutes. Drummers’ brains release feel-good endorphins immediately after playing music according to an online journal Evolutionary Psychology.
2. Immune System Booster
Health-wise, drums can also be very beneficial to you. In Dr. Bittman’s study, he suggests that a drumming session (which he has called HealthRhythm) is an excellent immune system booster as it increases the disease fighting activity of circulating white blood cells (Natural Killer cells) that seek out and destroy cancer cells and virally-infected cells. He acknowledges, “Group drumming tunes our biology, orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin.”
3. Brain Power Booster
Researchers found out in a recent study that drumming can also measurably boost brain power, specifically when it comes to IQ. We all know that to play a decent beat, you have to coordinate all four limbs to work together at the same time. Meaning you have to use and strengthen even your non-dominant side to have coordination with your dominant ones. According to Pat Brown, International Drum Month chairman, and Percussion Marketing Council co-executive director, “Being able to understand musical notes and dissect how rhythms work and go together is a very complicated thought process. The most recent study shows that being constantly exposed to this type of brain activity can improve one’s IQ level.”
4. Fitness
Drumming requires power and strength to produce the sound correctly. The fitter you are, the easier it is to play for more extended periods, which makes for a fun way to exercise and provides a motivation to be healthy.
5. Develops Confidence
Drumming is powerful. A lot of people view drumming as an excellent instrument to learn. To be successful, every drummer must learn to play dynamically: loud and soft. Playing loud beats takes courage and confidence as drums can easily attract attention. You must believe that you can learn challenging parts by starting slow and breaking them down hence developing a growth mindset in you. Conquering challenges means persistence, and if you’re able to do so, this skill can be applied in many areas of life.
6. Social and Creative Development
Whether adults or kids, everyone enjoys drumming. It is capable of uniting ages and cultures around the world, which opens doors for communication and the formation of bonds between people. It’s a global language everyone could, and should, be a part of.
7. It’s fun!
What better reason to take up drums than to have fun. Dr. Bittman says that “drums are accessible and don’t present the challenge of a learning curve – anyone regardless of handicap can sit and beat out a rhythm on a drum.” So no matter how experienced you are in playing an instrument, it’s a highly enjoyable way of primitive awakening rhythms without feeling too pressured.
If you’re having doubts or fears in starting to learn drums, we hope that these reasons will encourage you to pick up the sticks and play beats to your heart’s content.