What's that drumming noise?
Researchers at Canterbury Christ Church University are trying to promote drumming as an alternative therapy. They say evidence from studies - carried out in the United States - shows drumming helps to combat anxiety, depression, drug addiction. The health benefits are so good, they say, it should be available on prescription. For PM, Yvonne Murray went to a drumming workshop on the Folkestone Campus and you can hear her report tonight. Here are some of her words and pictures:
"Nick "Topper" Headon, former drummer of The Clash - at home in Folkestone.
This is Simon Lee, Community Musician who uses drumming to help people cope with depression, anxiety, mental health problems - he was photographed at the University Centre Folkestone."
Listen to PM
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~26~RS~)
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I can see how it can have beneficial effects but it must play havock with the old eardrum after a few years?
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Drummers are usually the sanest member of the band so perhaps there is some truth in it.
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Drummers? Ah yes, those people who hang around with musicians ...
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How can you tell if a band's stage is built level?
The drummer drools out of both sides of his mouth.
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I think I've heard an item somewhere on this. Could've been on the World Service, though...
I'm sure PM's will be by far the best possible, though.
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BUZZZ! Repetition of 'though'.
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Apologies in advance if there are any intelligent percussionists reading this, but I couldn't resist rolling out the standard set of jokes...
Q: What's the best way to confuse a drummer?
A: Put a sheet of music in front of him.
Q: Why is a drum machine better than a drummer?
A: Because it can keep time and won't sleep with your girlfriend.
Q: How do guitarists get away with parking in disabled spaces?
A: They put a pair of drumsticks on the dashboard.
Q: Did you hear about the dummer that went to university?
A: Neither did I...
Q: What do you call a beautiful woman on a drummer's arm?
A: A tattoo.
Then again, I play the piano (badly!), and that's technically a percussion instrument (the strings are bashed with a felt hammer rather than plucked or bowed)...
Q: What do you get if you drop a piano down a mine?
A: A flat minor.
Q: What do you get if you drop a piano on an army barracks?
A: A flat major.
Then again, if the number of jokes poking fun at the percieved (lack of) intelligence of musicians was anything to go by, violists would come off significantly worse than percussionists...
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Oh dear...the more jokes you look at, the worse they get...
Once upon a time, there was a pub filled with a bunch of drummers, all yelling "51 days! 51 days!" As more filter in, still yelling "51 days! 51 days!", the bartender's face becomes ever more puzzled. Finally, he asks one of them why they are all celebrating and chanting "51 days! 51 days!". The drummer replies: "Well, we all just finished a puzzle in 51 days and the box said 2 to 4 years!"
Don't say I didn't warn you!
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"What's that drumming noise?"
I'm 99% sure, it's not the sound of a Zebra's hoofs beating!
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Q. What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend?
A. Homeless
Boom boom?
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You can't beat this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbMlHAFZXx0&feature=related
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My favourite musical joke is still:
Q: What's the definition of perfect pitch?
A: Throwing a banjo into a skip without it touching the sides
To add a serious comment in relation to the article, as a pianist who occasionally suffers with depression I know that a good hour's practice can often lift my spirits on a bad day - nothing so dramatic as turning me into a shiny happy person, but it just does enough to soothe me and put me back on an even keel. It's amazing how much power playing a musical instrument can have.
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Keith Moon; must have been the most rounded person on the planet.
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I was once at a rehearsal where Simon Rattle told the following joke:
"What's the definition of a gentleman?
Someone who can play the viola, but doesn't."
. . . and many more along those lines. I have a son who's just taken up drumming and it's great for his co-ordination and his concentration. He's also learning tuned percussion, which he really enjoys.
I sing and play the piano and my daughter's a flautist and we've all noted how much better we feel for playing - I particularly use the piano as an outlet for both good and bad moods, and have done since I was a teenager.
Music in general is great therapy - just don't forget the earplugs if you're using and acoustic drum kit!
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Having been running a drumming group for pensioners for four years i can saftley say that drumming is great for health.
Our group is vibrant and all members enjoy all the said beefits.
what started as a group for the older peoples health has now grown into a performance and workshop group and we go to hospitals ,daycenters schools and share the fun.
great to hear Topper one of my drumming heros as well on article.
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Quite seriously, drumming may well cheer people up (if they are doing it, not necessarily if they are listening).
So does smiling, people claim. Even if it is a fake smile, it's supposed to make you feel better.
Visions of chortling drummers come to my mind. :-)
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A friend gave his 10 year-old granddaughter a drumkit for Xmas.
He said it was his revenge................
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After playing the drum kit for 30 years, in bands, in studios, in my own rehearsal, nothing is more true than the maxim of....'your band is only as good as your drummer'. Drummers are obliged to consider the coordination of 4 limbs, not 3 or 2 or less. The level of concentration required is not inconsiderable either, often being the base point of reference for other musicians who are guided by both the time-keeping and rythym duties of the drummer. Now, as an Occupational Therapist working in adult mental health, I am able to use this medium to great affect in group therapy. Drumming provides rythym and 'order' . It is also an opportunity for creativity and non-verbal communication to challenge the the pathology and disturbance of psychosis, anxiety, emotional trauma and depression. Drumming is a good 'stress buster' and can rebuild peoples self confidence and self esteem because of the 'doing' and completing of an activity. It also has a social component and fun element, providing opportunities for people to work and combine together, as well as experiencing enjoyment. Also, expertise in drumming or instrumentation is not a vital prerequiste, as long as you have enthusiasm and a basic appreciation of music and music theory. To finish, actually there is a greater musical truism then stated above.
'How many guitarists does it take to change a ight bulb?'
'One to change the bulb, and all the others to say.....'I could do that better'. Thats a PM challenge, find me a guitarist who has never spoken those words???
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Where's Ginger Baker?
Sadly, the only instrument I play is the Wobble board.
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VH 19, Here's Ginger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etrvv1-27Yg&feature=related
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