Abstract:

Music provides many benefits such as enjoyment and wellness. It is used for therapy and it is used for partying. Certain songs may also resonate with individuals providing them with understanding and strength during difficult times. Music is also connected to memories as listening to a particular song can make people remember things such as events, people, emotions and experiences of the past. Music can mean different things to different people. For instance, for some people music can be a companion to loneliness, for others it can be an energy boost for activity, some use it to meditate, whereas others cite particular bands or specific songs as having saved their life, among other meanings to different people. Music is also being used to help learn languages as it has been shown to improve vocabulary and help enhance pronunciation and listening skills. The purpose of this study was to investigate additional possible benefits of music that may come from actively playing music instead of just listening to it and we focused on playing the drums or drumming. Research is showing that drumming is increasingly being recognized for its enhancement of physical and mental well-being. People can drum alone or with other people. Drum circles, for instance, are one form of group drumming. Drumming with other people also includes jamming with other drummers and playing drums in a band. Similarly, learning the drums can also be done independently, 1-on-1 with a tutor, or as part of a small class with other people. The internet is also an incredibly useful tool and resource for learning the drums either individually or with tutors. Through a literature review and interviews with educators who are teaching drums in universities, we identified further health benefits of drumming and best practices for teaching drums in higher education. For instance, class sizes should be very small, and the use of a variety of genres of music is recommended for introductory courses, while challenges include the need for having sound-proofed rooms. As for the health benefits, there were several. The results show benefits such as the reduction of stress, anxiety and depression, the improvement of coordination, motor skills and fitness, and helping to relieve chronic pain by triggering the release of endorphins, among other benefits. Learning to play the drums has advantages beyond education and can help with well-being. In conclusion, drumming has a range of health benefits including physical, cognitive and emotional health benefits. The paper ends with areas for future research.

Keywords:

Drums, Music, Health, Well-Being, Education, University.