Handheld frame drums are among the oldest known musical instruments, dating back to prehistoric times. Drums have throughout the ages been used for ritual, prophecy and celebration. And, through the process of rhythmic entrainment, drums have the power to heal both individual and collective bodies. The key to the use of the drum as an instrument of healing is through repetition – monotony does not represent a lack of skill or imagination, but serves a therapeutic purpose, much as mantra, breath and chant repetition are used in Eastern traditions.
This paper describes the method and effect of rhythmic drumming.
