A Drum, Your Story: Alex Conroy

Guest Blogger: Alex Conroy, Smiling Drum participant for 2 years I am a psychologist with a passion for psychophysiology, which is the study of how improving the functioning of the body and brain raises the health of the mind. My attention was first turned to drumming because of research I read o... Read More

A Drum, Your Story: Liz Spicer

Guest Blogger: Liz Spicer, Smiling Drum participant for 2.5 years I came from a family that loved music! My mother played the piano, and my father and brother drummed and sang. And I watched and clapped! I had good rhythm, but my voice was off-tune and I was pretty lousy at the piano. Girls never... Read More

Reflections on the Summer of 2020 - Community connections!

Smiling Drum Women’s Ensemble had the pleasure of performing our musical repertoire of world drum pieces at a variety of outdoor venues in Minnesota this Summer. In July it was an outdoor event at Path of Grace church in Maplewood. In September we had events at three different Senior living facil... Read More

Learn to drum your way! Which may not involve reading music!

What way do you learn best? In general it is suggested that there are 7 learning styles. The main 4 are aural, visual, physical and verbal. Most of us will have a combination of styles with one style having the biggest impact. Drumming is not based on scales (melodic scales) but rather patterns ... Read More

Drumming with others inspires women, men, and children alike

Drumming with others provides an experience of many rhythms/drum beats or parts coming together as one. As the parts come together a special connection is made with all involved. This connection inspires women, men, and children alike. Another word for the connection is “united”. Feeling united/c... Read More

Drumming offers a way to relax, feel good, and overall manage stress.

During this unprecedented time we need to find outlets to keep us healthy and sane. Drumming can be an enjoyable way to do both. Drumming provides mindfulness. It keeps you in the present moment. Group participants often say “when I am drumming I can not think of anything else, which helps me ”. ... Read More

Women as Drummers

Smiling Drum Studio is dedicated to women and community. Women say to me that it is nice to have a safe space and place to learn to drum. Having a place that supports women as drummers and builds on the lineage of women drummers has been important to me. One way that I continue to be a part of ... Read More

You are never too old or too young to learn to drum!

The drum does not know your age. Many cultures from around the world have had a history of embracing all generations within a drumming or music making group. Whether it is a specific rhythm pattern to be shared among generations, or a free style session in which players can do improvisations on t... Read More

What is “self expression” drumming?

It is letting the rhythm and beats out. We all have a heart beat and that is one important rhythm that we already have working in us. But, so many more rhythms and beats are in us and can be expressed through the drum and percussion instruments. Some drum sessions e.g. HealthRHYTHMS, is natural d... Read More

"Zero to 60" You are a drummer

You can go from “zero” experience to becoming a drummer in “60” minutes! Believe it! Drumming is very accessible. You can learn how to make a few sounds on a hand drum (in about10 minutes) and from there you are ready to use them in a musical rhythm. Hand drumming pieces are made up of overlapp... Read More