Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #789937 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

From Booklist
As drumming grows popular as a spiritual as well as artistic pursuit, drummers and drumming teachers like Helm step forward with instruction that goes beyond what one got in high-school band. Most who embark upon drumming as a spiritual path don't play snare or bass drums, in any case, nor are there any spiritual marching bands--yet. Typically, the drums played spiritually are ethnic instruments, such as the Arabic doumbek and the African djembe, that are held between the legs or on a strap around the neck, and played with the hands. Helm includes the basics on playing such drums in the text and an accompanying CD. Beyond that, he teaches such nontechnical aspects of drumming as drum-circle courtesy, how to find a teacher or group, and drumming traditions. Sometimes his technical expertise and spiritual grounding fuse, as in the chapter on how to play "laid back" or just behind the beat--a challenging style that seems as much meditation as technique. Patricia Monaghan
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Customer Reviews

Simply Marvelous
Earlier this year, I did my first drumming circle and was amazed at the power and energy I felt. This was something that appealed to me and I knew I needed to get my own drum. I found a beautiful djembe and began playing in a handful of different drumming circles. However, at one of them I found myself getting frustrated because I was unable to keep up the rhythm. It was not too long after that I came across this book. Perfect, I thought..a book about drumming by a drummer himself!

And in it, Helm talks not about the techniques of drumming, but more about the reasons why we drum, and the philosophies behind it. Why it is better to play soft, leave notes out, then it is to "bang on the drum all day," as Todd Rundgren would say. Helm makes so many great points in this book and I found myself very much in agreement with his philosophy, and of pointing out that we all have rhythm inside each of us, and that we need to let that spirit come out and be joyful.

At a time when I was beginning to doubt whether drumming was something I could enjoy, this book reinforced the enthusiasm I felt the first time when I hit a drum. I now have a much better idea and philosophy about drumming. Thanks Russell!

informative..lots of spirit!
As an uninitiated and therefore shy one in the realm of the drum circle I needed some reassurance. This is the book that will convince you that the drum will drum you if you relax and let it. Ater just a couple of chapters I sauntered into our local drum circle and jammed. Thank you Russell Buddy Helm.

An ideal introduction to drumming for magic & spirituality.
Russell Buddy Helm's Drumming The Spirit To Life includes a cd of drumming to enhance the method presented in this book. Basic and advanced patterns for spiritual drumming will apply to both user and listener, with chapters outlining connections between magic and drumming.