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By: Stephen Dolle, Neuroscientist and Percussionist        Revised: June 11, 2010

Introduction:

    This section provides some in-depth views and scientific findings with respect to rhythms that are played in community and special population/ application drum circles. Scientists have studied the human response to rhythms for many years, yet it is only in recent years, that modern science has been able to document the influential effects that audible rhythm has upon humans. Dolle Communications has been following this research and the newly reported relationships between audible rhythm, physical movement, functional neurobiology, and inter-personal communication. For more information on our specific drum circle applications and facilitator/ speaker consulting services, please refer to our section on Drum Circle Workshops & Keynotes.

    Drum circles is a term used to broadly identify a collection of people organized to play a variety of percussive instruments, from small to large drums, bells, shakers, wooden blocks, beaded instruments, and more. Participants might come together for a healing or spiritual ceremony, for musical performance, community assembly, in celebration, or in competition as was portrayed in the movie, "Drum Line." Here's a flier on the many ways Modern Drumming and Drum Circles are used today.

Full Moon Drum Circle 2008

    Four major components make up the human "perception" of rhythm. They include: the audible beat or rhythm structure, vocal/instrument audible toning features, a performers body movement, and words or lyrics spoken. Each conveys a message heavily based on the "intent" of the performer. It is very difficult for a performer to alter all the components during a performance. For this reason, listeners come away from a performance feeling the intent of the performer. If all components elicit the same message, it is viewed as a powerful performance.

    Live musical percussion affects listeners on physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual levels. First, you physically feel and move to the rhythms. We reference rhythm and time structure to time in each day, and also to our own heart beat. The rhythms and intent of the performer next affect us in emotional ways, which causes numerous chemicals to be released within the brain, each having its specific role in human activity. The music or rhythm spurs intellectual thought from the increase in brain chemicals, with subsequent prompts to take action. And lastly, it produces a type of spiritual response where we may reflect on the larger or communal issues in life. All of these combine to create a cause and affect upon us, and it is in these regards, that we view music and rhythm as a form of communication. These elements take place in every drum circle at some level.

    On the PR (public relations) front, we earlier launched a new awareness campaign on the benefits of rhythm and musical percussion in learning, entitled, "Play Rhythm, Be Smart." This campaign is designed to inform organizations, schools, and the public on the many benefits of performing rhythm and percussion. We are also actively encouraging (through PR) leading rap and hip-hop artists to write/record a 2nd and less offensive language version of some songs so that they can be more readily listened to by non-adult audiences. Last on the PR front, we include a link to our own philanthropic and drum circle outreach proposal to help inner city and at-risk teens play and compete using live percussion, and also in conjunction with rap/hip-hop vocals.

Rhythm as the Measurement of Movement and Time (Possible Spiritual Portal):

    Rhythm exists in all forms of life - whether you hear it, see it, think it, or feel it. Our heart and lungs, and thousands of body physiologic processes, all move with a specific rhythm. We walk and run with our own unique rhythm. Rhythm gives us cues about what is about to occur.

    Math is also rhythmic, and rhythm is mathematical. Momentum, which we observe in all movement, sports, and everything we do, is a speeding up or slowing down of action - all referenced to "time." TIME is the constant per the sun and Earth's orbits, with reference to our actual TIME here on Earth. The earth also produces a magnetic field and gives off vibrations at a specific frequency, or time structure. When audible rhythms, such as Latin rhythms, move in, over, and around a TIME structure, it is that magical movement in difference to the rhythms of our bodies that creates the extraordinary effect on our senses. Some researchers report that waveforms in the human brain will actually align in "syncopation" with that of audible and visual rhythms observed after a period of 8 to 10 minutes. This is also commonly referred to as "brain wave entrainment," and offers numerous health and wellness and inter-personal communications benefits. Within the ranks of the drumming community, there is speculation as to certain "spiritual occurrences" that may take place at a drum circle. The photo above and below were taken at our full moon drum circle at Aliso Beach (Laguna Beach) during 2009. While the spirit and animal-like images in these photos is a matter of interpretation, the fact that so many of the photos appear to contain "animal and spirit images" in the flames of the bonfire is beyond happenstance. It seems clear that, on some level, there are spiritual communications occurring at this event. As part of this monthly event, participants also cast their troubles into the fire. Some even write these on a piece of paper.

    Rhythm-- is made up of both "time" and "movement." When one melodically changes the tempo and rhythm structure, it feels as if the artist has "bent time." Since "time" is what defines our every element of existence here on Earth, "bending time" momentarily frees us from that which continually grounds us. It also can alter the waveforms of thought in our brains.  We postulate this effect is due to the close inter-dependence of cognitive thought on our awareness of time and space, where our human reference to "time" is well documented. We store and recall much of our memory and experiences according to "time." Learning math and listening to audible rhythms helps us better store and recall memories. As much of our everyday life is tied to "time," audible rhythm can be used as a key marker of orientation and thought. Specific rhythms can also elucidate a pre-determined action or affect. It might put us at peace, be motivational, make us fearful, filled with love, excitement, anger, etc., spanning a gamut of emotions and behavioral responses.

    Our brains are capable of processing complex rhythms far more easily than previously thought, and while we are unaware. The more we listen to music and complex rhythms, the more efficient the process becomes. At some point, rhythm recognition and processing becomes autonomous (effortless), and it allows one's brain to more freely and efficiently devote effort to important complex and conscious thought. In some instances, the brain can become so "free" that one looses orientation to TIME and SPACE, similar to what occurs in deep meditation. This can and does happen in many drum circles, and dating back more than 2000 years in spiritual and communal ceremonies. Our web section on AI Research & Technology lends some additional insight on cognition and meditation.

Rhythms form the Foundation of All Language:

    Rhythm helped to form the earliest "language" and communication between early man, occurring in an area of the brain that scientists often refer to today as the "primal brain." The primal brain helps learn to talk, communicate, walk, and develop mobility in order to survive. Our primal brain's natural inclinations with this primal language, or body language, can be seen in sports, tribal rhythms of world communities, and even in monkeys and animals today. In fact, scientists report here that monkeys scored the same on math tests as college students. Using more sophisticated higher brain functions, including mathematics, humans then pioneered Morse code, electronic signaling, and the advent of electronic communications devices today.

    Have you noticed the number of television ads today that feature "drums and percussion" to elicit the ad message? Gone is the the once staple ad format that featured a popular TV or film personality pitching a product, with a recognizable musical jingle in the background that reached a crescendo by the finish of the ad. See our web section on Entertainment.

    Scientists and advertisers are discovering that residents of developed Western countries like the U.S. are being inundated with many new sources of audio, visual, intellectual, and physical information. As a result, consumers are having to be more discretionary in choosing what information they subject to their sensory channels. Neuroscience researchers report that all five human senses transmit sensory information to one lone segment in the brain for processing, known as the "hippocampus." Researchers report that " overstimulation" of the hippocampus is leading to a variety of new learning, stress, and mental health related problems today. Advertisers are now using musical percussion to transmit ad messages without any spoken words. How does one know which rhythm/percussion sequence transmits what message?

    First, let's examine how audible rhythms form the foundation of music, language, and non-verbal communication. Our bodies are mere conduits of thought, emotion, and spiritual "intent." It is this "intent" which is broadcasts as observable audio and physical rhythms, and received by others. Internationally recognized author and drum circle facilitator, Arthur Hull, posed the question: "Which occurs first, the rhythm, or the dance?" Hull writes, "the dance," as the dance comes from within us. So if physical dance is the transmitter, and we sense it via our body's complex sensory system, how do we sense " intent?"

    As the best modern science can tell, we sense "intent" through our brain's highest level functions, raising speculation on our brain's role in intuition and spiritual telepathy, broadly termed the "sixth sense" today. Why all the above discussion? It appears at the core of all forms of rhythm reception is a "sixth sense" type operation taking place in sensory areas of our brains, working in concert with our primal brain. Researchers cannot say with any level of certainty which rhythmic sequences transmit which "message," but we know that the intent of the transmitting person is integral in the message. Secondly, there are culturally specific "rhythms" which have been in existence for thousands of years and transmit communications that are innately (partly) understood, though in the West we appear further removed and less aware. Some of these rhythm sequences today still form an integral part of communication in a number of African and Latin American tribal communities.

    How can music, percussion, and rhythm be of practical use today? It can be used as a learning tool, as a personal coach or therapist tool for wellness and healing, and it can be used to train work and sports teams to become better coordinated in communications. Group rhythms tend to cause a group to think and behave alike, in syncopation, and can create a common "brain wave entrainment" for the entire group. This is accomplished when participants use heightened listening, sensing, and trusting of the instinct and judgment that emanate from the circle. Active participation in drum circles and percussion will enhance an individual's ability to both transmit, and receive/interpret, non-verbal rhythmic and visual language cues.

How the Brain Processes Rhythm: What is the Mozart Effect?:

    Rhythm appears to more easily reach key sensory pathways and is processed faster (than other sensory information) by the "hippocampus." According to published research, the sense of smell is processed the fastest. Because the hippocampus can become inundated by visual and auditory stimuli, we believe rhythm is more readily processed to thought and that are better able to utilize it in our "sixth sense" receptors than information coming through our other sensory pathways. One could equate processing of rhythm to that of a computer processing "raw data."

    In 2002, and revised in 2005, was our Sensory Processing Study where we used a metronome to measure the response to different auditory, vestibular, and visual stimuli, varying the rhythmic patterns, volume, and tempo to try and explain the common neurological disorder, "sensory integration dysfunction," also termed neuro-hypersensitivities. This involve a decrease in the tolerance level to various visual, audio, and vestibular stimuli and experiences, known to occur autism, PTSD, TBI, migraine, hydrocephalus, concussion, and related disorders.  We found a direct relationship between heightened sensitivities to specific repetitive rhythm patterns (i.e. diesel engines, air tools, room noise) and headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue - which interferes with cognitive function, learning, and comprehension. Next, we introduced a protocol gradually exposing the study subjects to these offensive audible rhythms, with the intent of improving cognitive tolerance and compensation, and reducing the effect of neurological deficits. We found a causal relationship between simple harmonic rhythms, complaints, and a decreased ability to learn, where more complex or "syncopated" rhythms were actually helpful in developing compensatory mechanisms and noise tolerance. 

    The complex pathways of the human brain involve a specific flaw in how we process sensory information, that can result in audio and visual processing difficulties where the signals appear enhanced as louder signals, making a lot of audio and visual stimuli difficult to tolerate. We found, using a 50-pattern metronome, that the dysfunction is related to the syncopation of the sound, where melodic beat patterns were much easier to process, to the point of being therapeutic. It would seem that our brain's melodic affinity to syncopated sound is at the very core of the positive cognitive benefits of what is widely known as the "Mozart Effect." Our Auditory Study also discusses the mechanism of audio-visual over-stimulation from sources like machinery and room noise in public places. Research suggests that music's extraordinary affect upon the brain is due to the result of both rhythm and tonal influences emanating from voices and musical instruments. Music & Art Therapy has emerged today as a form of medical therapy in of itself.

Modern Applications of Rhythm and Drum Circles:

    Our connection with rhythm, music, and language dates back to the earliest period of man. It is believed that rhythm producing tools emerged not long after early man first began communicating with vocal groans and rhythmic tones, prior to the formation of any spoken language. Early language is believed to have originated from thought intent, vocal toning, and then rhythmic cues. These same communication features are culturally fundamental to all languages today, with some exception provided for English and Western languages, which have relied more on the spoken and written word, and somewhat less on non-verbal cues. However, more recently, it appears that Western scientists and communications experts are now emphasizing the additional information gleaned through non-verbal language, and an improved familiarity with rhythm is integral in understanding non-verbal cues. Listen to two community drum circle audios: a short drum circle audio 1 and longer drum circle audio 2.

    Today, Western scientific research is paving the way for new applications of rhythm and participation in "drum circles," in such areas as improving health and wellness, enhancing family, social, and workplace communications and integration, and boosting one's attentiveness to non-verbal cues critical in team tasks and sports. Drum circles also aid inter-personal expression by allowing participants to communicate deep personal messages without the apprehension and/or trauma of actually speaking. Did you see the 2008 film, "The Visitor?" Follow all the post release discussions.

    There is a growing interest in today's corporate culture to utilize drum circles for corporate team building and professional sports, such as football, basketball, and cycling. Stephen Dolle has undergone drum circle facilitator training with Arthur Hull's Village Music Circles, plus is qualified to design protocols for a variety of applications.  We utilize a mix of neuroscience, music, business, sports, and health care knowledge to create specific application protocols for each and every client.

    Drum circles can have a large impact on the performance of team sports, such as football and basketball, where a tailored drumming protocol can enhance team non-verbal communication, and subsequently, team performance. Group drumming teaches participants to "function as a unit," where split-second decisions are critical. Drumming may also have applications in military and police training, which requires peak readiness and coordinated execution. The following "flier" lists the many ways Drumming and Drum Circles are used today.

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