Drum Communications and Team Training

DOLLE COMMUNICATIONS

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Playing Drum Rhythms Improves Brain Function, Non-Verbal Communication, and Overall Health

From: Dolle Communications March 28, 2008

Stephen Dolle, of Dolle Communications, a.k.a. "The Professor," gives keynotes and workshops using drums and rhythm to boosts participant's non-verbal communication skills, confidence, cognitive function, mobility, movement, and general wellness. His programs are available to corporate and sales organizations, families, individuals, sports organizations, and health centers.

"The science in support of these applications revolves around how we are designed with, and surrounded by, thousands of rhythmic processes tied into planet Earth," Dolle explains. "It should come as no surprise that our command of audible and inaudible rhythms determines our physical prowess, and in large part, our grasp of language. In their simplest form, rhythms are mathematical patterns. But to a pulsing heart, they are sophisticated codes of communication, thought, movement, and cues for voluntary action. Along with centers of our primal brain, and the body's sensory system to touch, time, and space, rhythmic patterns signal the brain when and how to initiate actions like walking, talking, and moving our extremities."

Dolle says our awareness and attentiveness to rhythm affords us a better understanding of time and space, and enables to perform athletics and coordinated team sports such as football. This makes audible rhythms a perfect training and syncopation tool for team sports. Early humans heavily relied upon purposeful rhythmic hand, body, and audible gestures. Once humans began speaking and living communally (around 5000 to 10,000 BC), we slowly began loosing our innate skills at understanding body rhythm as language. This is why we are so fascinated with music and sports today.

The role of rhythm in our daily lives changes as we age. As our necessary survival skills continues to evolve, there is continued optimizing of rhythm's role in our lives. Factors like age, health, neurological development, geography, and quality of life also impact our ability to optimize our understanding of "rhythm codes." These codes influence our physical health, bodily coordination, intellectual capacity (comprehension, voluntary thought, action), and inter-personal communication (i.e. work, community, family). It is critical that we maintain our rhythm skills to remain competitive, healthy, and properly connected to those around us. Regrettably, our increasing reliance on electronic communications and technology may NOT permit sufficient exposure to needed communication rhythms. While electronic communications and artificial intelligence offers many benefits, it is yet to replace live human interaction. We still require human rhythm codes. They make up the subtle vibrations and sometimes overt body movements we glean from each other. Whether this could occur through remote and/or telepathic communications, is unclear - but certainly possible based on what we know about the universe.

Using various drums and percussion instruments, Dolle demonstrates how the human body is a transceiver and receiver of rhythmic cues involved in every thought, action, and inter-personal communication. He designs drum applications to help users improve rhythmic skill and attentiveness, business and personal communications, syncopation in sports, balance and coordination, and intellectual capacity. His presentations are a combination of lecture, instruction, and entertainment - depending on the audience. He appears at business expos, companies, sports team events, drum and music concerts, fundraising benefits, educational summits, and health and wellness expos.

On the public relations (PR) 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 promoting (through PR) rap and hip-hop artists to write/record 2nd copy (less offensive language version) of some popular songs so they may be more readily listened to by non-adult audiences. And also on the PR front, we are promoting a philanthropic music and drum circle outreach proposal designed to get funding and support for inner city and at-risk teens who are interested in playing and competing with live percussion, and in conjunction with rap/hip-hop vocals.

Click on this Health Drumming link to see our section on health and wellness drumming.

Drum Circle Training Tools for Sales and Corporate Setting: Featured Auto Dealership

Non-verbal communications comprise a critical aspect of dialogue and relationships in the corporate and sales setting. Whether a fellow employee might be offended or mis-informed about what is said to them is as much dependant upon the body language of the person speaking, as the actual words. Similarly, it is the responsibility of the listener to be attentive to the speaker's message - both verbal and non-verbal. Both parties must correctly send and be attentive to the language of the "rhythmic code." The same goes for sales staff and customers in a sales setting. In this discussion, Stephen Dolle explains how a "drum circle" fosters improved non-verbal communications in a business setting.

We feature a drum circle application to improve sales (corporate) communications between salespersons and customers at an auto dealership. Here, a staff of five salespeople are on the floor during most hours of operation. This dealership, like many others do, has a policy that sales staff are to take turns on new approaching customers. Here is how a drum circle was used to improve customer/salesperson relations.

When a customer would walk up to the entry area of the dealership, they reported being starred at by anxious sales staff. Customers widely report feeling uncomfortable shopping for cars at most U.S. auto dealerships. In this instance, a woman came seeking information on a car and said she felt mugged. There was a brief body language exchange, a verbal exchange, and the customer was escorted to look over several cars. The woman shared that she felt every salesperson within eyesight groped her with eye and body language. Even though the others were not helping her, they apparently groped all the same. The customer reported she couldn't wait to see what she came to see - and get out. The experience would seem a dysfunctional way to buy or get information on a car, and would seem to be harming sales at this auto dealership.

We introduced a "drum circle" of djembes and assorted small percussion to train the salespeople how to be more attentive to their body rhythm and body language, and communicate a more conducive message to causing customers to buy. Sales staff needed to be taught how to greet customers with welcoming and trusting body language. Each salesperson was given an instrument and instructed how to play, using their body. They were instructed how the rhythms played and their body language is a direct reflection of what they are thinking. In other words, their body language and vibrations transmit their true intent to customers.

In a drum circle, it's important to be aware of the courteous and attentive manner in which the participants interact rhythmically with each other, as it becomes a collective rhythm or conversation. This says a lot about how they are perceived by customers who visit the dealership. The team concept is strengthened by way of participants learning to play drums/percussion as a team. We teach how in the business world, salespeople who work as a team, are usually more successful. And customers tend to buy from successful people and businesses.

As a drumming participant, you must know how to respond after making a mistake. You should acknowledge it via a nod of eye contact and body language. We taught participants to establish one collective rhythm that would be favorable to customers. We taught visualizing being out on the sales floor or lot while playing. The proper team energy is critical and contagious, and will draw others to you, your work group, and your circle. People are attracted to things that are true and special. Every drum circle is special. Every customer relationship is special!

After completion of six drum communications sessions, the sales staff became more aware of their body language and the team concept. They were now more confident and exuded welcoming non-verbal communication, as well as the same in verbal interaction. Even when it was not their customer, they knew how their body language could support each sale - and how this process in turn helped their own sales.

The above example illustrates the importance of proper body language in customer sales communications. As you play drum rhythms with your body, you learn to sharpen your non-verbal communication skills. Your body transmits what you are thinking. And your body language in large part determines whether customers will like you, trust you, and buy from you - and how you will be received by co-workers.

Drum Circle Communications Training and Syncopation Tools for College, NFL Football

Non-verbal communications and body rhythm codes are critical in on-field communications and play execution in college and NFL football games. Here, players (and coaching staff) must not only read non-verbal cues from teammates, coaches, and opponents, but they must execute every play with flawless 11-man syncopation. This syncopation of movement, time, and space against that of an unknown opponent doing the same, hoping one's attentiveness, directions, and interpretations were correct - transpiring over a period of less than 30 seconds - is known in college and NFL football as "getting the play right." But what do the rhythms mean?

They are the collective body rhythm codes of 22 men on either side of the ball, with support from the sideline. These rhythmic codes are recorded onto various play and visual formats, analyzed, and implemented on the field. It is worth noting that every person walks and runs with a unique body language or rhythm code. Coaching staff must evaluate this, and assemble teams of 11 men to carry out syncopated plays. Within game situations, rhythmic codes are involved in: 1) communications between teammates and coaches, 2) reading the intent and reacting to the movement of the 11 opposing players (and their sideline), 3) responding and adapting the team rhythm to external rhythms such as fans and weather conditions, and 4) real time play execution and syncopation (time, athletic advantage, and space). And if there weren't already enough to do, teams must deal with player injuries, substitutions, player psyches, and various concentration levels.

Drum and drum circle training has enumerable applications in football in assembling the best matching players onto teams, in skills training, in play preparation and syncopation, in team communications, unity, and psyche, and in pregame preparation to mention a few. Drum training offers four main benefits: improves non-verbal communication skills, strengthens player intellect and sense of time and space (athleticism), strengthens player and coach attentiveness to those around them, and helps in building team unity and spirit. Football programs employ a variety of cadence training and off-field methods to achieve team syncopation. Undoubtedly, what sets each apart are their tools, preparation, and discipline. Drums and drum circles training are the ultimate college and NFL football training tools, and they should be optimized.

Let's introduce a drum circle of tan tans, and large and mid-size djembes to the offense of a football program. The drum circle facilitator initially will play a particular rhythm that audibly mirrors the rhythmic code or movement of each player. This way they begin to "hear" the rhythms of each other. As the quarterback (QB) sets the timing of the offensive plays, he must initiate and hold the anchor or core rhythm of the offensive drum circle, preferably with a mid to large djembe. He must also be attentive to every player's rhythm in the circle, and make the call to adapt when needed. The center (C) plays the largest bass or tan tan, and plays the root bass beat of the rhythm. The guards (G) play bass beats either on tan tan or large djembes. The tackles (T) are on large djembes and play a combination of fill, and bass fill. The tight ends (TE) are on mid-size djembes and play fill off each other, the QB, and the group. The fullback is on a larger djembe and plays a variety of fill, bass, and lead rhythms off of the QB, RBs, and offensive line, consistent with his role as lead blocker, running back, or receiver. The running backs (RB) play lead and bass fill rhythms on mid-size djembes, consistent with blocking, running, or receiving roles. This method teaches the players to be attentive to each other, to adapt to the rhythm code opportunities of the circle (and its time and space), to be supportive of the entire team movement and syncopation, and lead when opportunity presents. It helps make players more aware of their teammates' body rhythm codes through audible mirroring, and learning how to better trust their reads, time, and space judgment as they assume lead roles.

Let's introduce a separate drum application for the QB. Using a single bass tan tan and mallets on the field, the drum circle facilitator observes the QBs body rhythms and footwork as he executes various snaps and plays, and creates audible rhythms that mirror his movements, and records it. He then instructs the QB to play specific rhythms on the tan tan to simulate his various drop back and release motions with the ball. The QB should be standing and play the drum with his entire body, each beat in synchronization with every step and turn. This football drill teaches the QB to be better in synch in the pocket, more aware of elapsed time after a snap, and is an excellent warm-up drill before the start of games.

Lastly, let's touch on a "team building" drum circle. Its purpose is to open up communications, bridge divides, and strengthen the whole of a team, albeit a sports team or corporate organization. Football teams, such as the Cincinnati Bengals or USC Trojans, come to mind. A few drum circles can change the dynamics of a team by allowing participants to employ drums, body language, and audibles - in an arranged setting. This setting encourages unlikely participants to step up and lead a rhythm conversation, and can have long lasting effects on a team. The setting and message also impacts the outcome. For instance, a quiet room or outdoor setting, allows for more provocative thought. Whereas, a circle at night around a fire, becomes a definitive morale and energy booster. The drum circle facilitator will instruct participants what and how to play based on the needs of the organization.

Rumor has it that the New England Patriots in 2007 implemented new play timing and on-field communications. Their syncopation and team play appears near flawless - like that possible thru extensive rhythm training. We offer an array of drum applications for football, basketball, and other sports programs. Contact us for further information.

Drum Coordination and Timing Tools aid Mobility, Balance, and Walking Difficulties

Drum and rhythm training aids the brain, body, and makes you smarter. Our drum training methods teach participants to conceptualize mathematical rhythmic patterns, and to carry out these progressions in extended formats, far more than one could count using the ordinary counting skill of the brain. This method enhances not often used areas of the "primal brain." Along with the body's sensory ability to orient time and space, our brains can track precise rhythmic patterns and communicate the appropriate signals to the appropriate centers for "when and how" to walk, talk, and perform specific actions - with significantly less dependence on the brain's voluntary thought and movement centers. You've heard many stories of people who stuttered, yet could sing beautifully. Or could dance, but could barely walk. The secret is in utilizing the rhythm ability of the body, and enhancing the rhythmic syncopation of the brain/body to recognizable drum beats.

As people age, and similarly after a brain injury or onset of an immobilizing neurological disorder, precise voluntary control of physical acts like walking become compromised. A myriad of physical therapy and balance training methods are used to re-teach and strengthen supporting centers of the brain. In sports like football, quarterbacks must work tirelessly on hand, eye, and footwork syncopation to be deliver a football in split-second time. Similarly, the popular dance pad video game uses music and rhythm to improve foot coordination and balance.

Many drum training methods can be done individually at home, as well as in group settings. The objective is to teach each participant how to initiate actions like walking, talking, and eating with less voluntary thought - moving to a rhythm using the time structure awareness of their body. We often ask participants to select a fun rhythm they can effortlessly play, or simply listen to an audio (if unable to play). We then select the upbeat or downbeat of the rhythm as a cue to initiate the desired activity. Cues can also be carried out through "tapping" the hand or fingers to a time structure, to cue numerous everyday activities.

We helped an individual with balance and walking skills after a brain injury. He had difficulty navigating his way around a small living quarters. We taught some rhythm patterns to match the steps and turns he needed to take in his residence, teaching him to tap out the upbeats and downbeats on his thigh and hip - corresponding to turning, stepping, and bending to pick things up. This method engages the less voluntary action of the cerebellum (and body rhythm) to cue the legs and feet, with less of a physical challenge. Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), post TBI, or stroke who have a lot of difficulty standing and initiating walking can use this rhythm and cue method to better their mobility. Those with autism require more hands-on instruction, and require more specific rhythms for their action needs.

A senior center had been conducting a weekly step class to help patrons maintain their walking and balance skills. They had been playing music of various beat patterns. We came in with a tan tan and large djembe drum, and taught them a simple step pattern to keep to a beat we created. Then we gave them a simple jingle to remember the rhythm - to practice and use as they walked about at their residence.

For more information on our drum training programs and methods, contact us by email or telephone.