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'Drummers Are Natural Intellectuals'

rynner2

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'Drummers are natural intellectuals'
By Gary Cleland
Last Updated: 1:26am BST 17/04/2008

Drummers are better known for their beats than their brain power, but research has suggested that they might actually be natural intellectuals.

Scientists who asked volunteers to keep time with a drumstick before taking intelligence tests discovered that those with the best sense of rhythm also scored highest in the mental assessments.

Prof Frederic Ullen, from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, concluded that there was a link between intelligence, good timing and the part of the brain used for problem-solving.

He said: "The rhythmic accuracy in brain activity that is observed when a person maintains a steady beat is also important to the problem-solving capacities measured with the intelligence tests."

For the study, Prof Ullen and Guy Madison, from Sweden's Umea University, asked 34 right-handed men aged between 19 and 49 to tap a drumstick at a variety of different intervals.

They were then given a psychometric test of 60 questions and problems.

Prof Ullen said: "We found that people with high general intelligence were also more stable on a very simple timing task.

"We also found that these participants had larger volumes of the white matter in the brain, which contains connections between brain regions."

Scans of the brain have shown that it uses a wide distribution of areas to listen to music.

The left side tends to process rhythm and pitch and the right looks after timbre and melody.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... rum117.xml

But... ;)

Musicians' jokes about drummers
Last Updated: 8:32am BST 17/04/2008

What's the difference between a drummer and a drum machine? You only have to punch the information into a drum machine once.

What's the best way to confuse a drummer? Put a piece of sheet music in front of him.

What's the difference between a drummer and a savings bond? One will mature and make money.

What did the drummer say to the band leader? Do you want me to play too fast or too slow?

Did you hear about the bass player who locked his keys in the car? He had to break the car window to get the drummer out.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... rum217.xml
 
Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Ginger Baker - great drummers all.

But natural intellectuals? :roll:
 
Spillage. Seek him out.

He's The Salvation of the Human Race...


:)
 
My drummer in my husband's unpopular beat combo is ferociously intelligent. All the bass players I've met so far have been quite dim though. :)
 
Anyone can get rhythm
I feel energetic and alert, empowered in mind and body. That's what playing the drums can do for you
Lynsey Hanley The Guardian, Saturday April 19 2008

I had my third drumming lesson on the same day as reading what Swedish researchers had revealed. Those who can keep time while banging a stick on a table perform better at intelligence tests than those who can't. In other words, drummers are brainy, which means Ringo Starr and Animal from the Muppets must be in line for an apology from the entire non-drumming world - and I now have a cast-iron explanation for having spent my life playing chopsticks (as opposed to Chopsticks) on the worktop.

The discovery that rhythm and brains are connected can't be that much of a surprise to those blessed with the gift of keeping time for the duration of a song; it requires prolonged concentration and sharpness, and there is a maths-like quality to syncopation and maintaining complicated time signatures. Listening to the propulsive Motorik drive of 70s German band Neu!, the extraordinary speed and precision of jazz drummer Art Blakey, or Steve Reich's mesmerising intricacies can feel like climbing into, and getting willingly lost in, an MC Escher print.

Drums, like the heads of numbnut world leaders and climate-change deniers, are there to be pummelled with precision and controlled force. Imagining that your snare drum or floor tom is the head of a numbnut world leader or climate-change denier helps with technique - though naturally, being of above average intelligence, you regard anthropomorphism as infantile.

Drumming is the perfect exposition of mind and body in tandem, and before I get a call from Pseuds Corner 8) , I should like to add that absorbing yourself in a rhythm is so enjoyable, so purely uplifting, that everyone should do it. What's the point of a rock or pop song if it doesn't have a skin-tight rhythm section pinning your feet to the floor and willing you to clap hands on the off-beat? Go on, do it now! Feels good, doesn't it?

Richard Sennett's recent book, The Craftsman, includes reflections on his mastery of the cello - which he achieved to a professional standard before a wrist injury led him, not wholly improbably, to sociology. He reminds us that the practice of any skill will enrich and enliven the brain and, in so doing, nourish our capacity to get the most out of life. "The substance of the routine may change, metamorphose, improve," he writes, "but the emotional payoff is one's experience of doing it again. There's nothing strange about this experience. We all know it: it is rhythm."

I've heard those final three words before, albeit in a different order. A few years ago Simon Rattle led the Berlin Philharmonic and a hundred or so Berlin schoolchildren in an inspired, dance-enacted performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. The film of the concert, and of the students' months of rehearsal, was titled Rhythm is It!. And it is. It ought to go without saying that everyone, but everyone, should have the chance to learn a musical instrument, no matter how noisy, difficult or expensive, from the moment they start school.

Here's one reason why. Since taking up drum lessons a couple of months ago, I've got a spring in my step that can only come from saying to hell with it and doing something purely for its own sake. I'm also more alert, more energetic and, to be honest, almost pathetically glad to be living the dream at last. No amount of citizenship or positive-psychology lessons could have done that to my tender teenage head.

Sennett's book reminds anyone who reads it that you have all the more power to shape your life - to live intelligently might be another way of putting it - if opportunities to acquire meaningful skills, and to practice them, are readily available. If more members of the cabinet were to take heed, I might take their grinning mushes off my snare

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... dwellbeing
 
I can accept the linkage between sense of rhythm and intelligence, but I dispute the connection to drummers per se.

In my 3 decades of professional musicianship (rock / pop / blues) it was my observation that drummers rarely had the best 'beat sense' in the band.

Now that I think about it, though, the 3 most 'solid' drummers with whom I ever worked were all 'intelligent' folks.

Correspondingly, I can recall the 3 most tempo-challenged drummers as being on the 'dull' or 'dense' side ...

My experience was that the two positions most likely inhabited by 'intellectuals' were (*good / proficient*) bassist and / or keyboardist.
 
I have a friend who plays drums in an 80s revival band, and he has a Phd in mathematics... The bass player has an MSc in particle physics.
 
Drum solace for the midlife man
Playing and paying power of rock's ageing wannabes help to double kit sales
Robert Booth
Monday June 16, 2008
The Guardian

Earplugs were essential at Drummer Live yesterday, a cacophonous celebration of Britain's renewed passion for percussion. For 10 minutes every hour, dozens of players unleashed their loudest licks in a 110-decibel frenzy - a sound equivalent to that of a jet taking off 600 metres away.

Sales of percussion instruments have more than doubled in the last decade, from £15m in 1997 to £35m last year, according to the Musical Instrument Association (MIA), partly thanks to the rise of the middle-aged drummer and the rebirth of rock acts such as Led Zeppelin. Some retailers said the popular Cadbury's advert featuring a gorilla drumming to In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins triggered an uplift in sales.

Yesterday, 50-something men were out in force at the ExCeL centre in east London, confirming suspicions that for some a gleaming lacquered drum kit is now a better antidote to middle age than a sports car or a motorbike.
"I release all my frustrations on the drum kit after work, like hitting a punchbag," said Steve Hughes, from Dartford, who has been playing for 30 years. "My family tend not to listen. I have a little room at the bottom of the garden where I can do what I want."

Dentist Michael White, 55, has played since he was 12: "When I get away from doing my profession I knock myself out wild with my percussion. It's my midlife crisis - I'll enjoy it how I want." 8)

Tom Winch, manager of House of Drums in Southend, said the boom was being fuelled by these "weekend warriors", who buy electronic kits for as much as £3,000. "In the 1960s and 1970s, everyone was in a band, and that is why we are finding the 50-somethings coming back into the market," Winch said.

Half of the money spent on percussion goes on electronic kits, which "have put paid to mums telling their children: 'Not on your life are you having drums'", said Paul McManus, spokesman for the MIA. The boom is likely to continue with the release of a Drum Hero computer game, similar to the bestselling Guitar Hero.

Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who filled in for his father at the band's reunion gig, compared the thrill to an out-of-body experience. "Its me versus the kit when I play, like doing a lap in a Formula One car," he added. "Dad always said you have to groove."

Pete Ray Biggin, 28, who plays for Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, said it stopped him going off the rails: "I was a problem child and my teachers hated me. At school they couldn't control me so I used to just come home and practise drums and that chilled me out. All my energy went into practising."

But amid all the crashing cymbals, Justin Myers, 48, a freelance bass player from Norfolk, is worried that basic skills are overlooked. "I was doing a Petula Clark gig last weekend and she doesn't want all this flashy stuff - she wants a good groove, four in the bar," he said. "No one wants you to play like a monster when you're playing Downtown."

http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/ ... 78,00.html
 
Not only intellectuals, they're fit too!

Rock drummers 'are top athletes'

Playing the drums for a rock band requires the stamina of a Premiership footballer, research suggests.

Tests on Clem Burke, the veteran Blondie drummer, revealed that 90 minutes of drumming could raise his heart rate to 190 beats a minute.

Despite rock's reputation for unhealthy living, Dr Marcus Smith, from Chichester University, said drummers needed "extraordinary stamina".

A hour in concert could burn between 400 and 600 calories, he said.

Clem Burke, who provided the beat for hits such as "Heart of Glass", "Atomic" and "Call Me" was invited to take part in the eight-year project by Blondie fan Dr Smith.

It is hoped that the results could help develop outreach programmes for overweight children who are not interested in sport.

Burke was connected to equipment to measure his heart rate and oxygen uptake, and the levels of lactic acid in his blood.

He found that during a performance, his heart averaged between 140 and 150 beats a minute, peaking at 190, levels comparable to other top athletes.

However, Dr Smith said that while top footballers were expected to perform once or twice a week, drummers on tour would be doing it every night at a different venue.

He said: "Footballers can normally expect to play 40 to 50 games a year - but in one 12 month period, Clem played 90-minute sets at 100 concerts.

"Footballer find playing a Champions League game once every two weeks a drain, but these guys are doing it every day when they are on tour.

"It is clear that their fitness levels need to be outstanding - through monitoring Clem's performance in controlled conditions, we have been able to map the extraordinary stamina required by professional drummers."

The project was conducted jointly by the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Chichester.

A dedicated "drumming laboratory" is now being built at the Gloucester campus and it is hoped that other professional drummers will be tested.

Dr Steve Draper, from Gloucestershire University, said: "This is the first facility of its kind in the world."

Professor Edward Winter, a specialist in the physiology of exercise at Sheffield University, said that the challenge of playing the drums should not be underestimated.

He said that at 190 beats per minute Clem Burke was probably exceeding the maximum heart rate predicted for a man of his age.

"Rock drumming in particular is very energetic, and to add to this, these guys are playing in a hot environment - you'll see them literally dripping with sweat."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7518888.stm
 
Clem Burke isn't the best drummer to carry out this research on. As I recall it the other members of Blondie complain about him drumming too vigorously a la Keith Moon. :lol:
 
Onix_Martinez said:
Drummers and intellectuals: Neil Peart... and my son :D

Aaah, Neil and my other little drummer dreamboy, Dave Grohl :blissed:
 
...and Healers, too! :D

Can our natural rhythm heal us?
By Jane Elliott
Health reporter, BBC News

Could a natural rhythm - which some experts believe we all possess - be a cure for a variety of health problems?

Some certainly think so.

Musician Simon Lee, from Kent, is called on to teach drumming to patients with problems ranging from addiction to autism, and learning difficulties to mental health issues.

He has even offered help to terminally ill patients needing palliative care.

And he says the results are amazing.

Experts believe that rhythmic drumming can aid health by inducing a deep sense of relaxation, reducing stress, and lowering blood pressure.

"Drumming has a number of benefits," said Simon.

"It can energise or relax. It can foster a sense of playfulness or release anger and tension. It can also help in the conquering of social isolation and the building of positive relationships."

One patient, an alcoholic, told Simon her drumming sessions had helped her so much it had given her the inspiration to continue with a gruelling detox course.

"She said when she came into the clinic she was extremely negative and the first two or three days the treatment was purely about detox and heavy stuff," said Simon.

"The drumming was the first time she engaged and smiled.

"She said 'I came out of myself and saw that I could survive'."


Simon, who also carries out drumming sessions for the general public, said there was a growing interest in the therapeutic effect it could have, both on the individual and the community.

"There is strong evidence to suggest that drumming may actually be a healing activity," he said.

"Some have gone so far as to prove that time spent drumming can positively affect our immune systems, levels of stress and psychological well being."

Stephen Clift, professor of health education at Canterbury University and director of research at the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, Folkestone, said his centre had recently hosted a workshop into the benefits of drumming.

"It gives a general sense of well being," he said.

"As a research centre we are interested in arts and health generally but particularly in regards to music.

"Most of the work we have been doing is in regards to singing, particularly in groups and community sessions - but these benefits apply to drumming.

"It is fun and challenging, but can produce very positive results very quickly."

Dr Barry Bittman, a neurologist, and CEO of the Yamaha and Wellness Institute in Pensylvania, believes one of the great potential benefits of employing drums in therapy is that they are so easy use.

And although some might disagree, he believes that everybody has a sense of rhythm.

"I believe we are hard wired for music there is evidence that even in the womb the foetus has rhythm," he said.

"We are all naturally musical, although in the US less than 7% of adults over the age of 18 even pick up a musical instrument once a year.

"Drums are accessible and don't present the challenge of a learning curve - anyone regardless of handicap can sit and beat out a rhythm on a drum.

"Drumming is affordable, accessible and sustainable.

"I think we all begin as drummers if you think about childhood the children are under the table banging on pots and pans."

Nick "Topper" Headon, former drummer of the legendary 1970s punk group The Clash, is one who subscribes to the theory that drumming is good for the psyche.

Unfortunately a drug problem developed while he was playing with The Clash meant that he went 26 years without playing the drums, but now that he has finally kicked his drug habit he once again enjoys the buzz of hammering away on his kit.

He said: "Its a physical activity, it stimulates parts of the brain keeping the four limbs doing something different, and it is primeval as well - drums were the first instrument: before music, people were banging things together."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7872043.stm
 
582 drummers set new world record
Hundreds of musicians have broken a world record for the largest group of drummers playing the same beat at the same time at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.
Published: 7:01PM BST 13 Jul 2009

A total of 582 drummers - including a number of celebrity musicians - smashed the previous world record of 533 drummers, set in the United States, just before 4pm on Monday.

Craig Glover, an organiser, said: "It's been absolutely fantastic. Everyone has really enjoyed themselves - it was a really good atmosphere. We did a simple rock groove and played for at least 10 minutes."

The charity event, called Stick It To MS, has so far raised £20,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, although organisers hope to reach £50,000.

Drummers as young as five and as old as 50 travelled from across the UK to take part in the record bid, believed to be the UK's first attempt.

A number of special guest drummers joined in, including Slade's Don Powell and Cold Feet and Coronation Street actor John Thomson.

Mr Glover, 41, from Marston Green, Birmingham, added: "We have video evidence and certificates, which we will now send off to get verified by Guinness (World Records)."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... ecord.html
 
Has no-one told the 'how do you tell the stage is level' joke?

Okay -

Q. How do you tell when the stage is level?

A. When the drummer dribbles out of both sides of his mouth.


I'll get me coat.
 
From my time as a rock chick I have to speak up in defence of drummers. They and the bass hold the whole band together and drummers have to be amazingly fit. They never get the birds though. ;)
 
Queen's Roger Taylor unveils Cornwall statue

Roger Taylor, drummer of rock band Queen, has unveiled a statue in Cornwall.
More than 3,000 people saw Taylor, who grew up in Cornwall, officially unveil The Drummer at Lemon Quay, Truro.
The 15ft bronze sculpture of a naked man is designed to symbolise Cornish cultural identity.

It caused a furore even before it was unveiled because of its anatomically accurate depiction of a naked male cast from tin and copper mined in Cornwall.
Mr Taylor joked: "No anatomical part of it was modelled on me."
Marching drummers beat out a rhythm before the 61-year-old rock star unveiled the £95,000 statue.

The musician, who splits his time between Cornwall and his other homes, said he was happy to see drummers, notoriously the butt of jokes in the music industry, celebrated at last.
"There is quite a tradition of drumming in Cornwall. But I remember when I was at school here it was frowned on," he said.
"There was no school drum kit and it wasn't encouraged. I was actively discouraged.
"Since them I have been doing my best to redress the situation."

Sculptor Tim Shaw said: "Cornwall's drum beats differently and it is beaten a lot in this part of the world.
"It is something I thought could be used as a symbol of the land and the people."

Ron Cooke, mayor of Truro, said: "Lemon Quay has waited a long time to host a public statue and The Drummer will be a wonderful addition to this public space."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-13918671

Something new for me to photo then. (It's quite near the bus station and my dentist as it happens, so I'll often see it.)
 
rynner2 said:
Something new for me to photo then. (It's quite near the bus station and my dentist as it happens, so I'll often see it.)

If you do, please put it on here. Only I'd like to see a less bashful photograph and check out the 'anatomically correct' bit for myself.
 
Ravenstone said:
rynner2 said:
Something new for me to photo then. (It's quite near the bus station and my dentist as it happens, so I'll often see it.)
If you do, please put it on here. Only I'd like to see a less bashful photograph and check out the 'anatomically correct' bit for myself.
Here you go then!

drummer1.jpg


An interesting piece of sculpture - the face is not young, and seems quite angry. (Probably pissed off because someone nicked his britches!)

Drummer2.jpg


And the image on the drum seems like something out of the stone age:

IMG_0808b.jpg


(I haven't given a detailed shot of the 'naughty bits' in case it gets FTMB marked as a Porn Site. Personally, I think he's over-endowed. But then he is about twice life size anyway, and there's a perspective effect to be considered as you look up at him...

Another view, as well as some of the locals' comments, is here:
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/tr ... ro/?ref=mr )
 
I would say he appears to be holding the sticks wrong. Although not being a drummer, I can only qualify that by saying it's not like any drummer I've seen.

Thanks, Rynner!
 
Ravenstone said:
I would say he appears to be holding the sticks wrong. Although not being a drummer, I can only qualify that by saying it's not like any drummer I've seen.

Thanks, Rynner!

He is holding them wrong. Well, not in either of the two usual ways either (the "rock n' pop" grip or the "jazz & marching band" backhand kinda grip).
 
My drummer is quite intelligent, once he's caught up with everyone else, he's always in his own little world, he also has the common sense of tinned fruit :lol:
 
What a horrible statue! What's holding the drum up, anyway?
 
gncxx said:
What a horrible statue! What's holding the drum up, anyway?
A good question! There's no strap, so perhaps it's just resting on his private parts! Maybe the drumming gives him a thrill... 8)

But this is 'Art', so all rational debate goes out of the window. But it's good art if it provokes debate. I like it for that reason - more questions than answers. Why is he balancing on a globe, for example...?
 
gncxx said:
What a horrible statue! What's holding the drum up, anyway?

You don't wanna know...'look, no hands'... :lol:
 
rynner2 said:
But this is 'Art', so all rational debate goes out of the window. But it's good art if it provokes debate. I like it for that reason - more questions than answers. Why is he balancing on a globe, for example...?

There's art and there's kitsch, and that drummer isn't exactly a Jeff Koons.
 
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