Drumming the Spirit to Life [Paperback]

Russell Buddy Helm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

Let loose with a couple of hot licks with the help of this rhythmic workbook that discusses the psychological and physical effects of drumming as a tool for healing and joy. It is an autobiographical exploration of how drumming has been a tool for understanding and growth as well as a career for the author. It is the only book that combines the actual experience of drumming with the active process of meditation.

Editorial Reviews

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
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Drumming for as long as he can remember, Russell Buddy Helm (southern California) has played live and in recording sessions with a variety of rock bands, including Frank Zappa, Chuck Berry, Tim Buckley, and the Allman Brothers. He has taught everything from Afro-Cuban to jazz, R&B, rock ‘n roll, and reggae. His current drumming workshops make the healing qualities of the drum accessible to all people, regardless of their musical backgrounds.

When he was eight, he started his classical musical training under a well-known woman drum teacher in Elkhart, Indiana named Eilleen Trafford. He excelled at percussion in both symphonic work and drum and bugle corps, earning fifteen medals of excellence. As a teenager he developed his musical styles in rhythm and blues, rock, country, folk and spiritual drumming like Afro Cuban and Gospel. While living in Coconut Grove in Miami, he was exposed to the   Caribbean culture where his understanding of spiritual drumming progressed.

He moved to Los Angeles to continue his musical career and artistic training and to teach drumming. There he played with Frank Zappa and then played and toured with Tim Buckley for several years, recording an album in 1973,  (Honeyman, released in 1997).

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567184324
• ISBN-13: 978-1567184327
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #734,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars informative..lots of spirit!, January 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Drumming the Spirit to Life (Paperback)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Marvelous, May 7, 2002

By 

Todd Hawley (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drumming the Spirit to Life (Paperback)

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!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Talk about power...., May 24, 2000

By 

Logan (Fircrest, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drumming the Spirit to Life (Paperback)

I have been a classically trained drummer for over 10 years and just recently got into the hand drumming. I have Never felt the kind of power and joy thatI felt after I started working in this side of it. This book is an incredible tool for Expert and Novice alike. It gives you the basics and you just grow from there!