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Rusted Root founding member to offer drumming workshop in Boardman
BOARDMAN
Battling anxiety and unable to sleep, Jim Donovan – a founding member of the multiplatinum-selling world/rock band Rusted Root – often sits down at his drum set before bed to tap out some of that stress.
“The wonderful thing about the brain is that it loves patterns. If we give it really specific kinds of patterns, it affects the speed of our brain waves. When we’re stressed, as you might imagine, our brain waves go very fast,” he said. “What rhythm does, especially if we know how to do it, it helps to slow that speed down and helps create an equilibrium between both spheres of the brain. It help creates an overall sense of well-being.”
It’s a skill that Donovan, who resides outside of Pittsburgh, hopes to pass on to participants in a world drumming workshop he will lead from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bella Nitesh Spiritual Arts & Education Center, 837 Boardman-Canfield Road. The workshop is open to anyone over 17.
“I specialize in helping people who have never drummed before start doing it, very quickly,” said Donovan, who began teaching music in 1999.
Participants will learn to play a variety of drumming rhythms and songs, with influences from places around the world such as Brazil and western Africa. Donovan will provide African drums called “djembes.”
Participants also will learn some rhythmic exercises to help relieve stress, and how to create their own music.
“The whole idea of this workshop is to use music as a tool to bring people together,” Donovan said. “The energy of the experience is about enjoyment, it’s about fun, and in the process we learn quite a bit.”
One of the services he offers is to teach people how drumming can positively influence individuals who, for example, are recovering from an addiction.
“With people in recovery, we do quite a bit more with the social aspect of drumming – so, helping people recover some of the confidence they might have lost,” he said.
For him, drumming is about more than sound; it’s a nonpharmaceutical way to manage issues such as his anxiety.
“We’re learning how to use the body and sound and natural rhythm to keep the body in check,” he said.
Advance registration is encouraged. Registration is open online for $35 at jimdonovandrums.com. Registration at the door is $45.