Pagan Journeys
Pagan Journeys => Pagan Chat => Topic started by: Tirya on April 13, 2010, 04:56:17 PM
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I'm sitting here at work with my iPod in one ear, listening to a Middle Eastern drumming CD from my dance studio, and found myself sort of "zoning out" while listening to beladi and saidi rhythms. So now I'm wondering about picking up a drumming CD for help with meditation or relaxation, and was wondering what others' experience or recommendations were. Is there a certain style of drumming that you find more helpful (Native American, African, Middle Easten, etc.)? How long does an "ideal" song last? 3 minutes? 5 minutes? 10? Longer? Shorter? Do you find having other instruments helpful, or distracting?
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Not specifically drumming, but I find that music in general can be either very helpful or distracting during meditation, depending on my mood. I'm more likely to have a more "visual" meditation when I use music (if I'm in a mood where it won't distract me).
I say music in general, but I tend to lean towards pieces that have pretty prominent drums, but aren't strictly drums. I will more likely pick one that doesn't have vocals because I usually get distracted by them, but again, that really depends on my mood.
I have had issues in the past with breaks between songs, so I think I like the longer songs better, but if I had the right mix that isn't as big of an issue. I can't say that any one type sticks out for me as I tend to like most anything with drums in it, to an extent. I'm sure there are things out there that I haven't heard yet that I wouldn't like. :whistle:
If you have song info, I'd love to hear some of what you are listening to. I'm always looking for new music. :D
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Do you do Pandora Radio? If you find one artist or song that works, it will search out others that are musically similar for you.
peace,
ES
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I use a shamanic journeying CD for getting into a trance state. It's specifically made for that so it is only drums (single or two) and has 15 and 30 minute tracks. The drumming rhythms are approximately 4 beats per second which is the rate shown to induce theta waves in the human brain. These are the brain waves prevalent during trance or deep meditation and associated with the state that is in between wakefulness and sleep. You were probably starting to trance due to similar rhythms on your Middle Eastern drumming CD. I would think for trance work or meditation you might want something more monotonous without things like Native American flute piping in. I've often thought Gregorian chant or Tibetan monks chanting would work well for inducing meditative states. I don't own any music like that yet but I do have one CD called Yoga Zone that is all instrumental and I like it a lot especially to fall asleep or relax by (if I could get it back from my kids). Songs are a mixture of piano, flute, guitar and voice (without words or lyrics).
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EM...can you give me the name of that CD? I've been looking for a good Drumming CD to meditate to (I meditate best to the sound of drums) Normally during times when we meditate as a coven...our HP will drum but I cant drum and meditate at the same time LOL
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Sure, it's Michael Harner's Shamanic Journey Solo and Double Drumming. It's just a monotonous steady beat so probably not the thing if you want some relaxing drum music but is great for trance work.
http://www.amazon.com/Shamanic-Journey-Solo-Double-Drumming/dp/B00007BKHP/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
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Awesome! Thanks so much :D