drumming meditation

Jeff Strong on How to Achieve the Flow State with Drumming

In this video, I describe the state of flow and how to use drumming to induce and enhance it. Flow exists in the transition between the alpha and theta states of consciousness. A rhythm at 7.4 beats-per-second is a great tempo to induce flow.

Tempo is only part of the equation. Flow is characterized by a deactivation of the pre-frontal cortex (a phenomenon called “transient hypofrontality”).

To achieve this state of flow, the rhythms need to be variable enough to entrain the brainwaves to the 7.4 Hz  pace, while not so complex or variable that they activate the brain. This video shows examples of rhythms that are too repetitive (not able to entrain), too complex (activating), and musically variable (just right to entrain and induce flow).

Note: You don’t need to play the drum. All you need to do is listen. If you choose to play, the 7.4 bps tempo is achieved by setting your metronome to 1/4 note equals 111 beats-per-minute and playing 1/16th notes (you play four drumming beats for every click of the metronome).

Learn how to play the drum for the brain at drumhealing.com
Listen to personalized music for your brain at https://brainstimaudio.com

Jeff Strong on Drumming and the Brain: The importance of tempo and variability

In this video I talk about how the brain responds to rhythm at different tempos. At very slow tempos you need a constant pattern, whereas at faster tempos you need variability. To illustrate this, I show you how I adjust my rhythms across the continuum of tempos used for drumming.

Learn more at: drumhealing.com
Listen to personalized music for your brain at https://brainstimaudio.com

Jeff Strong Shows You How to Boost Your Brain with Fast, Complex Drumming Rhythms

Activating the brain for memory and cognitive enhancement can be done two ways:

  1. Play pleasingly variable patterns with an unpredictable, yet musical quality at 8 beats per second. This has an immediate activating effect and, coupled with progressively more complex patterns over a series of recordings, can provide long-term cognitive enhancements. This is the approach we use for the REI Custom Programs.
  2. Play various tempos all within the alpha range of 8-12 beats per second (bps). Musically, 8-12 bps is 120-180 beats per minute when playing 16th notes and one beat of the metronome is a 1/4 note. This means that you are playing 4 drumming beats for each click of the metronome. This approach is the key to the Brain Boost category on brainshiftradio.com.

I end this video with a cognitive enhancement drumming session. Let it play quietly in the background and see how mentally clear you feel afterward.

Listen to personalized music for your brain at https://brainstimaudio.com

Learn to play the drums for healing at http://www.drumhealing.com

Explore the REI Custom Program at: https://www.stronginstitute.com/rei-custom-program/

REI Creator Jeff Strong Shows You a 12/8 Mood-lifting Rhythm and an REI Variation in 53/16

In this video, I breakdown a variation on a traditional 12/8 rhythm that you can play to lift your mood. I then show how I morph it into a 53-beat rhythm I use in our REI Custom Program for people with mood issues.

Learn to play the drums for healing at http://www.drumhealing.com
Explore the REI Custom Program at: https://www.stronginstitute.com/rei-custom-program/

Listen to personalized music for your brain at https://brainstimaudio.com

Optimize Your Day with the Right Music

Music is an important part of our lives.

What if we choose the music we listen to more intentionally, with specific goals in mind? Instead of choosing music out of habit or as background filler, music can be played strategically to enhance brain function.

In this video I describe how I choose music throughout the day to support the activities I do. For example, slow, repetitive patterns enhance my meditations; novel, complex music focuses my mind; alpha tempos with mild variability calm me; and sparse, slowly evolving tones empty my mind and prepare me for sleep.

Find out how you can optimize your day by choosing the best music for you.

Listen to personalized music for your brain at https://brainstimaudio.com

Create a More Positive Attitude with This Drumming Meditation Focused on Gratitude

Jeff Strong plays mid-theta tempos rhythms on a gonga drum to help you access a deep well of gratitude. Do this exercise regularly and watch your overall attitude improve.

Learn more about my auditory brain stimulation programs at https://www.stronginstitute.com/rei-custom-program/

Learn how to use techniques like these in my Drum Healing course at https://www.stronginstitute.com/training-courses/drum-healing-course/

Listen to personalized music for your brain at https://brainstimaudio.com

Join REI Creator Jeff Strong in his course: Drumming the Chakras: A deep-dive into the spiritual side of drumming

We’re excited to announce that REI Creator Jeff Strong has a new drumming course: Drumming the Chakras.

Drumming the Chakras explores the spiritual side of drumming using the chakra energy system as a point of reference. This 5-week, 10-module course is a deep-dive into rhythms and techniques that stimulate, open, and balance the chakra system and auric field. This course is also a deep-dive into how to use drumming to access your spiritual power.

Jeff also provides a ton of meditations and exercises to help you discover the nuances of how your chakras are running and how to optimize them for your personal growth.

Learn more here: https://www.stronginstitute.com/drum-healing/chakra-offer/