This article will be looking at the scientific and physical characteristics of sound. But I will also be looking at the spiritual aspects of sound and how to be a drummer that uses the properties of sound to impact people’s lives. So, before you get all weirded out by the title, read on and then make up your mind!

What’s that sound?
When you strike a drum, it makes a sound! Now that I have astounded you with this major revelation, allow me to elaborate further! That sound is created by sound waves created by the vibrations of the head of the drum. Ok, a rather simplistic evaluation, but the principle is sound (no pun intended, or is it?).

Sound is affected by many factors such as the size of the drum, the thickness and tension of the head/skin, depth, physical properties, height, environment and even moisture in the air! Continue reading »

By Chris Beaumont

(Posted with permission)
Original article : http://www.heartheadhands.com/blogs.php?postID=100

I was in America on work last year with a colleague of mine who is the health and safety officer for my employer. Whilst in the bar of the hotel we were staying in, he noticed that I had more difficulty than most people in picking up conversation when other noise was in the background. I explained that I was a drummer and that I was slightly deaf in one ear. He then went on to inform me that I probably had reduced hearing in both ears and that the range of hearing particularly affected was that in which the human voice carries. This means that my wife will accuse me of ignoring her when she’s speaking to me because something else is making a noise in the background that I can hear better than her voice (this condition is handy on occasion!). I will never get this hearing back. It’s gone forever which makes me sad and a little obsessive about what’s left of my hearing. As Christians we are called to treat our bodies as temples and as worship musicians I think this particularly applies to our hearing. I know several people in worship teams who you have to shout at because most of their hearing has gone. The question is how do we prevent it?
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