Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, Drum music is incredibly moving and powerful, speaking to our most basic instincts. Perhaps this is because the purpose of drum music is to provide a beat that is heard by everyone, uniting listeners and creating a bond between them. Given its capabilities, it’s not surprising that the drum is one of the most widespread instruments in the world, found in cultures across every continent. Moreover, many cultures have utilized the power of the drum in religious ceremonies.
While it would be impossible to provide examples of all the different religious applications of drums, I’ll discuss their use in three religions: Shinto, Judaism, and Christianity.
Shinto is an ancient religion, originating in Japan. It predates the introduction of Buddhism and has survived to the present day. It is a polytheistic and animistic belief system, often translated as “The Way of the Gods.” Traditional Japanese drums called taiko are often used during celebrations at Shinto shrines. Taiko drums are capable of producing powerful sounds, and their rumbling notes have long been associated with the gods.
Many people might be surprised to learn that Judaism has a tradition of using drums. Although a drum wouldn’t be found in a traditional service at a synagogue, this religion has a strong tradition of using music to celebrate God, and drums have often been a part of that music. Drums are mentioned in the Torah in several places: Miriam (sister of Moses) played drums in celebration of the Jews’ escape from the Egyptians and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20); and in Psalms, King David speaks of praising God with timbrels, or small, handheld drums (150:4).
Traditionally, Christianity has excluded drums from its religious ceremonies. However, over the past couple of decades, there has been a growing movement to expand Christian musical boundaries to include more contemporary music, which has often led to the inclusion of nontraditional instruments such as drums. Furthermore, Christianity has given rise to several modern music genres, including Christian Rock, Christian Contemporary, and even Christian Rap. Drums are certainly used in these genres, which are, at their core, just another form of worship.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
