How to Create Shamanic Trance Drum Beats

Shamanic trance beats lead to an altered mental state.

Shamanic trance dance music is intended to induce a trance-like state of mind in the listener or dancer. Shamanic traditions have, for a long time, used drums and drum rhythms to achieve and enhance such a trance-like state. Constant drum rhythms, as used in shamanic trance music, have a direct effect upon the brain function and mood of the involved listener, and this can allow a shaman to reach an altered state of mind. This, in turn, can facilitate a shamanic out-of-body experience.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Drum(s) or drum loops

1. Establish a steady pulse. Like a heartbeat, trance music has a steady pulse which does not slow down or speed up. Play the drum (with your hands or with drum sticks), in a steady, unchanging pulse like a regular heartbeat or walking rhythm.

2. Add subdivisions of the beat. For each pulse-note, you can play two, three, or four equal beats. Vary these rhythmic subdivisions to create rhythmic interest and new patterns.

3. Repeat your beat patterns several times. Trance music works on repetition, so keep an individual rhythmic pattern going for some considerable time before moving on to a new or different pattern. The underlying pulse of the music stays the same throughout.

4. Use dynamics (getting louder or quieter) to change the mood of the drumming trance music. This in turn will affect the mood of the shaman or listener.

References

• Monks, Shamans, Drum Beats, Primitive Cultures, Rhythmic Sound & The Brain
• Trance, Dance, and Ecstasy