DRUM BEATS

Arts Entertainment and Leisure > Entertainers or Entertainment Agencies

Drum Beats commenced in 2001, through the unlikely combination of tennis and drumming. Co founder Rob Wines was endeavouring to return to the tennis circuit when Angela Grima (Co founder & current Artistic Director) suggested using drumming during training to help regain energy levels & general feel for the rhythm of tennis. At the time Angela was having outstanding results using drumming & rhythm to help children with learning difficulties improve at reading, writing and mathematics.

The experiments were so successful that with in a short space of time Racquet Beats tennis camps for children were born! This innovative way of thinking had children learning various racquet and footwork co- ordination techniques through a series of drumming patterns followed by drama classes which developed creative and positive thinking. A program was then developed that assisted tennis players from beginner through to professional levels in their skill acquisition and perception of rhythm in different on court movement patterns.

At the time the idea of using rhythm and in particular live drumming to aid skill development in sports was an area relatively unexplored in Western culture. As this hobby developed it became apparent many cultures have rich traditions of using music as a part of everyday life and its activities. As an example of this many of the African nations that attempted to qualify for the 2002 Football World Cup included live drumming at pre tournament training sessions. This aided in refining skills & just as importantly due to the limited preparation time was said to have a positive team harmonizing effect.