One of the most popular instruments I use in my music therapy practice is the ocean drum. Working in oncology and palliative care with patients and families affected by cancer, I find that the ocean drum is one of the most effective and unintimidating instruments to hand someone. It makes a big impact on the environments we play it in: both patients and co-workers often ask me where they can get their own ocean drum, so that they can play it at home to “relax.”
The ocean drum is a round, see-through frame drum, filled with ball bearings that sound like ocean waves when you move it back and forth. There is no “correct” way to play it, and it can produce many sounds. It can be shaken to sound like turbulent storms, tilted steadily to produce long pebbled surf, or held still to create the faintest whisper of water lapping the shore.
While music therapists will use the ocean drum for specific clinical and/or psychotherapeutic goals, I believe that the ocean drum can be used in all sorts of creative ways for self-care or caring for others.
Here are five reasons why I believe the ocean drum can promote wellness:
Here are some suggestions for using the ocean drum in care practice, particularly when caring for people in end-of-life care or with dementia:
You can find the ocean drum at any major instrument store. It is suitable for people of all ages.
Sarah Pearson is a music therapist working in oncology and palliative care in Kitchener, ON . She is the Program Development Coordinator for the Room 217 Foundation and Lead Facilitator of the Music Care Certificate Program.
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