Nyt Says Make Like A Drum And Beat It Why Now America
Across American living rooms, kitchen tables, and community centers, a steady rhythm has returned to daily life as ordinary people rediscover the drum. Fueled by a New York Times feature that urged readers to “make like a drum and beat it,” this surge in at-home percussion reflects a deeper search for connection, mental clarity, and resilient joy in uncertain times. Around the country, first-time beaters are testing battered kitchen pots, rented djembes, and donated school instruments, turning solitary practice into shared pulse.
The drum is an ancient instrument, yet its recent visibility in the American mainstream signals a cultural moment in which people are redefining how they process stress, mark community, and reclaim embodied creativity. Historically tied to communal ceremony and protest, the drum is now being treated by many as a portable emotional anchor, a tool that grounds breath and body in rhythm. The NYT piece, which appeared earlier this fall, framed drumming not as a specialized skill but as an accessible response to collective fatigue and fractured attention.
Drumming circles have long existed in Indigenous traditions, African diasporic practices, and global spiritual communities, where collective rhythm has functioned as language, healing, and resistance. In the United States, the talking drum of West African griots, the ceremonial powwow drums of Plains nations, and the conga lines of Caribbean carnivals all testify to the drum’s capacity to carry memory and mobilize communities. Historically, however, the drum has also been a site of control, as colonial authorities at times banned drumming out of fear that rhythm could organize resistance and relay messages across plantations.
In the twenty-first century, the drum has evolved into a staple of wellness culture, classroom music education, and community therapy programs. Music therapists use frame drums with veterans managing PTSD, while elementary teachers integrate hand drums into lessons on pattern recognition and listening skills. Community health centers in cities like Detroit and Baltimore have hosted drum circles as low-barrier interventions for youth engagement and neighborhood cohesion.
The specific phrase “make like a drum and beat it” captures a shift from passive consumption to active participation. Rather than merely streaming music, people are choosing to generate sound with their own hands and bodies. This tactile relationship with rhythm offers a counterbalance to screen-heavy routines, inviting muscle memory, breath control, and immediate feedback. Unlike many instruments that demand years of technical study, the drum welcomes imperfect sound as part of the process.
Mental health professionals note that repetitive, predictable rhythms can calm the nervous system, lowering heart rate and easing symptoms of anxiety. Group drumming, in particular, has been linked to increased feelings of social support and reduced isolation. As Americans navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, political division, and the lingering psychological effects of the pandemic, the drum offers a simple, tangible way to regain a sense of agency.
Musically, the drum is deceptively simple, yet it anchors nearly every genre Americans listen to, from hip-hop and rock to jazz, country, and electronic music. Learning basic patterns can deepen listening, helping ears pick out syncopation, groove, and dynamics in familiar songs. Community music educator Marcus Lee has led beginner workshops in which participants translate the rhythm of their names into drum patterns, illustrating how personal identity can enter directly into musical form.
Educators emphasize that you do not need an expensive instrument to begin. Household items—a sturdy biscuit tin, a overturned pot, a stack of cushions—can function as drums when paired with palms or spoons. Instructors suggest starting with a steady, slow beat, focusing on even spacing between each strike rather than speed. Online tutorials, library programs, and local nonprofits have expanded access, offering free or low-cost options for those who cannot afford private lessons.
Drumming also intersects with issues of access and equity. In underfunded schools, music programs are often the first cut, yet some teachers and volunteers are working to reintroduce percussion through community grants and instrument drives. Organizations like percussion equity initiatives collect used drum sets and hand drums, refurbish them, and distribute them to community centers and shelters. These efforts underscore the drum’s dual role as both artistic tool and symbol of resourcefulness.
Beyond individual well-being, collective drumming can foster civic engagement. Historically, protest marches in the United States have incorporated drums and call-and-response chants to maintain energy and unify participants. Modern organizers sometimes integrate drum circles into community meetings as a way to center listening and shared presence before difficult conversations. The steady pulse can function as a reminder that, like rhythm, democracy depends on many distinct beats moving together.
As the phrase from the Times spreads across social media and local groups, questions arise about cultural attribution and respect. Some percussionists note that elements from African, Indigenous, and Afro-diasporic traditions have been borrowed without proper acknowledgment. Responsible practice, they argue, includes learning about the histories embedded in the instruments and rhythms one plays. Recognizing the drum not as a generic wellness prop but as a repository of specific cultural knowledge can guide newcomers toward more informed participation.
For many Americans, the drum’s return to prominence is less about mastering technique and more about re-enchanting daily routine. The simple act of striking a surface and hearing a clear, resonant sound can transform a tense evening into a moment of release. As neighborhood groups schedule regular beat-ins, and as individuals keep battered pots on stands beside their work-from-home desks, the drum functions as both personal reset and communal signal. In choosing to make like a drum and beat it, people are not only creating sound; they are choosing rhythm as a form of resilience.
