A CYMBAL OF HOPE...
As drumming grandma Dorothea Taylor racks up 20m views on TikTok, we look at how you can feel the beat too
DRUM teacher Dorothea Taylor knows how to beat the competition – her recent lesson on TikTok has had more than 20 million views.
But ‘Godmother of Drums’ Dorothea knows her craft – she has been drumming for 57 years and is currently the world’s favourite drumming grandma. Dorothea has a long career ahead of her if jazz drummer Viola Smith is anything to go by. One of the first professional female drummers, Viola played on
TV with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, at US President Harry Truman’s inauguration, in films and in the Broadway run of Cabaret from 196670. Viola turned 107 in 2019 and was still performing with bands in California, until she passed away last year. The Guinness World Record for the biggest drum kit – 813 pieces – is held by Dr Mark Temperato of the USA. The world record for the loudest drummer belongs to Col Hatchman of Australia, who hit a peak reading of 137.2 decibels – almost as loud as a gunshot or a jet taking off.
The top three drummers in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time are from the UK. At number three is Ginger Baker of Cream, then The Who’s Keith Moon at number two, while in the number one slot is John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. All three of these rock drummers rose to fame in the 1970s when their amazing talent wowed audiences worldwide and reports of their wild lifestyles filled the headlines. It’s drummers such as these who are said to have been the inspiration for monster drummer Animal, the bushy-eyebrowed beatmaster in the Muppets. Research by the Royal College of Music found that drumming has a positive impact on mental health, with a 10-week programme of group drumming reducing depression by up to 38% and anxiety by 20%. It is also said to boost the immune system and increase feelings of wellbeing.
For children, drumming is good for hand-eye co-ordination, relieving frustration and developing concentration and listening skills. You can make drums out of pretty much any empty container so why not set up a family jam?
For more information about Dorothea Taylor see Instagram @taylor.dorothea