A health tonic out of Africa
YOUNG patients at Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital have been treated to an African drumming workshop to cheer them up while they recovered.
Musician Rocky Amoo introduced children to traditional African percussion instruments, including djembe drums and dun duns.
Esther Jackson, music co-ordinator for Heart of England NHS Trust, said: "As well as improving children's sense of timing and rhythm, African drumming can be used as a group activity, helping the children to learn to play together. Music can be highly beneficial for recovering patients, as well as great entertainment for all."
Rocky also showed the patients African palm drumming technique after the hospital's arts team worked with Sound Futures, a youth arts organisation dedicated to bringing music into the lives of children in the city, to provide the workshop.
