The oldest known drums were made from alligator skins in China and date back to 5500 BCE. In West Africa, special hourglass-shaped instruments known as "talking drums" can mimic the tones of human speech and were historically used for long-distance communication. A foundational concept in drumming is the rudiment, which is a basic pattern that forms the building blocks of more complex rhythms. There are 40 official rudiments recognized by the Percussive Arts Society.

In pop culture, The Beatles' 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show created such a demand for drums that the Ludwig Drum Company had to run 24/7 production to keep up. The iconic drum solo in The Surfaris' 1963 hit "Wipe Out" was an unplanned filler based on a high school marching band cadence. Playing the drums is also a full-body workout that can burn 400-600 calories an hour. Studies have shown that drummers may have superior problem-solving skills and higher IQs, as the act of playing strengthens connections in the brain.

See astronauts jamming with a variety of instruments including a makeshift drum on the Insternational Space Station at NASA's website

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

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