Have you ever felt soothed by the ocean? The sound of rolling waves and water gently crashing on the shore relaxes even the most restless minds, and has done so for many centuries. Humanity has always been drawn to the ocean for its quiet power and peaceful vastness, finding it grounding and a natural way to cleanse the soul of stressors.

It makes sense, then, that we have attempted to capture these sounds in musical instruments over the years. While nothing will ever quite compare to the true experience of the sea, the ocean drum comes incredibly close.

In this post, we're going to introduce you to the world of ocean drums and how their unique sound makes them so well-suited to sound healing and meditative practices.

What is an ocean drum?

An ocean drum, also known as a wave drum or sea drum, is a unique instrument designed to produce soothing ocean-like sounds. The ocean drum is typically made up of a round, lightweight wooden frame with thin material stretched over both sides. Inside the drum are pellets or ball bearings, which produce the most wonderful wave sounds when they roll across the drum's inner surface. Thanks to their relaxing and grounding music, ocean drums are often used in meditation and sound therapy.

The history of the ocean drum

The ocean drum, as we know it today, is actually a fairly modern creation, but its roots go back in history. The modern ocean drum was inspired by an instrument called the geophone, invented in the 1970s by French composer Olivier Messiaen. The geophone was created to replicate natural sounds as part of Messiaen's orchestral work 'Des canyons aux étoiles…', which was then adapted and popularised by instrument makers to produce today's ocean drum.

The geophone was inspired by the water drum, an ancient Native American instrument. This ceremonial drum creates a resonant tone from a small amount of water within its hollow, which gives it its name.

What are the benefits of the ocean drum?

Simple but mighty, the ocean drum comes with a long list of benefits for your mind, body, and soul.

Anxiety and stress relief

The soft sounds of the ocean drum are calming, helping to ease the mind and soothe your worries. When you allow yourself to relax and let the drum's music wash over you, you'll find yourself sinking into a grounded state, where you can let your stresses and concerns roll away like waves retreating from the shore.

Better sleep and relaxation

Ocean waves are often thought of as having hypnotic qualities, which is why they're so popular with those who need sounds to help them settle into sleep. The rolling rhythm of the ocean drum can help you truly unwind after a long day, preparing you for a night of deep and comfortable sleep.

Accessible to all levels

One of the most wonderful things about the ocean drum is its simplicity. You don't need to be a musical maestro or even musically inclined to play the ocean drum - it's ready to be picked up and turned by whoever wants to listen to its sound.

Pain management

In 2019, a meta-analysis examining whether music intervention could reduce pain in humans was published. This paper looked at 97 controlled trials and their outcomes, including emotional distress from pain and the use of pain relief medications. In pooling the data from these trials, the analysis gives empirical evidence that music as an intervention can actually reduce emotional distress and pain intensity, thus reducing the need for pain medication. The soothing sounds of the ocean drum can play a role here, offering calming, grounding music to potentially help with pain management.

Improved focus

Many people find a smooth rhythm helpful in enhancing their concentration. The waves produced by the ocean drum are perfect for honing your mind, enabling heightened focus during meditation.

Are ocean drums easy to play?

The ocean drums are very easy to play! They don't require users to have any lessons or even music theory knowledge before playing. They are beautiful in their simplicity, and anyone able to lift the drum will find it effortless to produce its calming wave-like sounds. Try out different movements and speeds until you find the rhythms that speak to you.

Are ocean drums good for meditation and sound therapy?

Yes, using an ocean drum during meditative practice and sound therapy or sound healing sessions offers powerful results. Thanks to its many benefits, including its ability to soothe and relax, enhance focus, and promote better rest, the drum's music makes a truly incredible addition to meditation, sound baths, Reiki, and many other practices. The wave-like sounds from the ocean drum create a truly calm atmosphere, inducing a deep state of relaxation ideal for group settings and individual sessions.

The Maya Shanti Yoga ocean drum

We're proud to stock our own ocean drum - it's lightweight and double-sided, and with its 18-inch round drum, you're able to pull a rich and resonant sound from its depths. We highly recommend incorporating this instrument in your meditation, whether you play it yourself to focus or use it while leading a group session or sound bath.

Discover the other pieces in our sound healing equipment collection, and move one step further to creating the ultimate calming atmosphere. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out - we'd be happy to offer answers, advice, and recommendations.