Everyone has a sense of rhythm, regardless of age, abilities and physical condition. Much of the music created by musical artists is based on sounds and rhythms heard in our surroundings. Birds singing, insects buzzing, automobiles humming, horses galloping, trains moving down tracks and many more all have contributed to the rhythms of music. Sounds and rhythms from the environment impact all of us.
Another essential part of rhythm is memory. Like many things (such as e.g., golf swings) rhythm is based upon memory. Thus, playing and using rhythms by seniors or any other age group(s) needs basic rhythm skills. Song references and rhythm patterns is the glue that bonds memory and movement. From classical music to all other musical genres; not one musician has developed his or her musical skills and memory without song or music genre references.
With song or musical genre references there is also the cultural history of music which is the icing-on-the-cake to make using and playing rhythms resourceful (memory, movement) and enjoyable.
A rhythm movement, Healthy Rhythms started about a decade or longer that helps seniors to use the movement associated with what are drum circles. Drum circles are based upon African-based rhythms including some Latin rhythms. Movement benefits physical health, but what about cognitive health and memory? Also, there are many seniors who have the lost their physical ability to use movement.
Movement of hands, arms and possibly feet is beneficial for seniors, but free-for-all movement does not benefit cognitive or brain health. For seniors, free-for-all movements without song, music and cultural history is a profound disconnect that is not good for brain health.
