“Where words fail, music speaks. “
-Hans Christian Anderson
Do you have a child or someone in your care with a developmental disability?
Welcome to drumming for all virtual home program intro. My name is Jim Turk and I have many years of experience leading drum circles for all abilities in ages with a great deal of success. Why? Because you get to act like a rockstar while Improving your social skills, learning, and having a lot of fun!
*I have dedicated much of my life to this after being diagnosed with a disability of my own. You will not believe how much confidence and empowerment this program will inspire!
Check out some articles about the benefits of drumming by clicking the links below:
Drumming and children with special needs
Click on the link below to jump to the section you want
10 minute song loops for play-along
DIY and inexpensive instruments
(clapping hands, hitting a coffee can, or playing on buckets is great fun, too!)
I am a person with a unique perspective on your child’s issues. Why? Because I have a unique perspective on my own issues. I have a disability that inhibits my movement and is progressive.
That, of course, is not all. I have a great personality and am incredibly empathetic, among other attributes, that make me excellent with people with disabilities. This is something I do by choice.
I am doing this because I love it.
I have a Masters degree in biotechnology and after working for many years as a high-level research administrator at a major university, I left due to the progression of my disease (multiple sclerosis).
Shortly after leaving in 2016, I began leading drum circles for a number of groups including assisted living and memory care, children and adults with disabilities at both schools and adult day center‘s, and able-bodied people that wanted to participate for the simple reason of having something fun to do.
I have led circles all over the state of Wisconsin in schools, assisted living and nursing homes, and even an exotic animal care rescue! I also have a weekly group drumming class that I lead in Madison, Wisconsin, at a facility that provides arts and music activities for adults with disabilities.
Why have they chosen this path? I have spent most my life drumming and bands and 
teaching drums while pursuing my normal career. When work was no longer an option and my dexterity prevented me from continuing to drum in bands, I chose this route because it allowed me to teach others to drum but in a way that was both fun and educational for all of us. I have found that when I am able to get through to someone, that feeling of connection and satisfaction lasts for a long, long time.
As a quick example, I was leading a drum circle for first graders with disabilities in 2017. As I went around the circle, I would ask each student who their favorite cartoon character was so that we could make a beat out of it.
When I was around halfway, a teacher walked up behind me and whispered in my ear that the boy who just told me who his favorite character was hadn’t responded to a male at the school all year. It was a proud moment and one I won’t soon forget.
I have been on TV many times, have had a documentary filmed about me, been on local and national radio, have been in international publications, have written multiple articles for magazines and popular blogs, have done public appearances, and teach a class regularly for children and adults with disabilities.
Did I mention that I love what I do?!
Drumming is great therapy!
Your child wilI grow in ways that you have not experienced with other types of activities and therapy! Give them that chance.
I can’t tell you how amazing it is to connect with a child when we’re drumming together despite their history of being disengaged with other adults. You probably know that drumming 
has an extremely therapeutic effect on children with all sorts of disabilities.
❤️ They respond to it – and I LOVE doing it.
I talked to someone that used thie virtual program for there 4 year old with aurtism and she immediately saw changes (for the better) in his speech.
I hear stories about people‘s children that have been mostly nonverbal and anti-social suddenly making strides. I have seen children that are completely disengaged come out of their shell (click here & here).
Drumming is an extremely visceral type of music therapy – we can all do it! It’s well documented to improve social, mental, and physical skills – and, everyone loves to do it!
A big part of what brings me such success is my engaging style. I’ve had a number of, what I refer to as, breakthroughs while leading drumming sessions. I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to be a part of!
I have an extremely unique perspective to do what I do. In addition to the personality traits and drumming background that people love, I have a disease that has led to me being disabled. My first thought with everything I do is how I can make it accessible to everyone.
Why should your child drum?
Drumming is mentally and physically stimulating. It’s multi-sensory (audible, visual, and tactile), it improves timing which can have a positive effect on mental tasks as well as physical ones such as gate. Did you know that drumming is one of the few activities that synchronizes the two hemispheres of the brain?!
Let’s face it – drumming makes children with disabilities feel and perform better. 
Heck – it makes everyone feel better!
It’s easy for everyone to do and it’s been used by people for thousands of years to heal – long before the onset of pharmacies!
Another great thing about hitting a drum is that your child has complete control over it. You can hit it hard or soft and you always know what’s coming – because you’re doing it!
It’s empowering!
I’m living proof that it can help improve fine motor skills, and, let’s just face it – it’s fun.
“Rhythm is the soul of life. The whole universe revolves in rhythm. Every thing and every human action revolves in rhythm.”
-Baba Tunji
What’s included?
What I’ve done is to record more than a dozen play-along videos in addition to 17 more instructional (some of which can also be used as play-along) and example videos. The play-along videos are just me and your child playing fun themes together. They range from 10-15 minutes each.
Audio Tracks – I’ve also included over 50 audio tracks, most of which are play-along and anywhere from 10-25 minutes. I AM CONTINUOUSLY ADDING TO THIS as I have new suggestions and ideas. Feel free to email me your thoughts!
You get over 16 hours of audio drumming fun! Just an FYI that the audio tracks often apply to bigger groups as well. All you have to do is decide ahead of ti me if you want to be in group one or group two. After that, you’re good to go – and you can change it next time!
I have also included six 10-minute loops of different styles of music to play to.
I then took my Do-It-Yourself program and included most of it to give you lots of ideas, links to free song resources, loops for extended playing fun, and helpful hints and games to keep your child drumming and having fun.
This will keep you and your child busy for the foreseeable future!
Here are some of the videos and audio tracks that are included in the program. The audio tracks are for one person or groups of as many as you can fit in a room! The only thing I do that is specific to a group is to occasionally split the group in half and have them play different parts. All you and your child have to do is to decide if you’re group 1 or group 2 at the outset.
At the bottom of this page I have some links to purchase inexpensive drums and a video for do-it-yourself instruments. You don’t have to buy instruments, though. Clapping, coffee cans, boxes, or whatever you have around is perfectly fine!
This is the next best thing to me being in the room – your child will love it!
These are slower to load because you can actually download these if you want (for use off-line). There are more than 50 audio tracks in the full version (and counting!). These were recorded for larger groups but the only thing you need to do to make them work for an individual is to pick “side one” or “side two” from the outset. There is more going on in these tracks so they are good for concentration!
…and you can use those rhythms to play along with familiar songs (which I provide links to) or extended loops like the one below. I’ve attached a photo of the audio tracks folder so you can see what you get and how they’re organized.
“Thank you so much for bringing Jim Turk to Trinity Pines. That was one of the most exciting programs I’ve experienced in a very long time. So entertaining and instructive and creative…..not enough words to describe”
I even include some fun audio tracks to get your child moving (I often use footage of nursing and assisted living homes in my examples due to the regulations associated with filming in schools).
“They haven’t stopped asking when you will be coming back ever since you left”
Drums For All Virtual Home Program:
This is actually a program that I sell for $100 but you’re getting it for the insane price of $20.
Introductory Special $20.00
When I get notice of you making the investment, I’ll send you the link.
*when you purchase the digital version, you get it instantly. Also, it includes all of the audio tracks and many more videos, all of which are not included with the DVD set which is also more expensive!
I am selling this extremely cheap for the hours of video and hours of audio that you get because I feel strongly that everyone should have access to it!
Make the instruments yourself or use stuff you have around your house! Clap your hands or play on your legs. Personalize what you have – Make it a separate activity!
DIY and inexpensive instruments
Inexpensive instruments options: (click on the links)
Lollipop drums (great, inexpensive and easy to hold option but not very versatile)
Single frame drums come with a mallet and are a great, inexpensive option for an
individual person to use. The Remos are going to be better quality but a little more expensive.
Wrist bells
-the wooden shakers are softer sounding so they may work better for people with hearing sensitivities but they can be a little more expensive.
-These are shorter tubes and cheaper – a higher pitch but also easier for little ones to handle.
*These are not the only options for these instruments on this website. Feel free to search more or looks at the items listed at the bottom of the page as well.
**Amazon.com is not the only website to use – it’s just pretty complete and more familiar to people. Other websites that I frequently use and that you can search on are musiciansfriend.com and westmusic.com.
“Hi Jim , the residents had a great time last week with you. We would love to have you back.”
You’re the expert!
I hope that you take advantage of this program – it’s perfect for you and your child!
Jim Turk, MS
Disability, disabled, children, special-needs, educational, activity, music and movement, learning, games