What is Shamanic Music?

Shamanic music is a powerful and ancient form of sound that connects individuals to the spiritual realm, facilitating healing, transformation, and altered states of consciousness. It has been a cornerstone of shamanic practices across cultures for thousands of years, used by shamans and shamanic practitioners to communicate with spirits, guide healing ceremonies, and transport themselves and others into deep meditative or trance states. But what makes this type of music so unique, and why has it endured throughout history?
 

In this blog post, we'll explore the origins, characteristics, instruments, and purpose of shamanic music. Whether you're new to this spiritual tradition or seeking a deeper understanding of its musical elements, this post will provide insight into how shamanic music is used to heal, guide, and transform.
 

Origins and Cultural Roots of Shamanic Music
 

Shamanic music is an integral part of shamanism, a spiritual practice found in Indigenous cultures around the world, from Siberia to the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Each culture has its own form of shamanic music, but the core purpose remains the same: to connect the physical world with the spiritual. The shaman, acting as a bridge between these realms, uses music as a tool to access higher levels of consciousness and facilitate healing.
 

Traditional Use in Ceremonies
 

Shamanic ceremonies are typically intended for healing, divination, or guidance. During these ceremonies, the music acts as a vehicle to open the doors to spiritual dimensions. The repetitive rhythms, chants, and drones used in shamanic music help induce trance states, enabling the shamanic practitioner to journey to spiritual realms where they can gain insights or communicate with spirit guides and ancestors.
 

For example, in Siberian and Mongolian shamanism, the music, often played on a drum, serves to help the practitioner travel into the underworld or upper spiritual worlds. Similarly, in Native American and Amazonian shamanic traditions, music, especially chanting and drumming, is central to healing rituals and vision quests.
 

Characteristics of Shamanic Music
 

What distinguishes shamanic music from other forms of music is its intentional use for spiritual purposes and its repetitive, rhythmic qualities. Unlike music created for entertainment or artistic expression, shamanic music is functional, designed to guide individuals into specific states of consciousness.
 

Repetition and Rhythm
 

One of the most defining characteristics of shamanic music is its repetitive nature. Rhythmic drumming or chanting is common across all shamanic traditions, with rhythms often mimicking the beat of a heart or the natural cycles of the Earth. These repetitive sounds help to alter brainwave patterns, shifting them into theta waves--the brainwave state associated with deep meditation, creativity, and intuition. The continuous repetition creates a hypnotic effect, which is key to inducing a trance or altered state. In this state, participants may experience visions, heightened awareness, or deep introspection.
 

Natural Sounds and Vocals
 

Many shamanic songs incorporate the sounds of nature--wind, water, animals--to bring the listener closer to the natural world. These sounds are often seen as channels through which spiritual energies can flow. For example, the hoots of an owl or the howling of wolves might be mimicked in vocal chants to invoke the presence of these animal spirits.
 

Vocalization plays an essential role in shamanic music. Practitioners may use chanting, overtone singing, or throat singing as a way to resonate with the energy of the spirits they are calling upon. In some traditions, these vocal techniques are passed down from generation to generation and are considered sacred.
 

Instruments Used in Shamanic Music
 

Shamanic music makes use of a variety of traditional instruments, each with its own symbolic meaning and energetic influence. While these instruments may differ from culture to culture, a few common ones can be found across many shamanic practices.
 

Drums
 

The drum is perhaps the most iconic instrument of shamanic music. Often referred to as the "shaman's horse," the drum is believed to carry the shaman's soul into the spiritual realms. The deep, steady rhythm of the drum is known to synchronize with the listener's heartbeat, grounding them while simultaneously guiding them into altered states of consciousness.
 

Different cultures have distinct types of drums. For example, the Siberian single-sided frame drum, Nepalese two-sided drums, and African djembe drums are all used in ceremonial contexts. The act of drumming is often accompanied by dancing, chanting, or other forms of physical movement, reinforcing the trance-inducing experience.
 

Rattles
 

Rattles are another common instrument in shamanic traditions, symbolizing the creation and movement of energy. The sound of a rattle can help to "clear" or "shake" energy, guiding spirits or energies to shift or transform. The rattling sound is often considered a way of calling to spirits or ancestors, and it is used to cleanse spaces or people during ceremonies. Rattles can be made from a variety of natural materials, including gourds, shells, stones, and bones. Each rattle has its own unique sound and purpose, depending on the culture and the ceremony.
 

Flutes and Wind Instruments
 

Flutes and other wind instruments are also common in shamanic music, particularly in traditions from the Americas. These instruments are often used to represent the breath of life or the voice of the wind. The haunting, ethereal tones of flutes can create a sense of connection to higher spiritual energies.
 

The Role of Shamanic Music in Healing
 

One of the primary purposes of shamanic music is to heal, not only on a physical level but also on emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. In shamanic traditions, illness is often seen as a form of spiritual imbalance or disharmony between the individual and their environment. The music used in healing rituals helps to restore this balance by harmonizing energy within the body and spirit.
 

Sound as a Healing Modality
 

The healing power of sound is a cornerstone of shamanic music. It is believed that certain sounds, rhythms, or frequencies can directly affect the body's energy field, promoting healing. Modern science supports this idea, with studies showing that sound therapy can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation. In shamanic healing, the shaman may sing specific healing songs, chant, or play instruments to direct healing energy toward the patient. These sounds are not random; they are often considered sacred songs passed down through generations or learned from the spirits themselves.
 

Modern Influence and Adaptation
 

In recent years, shamanic music has found a place in contemporary healing and spiritual practices, influencing everything from meditation music to sound therapy. Many people seek out shamanic music for personal transformation, stress relief, and spiritual awakening. While traditional shamanic music remains deeply rooted in Indigenous practices, modern interpretations have blended these ancient sounds with contemporary musical genres, creating a fusion that appeals to a broader audience. I invite you to stream my shamanic music on the following platforms:  

 

Bandcamp
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
YouTube Music
SoundCloud

The Role of Sound in Shamanic Practices

Sound plays a crucial role in shamanic practices across various cultures. It is used to facilitate altered states of consciousness, perform healing rituals, and communicate with the spirit world. Sound is regarded as one of the most effective ways of establishing connections with the spirit realm, since it travels through space, permeates visual and physical barriers, and conveys information from the unseen world. Sound, therefore, is a means of "relationship" as well as a "transformation" of energy. Here are the key ways sound is utilized in shamanism:

1. Inducing Altered States of Consciousness

Rhythmic Drumming and Percussion:

• Repetition and Rhythm: Drumming at specific rhythms (typically 4-7 beats per second) can induce trance states. The repetitive, monotonous sound helps to alter brainwave patterns, promoting a shift from normal waking consciousness to a trance state.
• Instruments: Common percussion instruments include drums, rattles, and clappers. Each produces a distinct sound that can affect the practitioner's state of mind.

Vocalizations:

• Chanting and Singing: Shamans use their voices to produce chants, songs, and mantras. These vocalizations can have a calming, focusing effect, aiding in the trance induction.   
• Overtone Singing: Some traditions use overtone or throat singing, which produces multiple pitches simultaneously, creating a complex sound environment conducive to trance.

Ambient Sounds:

• Natural Sounds: Environmental sounds like flowing water, wind, and animal calls are often incorporated into rituals, enhancing the sensory experience and facilitating altered consciousness.

2. Facilitating Communication with the Spirit World

Spiritual Dialogues:

• Invocation and Prayer: Shamans use sound to call upon spirits, deities, or ancestors. These sounds can include specific prayers, chants, or songs that are believed to attract or summon spiritual entities.   
• Response Mechanism: Sound can also be a medium through which spirits are believed to respond, with shamans interpreting these auditory phenomena as messages from the spiritual realm.

Ritualistic Soundscapes:

• Ceremonial Spaces: The acoustics of ceremonial spaces (like caves or specially designed ritual chambers) are used to amplify and enrich sound, creating an immersive environment that enhances spiritual communication.   
• Echoes and Resonance: Natural acoustics, such as echoes and resonances in caves or built structures, may be interpreted as the voices of spirits or deities responding to the shaman.

3. Healing and Therapeutic Uses

Sound Healing:

• Restorative Frequencies: Certain sounds and rhythms are believed to have healing properties, restoring balance and harmony to the body and mind.   
• Instrumental Healing: Instruments like drums, flutes, and singing bowls are used to produce sounds that are thought to facilitate physical and emotional healing.

Diagnostic Sounds:

• Listening to the Body: Some shamanic practices involve listening to the body’s sounds (like heartbeats or breaths) to diagnose illness or imbalance.   
• Healing Chants and Songs: Specific chants or songs are used to target different ailments, with the shaman's voice considered a powerful healing tool.

4. Enhancing Rituals and Ceremonies

Ritual Structure:

• Sound Cues: Sound signals different phases of a ritual, marking transitions from one state or activity to another.   
• Community Involvement: Collective chanting, singing, or drumming involves the community, reinforcing social bonds and shared spiritual experiences.

Symbolic Sounds:

• Animal Sounds: Mimicking animal sounds or using instruments that produce similar effects can symbolize the presence or assistance of animal spirits.   
• Elemental Sounds: Sounds representing natural elements (like thunder drums for storms or rain sticks for water) invoke the power and presence of these elements in rituals.

5. Cultural and Contextual Variations

Regional Practices:

• Cultural Diversity: Different cultures have unique shamanic traditions with specific instruments, vocal techniques, and sound rituals. For example, Siberian shamans might use drum patterns distinct from those used by Amazonian shamans.   
• Contextual Adaptations: The use of sound in shamanism can vary depending on the context, such as healing, divination, or community ceremonies.

Technological Integration:

• Modern Adaptations: Contemporary shamans may integrate modern musical instruments and technology, such as electronic soundscapes, to enhance traditional practices.

Conclusion

Sound is an integral element of shamanic practices, serving as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. Through rhythmic drumming, chanting, and the use of resonant spaces, shamans induce altered states of consciousness, facilitate communication with spirits, and perform healing rituals. The study of these acoustic practices through archaeoacoustics can deepen our understanding of ancient shamanic traditions and their enduring impact on cultural rituals and spiritual practices today.

The Shaman's Rattle Beater

Drums are an essential part of shamanic work; we use them for journeying, healing and celebration, both for ourselves and for the community. The drumstick or beater is also a significant shamanic tool and has a powerful spirit and sound of its own. The best drumsticks are made of strong hardwood with a padded, leather covered head. They are usually decorated with fur, feathers, bead work or engraved with sacred symbols. 

 

Different beaters work better with different drums to bring out the tone qualities. By using different parts of the drumstick to play on different parts of the drum, different timbres can be produced for transmitting different meanings. There are hard beaters, semi-hard beaters, soft beaters, and rattle beaters, which are simply beaters with a rawhide or gourd rattle attached to the base of the handle opposite the head. The clicking of the rattle adds not only an interesting sound effect, but also produces an offbeat, which adds a new dimension to the sonic experience.
 

The repetitive sound of the rattle, like that of the drum, helps induce trance states. The shaking of rattles creates high-pitched frequencies that complement the low frequencies of drumbeats. The high tones of rattles resonate in the upper parts of the body and head. The low tones of drums act primarily on the abdomen, chest, and organs of balance, while stimulating an impulse toward movement. Rattles stimulate higher frequency nerve pathways in the cerebral cortex than do drums. This higher frequency input supplements the low frequency drumbeats, thereby boosting the total sonic effect.
 

Furthermore, the beater has certain uses independent of the drum. In Tuva (southern Siberia), the rattle beater or orba, with its spoon-shaped head covered with animal fur and metal rings attached for rattling, is in part for practicing divination, purifying sacred space for ritual, and drawing the attention of the spirits. The rattling draws the spirit world and its inhabitants into the material world, whereas the drum carries the shaman into the spirit world. The snare sounds associated with metal, stone and bone rattlers attached to beaters and drum frames are described as "spirit voices."
 

When Tuvan drums were being confiscated and destroyed during the times of Soviet repression, some shamans used only their orba for rituals. Throughout history in different cultures around the world the traditional practice of shamanism has often been outlawed and driven underground. The shamanic worldview is an integral part of the shared history of all humanity, but that worldview has been deliberately stolen and suppressed. The shamanic worldview was perceived as an extremely potent threat -- to the point that possession of a shamanic drum has in almost every case been outlawed, and a policy of confiscation and destruction of drums implemented. Hence, the percussive use of the drum became impracticable in populated areas due to its distinctive sound. By using only their rattle beater in rituals, Siberian shamans found a covert way to continue their practice of the shamanic arts.
 

In the shaman's world, all things have spirit and everything is alive. Like the shaman's drum, the beater is imbued with spiritual purpose and becomes a living presence. Since the objects are then considered to be alive, they function as spirit helpers and guides to the shaman in their work. The first step in learning how to work with these shamanic tools is to connect with the spirits of the instruments. By journeying to connect with the spirits, each shamanic practitioner can find out what a particular drum or beater is best suited for, such as divination, journeying, extracting, etc. When you meet the spirit of the instrument, it may teach you some special ways you can use it for your shamanic work that you did not know before. It may have a specific name, purpose or type of energy. Be open to the possibilities.

Native American Gourd Rattles

Native American artisans have long utilized gourds to make many items, including utensils, serving bowls and rattles. The gourd rattle represents the three kingdoms in Native American culture, with the animal kingdom represented by feathers, the mineral kingdom represented by rocks inside the rattle, and the plant kingdom represented by the gourd itself. Music, many Native people believe, is a vessel used to transform ourselves into spiritual beings capable of healing ourselves and others through the transfer of energy, and these rattles are commonly used during ceremonies of song and dance. The following are some examples of gourd rattles crafted by Native Americans:
 

The Kachina Rattle
 

The gourd rattle used by the Hopi Katsinam (spirit messengers) is highly symbolic. Often only painted light blue with little decoration, this special instrument is used in Kachina dance and ceremony, and also as a gift given to children during their initiation ceremonies into the Kachina Society. The rattle is constructed of a flattened gourd, which represents the earth, and the handle represents the axis of the Hero Twins, iconic figures of ancient Hopi lore who help keep the earth spinning.
 

The Peyote Rattle
 

The Peyote rattle (pictured above) was frequently used during Native American church ceremonies, and was an important element of the Half Moon ceremony. A community elder is in charge of leading this ceremony, which involves the ingestion of dried peyote, a hallucinogenic cactus that was believed to induce visions. This rattle was also constructed from a spherical gourd shape and filled with nut or seed.
 

The Iroquois Rattle
 

According to the Iroquois or "people of the longhouse," the gourd rattle is the sound of Creation. The Iroquoian creation stories tell of the first sound, a shimmering sound, which went out in all directions; this was the sound of "the Creator's thoughts." The seeds of the gourd rattle embody the voice of the Creator, since they are the source of newly created life. The seeds within the rattle scatter the illusions of the conscious mind, planting seeds of pure and clear mind.
 

The Shaman's Rattle
 

The shaman's rattle is used to invoke the assistance of power animals and helping spirits. It is also possible to direct energy with rattles, much like a magician with a magic wand. Healing energy can be mentally transmitted through the rattle and out into the environment or into a patient's body. Prayer and intention can be broadcast to the spirit world. Moreover, you can create sacred space by describing a circle with the rattle while shaking it.

Drum Circle Instrument Guide

Shamanic drum circle instrumentation centers around percussion, but may include other instruments, such as flutes, didgeridoos and other non-percussion instruments. Every musical instrument has a unique energy, spirit and sound. Sound is regarded as one of the most effective ways of establishing connections with the spirit realm, since it travels through space, permeates visual and physical barriers and conveys information from the unseen world. Sound-producing instruments facilitate interaction and relationship among all parts of the living world.

Conch Trumpets - Sound does not just travel out into oblivion. There is a call and then a response. When Iroquoian people of present-day central and upstate New York discuss "sending out a sound," they mention blowing on a conch shell to attract attention, signaling the start of a ceremony, notifying the community, and drawing the Creator's participation. The conch is sounded at the beginning of important rituals because the sound is believed to have the ability to drown out any negative words or noises that might disturb or disrupt the harmonious atmosphere. The sound of conch is understood as the source of all existence -- a cosmic womb, for when the conch is blown, it is said to emulate the primordial sound from which all else emanates.

Didgeridoos - The didgeridoo is one of the world's oldest musical instruments, originating in Australia many thousands of years ago. It is a wooden wind instrument that produces a resonant trance inducing drone called "the voice of the Earth" to support the listener in making shamanic journeys. Didgeridoos produce a range of infrasonics; extremely low frequency sound waves that are below the human auditory threshold but nonetheless enter the brain. These waves are picked up by the cochlea (labyrinth) of the ear and influence the vestibular, circadian systems of the brain. Infrasonics stimulate a wide array of euphoric trance-like states. This may help to explain why the didgeridoo found its way into Aboriginal shamanic and healing practices thousands of years ago.

Drums - The circular frame drum is the most popular instrument played in shamanic drumming circles. These drums are durable, easy to handle, and highly resonant. Plus, frame drums are less intimidating than other drum types, based on the simple design and method of play, allowing beginners to easily stroke a rhythm, and enabling those with disabilities to reap the benefits of rhythm and sound therapy. However, by their very nature, most community drum circles invite all to participate with whatever percussion instrument is available. Virtually any type of drum may be played, though most drum circles exclude drum kits. So, by all means, do not hesitate to play any instrument you have available such as a djembe, conga or tambourine.

Flutes - According to Ute-Tiwa shaman Joseph Rael, "The flute is an instrument connecting the two worlds, the non-physical with the physical. The breath of the flutist is the breath of God coming through a hollow reed; the sound is that of the invisible lover courting the visible lover, the metaphor of the lover and the beloved." The flute opens a path of communication between the spiritual and earthly realms. The flute is related to the soul, which extends far beyond the physical body, connecting us to the symphony of the universe. Something transcendent happens when you begin to play a flute. You journey deep inside yourself and bring out the cosmic music of your soul. Nothing matters -- audience, place, time -- you just get lost in the music. You become the music -- notes, rhythm and melody.

Rattles - The repetitive sound of the rattle, like that of the drum, helps induce trance states. The shaking of rattles creates high-pitched frequencies that complement the low frequencies of drumbeats. The high tones of rattles resonate in the upper parts of the body and head. The low tones of drums act primarily on the abdomen, chest, and organs of balance, while stimulating an impulse toward movement. Rattles stimulate higher frequency nerve pathways in the cerebral cortex than do drums. This higher frequency input supplements the low frequency drumbeats, thereby boosting the total sonic effect.

Voice as musical instrument - It is likely that the first musical instrument was the human voice itself. The voice can be viewed as the ultimate musical instrument, since it is capable of instant expression with no instrument required to render thoughts and feelings into sound. With the human voice, thought nearly equals sound. The voice is capable of producing an incredibly wide range and depth of expressions. Musicians often replicate aspects of the human voice with their instruments because of its pure expression and feeling. The human voice is the social glue that binds us and the most important sound in our lives.

Hands of the Spirits

Among Iroquois medicine societies of present-day central and upstate New York, rattles are often described as hands of the spirit beings. The sounds emanating from the shaking of a rattle during a ceremony serve as a primary means of communicating with the spirit world. Rattles are ritually used to invoke the assistance of power animals and helping spirits. The shaman's rattle draws the spirit world and its inhabitants into the material world. The shaman thus embodies the helping spirits to perform shamanic tasks. Healing energy can be mentally transmitted through the rattle and out into the environment or into a patient's body. Prayer and intention can be broadcast to the spirit world. Moreover, sacred space can be created by describing a circle with the rattle while shaking it.

According to the Iroquois or "people of the longhouse," the gourd rattle is the sound of Creation. The Iroquoian creation stories tell of the first sound, a shimmering sound, which went out in all directions; this was the sound of "the Creator's thoughts." The seeds of the gourd rattle embody the voice of the Creator, since they are the source of newly created life. The seeds within the rattle scatter the illusions of the conscious mind, planting seeds of pure and clear mind.

The turtle rattle is central to Iroquois tradition, beliefs and ways of life. The Iroquois derive their own values from the characteristics of the turtle such as perseverance, longevity and steadfastness. It is said that when the turtle rattle is shaken, "the Earth stops to listen."(1) The turtle rattle is a symbol of the world on the turtle's back, Turtle Island. The Creator is said to have loved snapping turtle best. When Mother Earth hears the sound of the turtle rattle, all of creation awakens and moves to its shaking beat. The crack of a turtle rattle, which shakes the Earth, draws the attention of the spirits at the beginning of a ceremony or meeting. "To Shake the Earth" is a metaphor often used in Iroquoian communities to describe the purpose of the turtle rattle. From a shamanic perspective, caretaking the rattle and playing it properly during ritual fulfills the destiny of the human spirit -- to sustain the order of existence.

1. Visions of Sound: Musical Instruments of First Nations Communities in Northeastern America, By Beverley Diamond, 1994.

The Shaman's Rattle

The shaman's rattle is used to invoke the assistance of power animals and helping spirits. It is also possible to direct energy with rattles, much like a magician with a magic wand. Healing energy can be mentally transmitted through the rattle and out into the environment or into a patient's body. Prayer and intention can be broadcast to the spirit world. Moreover, you can create sacred space by describing a circle with the rattle while shaking it.

Among Iroquois medicine societies of present-day central and upstate New York, the gourd rattle is described as the sound of Creation. The creation stories tell of the first sound, a shimmering sound, which went out in all directions; this was the sound of "the Creator's thoughts." The seeds of the gourd rattle embody the voice of the Creator, since they are the source of newly created life. The seeds within the rattle scatter the illusions of the conscious mind, planting seeds of pure and clear mind.

In South America, the shaman's rattle is a most sacred instrument. The rattle is believed to embody the sacred forces of the cosmos through its sounds, structural features, contents, and connection to shamanic trance. The various parts of the rattle also symbolize the structures of the world. The handle is the vertical axis that ascends into the Celestial Realm. The Upper World is represented by the rattle's great head-gourd, which contains spirits. Joining the head of the rattle to the handle symbolizes the joining of masculine and feminine elements in the universe, an act of fertilization that bestows the sound of the instruments creative shamanic power. From a shamanic perspective, caretaking the rattle and playing it properly during ritual fulfills the destiny of the human spirit -- to sustain the order of existence.

Rattles and drums work well together. The repetitive sound of the rattle, like that of the drum, helps induce trance states. The shaking of rattles creates high-pitched frequencies that complement the low frequencies of drumbeats. The high tones of rattles resonate in the upper parts of the body and head. The low tones of drums act primarily on the abdomen, chest, and organs of balance, while stimulating an impulse toward movement. Rattles stimulate higher frequency nerve pathways in the cerebral cortex than do drums. This higher frequency input supplements the low frequency drumbeats, thereby boosting the total sonic effect. Try a rattle and drum shamanic journey.

Crafting Rawhide Rattles

Rattles are a universal, cross-cultural tool for inducing trance states and establishing connections with the spirit realm. Shamans believe that the sound of the rattle opens doors to the spirit world and attracts the attention of its inhabitants. The repetitive sound of the rattle, like that of the drum, helps induce shamanic trance. The shaking of rattles creates high-pitched frequencies that complement the low frequencies of drumbeats. The high tones of rattles resonate in the upper parts of the body and head. The low tones of drums act primarily on the abdomen, chest, and organs of balance. Rattles stimulate higher frequency nerve pathways in the cerebral cortex than do drums. This higher frequency input supplements the low frequency drumbeats, thereby boosting the total sonic effect. To craft your own rawhide rattle; view video.

Power in Your Hand

A Short Introduction to the Rattle

by Jonathan Horwitz

My first teacher of shamanism in the physical world taught me how to journey on the sound of the drum. My second shamanic teacher told me: "The first time I went to the World of the Spirits I was standing with three other people in a small circle. We were all rattling. Suddenly the Earth opened up in front of me and I fell into the Lower World." When I heard this I thought, "I’d better get me a rattle." The rattle I got then has been with me since, and since then I have been given, have made, and have given away more rattles than I can count. Rattles are something special. Read More