The growth of drumming as a fun, inclusive, and healthy recreational activity is as explosive as, well, the music drummers are making. From high school drumlines, to fast hands competitions, to Latin drum festivals and drum-and-fitness protocols, a growing number of people are discovering that drumming is more than a musical activity, it's a positive lifestyle choice.

This November, the Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) is celebrating International Drum Month 2006 by spreading the message that you don't have to be a professional percussionist to get a bang out of a bongo or a kick out of a conga.

The PMC has been putting drums into the hands of new players throughout the year. Its PlayDrums free lesson labs have been featured at public events, its 15-part multicultural classroom curriculum Roots of Rhythm continues to grow, and its new middle school outreach program Percussion in the Schools is now in its planning stages. This year the PMC affiliated with SupportMusic.com, which empowers parents, educators and civic organizations to act locally to keep music education programs strong.

"If what you're playing feels good to your heart, keep playing!" laughs renowned Latin percussionist Jackie Bertone. "I tell people all you need to play great percussion is a shaker, a tambourine, and a cowbell - perhaps the easiest and least expensive instruments. Yet they can be fun and complex."

"It's easier than ever to find great, affordable Latin drums," agrees legendary drummer Sheila E., the former Prince drummer Sheila E. and the daughter of renowned timbalero Pete Escovedo. "There's never been a better time to take up the drums." Sheila E. is right. In many music stores today you can find the staples of a Latin beat - agogo bells, congas, claves, guiros, cabaŤas, pandeiros, cajons, and more.

In the hands of anyone a drum can be a powerful tool for self-expression that offers myriad benefits. "Drumming provides emotional, social, cultural, physical, even spiritual benefits," affirms Sheila E. "Whether you're a recreational drummer or a serious professional, drumming can be a positive part of anyone's lifestyle."

Many people are getting into drumming at community drum circles, such as Drummunity, a weekly circle in Ann Arbor, Michigan, led by facilitator Lori Fithian. Fithian has a huge collection of Latin and Afro-Cuban drums and loves it when beginners join her circle and get acquainted with her "toys."

"I think beginners get more out of my drum circles. For them, being around my drums is like being in a toy store. I love watching them explore," says Fithian, who cites stress reduction, personal growth, and team-building as some of the benefits of playing drums. "A drum circle is not about how good the music is, it's about fun and silliness."

What's another reason to drum? Staying fit! Latin and Afro-Cuban dance classes are a common sight in health clubs, and formal drum-and-fitness protocols are taking off, thanks to research that shows drumming to be a superb way to get in shape.

For instance, a scientific study of FitRhythms, an easy-to-follow, half-hour fitness protocol developed by percussionist Paulo Mattioli, has found that participants burned an average of 270 calories - more than cycling, hiking, or weight training!

Formed in 1995, the Percussion Marketing Council is a trade organization dedicated to serving drummers and percussionists.