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THE GOODLIFE CREATIVE DRUM MAKING EXPERIENCE
Born by hand.
Created with intention.
A drum with a story.
A unique full-day experience where you’ll create your own 16-inch natural-hide frame drum and handmade beater, guided step by step in a calm, supportive small-group setting.
No previous experience is needed.
Garforth, Leeds | 10am–5pm | Introductory Price £299
IPHM Accredited
MORE THAN MAKING A DRUM
The Goodlife Creative Drum making Experience has been created to be much more than simply assembling a frame drum.
It is a full day of slowing down, working with natural materials, learning with your hands and creating something completely personal from beginning to end.
You’ll be guided through each stage of creating your own 16-inch natural-hide frame drum, from preparing the materials and learning the lacing process to making your own drum beater and finally bringing everything together.
Throughout the day there will also be time for reflection, intention and connection.
You may experience that simply as mindfulness, creativity, connection with nature, energy, or simply the satisfaction of making something meaningful with your own hands.
There is no belief you need to hold and no particular way you are expected to experience the day.
By the time you leave, you won’t simply have made a drum.
You’ll have created something with its own story — and yours will be part of it.
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YOUR DRUM CREATING DAY
From the moment you arrive, the day is designed to feel calm, welcoming and unhurried.
ARRIVAL & CONNECTION
We’ll begin with refreshments, introductions and a gentle grounding, giving everyone time to settle into the space and hear about the day ahead.
Your natural hide will already have been soaking and prepared, The hoop sanded and ready to use for the day, surrounded by elements from nature as part of the Goodlife experience.
We’ll take some time to explore the materials you’ll be working with and invite you to consider an intention for the drum you are about to create.
CREATING YOUR DRUM
Neil will demonstrate the drum-making process before guiding you step by step through creating your own 16-inch frame drum.
You’ll learn how to work with the natural hide, position it over your wooden hoop and begin the lacing process that gradually brings your drum together.
There is no rush.
This is a small-group experience, allowing plenty of time for individual guidance and support throughout the process.
MAKING YOUR BEATER
After a break, attention turns to creating the companion to your drum — your own handmade drum beater.
You’ll construct and finish your beater yourself, giving you another opportunity to make the finished instrument personal to you.
DISCOVERING RHYTHM
While your newly created drum begins its drying process, we’ll use our established teaching drums to explore some simple, accessible rhythms.
No musical experience is needed.
This part of the day is about feeling rhythm, listening, experimenting and experiencing the grounding quality of the drum without pressure or expectation.
THE DRUM EXPERIENCE
We’ll finish the experience together by acknowledging the materials, the work of your hands and the intention that has gone into creating your drum.
This is a belief-neutral ceremony centred around gratitude, reflection and connection.
You are free to interpret the moment in whatever way feels right for you.
Your drum will then receive its own Drum Certificate, marking the day it was created and the beginning of the story you will share together.
And then it comes home with you.
Your drum.
Made by your hands.
With its own markings, character and voice waiting to emerge.
What's included?
Your Drum Making Experience includes everything you need for the day, with all materials prepared and ready for you.
YOUR OWN 16-INCH NATURAL-HIDE FRAME DRUM
You’ll create your own full-size 16-inch frame drum using a natural hide and wooden hoop, guided step by step throughout the process.
YOUR OWN HANDMADE DRUM BEATER
You’ll also make a drum beater to accompany your new drum, giving you a complete instrument to take home.
ALL MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
Everything required for the experience is provided, including your drum hoop, natural hide, lacing, beater materials and use of all tools and equipment.
FULL STEP-BY-STEP TUITION
You’ll be supported throughout the whole process, from the first stages of working with the materials through to completing the lacing and finishing your drum
SMALL-GROUP EXPERIENCE
Numbers are deliberately kept low so that everyone has plenty of time, space and individual guidance throughout the day.
MINDFUL RHYTHM & DRUMMING
While your newly created drum begins to settle and dry, you’ll have the opportunity to explore simple rhythms and mindful drumming using our established teaching drums.
GROUNDING, INTENTION & REFLECTION
Gentle grounding and reflective moments are woven into the day, allowing you to slow down and connect with the creative process in whatever way feels right for you
DRUM CEREMONY
The day concludes with our unique, a quiet moment of gratitude, acknowledgement and connection to mark the creation of your drum.
PERSONALISED DRUM CERTIFICATE
Your drum will receive its own certificate recording the date of its creation and marking the beginning of its story.
REFRESHMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available throughout the experience so you can relax, take your time and enjoy the day.
INTRODUCTORY PRICE — £299 PER PERSON
Everything above is included.
There are no materials to purchase separately and no equipment you need to bring.
You simply arrive ready to create.
NO BELIEF REQUIRED
The Goodlife Creative Drum Making Experience is intentionally non-shamanic and is not connected to any religion, spiritual path or particular belief system.
You do not need to believe in anything to take part.
For some people, the day may simply be a beautiful hands-on creative experience.
For others, it may feel mindful, reflective, energetic or deeply personal.
You are completely free to experience the day in your own way.
Our role is simply to provide a calm, respectful space where you can create, learn, connect with the materials and enjoy the process of bringing your own drum to life.
There is no pressure, no expectation and no “right” way to feel.
Just your experience, your intention and your drum.
CREATED WITH CARE. ACCREDITED WITH CONFIDENCE.
The Goodlife Drum Making Experience has been independently accredited by IPHM, giving you added confidence that the day has been thoughtfully structured, professionally delivered and created with participant wellbeing at its heart.
YOUR FACILITATORS
Your experience will be guided by Neil & Caroline Gale of Goodlife Wellness.
Neil has had a lifelong relationship with the drum, beginning at just four years old and continuing through almost six decades of playing, performing, recording, teaching, facilitating drum circles and helping others discover the power of rhythm.
Alongside his drumming background, Neil is also a Reiki Master Teacher, Sound Healing Practitioner and experienced wellbeing trainer.
Caroline, who is also a Sound Healing Practitioner, and developing her Reiki path will bring her warmth, knowledge and support to the day.
The Goodlife Creative Drum Making Experience brings together that lifetime of rhythm, teaching and mindful practice into one carefully created day.
This is not about rushing through a set of instructions.
It is about having the time, support and space to create something you can feel genuinely connected to and proud to take home.
READY TO CREATE YOUR DRUM?
The Goodlife Creative Drum Making Experience is a full-day, small-group experience designed to give you the time, materials, tuition and space to create something genuinely personal.
INTRODUCTORY PRICE
£299 PER PERSON
Your place includes:
• Your own 16-inch natural-hide frame drum
• Your handmade drum beater
• All drum-making materials
• Full step-by-step tuition
• Small-group support throughout the day
• Mindful rhythm and drumming session
• Grounding, intention and reflection
• The Goodlife Drum Ceremony
• Personalised Drum Certificate
• Refreshments throughout the day
10am–5pm
Garforth, Leeds
Places are deliberately limited to keep the experience calm, personal and unhurried
No previous drum-making or musical experience is required.
THIS IS YOUR DRUM. YOUR HANDS. YOUR STORY.
If you would like to join one of our upcoming Drum Experiences, simply get in touch with Goodlife Wellness to enquire about availability.
No previous experience required • All materials included • Small-group experience
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED ANY EXPERIENCE?
Not at all. The Goodlife Creative Drum Making Experience is suitable for complete beginners. You’ll be guided step by step throughout the day, with plenty of individual support.
DO I NEED TO BE MUSICAL OR KNOW HOW TO DRUM?
No. You don’t need any musical experience whatsoever. The rhythm element of the day is simple, relaxed and accessible to everyone.
WHAT SIZE DRUM WILL I MAKE?
You’ll create your own 16-inch natural-hide frame drum, complete with lacing and your own handmade drum beater.
IS EVERYTHING INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
Yes. Your £299 introductory price includes your drum hoop, natural hide, lacing, beater materials, use of tools and equipment, full tuition, refreshments, certificates and the complete Drum Making Experience.
There are no additional materials you need to purchase.
IS THIS A SHAMANIC WORKSHOP?
No.
The Goodlife Creative Drum Making Experience is not associated with any religion, spiritual tradition or particular belief system.
The day focuses on creativity, mindfulness, intention, natural materials and connection with the drum-making process.
We believe that drumming and drum making is for everyone to experience, you don't need to follow a particular belief system, spiritual path or tradition to experience the joy, connection and creativity that drumming can bring.
For us, drumming is about coming together, expressing yourself, learning something new and connecting with others, but also with respect for the many cultures and traditions that have their own relationship with the drum
There's room for everyone around the drum.
You are completely free to interpret the experience in whatever way feels right for you.
DO I NEED TO BELIEVE IN REIKI OR ENERGY WORK?
No. There is no belief requirement whatsoever.
Neil’s wider background includes Reiki and wellbeing practice, but Reiki is not a requirement or expectation of the Drum Making Experience.
WILL MY DRUM BE READY TO PLAY STRAIGHT AWAY?
Your newly made drum will need time to dry and settle properly before it is played.
You’ll be given guidance on caring for your drum during the drying process and on knowing when it is ready to find its voice.
WILL MY DRUM LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE EXAMPLES?
No — and that is part of the beauty of working with natural materials.
Every hide has its own markings, colours, texture and character, meaning every finished drum is completely unique.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?
Just yourself, comfortable clothing and your lunch unless advised otherwise.
All drum-making materials, tools and equipment are supplied.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN EACH WORKSHOP?
Places are deliberately limited to keep the experience personal, relaxed and supportive, allowing plenty of time for individual guidance throughout the day.
WHERE DOES THE EXPERIENCE TAKE PLACE?
The Goodlife Creative Drum Making Experience takes place in Garforth, Leeds.
Full joining information will be provided when your place is confirmed.
IS THE EXPERIENCE ACCREDITED?
Yes. The Goodlife Drum Making Experience has been independently accredited by IPHM.
HOW DO I BOOK?
Simply contact Goodlife Wellness to check upcoming dates and availability.
Places are limited and early booking is recommended.
YOUR DRUM IS WAITING TO BE CREATED.
One day.
Your own hands.
Your own drum.
And the beginning of a story that could stay with you for years to come.
Born by hand. Created with intention. A drum with a story.
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