Shamanic Drumming

Welcome! The Foundation for Shamanic Studies is pleased to present Michael Harner's classic shamanic drumming recordings completely ad-free on the official Michael Harner YouTube channel. Both the 15-minute and 30-minute solo drum recordings are available. Easily listen by clicking on the embedded YouTube videos below.

These classic shamanic drumming recordings were made by Michael Harner using a traditional-style, single-headed frame drum. Ideal for shamanic journeying, the drum is played in a steady rhythm at approximately 5 beats per second. Both recordings conclude with a fast callback rhythm to bring the journeyer back to ordinary reality.

We invite you to take the two-hour Effective Shamanic Drumming workshop with drummer and FSS faculty member Adam Bosler. Learn and practice techniques for effective shamanic drumming, how to choose a drum, use of rattles, tips for easier drumming, and exercises to maintain strength and power.

Shamanic drumming is not music, and it is not intended for musical enjoyment or entertainment purposes. Instead, shamanic drumming is intended to facilitate shamanic journeying as instructed in workshops like The Shamanic Journey: Pathway to Knowledge and Power™, or as described in Michael Harner's classic book, The Way of the Shaman (HarperOne 1990).

These are some pointers to help you journey successfully:

1. Use headphones. High-quality headphones are recommended to achieve the maximum range and fidelity of sound.
2. Adjust the sound volume so that it is comfortable to listen to, but not so loud you experience discomfort.
3. For best results, do not try to use shamanic drumming if you are tired or sleepy, or have taken alcohol or mind-altering substances within the past 24 hours.
4. Sit or lie down in a quiet, dimly lit or dark room, and silence electronic devices so that you will not be disturbed. Cover your eyes with a bandanna or other piece of cloth to block out any ambient light.
5. Before starting, be very clear about your journey intentions, and where you are going (e.g., the Lower World). Use your predetermined departure point known to you in ordinary reality.
6. Keep a journal of your experiences.

It is also possible to journey to the sound of other percussion instruments. Here are some examples: a rattle being played in a steady rhythm of about 5 cycles per second, and a didjeridu with rhythmic click sticks.

The complete range of Michael Harner's classic Journeywork™ audio recordings are available for purchase in our online store in both CD and MP3 format. The recordings are also now available for streaming on the music streaming platform of your choice, such as Spotify, YouTube, Pandora, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.

Michael Harner, In Memoriam (1929 - 2018)

Audio content copyright ©2010 the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Video content copyright ©2025 the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Michael Harner's Shamanic Journeywork Series™ is a trademark of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Inc. All rights reserved.