Playing the drums, however, can be incredibly therapeutic, according to Chichester drum teacher Jamie Muffett.

"Playing the drums can have benefits a lot of people wouldn't automatically associate with the instrument," said Jamie, who has been drumming for 11 years and teaching for six.

One of the benefits of drumming is helping to lower stress levels, or alleviating symptoms of stress like anxiety or frustration altogether.

Mentally, it can keep people focused on what they are performing, helping to set their mind on an achievable goal.

Jamie added: "Playing drums is an incredibly rewarding instrument and from the first lesson you can get very satisfying results.

"If you would like to study the instrument in depth, or if you just want to sit down, rock out and relieve some stress, you can with drums."

Jamie teaches about 20 lessons per week, to a variety of pupils aged from seven to mid-50s, including children and adults who have behavioural difficulties or special needs.

He said: "I used to run a recording studio, but I handed that over to a group of local musicians as I realised teaching was much more rewarding.

"I believe that learning any musical instrument is a route down a better path for a lot of people. Not only are they learning a skill they can use the rest of their life, but it opens up new social opportunities.

"Drumming in particular is such a physical instrument to play that it impacts on all areas of the player's life – co-ordination improves, as does concentration and it serves as a great stress-reliever.

"I have seen many of my students not only improve their playing, but their confidence and overall happiness as well."

Callum Mason-Green, 12, from Chidham has ADHD and has been drumming with Jamie since he was six.

He said: "I used to hit pans with sticks so my parents sent me to have drum lessons. I've been having lessons every week for six years.

"Because of my ADHD I find it hard to concentrate in class at school, but I can really focus on drumming. When I've had my lesson I feel all my anger and frustration has disappeared and I feel calm and relieved."

Pupils do not have to already know how to play, just having the willingness and motivation is essential to getting started.

Giuseppe Barnes, 44, has been having drum lessons with Jamie for two-and-a-half years.

He said: "Drumming has helped me because of the mental stimulation and the physical side of co-ordinating your body to play.

"Drumming has become very important to me, not only because it helps me relax and is a form of therapy, but because you never stop learning when you play the drums."

Although playing the drums is perceived as being very male dominated, Jamie held a very successful women's drum circle six months ago at the New Park Centre, and is looking to repeat it in the future.

"The women's drum circle was great," he said. "I set it up because many of the mums of my students had said they had wanted to get on their child's drums but didn't feel they could take it any further.

"I mentioned it to a few people and they were all really interested, many of them were surprised how quickly they collectively produced a great-sounding beat and they said they found it quite liberating."

Other benefits of drumming are improved posture, flexibility and co-ordination performing on a drum kit and establishing a good sense of rhythm.

Playing the drums is also a form of exercise – it can be very vigorous, or each individual can choose to play as they wish and enjoy.