My little drummer boy

Published on December 18, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

Our Jake's decided what he wants for his birthday (despite it being 6 months away).

A drum kit.

Not one of the kid ones you see in Toys R Us or Wally World, but a proper junior starter kit from Musician's Friend.

The basic kit is $120, and right now they're throwing in the throne for free. Jake might be getting money for Christmas, and his dad and I have said that if he gets $100 all told that we'd be willing to sub him the extra $20 and he can get his drum kit earlier than his birthday (free shipping on orders over $99).

He's so excited. He's going around the house tapping out rhythms on pretty much everything he can find. He's practicing tapping his foot for the bass beat and co-ordinating his hands for the snare and hi-hat. It's very, very cool to see him getting so excited and enthusiastic about it.

I want to give my kids the opportunity to play music. I want them to have an instrument to fool around with, to play on and learn from. I want them to have the opportunity to express themselves musically - because I never had that. I played trumpet, yes, but I had to get it on a scholarship and whenever I played at home my folks would just tell me to 'stop making that horrible racket'. I got no support, and I don't want it to be like that for my kids. I want to encourage them; I want to support them.

Shea took off with my guitar a few weeks ago and taught herself how to play some GreenDay songs. Jake looks up to his big sister, and I have a feeling that he's going to want to drum along with GreenDay too. To be honest, I don't care what he plays. That he's playing is good enough for me.

So, Jake's getting a drum kit sometime. I think I'm going to get him a book and a CD of basic drum patterns to start him off with, then let him go wild.

So far we have a guitar player (me), a brass section (Davey), a wanna be bassist (Dave) and a newbie drummer (Jake). All we need now is for Shea to find something to play, and we've got ourselves a band!

Comments (Page 1)

alison watkins

on Dec 18, 2005

You guys are the freaking Partridge Family! hehe.

I wish I had more parents who encouraged music in their homes like you do! I get the "It's only band/chorus" phonecall at least once a week. I almost quit my job because of an awful parent on Tuesday.

Rock on!

dharmagrl

on Dec 18, 2005

You guys are the freaking Partridge Family! hehe.

I know! we could get us a renovated school bus and take our show on the road!!

I wish I had more parents who encouraged music in their homes like you do!

Dave and I came from families that were pretty narrow minded in some respects. We said that when we had kids we were going to expose them to as much as we could and let them decide for themselves which direction they wanted to go in. So far, we've been pretty successful and have managed to raise children who aren't afraid to be different and who are willing to try new and different things. Encouraging them to play music is just an extension of that.

I almost quit my job because of an awful parent on Tuesday

What happened?

alison watkins

on Dec 18, 2005

You should take your show on the road!

Here's what happened:

In the state of NY, it is a requirement that children are to attend rotating school lessons and their performing arts ensemble. The lessons rotate, so that the child will not be missing the same class within an 8 week period. We are also required to have playing tests. I have made it a rule that if you do not play off your tests, the kids can't play in the concert. I called the parents of the few kids that were missing their lessons and haven't been tested for their music and one parent went apeshit. She said "What about academics? I do not think my child should be punished for caring about her other classes, afterall, you only teach band. " She began to yell how it is unfair that her daughter would not be in the concert if she didn't go to lessons.

I began to explain how it is a REQUIREMENT for her to go to lessons if she is in the band. I also began to state how it would be unfair to the kids who have prepared and played off their tests perfectly if her daughter was unprepared. Apparently she called the guidance counselor and bitched about my unfairness and how I am to serious about band. The guidance counselor read her the riot act. I was happy about that.

It just seems like I these parents do not want me to have standards. ...that music is just a social thing. Sure it is, but that's only the tip of the iceberg....ahh!! I was so frusturated!

Locamama

on Dec 18, 2005

I played at home my folks would just tell me to 'stop making that horrible racket'. I got no support, and I don't want it to be like that for my kids. I want to encourage them; I want to support them.

This was how it was at my house too. I played the clarinet (or tried to play the clarinet) and would squeal and squeak and I was told that if I had to practice I was supposed to practice in the bathroom with the door shut. How is that for encouragement - sit on the toilet and play your instrument. I guess they taught us how not to do it.

dharmagrl

on Dec 18, 2005

She began to yell how it is unfair that her daughter would not be in the concert if she didn't go to lessons.

Life's unfair. She should get used to it. She knows the requirements to be in the concert, so she also knows that if she's going to blow off her music tests she won't get to be in the concert. As you said, how fair would it be to the other kids who busted their asses to pass their tests to let this girl participate in the concert just because her momma yelled at you?

Music isn't academic, no. But it's important. It teaches kids about teamwork, it teaches them hand-eye co-ordination, it gives then a sense of discipline....playing an instrument is a skill that, once you've learned it, can entertain you (and other people) for the rest of your life. It gives them an outlet to express themselves that doesn't involve alcohol or drugs.

I'm glad the counsellor went off on her. I know many, many moms like that, and they sicken me. They're the ones who refuse to believe their little 'angel' is actually a little turd who beats up other kids for their lunch money or is rude and catty and spiteful and anyone who isn't in her 'clique'.

dharmagrl

on Dec 18, 2005

I played the clarinet (or tried to play the clarinet) and would squeal and squeak and I was told that if I had to practice I was supposed to practice in the bathroom with the door shut. How is that for encouragement - sit on the toilet and play your instrument. I guess they taught us how not to do it.

That was me too. Either the bathroom or the garden shed. Ostracized for wanting to play music.

Score yourself an insightful for the 'they taught us how not to do it'.

MarcieMoo

on Dec 18, 2005

One of my favorite lines from Mr. Holland's Opus is when Mr. Holland is talking to the principal after finding out that they're cutting the music program and Mr. Holland says "What are the students going to read and write about, Gene?" I think the arts are VERY important to academia. The math and the writing don't matter much if you can't use it or enjoy it. I love music. It's touched my life in so many different ways. I'm not good at "performing" but I'm so thankful there are people ou there that are...

ANYWAY...K...I was doing the percussion thing when I was in school...I have a drummer's practice pad at my house in Detroit Lakes...I could send it to you for Jake if you want...~shrugs~ It's up to you...but it's all yours if you want it...I'll never use it again.

dharmagrl

on Dec 18, 2005

Exactly. Since Shea turned 13 music has become incredibly important to her. Jake's getting there too.

...I have a drummer's practice pad at my house in Detroit Lakes...I could send it to you for Jake if you want

Yes, Please! That would be wonderful!! But you have to let me pay for postage. That's awesome, Marcie! Thank you!

MarcieMoo

on Dec 18, 2005

Yes, Please! That would be wonderful!! But you have to let me pay for postage. That's awesome, Marcie! Thank you!

Bah...it'll be two dollars. Email your address to me and I'll try to dig it up and get it out to you right after Christmas. No problem. I hope Jake's better at it than I was. I sucked. lol

dharmagrl

on Dec 18, 2005

Email your address to me

I've tried twice and it keeps getting sent back...can you email me your correct emailing address?

I hate Yahoo some days. Gah.

ParaTed2k

on Dec 18, 2005

It may come as no surprise, but I grew up on a home where musical instruments were all over the place. Piano, guitar, violin, drum set, trumpet, clarinet, marimba, harmonicas and even my dad's old acordian. Now in my home, there is my guitar, harmonicas and practice drum pad, a Wal~Mart special keyboard, a trumpet and my daughters prized possession... her grandpa's violin. To me, it just isn't home if there isn't the sound of one instrument or the other coming through the walls.

It looks like you're home is coming up the same way!!!

I am so excited for young Jake! Drums are so much fun!!!

I was going to add a word of caution about a drum set for beginning drummers, but it looks like Marcie is going to hook you up! It is mine and my brother's (who's a great drummer and teacher) experience, when parents buy a student a whole drumset before he or she is ready to pass off the snare, it tends to slow down their progression. Basically, when kids get a toy, they want to play with it, and it takes more discipline than most kids have to resist the temptation of playing with the whole set instead of sticking to the snare. A whole drum kit is also a great incentive for parents to use for some positive reinforcement and motivation. "As soon as you pass off your snare lessons, we'll get you the kit!"

So, the practice pad and lessons would make a great christmas present, followed up with the drum kit from Musician's Friend for his birthday in 6 months... If he's willing to keep it up for 6 months, that would also be a great indicator that this is more than just a passing fancy for him.

the practice pad is also a much quieter means of getting through the "pound and bang" phase of learning how to play drums. ;~D

I'M SO EXCITED FOR JAKE!!!!!

Shovelheat

on Dec 18, 2005

NOW YOU DONE IT! I'll be humming that song all day now!

Pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum...

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Texas Wahine

on Dec 18, 2005

Cool!

It's always great to have something that the whole family can get into together (and it doesn't hurt that this particular interest is pretty useful!).

I hope he gets it soon!

InBloom

on Dec 18, 2005

Awesome!...hope he enjoys the drum kit. I think it's great that your children are interested in music. Most of my family loves music, since my grandfather was a professional musician...When I have kids, I'd love for them to be passionate about music as well.

This may sound funny, but I'm 31 and I would STILL like to learn how to play the drums some day...(I know a bit of piano...took classes in high school and college).

dharmagrl

on Dec 18, 2005

It's always great to have something that the whole family can get into together (and it doesn't hurt that this particular interest is pretty useful!).

Yeah, like Alison said we're turning into a regular Partridge family!

Seriously, I'm happy that they WANT to learn how to play stuff. It's a skill they'll carry with them their entire lives, and even if they never get to play in a band it's something they can entertain and amuse themselves with instead of video games. I love the challenge of learning a new song, and the satisfaction of getting it right is just awesome. I think that's going to be a huge confidence booster for Jake.

NOW YOU DONE IT! I'll be humming that song all day now

I hadn't even thought of it until you mentioned it. Now I'm going to be humming all damn day too!!!

It is mine and my brother's (who's a great drummer and teacher) experience, when parents buy a student a whole drumset before he or she is ready to pass off the snare, it tends to slow down their progression. Basically, when kids get a toy, they want to play with it, and it takes more discipline than most kids have to resist the temptation of playing with the whole set instead of sticking to the snare

That's what I read this morning too. So, this drum pad will help him figure out how to get the snare down before he moves on to other stuff (thanks again, Marcie!).

I'm excited for him as well! He's shown a natural aptitude for working with his hands; hopefully that will carry over to drumming as well!

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