A Parent's Guide to Drum Lessons: When Is the Right Time to Start? (Part One)

Often the answer to this question hits many parents and kids right in the face! From the onset of mom and dad taking note of their young one tapping along with music the epiphany usually follows; "time to look into this!" From there the rest is history!

There is an age old saying in the world of drums: "People do not choose to become drummers; drumming chooses its victims." So very true!

Curious parents have to discern between brute pounding and a genuine interest in drums. For parents, gauging this interest hinges on two parts; they are: 1. Is there genuine interest in becoming a drummer and 2. The age of the child.

This article will detail ways to detect real interest. My next article will assist parents in deciding the right age for your particular child.

Here are a few things that you can look for and do to measure interest in drum lessons for your child.

•     Does your kid clap their hands and/or stomp their feet to music? Watch their faces as they pound. Do they seem to genuinely try to follow the music? Pay particular attention to any attempt at REPETITION of sounds... that is a dead give-away to call the best drum teacher you can find!!!

•     Whenever you take your son or daughter to a social or family event that has live music of any sort, do they pay particularly close attention to the drums and/or the drummer more than all else? If so, that could be a good sign. In addition, if the venue allows, perhaps have your kid meet the drummer on a break (maybe even ask if your kid can tap something on the drums-maybe this person teaches or knows of a good teacher).

•     Instead of just buying your kids the same old video games, Hot Wheels cars, and Barbie Dolls take your kid to a music store and buy them an inexpensive pair of drumsticks and a practice pad. This "field trip" to the music store will really serve to gauge your child's interest! If your kid lights up automatically at the sight of all of those beautiful drums and other equipment, ask the store if they offer lessons or if they can recommend a good drum teacher.

•     Parades are also a great way to measure a child's interest. If your child is making it a point to watch the drummers in the parade as opposed to the fire trucks, mascots, horses, and people throwing candy, then that could be the go ahead for lessons...

•     Here's a quick test: watch these YouTube Videos with your youngster and watch their reaction:

        A. Rudimental Solo-Grandfather's Clock (you will see two men in colonial garb)
        B. 2002 Cavaliers Drumline
        C. Drum Lesson: Journey: Don't Stop Believin'

Following these short tips will allow a parent to see if a kid really wants to take the next step in learning to play the drums for real or if they are just pounding away for recreation.

My next article will focus on what is the right age to start...

George Guest run InnerBeat Drum School in Pittsburgh, PA.

He teaches full-time as a profession and works with kids as young as 3 years old. He also teaches adult students who are professional musicians.

http://www.InnerBeatDrumSchool.com

George teaches private lessons and group lessons; kids who take lessons at InnerBeat Drum School have fun learning!

To get a sample of George's teaching methods, sign up for his email list to receive regular education material once per week

http://www.innerbeatdrumschool.com/_free_lessons.html