| Author |
Message |
    
dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 108
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 11:24 pm: |     |
Hi all,
My 5 year old is ready for drum lessons. He's been on my kit since he was 2. Got him a kids set for the holiday's and he loves it. I don't feel I'm all that qualified to teach him all he needs to know. Any recomendations? |
Ben
Citizen
Username: Ros
Post Number: 203
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 1:20 am: | |
John Straus, in Maplewood, is great. He's in the phone book |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 291
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 9:00 am: | |
Are you sure that your son is prepared for lessons? I taught drums to some young kids in the past, and I find that many of them lack the discipline to sit down and practice the drum set. Plus, unless your child is another Tony Williams, it is difficult for young kids to "get into" the music.... they usually bang on the drums in their own tempo, regardless of the music that is playing in the background.
At such a young age, it is usually best to teach them music reading skills so that it becomes second nature to them. In addition, there seems to be a correlation between the ability to read music and the ability to do math, so there are definite side benefits to learning how to read music. If your child can go throught he Ted Reed Syncopation book by age 7, that would be a huge head start.
Another thought... it may help to start learning some mallet percussion at such a young age. It is easy for youngsters to hold mallets, and it is easy for youngsters to navigate their way around a 2 1/2 octave bell kit. If your son goes into percussion in the school system, then he will have to rent a bell kit anyway.
|
bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 608
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 1:17 pm: | |
My daughter takes lessons from John Straus and we would highly recommend him. He makes the lessons fun and informative. He also has the patience of a saint (well, at least with kid). She started when she was about 6 years old. |
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2309
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 1:33 pm: | |
ditto. Our son started taking lessons from John Straus at 5 years old. He's been going for over a year now, and he loves it. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 591
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 4:35 pm: | |
I've heard both Bookgal's daughter and ML's son play the drums. They sounded great to me! They weren't just banging on the drums either. They would excitedly tell me about their lessons. Give John a try. If parents start their children with piano lessons at 5 years old, why can't the child play them drums if that's what they want to play? |
Charles De Mar
Citizen
Username: Charles_demar
Post Number: 61
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 7:54 pm: | |
GLEN WEBBER'S DRUM SHOP
16 NORTHFIELD AVE
WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052
(973) 736-3113 |
JazzMe
Citizen
Username: Jazzme
Post Number: 18
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 11:38 pm: | |
Dano.
Best would be to know what you (and he) are looking for: all-around basics, reading, technique, just pre-learning fun, etc. This, in mind opinion, is what determines where to go and what to doi next - I am a drummer by the way.
|
dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 109
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:39 am: | |
Hello all,
Thanks all for the advise!!
JazzME, we know each other through Gomberg! I think we are looking for all around basics and fun. I'll try giving John a call have him look and listen to my son and determine the next steps!
Thanks again! |
RBrunner
Citizen
Username: Rbrunner
Post Number: 11
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 1:54 pm: | |
One unrelated bit of advice: get your kids in the habit of wearing earplugs from the start. As someone who developed a wicked case of tinnitus at a pretty young age and as a result had to give up the drums (which was a huge thing for me at the time), take if from me: you do not want to mess around with your hearing. Tinnitus is NOT fun, and it can start at a much younger age than you think. |
JazzMe
Citizen
Username: Jazzme
Post Number: 19
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 2:36 pm: | |
Dano... you mysterious poster... call me and I'll give you some ideas. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page