Most of my fondest memories from childhood shared a common theme – they involved music in one way or another. In sixth grade, I got my first taste of the rich, rewarding experience that is playing a musical instrument. Our school band teacher held tryouts on Friday of the first week of school – we got to choose the instrument, but she made the final call as to whether we would be allowed to play it in the band.
I wanted to play percussion more than anything, and when she approved my choice I was utterly ecstatic. Playing the snare drum was a real thrill, and I didn’t even mind switching over to the xylophone when a song called for it. But school band was never my true desire – it was merely a way to get better at the kids drums. What I really wanted to do was start a garage band. We never made the big time, but playing in my best friend’s garage with a ragtag assortment of guitarists and bass players was a true thrill.
It’s no secret that successful drummers must have an impeccable sense of rhythm. No matter the musical genre – rock, jazz, bossa nova, etc. – the drummer is responsible for keeping the rest of the band in step. While lead guitarists can easily get off track with their noodling solos and excessive posing, the drummer is always there to reel them back in with a steady beat.
That’s not to say that drummers can’t have some fun of their own. If your child is just learning to play kids drums, make sure he or she takes the opportunity to display some creativity. Drum fills occur in between the structured rhythm parts, and they are almost always improvised on the spot by the drummer. Take your child to a live show and point out the moments when the drummer institutes a fill. In its own way, the drum solo or fill can be just as exciting as a guitar solo.
Children are tiny balls of energy that sometime seem to be never ending, or could be
referred to as rambunctious. In response to a child’s endless go-go-go attitude, most parents enroll their kids in a variety of sports. Physical activity is a great strategy for tiring out your kids, just a little bit, so they’re not bouncing off the walls. However, the same amount of energy can be applied to playing a musical instrument and, better yet, it unleashes a flood of creativity to your child’s brain.
Drumsets for kids are the ideal musical instrument for energy release. If you’ve ever been to a concert, I’m sure you’ve seen a live drum performance. Watching an artist wail away on the drums usually causes him to break a sweat; and the perk for you is that his music invigorates your senses. Imagine your child exercising his or her arms and legs – don’t forget about the workout from the foot pedal. If you and your child are ready for a musical adventure, purchase a drumset today!
The connection might not be immediately apparent, but novice rappers can learn a lot from accomplished drummers. Even more than most styles of music, rap and hip-hop are dependent on consistent rhythm and inventive beats. By honing his percussive abilities, a young rapper in the making can improve his cadence and vocal timing. Kids drumsets are widely available at discount prices.
Once a drum is attained, begin by experimenting with a few beats in 4/4 time. Also known as common time, this is the number of beats per measure commonly found in a rap song. After you’ve established a solid rhythm, begin singing along as you drum. Don’t be afraid to get creative – you can add snare fills and other little flourishes at various points. Over time, you’ll be ingrained with a better sense of rhythm, which will translate into your rap delivery.