Teaching children to play the drums

It’s a noisy hobby, but one that can be very enjoyable and rewarding for a child. It’s a great way to encourage self-expression, creativity, and an appreciation of all music. It can be a big investment, or as simple as a set of drumsticks and a practice drum pad. If you’re thinking of giving kids drum lessons, consider these points as you begin your journey.

Section 1. How playing the drums can teach children to express themselves

Drums have been used as a means of self-expression for a long, long time. The various rhythms have been used as a means of communication between humans. We see them in marching bands, at African tribal celebrations, and at Native American ceremonies, to name a few. Drums have been used expressively by many cultures over the years and can take on a spiritual aspect.

Nowadays, drum circles are a big thing. A group of people sit in a circle and play hand drums. The idea is that sharing rhythms with each other becomes a collective rhythm. The result is an increased feeling of connectedness within the group. Drum circles can include children of all ages and are considered very therapeutic.

Playing the drums can provide a good physical workout, while helping to facilitate self-expression and release stress. Practicing the basics is essential. But a lot of time should also be spent letting the child experiment and play what he wants. During this time, they may realize the greatest benefit of self-expression.

Section 2. How drumming can give kids something constructive to do with their time

Drums are a musical instrument. Like any other instrument, they require a regimen of practice. Make sure there is regularly scheduled practice time for the child. If you don’t play the drums yourself, consider getting the kid some lessons. Private lessons are usually available through your local music store.

Most children have an innate love of music, especially popular music. Learning to play the drums to popular songs can give them goals to set and achieve.

The discipline involved in regular practice is quite beneficial. But, you are also fostering the child’s interest in music. It is essential to allow the child space to be creative when playing the drums. Let them go crazy from time to time.

Section 3. Proper Playing Position

It is important to have the correct size drum set for the child so that they can use the proper playing posture. For younger children, buy a beginner’s drum set. Older or taller children can play on a full standard size drum set.

They must sit upright. Slouching will bring back, shoulder and neck pain. The stool must be adjusted up or down so that your feet can reach the drum pedals. Keep your knees at a 90 degree angle. Observe and adjust the stool if the child leans over. That will lead to fatigue and lower back pain. Take care to adopt a good posture, or the child may lose interest in the drums early on.

Section 4. How to hold the sticks

There are a variety of grip styles that can be used on the stick when playing drums. Some constants are that they should be held between thumb and forefinger, about a third of the way up the stick. It is important that the clubs are balanced and allow a good swing. Finding your balance is tricky at first, but it becomes second nature as the game progresses. We’ll look at the two main grip distinctions here.

traditional grip

This style grip is very common in jazz percussion and body percussion. Corp drummers carry their drums on their hips. It is difficult to use a combination grip, where the club is held the same in both hands. Plus, the traditional grip is a softer touch. Instead of gripping the sticks, they rest in the thumb and forefinger pocket. Find your balance and rest the stick on your last two fingers.

matched grip

This is the style grip that is popular in rock percussion and is now accepted for most types of percussion. It simply means that both hands hold the club in the same way. The club is gripped directly with the thumb and forefinger. Find your balance and close the grip with the other fingers. You get a lot more power when playing with a combo grip. That’s why it’s more popular in rock drumming. Most drummers now use the combo grip, but older drummers feel it’s important to know how to use the traditional grip.

Section 5. Practicing basic rhythms

Depending on the age of the child, it is recommended that you practice in shorter, more frequent sessions. Going to a marathon practice session can cause them to lose interest. If the noise becomes too much, invest in a drum pad for the child to practice on. They get the simulation of hitting a drumhead, but without the noise.

Speaking of noise, make sure your child has some sort of ear protection when playing drums to avoid damaging their hearing. You can use foam earplugs or noise-blocking headphones.

When your child is just starting out, consider using a metronome to master the rhythm. It will serve as a guide and will ensure that the times are even. Probably the most important thing to practice, especially for beginners, are the rudiments. These include:

• One-hit roller

• Double Hit Roll

• Single Paradiddle

• Double Paradiddle

• Flame tap

• Multiple bounce roll

These are just some of the rudiments that drummers will become familiar with. Practicing rudiments is the equivalent of practicing scales on a piano or with a vocal coach. Every pasted pattern and every rhythm will be made up of these rudiments, and mastery is essential.

The child should spend about half of his practice time on the rudiments and the other half playing whatever he wants. They need a combination of both activities to advance as young drummers.

Hopefully you have found this article informative and you can use it as a foundation as you encourage your young drummer!