Some unfortunate things as a Teenager... READ!

That sucks, I play drums in my garage but my parents don't care, one time the neighbors said they were going to call the cops, it was in the afternoon. My dad said keep practicing anyway lol. What I would do if I were you is find a place where you can jam and practice with friends.
 
Re: Som

My stepdad wouldn't allow my brother to grow a goatee when he was 18 so I'm getting a kick....

I would take the gear somewhere else and practice, and not discuss anything music/drum related to him. When I was in highschool I could play the school's kit because I was respectful to the instructor. You have to know someone in a band or someone with a drum kit. A nice neighbor with garage space that allows you to practice in turn for mowing their lawn. Use all your resources.
 
Or instead of investing in a whole new kit, how about a set of mesh practice heads? I've heard good things about them and how quiet they are and am thinking of gettng a set for myself. Perhaps if you could show how you could practice without being so loud and disturbing others it would help.

And, also, please don't take this the wrong way...stop whining! Complaining and moaning isn't getting you anywhere so start trying to kill them with kindness, so to speak. You know (and I know you don't want to hear this) you are only 15! There's a lot of life ahead of you to pursue the things you want to do. I'm 43 and just started playing drums a month ago. Sometimes, life gets in the way and we have to adjust and learn to be patient. I know it's not easy but we can't always get what we want when we want it (trust me, that's a life lesson you better start learning now...it never changes, no matter how old you are!).

If drumming truly is your passion, that won't go away if you have to wait a little while to start it. In the mean time, get a pair of sticks and practice on a pillow, on boxes, or whatever you have.

I really hope it all works out for you and I hope I wasn't too harsh. Good Luck!
 
This thread reminds me of the movie Footloose.

Just think of the book and movie rights when this story of a disaffected and trampled youth overcomes harsh circumstances on his way to rock n roll fame and fortune....

Live it up dude!

Keep a record of events. One day it may pay off.
 
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Heh...some parents can't be reasoned with. I moved out when I was 17, my stepdad used to take away my music because he thought it was offensive. There were plenty of other things...THAT guy was nuts. Then my mom started to agree with him and they kicked me out three or four times until I finally just never came back...and they wonder why I don't call or visit. 13-17 was the hardest time of my life. But I left and became who I wanted to be.

And for the record, If my kid wants to wear his pants inside out like in Back to the Future 2 and look like an idiot, fine. That's what kids do, styles change.

It might offend me if he joins a church and becomes a Republican, though.
 
It's rough, several things fell under "my house my rules" growing up that I had to do without. Drums, Motorcycles, Hockey, etc. Making my own choices now, I no longer feel like I need to follow up with a dirt bike or that I'm all that interested in hockey. If it matters you have a lot of time to come back to it. Wife gets nervous when I get excited and start talking about purchases, it's an expensive hobby and there's other "choices" that are cheaper and less invasive. Try to find an outlet, marching band or whatever to keep you involved and if you're getting school credit there's something to be said.
 
This thread reminds me of the movie Footloose.

Just think of the book and movie rights when this story of a disaffected and trampled youth overcomes harsh circumstances on his way to rock n roll fame and fortune....

Live it up dude!

Keep a record of events. One day it may pay off.

^ I like this response.

You know, I actually knew a Christian girl with similar parents. She is now a porn star, one that is very easy to find with a quick google search.
 
I actually knew a Christian girl with similar parents. She is now a porn star, one that is very easy to find with a quick google search.

That's pretty common. People want to do what they want to do, much like our friend Joey, here. When you're being "oppressed", you tend to want to do the thing that your oppressors don't want you to do even more. That's why Catholic-raised girls go WILD in their late teens/early 20s. That's why Joey wants to get new drums so bad...
 
I don't find it sad. You make your own choices. People like to blame parents for a number of things but I think that road is pretty short. Sometimes shit happens, but that doesn't make who you are. I've got friends who are 25+ and are still mad at their parents for things that happened when they were little, and blame all their problems on it.

In the end, it's up to you.
 
That's pretty common. People want to do what they want to do, much like our friend Joey, here. When you're being "oppressed", you tend to want to do the thing that your oppressors don't want you to do even more. That's why Catholic-raised girls go WILD in their late teens/early 20s. That's why Joey wants to get new drums so bad...

My next door neighbour (my age growing up) parents were both teachers (Latin and English) and forced their only daughter to read Bronte when she was eight. It was always expected she'd be academic and study at University. She was a very bright girl.

A few years down the road and she's been in Prison four times for shoplifting and drug-related offences, lives with her dealer and in a permanent state of drug withdrawal and addiction. She speaks like she's on speed the whole time and gets acid flashbacks. That all started when she was about fourteen.

If that's not an ouch I don't know what is.
 
I mean, I rebelled when I was a kid, but jeez. Not that much.
 
She was one of my best friends growing up. One day she came into my room and looked up and nonchalantly asked why the ceiling was turning blue. She'd been dropping acid on her own all day. We tried to help, but no chance. Very sad really.
 
That's pretty common. People want to do what they want to do, much like our friend Joey, here. When you're being "oppressed", you tend to want to do the thing that your oppressors don't want you to do even more. That's why Catholic-raised girls go WILD in their late teens/early 20s. That's why Joey wants to get new drums so bad...

Probably. And I think the fact that my parents basically just never made me do anything as a child is why i've ended up being a very hard working boring person.
 
That's awful! Very sad actually....

In a way, I haven't spoken to her for years, so I am unable to comment on whether or not she is happy now. It's quite possible she is.
 
As a parent of two tennagers, we walk the tight line between doing parenting and being overbearing and controlling. Many times you know your kids are making bad decisions and you want to protect them from the pain and hurt they will cause. On the other hand you eventually have to let them go so they can learn from their mistakes.

Specific to this thread, your father sounds like a wacko, but then again we're only getting your side of the story. My daughter has a friend who's father is a controlling wacko, and limits his daughter on what she can and can't do, who she can hang out with, and where she can go. My daughter just got her license, but in order to drive her friend in the car, you actually have to fill out an application with the father to get approved to drive his kid around. It's insane.

Does your father hate music in general, or just your music? What was his upbringing? Did he have controlling parents? Is there any common ground you can make? If he likes a particular type of music, can you start listening to and playing his music? Do you do any activities with your father? Hobbies? Sports? Do you take an interest in the things he likes to do?

How does your mother fit into the situation? Is she against you playing drums? Can she help by interceding on your behalf?

Being defiant is not going to work. You're going to have to give before you take. I know that is a tough thing to comprehend when you are a teenager, because everything at that age is about you. Trust me, I know this based on my daughter's attitude.

Don't give up, because your only other option is to wait another three miserable years and then get out of Dodge.

Or you could just call Dyfus on your dad and get him hauled off to jail. ;)
 
I got the drums back (for now) So when I get home tonight I will be setting them back up. Probably into a 4 piece to focus more on what counts instead of all the flare.
I honestly won't be too surprised if I have them back down next week, because he grows sick of it very quickly...
 
Are there any times you can play when he won't freak out? Have you guys discussed when and when you cannot play?

Setting your kit back up only to get it taken away the next time you play is a huge waste of everybody's time.
 
Are there any times you can play when he won't freak out? Have you guys discussed when and when you cannot play?

Setting your kit back up only to get it taken away the next time you play is a huge waste of everybody's time.

Absolutely! You have to TALK with the other people involved with you drumming...also known as the people who have to LISTEN to your drumming: your parents/anyone else in the house/anyone who can hear your drumming from outside your house. Find out when the most convenient time for you to drum is, in regards to when it will bug everyone the least. Then, have at it.

If not, and you get your drums taken away again, then seriously...that's a HUGE waste of time for everyone involved, including us hearing about it...
 
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