Drummer's Dad
Junior Member
I joined this forum because I thought it might be a good source of information for myself and my son as he develops over the years.
My son’s name is Bradford Davis. Bradford is left handed, (writing and eating) but seems to throw a ball with either hand and plays the drum set with either type of set up. He has not started any formal lessons; and I’m not sure when I should start lessons for him - and when I do - with who?
He seems to know what type of sounds and rhythms he’s after and does what ever is needed to achieve his objective.
A good example of this was the time he and I were in a Guitar Center store, he was 6 years old at the time. Bradford and one of the Drum Techs, (I can't recall his name) were playing together for awhile. They were doing a “call and response - follow the leader” type of thing with the difficulty level rising slowly on each round. A crowd started to develop with people and employees from other departments watching the “Little Kid” and the “Drum Tech” playing together. The Drum Tech was on a double bass set and Bradford was on a standard 5 piece set up; they were playing a moderate Rock / Funk type of beat.
Towards the end, the Drum Tech started kicking his double bass set up and Bradford, (just trying to follow him) started using his right hand on the floor tom in sync with his foot pedal - while keeping his snare on 2 and 4 and hitting his cymbals with his left hand, without missing a beat. Those who were watching the two of them roared and applauded with approval - while the Drum Tech and I just looked at each other in disbelief, Bradford made it look so easy and natural to do what he was doing.
My point is this, I could use some advice - I don’t want to ruin my son’s creativity by forcing him into some type of mold to become the type of drummer that his teacher might think he should be.
1. Could it be too soon to start lessons?
2. Should I try to find a better set for him and let him develop more?
He doesn’t want to play with ear protection, (of ANY kind - either earmuffs or plugs) and his hearing checks out fine. I’ve copied some links of him playing below hoping these would help those of you who may have an opinion or some advise for us.
Thank you and please forgive the long post.
4 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dlfVXTwBTA
5 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr7xPFuOv-4
6 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V05i4KmYMDY
7 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14B_CfTsBWI
8 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tAxKPGPsho
My son’s name is Bradford Davis. Bradford is left handed, (writing and eating) but seems to throw a ball with either hand and plays the drum set with either type of set up. He has not started any formal lessons; and I’m not sure when I should start lessons for him - and when I do - with who?
He seems to know what type of sounds and rhythms he’s after and does what ever is needed to achieve his objective.
A good example of this was the time he and I were in a Guitar Center store, he was 6 years old at the time. Bradford and one of the Drum Techs, (I can't recall his name) were playing together for awhile. They were doing a “call and response - follow the leader” type of thing with the difficulty level rising slowly on each round. A crowd started to develop with people and employees from other departments watching the “Little Kid” and the “Drum Tech” playing together. The Drum Tech was on a double bass set and Bradford was on a standard 5 piece set up; they were playing a moderate Rock / Funk type of beat.
Towards the end, the Drum Tech started kicking his double bass set up and Bradford, (just trying to follow him) started using his right hand on the floor tom in sync with his foot pedal - while keeping his snare on 2 and 4 and hitting his cymbals with his left hand, without missing a beat. Those who were watching the two of them roared and applauded with approval - while the Drum Tech and I just looked at each other in disbelief, Bradford made it look so easy and natural to do what he was doing.
My point is this, I could use some advice - I don’t want to ruin my son’s creativity by forcing him into some type of mold to become the type of drummer that his teacher might think he should be.
1. Could it be too soon to start lessons?
2. Should I try to find a better set for him and let him develop more?
He doesn’t want to play with ear protection, (of ANY kind - either earmuffs or plugs) and his hearing checks out fine. I’ve copied some links of him playing below hoping these would help those of you who may have an opinion or some advise for us.
Thank you and please forgive the long post.
4 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dlfVXTwBTA
5 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr7xPFuOv-4
6 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V05i4KmYMDY
7 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14B_CfTsBWI
8 Years Old- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tAxKPGPsho