Advice for Parents: Your Child Wants to Play the Drums

From the time they are toddlers banging their mom's pots and pans together in the kitchen floor, kids love the sounds and beats of percussion instruments. If your child decides he or she wants to learn to play the drums, you should encourage their interest however you can. Your child can learn to play the drums even if he or she has no apparent musical ability. With the proper instruction, encouragement, and practice, your child can quickly become proficient at playing the drums. Here are some tips on where to start when your child begs you for drum lessons.

Before rushing out to the nearest music store to max out your credit card on a new drum set, you should first seek out an experienced percussion instructor. Ask friends, call your local music store, or even a local high school band director for recommendations. Taking a few lessons before committing to purchasing a set of drums could save you a lot of money if your child decides to quit.

If you are concerned about the noise associated with your child playing the drums inside the house, relax! There are quieter options that will save you money on headache medications and ear plugs. Early on, pillows can be used to practice drumming. Pillows absorb the sound, but provide a firm, bouncy surface for your child to get the hang of wrist strokes and timing. Practice pads are another option that are inexpensive and realistic to a real drum's surface. Practice pads are wooden or plastic base covered with a rubber or plastic drumming surface. These portable pads are excellent for learning to play the drums. They provide realistic bounce that is similar to a real drum, are loud enough that the drummer can evaluate his skills, but quiet enough that you can't hear it in the next room.

Another quiet option, though usually a pricey one, is an electronic drum set. These should be considered only after your child is committed to playing the drums. Electronic drum sets provide realistic drum sounds, preprogrammed beats to play along with, and are equipped with a headphone jack to keep the drumming contained inside the drummer's head.