Drums are an essential in most kinds of music from military bands to rock and pop. Has your child expressed an interest in taking drum lessons? Do you have concerns? For example, are you thinking a drum kit is a large instrument; do I have room in my house? Or maybe you are worried about the potential and inevitable noise during practice?....The answer might be to let your child try the drums for a few lessons and see how you both feel – your child might hate it (and opt instead for something smaller and quieter!) or they might fall in love with the drums and end up winning the Britain's Got Talent!
What should you be thinking about to help you choose the right drum teacher for your child?
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) – an internationally recognised education body based in London that provides examinations in music.
Trinity Guildhall -Trinity College London.
LCM Examinations – a department of the London College of Music within the University of West London.
ABRSM – Grade 1-8 in percussion requires performance on either timpani or snare drum and on xylophone/Marimba/ vibraphone (with motor off )/ glockenspiel (Grade 1 and 2 only because of limited range)
Trinity Guildhall – Grade 1-8 in Drum Kit, Tuned Percussion, Snare Drum, Timpani and Orchestral Percussion. Also offers Certificate examinations as an alternative, performance-focused route. They contain no technical work or supporting tests, and are available for Drum Kit at three levels:
Foundation (standard around Grade 3)
Intermediate (standard around Grade 5)
Advanced (standard around Grade 8)
LCM – Grade 1-8 in Drum Kit, Tuned Percussion, Snare Drum, Timpani, Percussion.LCM Examinations are open to all. There are no minimum age restrictions, and the choice of repertoire is intended to appeal to candidates of all ages. However, in practice, whilst candidates of all ages enter for Grades 1-5, it is unlikely that candidates below 12 years will possess the musical maturity for success at Grades 6-8. Below are target ages/ LCM grades.
4 – 7 years - Grade 1 – 3
6 – 13 years - Grade 1 – 5
11 – 18+years - Grade 4 – 8
There is no minimum qualification required to teach music at home. However, passing grade 8 practical and at least grade 5 theory will indicate an acceptable level of competence regarding playing ability and musical knowledge. A Music Degree would be advantageous.
There are many chances to play the drums in groups. An older child may find themselves playing the drums in a band and every orchestra has a percussion section. Practising with other children is more fun, improves a child’s social skills, builds confidence and demonstrates the importance of teamwork.
Jamie Oliver (born May 27, 1975) played the drums in a band called Scarlet Division which he formed with some of his childhood friends when he was 13 years old.
Irish former racing driver and Formula 1 pundit Edmund "Eddie" Jordan (born March 30, 1948) loves rock and roll music and plays the drums in his band "Eddie & The Robbers".
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine (born May 17, 1965) made his first bid for fame as an 18-year-old, playing drums for a group called The Flared Generation in Surrey in the 1980s.
Other people who play the drums but are famous for other reason are: Bill Oddie, Jeremy Clarkson, Matt Lucas, Max Beesley, Chevy Chase and Bill Cosby.
12 year old Kieran Gaffney had only been playing the drums for a year when he auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent!
Christian is only 5 years old. He is so cool – especially when he remembers to put his shades on!!
5 year old Merrick is playing ACDC while his dad plays guitar.
And here Merrick plays a Soukous style song (African Rumba).
This little boy is only 3 years old and plays the drums so well – can’t imagine how well he’d play if he was wearing his own clothes!
I loved playing drums because I had a lot of musical friends and we were soon forming bands to practice our instruments together. It was great fun and we even played a few shows together which was massive fun and was a huge confidence booster being on stage in front of people.