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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

My 6 year old wants to learn drums, any advice?

27 replies

NeverTwerkNaked · 04/10/2017 20:45

Well he’s nearly 7 if that makes a difference Grin
Just wondering if they are an Ok instrument to start with? And if so what age is reasonable?
He finds school very easy so needs some extra challenges I think. He’s asked to learn (possibly just to drown out the sound of his sister practising tap dancing Grin)

Would this be a sensible age? Or should I tell him to hang on a year or so? Would he need a set to practise on?

OP posts:
calamityjam · 04/10/2017 20:50

Oh God no, don't do it. Dp came home with an entire set of drums for the dcs, what a racket! I mean seriously you could hear them 3 streets away. I even put them in the loft room, no improvement. Not made him sell them.

calamityjam · 04/10/2017 20:51

Sorry I meant I did make him sell them

tabbycatbythesea · 04/10/2017 20:52

Get an electric kit so you can control the volume, my little lad has been learning since 4, he loves it and can follow basic rhythms

SleightOfMind · 04/10/2017 20:53

God, I thought you were going to ask for advice on talking him out of it!
Um, earplugs....for your entire neighbourhood?

You're a braver woman than me OP

Jenala · 04/10/2017 20:53

My first boyfriend started having lessons about that age. He is a fabulous drummer now, really talented. It's a difficult instrument and underappreciated imo.

His dad did end up building a soundproofed box for his kit though - in the basement. He's also struggled to continue playing now he's at uni as they're not particularly portable unlike say a guitar which can lay around the living room.

Didiplanthis · 04/10/2017 20:54

Watching with interest as ds wants to do drums too and I said I'd look into it when he was 6 !!

Jenala · 04/10/2017 20:54

Electric kit is a great idea

Muddlingalongalone · 04/10/2017 20:54

Soundproof room at the bottom of the garden??

Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 04/10/2017 20:55

GrinGrin my little brother used to practise his drums in the spare room next to my bedroom while I was revising- i’m Immune to the sound Grin

I like the idea of the electric ones but don’t want to invest too much in case it turns out to be a passing whim!

My brother turned it into quite a lucrative hobby though!

OP posts:
Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 04/10/2017 20:56

Think I would stick the drums in the garage - until I can afford a soundproofed room at the far end of the garden Grin

OP posts:
hawleybits · 04/10/2017 21:03

My ds started playing drums when he was 8. We bought him his first kit and had a curfew of 8pm for the sake of our neighbours. I think when they're small, an actual kit, rather than electric pads, is what all the excitement is about!
Ds still plays and is now in a gigging band. It was most definitely a defining moment for him. I love musical kids!

Paulweller11 · 05/10/2017 00:09

Do it- my 8 yr old dd plays drums and loves it. The noise is not bad when they learn to play. Seriously- it’s great

LakeFlyPie · 05/10/2017 00:21

Please get an electric kit. Our neighbours DS drums and it sounds as if he is in our house (semi detached).

SofiaAmes · 05/10/2017 00:22

Say no and encourage them to learn electronic piano (ie so they can wear headphones).

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/10/2017 00:24

Ds started off with a practise pad then we got him a digital set a year later for his birthday. I warn you though they're still very loud even with head phones on.

ferrier · 05/10/2017 10:58

Absolutely the right age and get drum pads to put on them.
Can also do a lot of useful work with just a pair of sticks and a table.
Some people are just way too noise averse. Playing music is hugely beneficial in so many ways. Please don't discourage any child through fear of noise.

ferrier · 05/10/2017 11:01

Just read a bit more - glad op is noise tolerant!
Garage sounds great - just be aware it inflicts relatively more on neighbours. Do get the practice pads and impose a curfew.

Paulweller11 · 05/10/2017 18:18

He’s nearly 7, so I doubt his practice time will be late at night- your neighbours will be fine. Go for an acoustic kit and get some rubber pads to reduce the noise (at times when he needs to- not all the time though)

Original poster
NeverTwerkNaked · 05/10/2017 19:18

ferrier we have a big garden plus our neighbours on both sides are very deaf

OP posts:
NoCryLilSoftSoft · 05/10/2017 19:25

I've been thinking about getting my DCs an electric set for Christmas. Is there any sound from them at all?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/10/2017 19:29

Yes, a LOT of sound just not as much as a proper set.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/10/2017 19:31

Get two wooden spoons and bang the fuck out of a table and then stamp your foot really loudly on the floor too. However loud that is ,it'll be louder Grin

We couldn't have it in ds's bedroom as it sounded like the ceiling was going to fall in.

NoCryLilSoftSoft · 05/10/2017 19:33

Grin ok, that'll be a no to the electric drum kit then!

Santawontbelong · 05/10/2017 19:35

Discuss it with your neighbours and give them the deciding vote. .

NoCryLilSoftSoft · 05/10/2017 19:42

Hmm, I actually quite hate my neighbours Grin