Do I make my son have drum lessons?

Your “good” doesn’t equal his “good”. Maybe a good set of headphones and some CD’s of music he likes would be good. He could learn to try and play along. I think the key here is to not apply any pressure.

Dyslexic and trying to learn music.. That sounds really rough.

I see what you are trying to do and it is a good idea. But I would focus on him. And I say this as a person that is slightly dyslexic and was put in piano lessons as a child.

Thanks,

I deliberately said to the teacher that it would be best not to learn how to read music just make it fun for him, I can’t and don’t want to force him, it’s just difficult becuase I think he would get so much out of it if he got over his intial nervousness (if that’s what it is).

He would probably get more out of jamming with a few other people. Are there any music workshops for kids in your area?

My son has played drums for about six years. He is 14 and has an amazing natural skill. A lot of my friends are musicians ( in actual touring bands not just guys who dabble in it) and most of them say they wish they had taken lessons just for the sake of learning proper form. Playing the drums can take it’s toll on him physically if he doesn’t do it right. My son takes lessons for that sake alone. Not to be harsh but in the real world your son will have to find ways to cope with his dyslexia. Might as well start now. Just explain to the teacher that he needs to be patient with him as it is a struggle for him. Maybe you can find a teacher who will give lessons at your home, which could make your son more comfortable.

I am Dyslexic and I play many instruments. Such as the Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar and Bass, and the drums. Drums is a very technical instument it requires alot of concentration and counting when you start. Since when your on a set you are normally on your own, (no accompaniment) so people will be able to tell if your off from everyone else. Trust me, from a fellow musician, Lessons are nothing to be ashamed about. See if he could join the school band. That’s a great way to get him involved and he gets lessons without even knowing it.

Maybe you could try lessons on DVD. My ex-husband is an excellent drummer who never had lessons growing up. As an adult, he bought several DVDs to learn some skills he had always wanted to be able to do. DVDs worked like a charm.

Please allow your son to learn his own way at his own pace. The love of making music is a gift not everyone is blessed with – please don’t take this gift away from him!

My mother forced me (through threats, bribes, and just physically putting me in the car, and dragging me to lessons) to play classical violin for 14 years, and I hated it the whole time. It wasn’t my idea to start with, I wanted to quit immediately and for the entire duration of my 14 year stint as a violinist. I quit when I graduated from high school several years ago, and I have no regrets about the decision. So, please don’t make your son do anything he doesn’t want to! (within reason of course)

And, in a while, he might come back to you and ask for lessons. DVDs, a school band, and the others are all great ideas, but whatever you do, don’t force them on him. Just suggest them, perhaps try to get him to talk about what he likes or doesn’t like about the ideas, and take it from there.

I’m self taught. The four weeks of lessons I had after I had mastered basic beats taught me nothing I didn’t already know, to be frank. Drum kit is definitely an instrument that can be learnt through listening to music, and copying – also hints from other drummers can be invaluable but don’t have to take the form of a structured lesson.

Well, it will be difficult for him to learn since hes dyslexic. Sorry to be harsh, but you dont need to learn how to read music to be a great drummer. My father is a drummer, and has been since he was 5. I never ever learned how to do anything, i just watched him play, and many people say that im really unbelivable, better than alot of pros. Your son should just watch people play, watch their technics. Maybe get him in the school band, and get him some cd’s. Maybe get him videos to watch. Teach him paradiddles, will help him alot, and when you get fast at it, its a confidence builder, it was for me when i was younger. (Paradiddle is: Right, left, right, right, left, right, left left (Repeat) RLRR LRLL

I started off in 6th grade learniung snare, then taught myself to play the drum set by 8th grade. Although I could play almost everything I wanted to at that time, I stated to take set lessons, and it opened up a world of possibilities. I found a terrific set teacher and although within a year could play ANYTHING on the radio I learned how to play with odd time signatures, various types of latin based music, and jazz. Although my heart was always tied to rock, I found learning to play a number of different styles made me blow away the ‘competition’ and play complex fills easier because I learned those techniques and applied them to the kind of music I loved. I could switch between left and right hand, and feet; play different time signatures with left while another with right/feet, etc.. Overall, I think lessons are analagous to learning how to read and write. It allows the pupil to think at a higher level, and music is all about thinking.. and being able to create whatever is in your head (effortlessy). Bottom line – lessons are a must for musicians who wnat to excel, but the student must be ready and have the drive to excel. This happens at different ages, and 8 years is pretty young still. At this point I’d recommend to allow the boy to learn how to enjoy the instrument at his own pace, and when he is a bit more mature make lessons available. With that, I don’t recommend starting with snare drum only as this may cause him to lose interest (although the rudiments are definetly worth while to learn on the set too!). Good luck! P.S. I’m slightly dyslexic, too.

Have a teacher come over and pose it as one of your friends. Seque into your son finding out this friend also plays drums, let your “friend” go jam on your son’s kit, and then transition into the friend offering to show your son different beats and techniques while you secretly pay the new teacher. This should work pretty well.

I have to disagree with the comments about it being difficult for your dyslexic son to learn to play the drums. My 7-year old dyslexic son is great on the drums and the lessons help him focus. Having to pay attention to his right and left hands has also helped him improve his writing reversals. Good luck!