Passion for Music

[loonie]

My son (7) has been playing drums for a year now. I'm a proud mother! At his school music night the other night he got an award for being "Most Improved Junior School - Percussion, Wind & Brass Student"

I felt like a moron cause I'd put the video camera away cause I didn't think that he would get an award!!! Hubby fumbled for the camera in shock.

Now he wants to learn guitar and I suggest waiting a year - that he is too young and I didn't want to burden him with 2 instruments to learn. But then he discovered his deceased uncle's guitar and is now playing it every day anyway for anything up to two hours.....

So the question for Roddy is....if someone really wants to do something like play two instruments and if they're motivated....is it being too pushy or indulgent as a parent to put the kid in for a second instrument. Friends say things like "he's too young" and "wait and see" but I figure if he's playing the instrument anyway he may as well be taught some good techniques?

So Mr Byers what do you think? And of course the peanut gallery (Hugh, Willo etc) your opinions valued also!

[bazza]

I'd say go for it.

I wish I could play more than the 4 string bass as it's very boring if you ain't in a band. I once had a drummer in my old band Afterglow who could play quite a few musical instruments and at the time he was only around 16 or 17. He is now the guitarist in a band called Dartz! who get a lot of airplay on Radio 1 and seems to be doing really well for himself.

I remember when I wanted to play the bass. I'll of been around 14 and my mum & dad wouldn't buy me one as they said I'd be bored of it after 5 minutes. It's probably saving up my own money for my 1st bass that made me stick at it. I have tried other instruments over the years, had a Hammond organ once but couldn't get use to using my feet to get the bass notes. Also bought a 6 string guitar the other year but my fingers seem to fat for the frets.

[loonie]

Thanks for your opinion Bazza. Actually the only annoying thing is that I have to listen to him thrash away to stuff like the Chelsea footy song 'Blue Day' and Clash and stuff and try not to laugh - I sneak looks - he really is playing imagining himself as a rock Superior Force Of Nature....

[loonie]

Hang on I said 'rock g....o.....d' not rock Roddy...gee who put Roddy in charge? That's right Roddy did ok you win

[polly]

I don't think the number of instruments you're learning matters, you get something different out of each, so the motivation for each is separate and not exclusive. In fact, I think that anything that keeps general motivation going is good.

And don't worry if the drumming takes a back seat for a short while: it'll be back soon enough, just enjoy the peace for a bit.

[Hugh]

I'm trying to comprehend "Most Improved Junior School - Percussion, Wind & Brass Student"

[roddy byers]

I think its best to excell at one instrument than play several not very well..
Sorry bout the G.O.D. refference not my doing!

[fredperry]

From my experience I think its a good idea to be able to play all instruments, but in the long term its best to only concentrate on one and maybe use others to help write, add or have fun with. He's a bit young at the moment to maybe commit to one? He needs to experiment and find out what he likes more and what he's good at (can be 2 different things!).

As a guitarist I'd recommend being a drummer as everyone wants to be a guitar hero and they're all competing against each other to join bands (2 guitarists in a band can cause friction of egos unless a rhythm and lead roles are clearly defined). Drummers are difficult to find and can maybe take their pick for a really good group. Also good drummings difficult, so I always respect a good drummer! A good drummer can play jazz, rock, soul, reggae. He might be a bit young for guitar, but everyones different!

Finally, find him a good teacher and watch carefully if that teacher (or a new one whos taken over) is not right by how he's progressing. If so, get him out straight away and find another. Its often not really a childs fault if its not working out.

[Hugh]

Musical instruments are like women...

[rhinoreggie]

We got a piano when I was about 8, my mum & my sister showed me how to read music. At school they wanted me to continue learning the piano but I wanted to play the drums in true Irish contrariness I ended up playing the cello of all things...........

Managed to get a play on a drumkit when I was 18 and was hooked immediately. Joined a punk band and apart from a couple of years as a bass player, have been one ever since. I even managed to slip back to my first instrument at Pete Chambers book launch when I stood in for Special Brews keyboard player for the Selecter songs. I just wish I could play drums as good as I play keyboards!

[loonie]

Dec 1, 2008 16:04:32 GMT Hugh said:

I'm trying to comprehend "Most Improved Junior School - Percussion, Wind & Brass Student"

Hugh - that is the Strawberry Saucele of the award he won! Oops there was meant to be "student" in there - he is:

most improved junior school student - percussion, wind & brass.

He has actually thought about the whole issue of instruments and has decided to continue the drum lessons and just play around on the guitar. He has come to the conclusion that the fun he has on the guitar might go if he takes proper lessons.

Plus his teacher told him not many people have a natural flair for drumming, which she thinks he does. Kid's not silly after all! He also has enormous respect for Roddy and did ask me what Roddy said. To give a balanced view I handed over all feedback. Thanks everyone.

[Hugh]

Roddy picked up the guitar for women.

[mraardvark]

go for it,, lets not forget prince at the age of 16 wrote, produced and played over 20 different instruments on his 1st album,, a unique individual yes, but it shows it can be done and with quality

[roddy byers]

The main thing is to do it because you love music more than anything in life and not for the money,freebees,sex or drugs*

[fredperry]

I wish more people had that atWobbly Lime Jellyude today. Seems many need to be kicked down in life to get enlightened or else become corrupted.

This Specials thing is all getting a bit too showbizzy with the business involved (larger venues, security, tickets, companies...). I understand theres little alternative in these situations. But we're all real people and Im not degrading myself into a sycophant for anyone - even if I turn out a loser like with Lou Reed. Probably wouldn't catch him outside wanting to have a drink & chat with real fans after a gig even if he could. I came out the winner because Im NOT corrupted into bullRather nasty smelly stuff and I dont like feeling strange or odd because Im a shy sensitive little thing! I like being normal and being around normality. I feel like f u c k i ng puking on it all. C U N T S!*

(*not anyone here!)