Calling Heathermomster or another metronome guru

[Tiramisu]

I've been looking at some old threads about IM and useful things are scattered here and there. I'm getting the general idea, but I'm not sure if I know enough to put it all together into something simple I can start implementing at home. Without asking Heather or anyone else to do much work, can someone make a brief list of basic activities you would recommend us starting with.

 

TIA!

[Jean in Newcastle]

:bigear:

[Heathermomster]

Well, I'm not a guru.  DS did this at home daily plus 1 session per week with the OT.  As he clapped, a computer provided feedback that indicated whether he was keeping time or not.  YMMV..

 

Son's IM went something like this...
Set the metronome for 54 BPM.

Week 1 - straight clapping for 20 minutes, 5 times per week

Week 2 on out, 5 days per week

• straight clapping 5 minutes
• 5 minutes of bouncing a basketball to the beat
• 5 minutes clap, right stomp, left stomp
• 5 minutes right thigh slap, left thigh slap, right stomp, left stomp

DS hated it BTW and did this for 6 weeks maybe. I imagine the added variety forces them to concentrate and auto correct when they start to drift. 

[Terabith]

I don't think I could get my dd to clap to a metronome for 20 minutes.  Five minutes would be pushing it.

[PeterPan]

Terabith, OF COURSE it's hard.  Do it WITH her, and bribe her mightily.  Start off with short chunks, say 5 min, and do them throughout the day.  Build up.  Or go for the 20 but give her this SUPER AWESOME reward afterward, like going to Wendy's for frosties or something, yum...  

[Terabith]

Elizabeth, I can't bribe her.  Or at least I don't know how.  There truly is nothing she wants enough to do something she doesn't want (even mildly doesn't want).  Or at least not that I've been able to find.  I can probably get 5 minutes out of her, but that would take cajoling/ threatening/ whining/ crying, etc.  I can (and will at least attempt) it, but my expectations are low.  If I can explain to her exactly why she needs to do this and in what way, specifically, that it will help her, I can get minimal compliance.  Sometimes.  Of course, I'm discouraged, but yeah. 

 

This is the child who at age 3.5 said, "You know, I like m&m's a lot, but not enough to sit on the potty.   Sorry."  We've even gotten as desperate as to tell her that we will take her to Toys R Us and buy her something, but she wouldn't budge. 

 

 

[PeterPan]

Well maybe you'll luck out and she'll desperately enjoy it!  My ds is funny.  When we first started doing the clapping, he couldn't even do it with the metronome, like not at all.  Now I ask him for 10 claps.  Yes you read that right, lol.  He's not one to be compelled either; he graces you and deigns to do it or he doesn't.  So I ask him to give me *10* claps.  Then he blasts off into his fury clapping.  And he doesn't necessarily do those 10 at once either, hehe.  He might do 5 and then another 5.  But you know, he's actually clapping with the metronome for those 10 claps, which is more than he would/could do when we started!  So try something really imperfect and see what you get.  Doesn't have to be 20 minutes to be beneficial.  ANY effort you make will probably make a little progress.  Also I had a gap between when I first tried and now.  I gave up, and then out of the blue ds started doing it for himself.  Sometimes these kids surprise you and *crave* or find intensely interesting therapy things, since they sort of innately know they need it.

[Heathermomster]

Terebith, DS went to see an OT once per week, so a medical professional told DS why and how long he'd need the therapy. The drive to get to the OT was a haul.  A big pain really, so DS was motivated to make the therapy stop.

 

We were told that learning to clap with the beat was like riding a bicycle.  Once they learned how to focus and clap, that ability was learned for life.  In the office, the clapping had a competitive element and went by quickly.

 

Your DD is in VT.  Maybe you should get an OT eval prior to any attempt at IM.  An OT may very well tell you not to do it for now.

[geodob]

Another approach uses an Electronic Drum Kit, that can be heard though ear phones.

Here's an example of one for $198:

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/adagio-td36-digital-drum-kit.html?utm_source=ChannelAdvisor&utm_medium=Myshopping%20AU&utm_campaign=iPods,%20Audio%20&%20Music%20%3E%20Music%20%3E%20Drums%20&%20Percussion&CA_6C15C=1929812057

 

Which has a metronome built into it, and 173 different drum sounds. 

With 2 drumsticks and 2 foot pedals, it involves both arms and legs, as with IM exercises.

 

But this can have the opposite problem, of getting them to stop after 20 minutes?

 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Could I jump in here to ask a question?  What exactly does this metronome work do?  If a child has good rhythm sense/skills to begin with does that mean they don't need this particular therapy?  

[Heathermomster]

IM has helped DS with sustained focus.  The OT claimed it improved math and reading.  I met a woman in passing that claims IM helped her young son better manage his ADHD.  I have no medical studies to support any of this. 

[Dmmetler]

My suggestion-if clapping is hard, try moving back a muscle group, but continuing to work on beat bonding. I'm not an OT, but in an earlier life I was a college professor in early childhood music, focusing on birth to age 7, and a BIG part of the research in that area goes into looking at how musical skills typically develop and how this can be facilitated.

 

Usually the sequence that is seen is:

 

Walk to a steady beat/music at a running/quick walk tempo (100 BPM or faster-120 BPM is a quick march and feels very hard for an adult, but for a 2 yr old, it's often about right)

Walk to a steady beat/music at a walking pace (for a toddler/preschooler, it is MUCH harder to be slow and steady than fast!)

Step with alternating feet in place.

Pat with both hands on lap or floor.

Pat with alternating hands on lap or floor

Clap.

Snap (usually not before age 7-8) or flick.

Combinations of the above.

 

This all really has to be internalized before a child can play or sing rhythmically except by rote. Which is one reason why so many programs for young children focus on rote. Orff, Gordon, and Dalcroze all really focus on developing this sequence.

 

Only after those are mastered do you move to mixing it up, tossing/catching beanbags, bouncing balls, and so on.
 

I've mentioned this before, but for music to use with a Metronome, look for collections by Phyllis Weikart. Weikart is pretty much the authority on teaching movement to young children, and her collections are nicely organized by speed. Moving in Steady Beat is a good one and not too expensive.

 

Visual and auditory cues help, and many metronomes and metronome apps let you do both, but be aware that flashing lights or color patterns can trigger seizures in susceptible individuals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PeterPan]

 

Your DD is in VT.  Maybe you should get an OT eval prior to any attempt at IM.  An OT may very well tell you not to do it for now.

Yeah in our case the OT wanted some OT under her belt before IM.  She wanted to get the sensory chilled a bit.  I think if you start it and are getting NO CLICK, like it's really not going well, that's your big sign to stop, do some OT stuff.  Ds is like this, so we've been backing up to smaller steps, doing more swinging and brushing, etc. The ped wants us to get him into OT, just haven't gotten it done yet.  (one more thing, ugh)  If she starts in and it's not a problem, then plow forward.  (my non-professional opinion)    

 

Another approach uses an Electronic Drum Kit, that can be heard though ear phones.

Here's an example of one for $198:

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/adagio-td36-digital-drum-kit.html?utm_source=ChannelAdvisor&utm_medium=Myshopping%20AU&utm_campaign=iPods,%20Audio%20&%20Music%20%3E%20Music%20%3E%20Drums%20&%20Percussion&CA_6C15C=1929812057

 

Which has a metronome built into it, and 173 different drum sounds. 

With 2 drumsticks and 2 foot pedals, it involves both arms and legs, as with IM exercises.

 

But this can have the opposite problem, of getting them to stop after 20 minutes?

That would be awesome for my ds!  And you know just a drumming app for the ipad might get to the same place, hmm.  Ds likes doing Clapbox.

[Terabith]

My suggestion-if clapping is hard, try moving back a muscle group, but continuing to work on beat bonding. I'm not an OT, but in an earlier life I was a college professor in early childhood music, focusing on birth to age 7, and a BIG part of the research in that area goes into looking at how musical skills typically develop and how this can be facilitated.

 

Usually the sequence that is seen is:

 

Walk to a steady beat/music at a running/quick walk tempo (100 BPM or faster-120 BPM is a quick march and feels very hard for an adult, but for a 2 yr old, it's often about right)

Walk to a steady beat/music at a walking pace (for a toddler/preschooler, it is MUCH harder to be slow and steady than fast!)

Step with alternating feet in place.

Pat with both hands on lap or floor.

Pat with alternating hands on lap or floor

Clap.

Snap (usually not before age 7-8) or flick.

Combinations of the above.

 

This all really has to be internalized before a child can play or sing rhythmically except by rote. Which is one reason why so many programs for young children focus on rote. Orff, Gordon, and Dalcroze all really focus on developing this sequence.

 

Only after those are mastered do you move to mixing it up, tossing/catching beanbags, bouncing balls, and so on.

 

I've mentioned this before, but for music to use with a Metronome, look for collections by Phyllis Weikart. Weikart is pretty much the authority on teaching movement to young children, and her collections are nicely organized by speed. Moving in Steady Beat is a good one and not too expensive.

 

Visual and auditory cues help, and many metronomes and metronome apps let you do both, but be aware that flashing lights or color patterns can trigger seizures in susceptible individuals.

 

I wish we could move to Memphis and take music classes with you!  (I grew up in Jackson.)  She started Music Together when she was born.  At two, we moved and she started Musikgarten toddler classes and has gone through that program.  She's currently in her second year of Musikgarten piano.  I don't have a good sense of how internalized things are or how to tell. 

[PeterPan]

 

Usually the sequence that is seen is:

 

Walk to a steady beat/music at a running/quick walk tempo (100 BPM or faster-120 BPM is a quick march and feels very hard for an adult, but for a 2 yr old, it's often about right)

Walk to a steady beat/music at a walking pace (for a toddler/preschooler, it is MUCH harder to be slow and steady than fast!)

Step with alternating feet in place.

Pat with both hands on lap or floor.

Pat with alternating hands on lap or floor

Clap.

Snap (usually not before age 7-8) or flick.

Combinations of the above.

 

This all really has to be internalized before a child can play or sing rhythmically except by rote. 

Why did I never notice this?  This is awesome!  I'll have to go through the list with ds and see how he does.  You're right, he's got the fast thing down pat.  He'd love it if I set the metronome to 120, lol.  And yes, he's learning to snap, just getting it this week.  But his fine motor has always been a little oddly advanced.  The SLP says it's because his brain funnels energy there instead of using it for speech.

[Dmmetler]

For awhile, we actually had a relationship with the university music school's lab program and Early Intervention, where some of their kids would be funded to take classes with us, so we worked really closely with the OT, STs, and PTs, and we were doing a lot of joint research. There's a lot of overlap.

 

Terabith-Musikgarten follows a good developmental sequence-they're Gordon based. It doesn't mean that every child will get it (because for kids with neurological issues, often the instruction they need may not be what is included for programs for their age level), but it's a very solid program and curriculum, and if you've kept the CDs, you have a good collection of music that would be great for rhythm/beat training. And one great thing about Musikgarten piano-it goes back and uses a lot of the music from the earlier classes, which makes it easy to pick up some of those missed steps for students who don't have that. This was done intentionally, because a lot of new students come in for piano who haven't had the earlier classes. You also may find it valuable to take the Musikgarten teacher workshops if you're in an area they do them. They do a fairly low-cost weekend one that is just a preview that explains a lot of the developmental stuff, and the actual classes can be fun (but may be challenging if you don't have a strong music background).

 

 

 

Unfortunately, the state university system cut back the lab programs big-time-which was about the time I decided that juggling working at the university plus homeschooling wasn't worth it. I teach some through our homeschool co-op, but that's it. I miss teaching and working with the kids.

 

Athough not right now. Finals start Monday, so if I was teaching this semester, I'd be getting a ton of phone calls and e-mails from college students who have just discovered that not completing their observation hours means they can't student teach in the Spring, and who want me to do something, preferably last week. Can't say I miss that.

 

 

[Terabith]

I actually do have a pretty good music background and am trained in the infant/ toddler classes.  Plus I've sat through all the classes.  They do a ton of marching/ drumming/ etc in her piano class.  I really do feel like she's got a decent rhythm foundation, and she sings well.  The sight reading is a bit slow in coming, but that's all right.  I think it's just the metronome that she hates and the sense that there is something wrong with her that we're making her do all this stuff.  That's what I need to fix with her.

[Dmmetler]

Putting it to music may help. Another thing that might help is to have her play the beat with different tempi with the metronome on the piano/keyboard (or even play her pieces to the different tempi). Same skill, but more directly applicable to what she's doing and may make her feel less broken. Especially if the piano teacher assigns it to the whole class, because it's a skill they all need anyway ;).

 

I'm not sure, if she has solid beat bonding, that metronome work is really going to lead to gains in the same way that developing beat competence in a child who doesn't have it yet can. Difficulties with sight reading rhythms are as or more likely to be eye tracking or just plain reading difficulties than beat bonding. You may find that Vision therapy leads to improvements there without any extra work on your part.

 

How is she at crossing the midline and meeting at the midline? That's an OT issue that is often seen in kids who struggle with reading and it can lead to an impression of beat incompetence if all that's being used to assess is clapping. It's actually a different set of skills-kids who don't easily meet or cross the midline can be quite beat competent when it comes to walking in music, playing a drum, etc, but often struggle when clapping or when playing an instrument that requires meeting or crossing at the midline because their brains just plain have trouble there. I imagine that practicing clapping 20 minutes a day would eventually lead to improvements, but there are other things that can be done (things like dance steps that involve crossing the feet, clapping games that require crossing over one side at a time to pat someone else's hands, and so on) that seem a lot less like work and more like play.

 

 

[Terabith]

She crosses midline fine, but I noticed the other day when she was writing in the salt tray on the floor (spelling) that she started with her left hand and switched to her right hand.  That freaked me out.  But at the table with drawing or writing she doesn't do that, and she crosses midline in daily life just fine.  We do some clapping/ patting things for multiplication practice, etc. 

 

At this point in the second year of piano, I think they just haven't done a ton of sight reading work - it's still a lot by ear and trying to make the transition painless by looking at the music while playing by ear.  She's doing a lot of memorizing how the pieces go. 

[PeterPan]

She might be a bit ambidextrous or have incomplete dominance.  (is that the right term? I forget)  My ds does that, coloring with one hand on one side of the page and switching to the other to reach the other side or when his hand gets tired.  You might want an OT eval.  Did you say you've already had one?  

[Terabith]

We had one done, but it was about two years ago.

[PeterPan]

 

I've mentioned this before, but for music to use with a Metronome, look for collections by Phyllis Weikart. Weikart is pretty much the authority on teaching movement to young children, and her collections are nicely organized by speed. Moving in Steady Beat is a good one and not too expensive.

 

It came!!!!!!!!!!  Now to try it out on him!!!  Should be better than the pathetic attempts I was making, lol.  :)

[Kat w]

Another approach uses an Electronic Drum Kit, that can be heard though ear phones.

Here's an example of one for $198:

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/adagio-td36-digital-drum-kit.html?utm_source=ChannelAdvisor&utm_medium=Myshopping%20AU&utm_campaign=iPods,%20Audio%20&%20Music%20%3E%20Music%20%3E%20Drums%20&%20Percussion&CA_6C15C=1929812057

 

Which has a metronome built into it, and 173 different drum sounds.

With 2 drumsticks and 2 foot pedals, it involves both arms and legs, as with IM exercises.

 

But this can have the opposite problem, of getting them to stop after 20 minutes?

[Kat w]

Geodob,

 

I tried this link. It says no longer available but at the bottom has sections for different things lime vacuums etc.

 

Do you know if there is an updated site? I did a quick Google search and his kit specifically didn't come up but I'm also low on time right now mayb had I looked through more pages of the results ...

 

My son hav been begging for drums. I swear he self OT's. Saw in this thread...that can be a real thing .. Who knew? :)

 

Do you possibly have an updated link for this kit?

Thanks

[Lecka]

OhE -- that could be a sign of difficulty crossing the midline. If he has trouble with it, my older son really did make a lot of improvement when he worked on it in OT. It carried over in a lot of areas. Though maybe not the areas I hoped for improvement in, lol.

 

It helped him with swimming b/c it helped him be able to make the left/right movements with his arms. That is the kind of thing that had been hard for him, and where he showed a lot of real, observable improvement.

 

I know you already have him in swimming and gymnastics, so honestly I have no idea if doing OT would be more beneficial than the activities he already does (and that are also ways to work on following directions, being in a group, etc, that are also really valuable).

[Kat w]

So, I'm wondering now as I think....does anybody think trying my boys on the keyboard would be beneficial ? Or maybe frustrating. I so don't want to frustrate them. They have enough of that with academics.

 

I loaned our piano to my MIL. I have a good keyboard to try though. My girls took lessons and/or played for 15 years. I took lessons too and surprisingly remembered way more than I thought when it took a gander at the keys the other day when I visited her.

 

Any thoughts ? They LOVE anything musical and have wanted d to break the keyboard out . I've notet them tho for fear of frustrating them. I still have the little Alfred books my girls used to try out.

[PeterPan]

My ds is doing Occupational Octaves with his music therapist.  It's plenty challenging for him.  A regular piano book would be entirely out of reach.  If you're having that feeling of out of reach, then you might need something alternate like that.  He wears little colored rings and the music shows the letter name (without notation, just the letter) and the color coding to tell him which finger to play.  He can have success with that.  

[geodob]

Kat w,

You could try Ebay?

I just went there and typed in: digital drum kit.

Which brought up a whole of different ones, at different prices.

[Kat w]

I always forget about eBay. Thanks.

I did a Google search last night.

Do you think they are basically the same thing? The other digital drum sets?

Anything specific I should be looking for ya think?

[Kat w]

OhE, music therapist. I need one of those. My boys esp the older one LOVES and thrives with any hing musical.

 

I didn't know they existed . another thing on my list lol.

 

 

Oh, UF's gonna love me lol ;)

[Heathermomster]

Whatever you use, try, try, try to get a metronome that will provide feedback and allow the user to know whether they are keeping time ie..too fast or too slow at the 54 BPM.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Heathermomster

[Kat w]

Ok, what's that again Heather?

 

Is there a different app for thst to download on our laptop before I get him into some kind of therapy of thst sort?

My hubby downloaded the app and I didn't notice feedback. And I know they were off beat at times.

Where would I find that? Or is there a specific name for that kind?

[Heathermomster]

Ok, what's that again Heather?

 

Is there a different app for thst to download on our laptop before I get him into some kind of therapy of thst sort?

My hubby downloaded the app and I didn't notice feedback. And I know they were off beat at times.

Where would I find that? Or is there a specific name for that kind?

I **think** OhE may know of one.  

 

You can get by without it but having one helps because the user has to attend and adjust to stay on task at 54 BPM.   

[Dmmetler]

There are quite a few resources for color coded music which can be applied to piano or orff instruments. Look for things for Boomwhackers or handbells. Post-it tape flags are good for color coding piano keys without hurting them. I have also used dabs of colored nail polish on fingernails to help students as well. Ginger Colla's Rainbow Solfege is another option.

 

I would suggest picking one color system and sticking with it. I have instruments and materials for three separate color systems, and I wish they'd standardize.

[PeterPan]

Yes, Clapbox is the app we've used for feedback.  It's fine, not as swanky as with professional headphones and all that, but still nice.  Hmm, should do it with the headphones instead of just with the speakers!!  Anyways, I think the *attempt* is 90% of it.  Clapbox is free, but we don't use it most of the time.  

[Kat w]

Dnmetler, I did that with the girls when they were starting out. They were 4 when they started piano and and needed guidance with the 4 keys to either side of C. It worked.

 

What's a boomwhacker. Sounds fun. Sure my boys would love it.

 

I ordered handbells that each have a different color...they haven't come in yet...is thst what u mean by the colored handbells?

 

I got rythm sticks too. Until they come in...I used the spoons today.

 

I also ordered a recorder. Color coded with their own color so no fighting or leaving theirs laying around. Granted. They aren't high quality since they are blue and green but the came in lil packs of 5 so when...not if...they break them. I'll have another of their color. I thought this would be good to help build up their mouth muscles. Esp the 11 yo. He has a floppy loose mouth. No muscle tone...or little muscle tone. He loves music. Blows the pee waddin out of whistle ( O.M.G!!) Outside you lol. But his mouth vers tired really quickly.

 

Recourses for sp. Needs piano....I'm sorry....can you suggest one or 2? Sometimes Google searches will lead me down a wrong bunny trail:/

 

OhE, I'll Google clapbox thanks. What are the swanky ones with headphones? He does way better with headphones. Background noise drives him nuts. Even if sometimes its his brother breathing through his mouth. ( he's a mouth breather. We practice breathing through his nose. Ugh ugh and double ugh. So much work)

[Kat w]

Dnmetler, I did that with the girls when they were starting out. They were 4 when they started piano and and needed guidance with the 4 keys to either side of C. It worked.

 

What's a boomwhacker. Sounds fun. Sure my boys would love it.

 

I ordered handbells that each have a different color...they haven't come in yet...is thst what u mean by the colored handbells?

 

I got rythm sticks too. Until they come in...I used the spoons today.

 

I also ordered a recorder. Color coded with their own color so no fighting or leaving theirs laying around. Granted. They aren't high quality since they are blue and green but the came in lil packs of 5 so when...not if...they break them. I'll have another of their color. I thought this would be good to help build up their mouth muscles. Esp the 11 yo. He has a floppy loose mouth. No muscle tone...or little muscle tone. He loves music. Blows the pee waddin out of whistle ( O.M.G!!) Outside you lol. But his mouth vers tired really quickly.

 

Recourses for sp. Needs piano....I'm sorry....can you suggest one or 2? Sometimes Google searches will lead me down a wrong bunny trail:/

 

OhE, I'll Google clapbox thanks. What are the swanky ones with headphones? He does way better with headphones. Background noise drives him nuts. Even if sometimes its his brother breathing through his mouth. ( he's a mouth breather. We practice breathing through his nose. Ugh ugh and double ugh. So much work)

[Kat w]

Ohhhhh Dnmetler, you meanthe same color for each note on each instrument . lil the handbell certain color for what it represents ? My girls did handbells I did not so not sure what each one/size is.

 

So like when I get my handbells. Make the keyboard keys the same as the handbells...that what you mean?

[PeterPan]

When you do IM with a therapist, they have you wear extra special headphones.  I'm just saying do the Clapbox with headphones, any headphones.  Will this dc with the background noise be seeing an audiologist for CAPD screening?

[Kat w]

Ah. K. Gotcha . I will get the headphones.

 

And yes. He will. He has seen one before . both boys were diagnosed APD , which when I later asked at a follow up about CAPD , she said was just another name for APD. is thst your understanding too?

 

They are audio...uh huh. To anything. Living in the country helps with that.

 

He's extremely sensitive sound and light . the flourecent lights at school drove him insane. They kept the lights out in spec ed class and just had natural light.

 

The overhead lights in my room and his room can only have one light in it. And even that's a bit too much.

 

I'm gonna ask to be seen for thst too. Don't know what it's called but...ima ask :)

[PeterPan]

Oh mercy, don't go out and buy them.  I just meant if you have them or have earbuds or anything, throw them on and try.  :)

 

You might see if the university has someone who specializes in APD who could update your recommendations.  There might be some new therapies or interventions or things to do.  Or even just questions you realize you have as he's aging and it's affecting him in various ways.

[Kat w]

Yea yea. No.....I'm not gonna get the fancy ones.....jus ones from Walmart. He has broken all of ours :/ one of his ' things'

[Kat w]

Yes,

 

My plan with the university is to ask them to pls just start from scratch. Test for everything and please let us see an audiologist . I'm sure they will because, I talked with my oldest yesterday about it all. ...she is fulfilling her prereq's for premed to go there ( hopefully, its hard to get in. Very competitive) but she has looked at their prog am extensively...she wants to be a pediatrician. She said they do clinical studies there and have a big budget for it.

 

I have noticed alot of literature they have put our...I don't remember the topic specifically but..was Pediatric problems.

 

Our insurance doesn't require referrals for specialist ( I know....most do I get it all the time from the docs offices and they don't believe me til I call Aetna and they sat yes. No referrals needed) but we can go to an audiologist they think is good if they won't run the test but really.....I cannot see that happening. It's glaringly obvious its an issue .

 

My pediatrician told me he'd write referral for me if audiologist wouldn't see us without it

[Kat w]

http://www.proaudiostar.com/behringer-xd8-8-piece-usb-electronic-drum-set.html?utm_source=Google_Shopping&gclid=Cj0KEQiAyvqyBRChq_iG38PgvLgBEiQAJbasd060eKu_0hM48aNzkSGiqGV5WHNsvQ7u8uu4e8Vz1dIaAk8z8P8HAQ

[Kat w]

Geodob, is that the kind of drum kit you meant?

 

Of course I'd like a cheaper one but I can have it be a joint Christmas present

[Black-eyed Suzan]

Kay W,

I just skimmed so I don't know if you've already purchased them, but my husband used to have an electronic drum kit and they still make *a lot* of noise, even with headphones.

 

I could clearly hear him playing on the other side of a large concrete building - even one floor up.

 

Just a warning!

[Kat w]

Oh boy, I was envisioning ...peace lol.

Him with his headphones on..happily and contently playing away....holding his ATTN for longer than oh say.....5 seconds? Ha-ha.

 

Oh well. Glad you gave me the heads up.

He already makes ALOT of noise even when he's outside.

K. Nixed.

 

Pssst..I really didn't wanna spend the money on that anyway :) :)

Thanks

[geodob]

Kat w, that's a good example of the type of digital drum kit, I was talking about.

Where the important thing, is the 'USB sound module' that drums plug into.

Which has a Tempo button, for setting the tempo.

It also comes with different rhythms, to practice with.

 

Though it can also be plugged into a computer, where their is wide range of software for digital drums. Much of which is free.

If he had a friend who plays a digital instrument that is connected to their computer, such as a digital piano?

He could play his drums along with them, online.

 

As for volume with headphones?

This is a serious issue with any use of headphones, and their responsible usage.

As studies have shown that with today's young adults. That a majority of them will develop significant hearing impairment.

[PeterPan]

I'm sorting in and out of this conversation, not totally sure what you're wanting, but you can get an app for rhythm/drums.  If you want to do that for some of your memory work or have him pound to a beat while doing digit spans, that could be cool.  You'd need the metronome app on one device and the percussion app on a different one, obviously, since you can't run two apps at once.  Or can you on some tablets?  Anyways, I'm always looking for the simplest way to do things.  If you have a device that runs apps, then a percussion app would be a simple solution.  

Edited December 3, 2015 by OhElizabeth

[Kat w]

Ohhh an app. I want to try thst first.

 

He loves anything musical and has BEGGED me for years for drums. I mean. Begged. The noise level gets so high hear along with...igh. Soo much hyper n banging and digging holes....oh my . he has a place right outside my bedroom window thst he has completely fixated on as one of his spots to dig and his way favorite .

 

So I hear.

THUD.

..THUD...THUD...THUD

THUD!!!

until I simply cannot take it anymore and he HAS to stop.

Digging...really? He loves dirt and we do alot of phonics in the dirt. Drawing with his finger...make with my finger and him try to repeat me and finger write in the dirt ...o.m.g.

 

I have to sort of mittigate the damage I feel like.

 

Have set things at set times and me just know...I'm going to have to suck it up, go on a walk, something. While he dies the ...very annoying things.

I know thst sounds bad but day after day after month after month after year after year.

 

Drives me coo coo lol.

 

So if I could say OK drum time is this time and coordinate it with academics... He comes back after anything musical and works better than any other time.

 

Then....keyboard time is this time...then academics... And so on.

 

The craters we have around here that he has dug with a full on man sized shovel. Oh my.

Tbat? We are going to have to find a different spot for. I can't take it and its gonna have to be like...an acre away. We have all fields with scattered oaks around. Sound/vibration travels a ridiculous distance.

Ouy:/