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Mothers of drummers...do I want to do this?


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My boys are very into music. They play their guitars and piano/keyboards and also make electronic music. This is how they spend a lot of their free time. They love it, and they both have a knack for it. They already have three guitars, two keyboards, a mic and amp, and a piano.

 

They would like a drum set. We could afford one for a Christmas gift.

 

Do I want to do this?

 

Our house is quite small and all on one level. They do have a room where they make most of the music and it has a door that closes but it's only about 15 feet from the main kitchen/living area of our home.

 

I want to support and encourage their love for music. Part of me thinks, "it's only noise." Part of me thinks, "no way!"

 

Thoughts? Advice?

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Honestly, I love listening to my daughter practice. :001_smile: Our music room is right in the middle of the house with an open floor plan.

 

There are a couple options for quiet practice, though. You could look at electronic drum sets. The volume is controlled with an amp... Or the drummer can use headphones if quiet is really needed. We have both an acoustic set and an electric set. We all prefer the acoustic set, but the electric set has come in handy!

 

There are also practice pads that fit over acoustic drum heads that are supposed to dampen the sound. I don't have any experience with these... Might want to check at a music shop to see how effective they really are?

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Uh, maybe.:tongue_smilie: I have a drummer and he really loves to play. I never have to tell him to practice. It is LOUD and takes up a lot of room, but it's a passion and I like to support that. We have mute pads, but he doesn't really like to play on them and just bangs harder, so I'm not sure they're all that useful.

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Yes. :001_smile: DS and his friends hang out mostly at our house, partly because he has the only drum set. I do have him ask before he starts playing, because it's distracting if DD is doing schoolwork or DH is working. That seems to work better than having to interrupt him.

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It's funny, because as I read these replies, I'm listening to my younger son play his electric guitar. Some really nice Coldplay song. I like (most of) their music.

 

It just seems that drums would be extra loud, and yes, attract the neighborhood music kids.

 

That would be a blessing and a curse. :)

 

I like the electronic drum idea, if it really works to turn them down. That might be the answer.

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I would NEVER have a regular drum kit inside a home. I did for a short time. It is like nothing you can imagine.

 

I sold it, and replaced it with a nice electronic kit. I have an amplifier. It can be blaring if it's during the day, on low if he wants to hear without headphones, or off and just using headphones. Also he is more apt to practice more as he is a perfectionist and does not always like people to hear him before he's ready.

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Go for it!

 

I was never allowed to play the two instruments I wanted- Saxophone & drums. I was forced to play the flute, which I still despise the sound of to this day. :glare:

 

I did buy a set of drums when i was in my 20s, but I didn;t have the time or money for lessons. Sold them to buy DH's wedding ring. I am now in my church's handbell choir, and I LOVE it when we get to use the mallets on the bells. :D

 

Just one thing to consider: your home will most likely be the location for band practice, as it's not easy to move drums. This can be a very good thing- just be prepared for it.

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I say go for it! I live in a house with a drumset, bells, three flutes, one piccolo, a baritone, a piano, three electric guitars, two bass guitars, and an acoustic.

 

The drumset is seriously no problem for me...until it's used to try and drown out one of the other instruments. ;)

 

We were really concerned about the neighbors but when we checked with them we discovered they really like drums. We also put a no loud practicing after 9pm rule into effect on weekdays. You might also want to get a practice pad along with the drumset.

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