Debunking the Top 8 Common Myths of Drumming for Children

The drum is an ancient instrument that has been around for thousands of years. Studies have shown that learning to play the drums benefits children in several ways, including developing hand-eye coordination, motor skills, listening skills and discipline. It has also become a popular educational tool in schools and colleges.

Therefore, if your child is interested in learning how to play the drums (and you’re not worried about hearing them at every family get-together for the next few decades), read on to discover common myths about drumming for kids.

1. Drums are just for boys

While it’s true that most professional drummers are men, there’s no reason why girls shouldn’t be able to play. There have been many iconic female drummers in popular culture, such as the late singer and drummer Karen Carpenter from The Carpenters, or Sandy West, founding member and drummer of the all-female rock band The Runaways.

Don’t let the notion that drumming is for boys deter you from encouraging your daughter to learn. If she’s interested in learning an instrument, let her explore all her options.

2. It’s only for children who have perfect pitch

Many music educators assume that kids with perfect pitch should be pushed to learn an instrument right away. While this might be true for a few children out there, it’s not common. Many kids with perfect pitch struggle with learning an instrument.

If you have a child interested in the drums, don’t worry about whether they have perfect pitch. The most important thing is that they are interested in the music and eager to learn.

There is no need to fret if your child wants to learn an instrument but doesn’t have a perfect pitch. You don’t have to force them to play an instrument just because they have an aptitude for music. Instead, try to focus on the benefits of learning an instrument and explore the different instruments out there.

3. Drumming will ruin your child’s hearing

Most believe that drumming will ruin your child’s hearing for two main reasons. The first is not knowing how to play the drums properly and becoming deaf. The second is not knowing how to protect their ears when they play. Fortunately, both fears are entirely unfounded.

There are two types of hearing loss: temporary and permanent. Temporary hearing loss is widespread in those who are regularly exposed to loud noises. Unfortunately, it’s also very easy to ignore. Kids who play their drums in a room with poor acoustics or don’t wear ear protection are highly likely to develop temporary hearing loss. Luckily, once the child stops playing, their hearing usually returns to normal again after a few days.

4. Learning an instrument is too hard for kids

If you talk to anyone who has taught a child to play an instrument, they’ll likely tell you that kids will pick it up a lot quicker than you think. Kids may be small and immature, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn.

Many benefits come from children learning an instrument when they’re young. These benefits include:

• Developing discipline and focus
• Improving language and communication skills
• Developing better hand-eye coordination
• Improving social skills
• Increasing creativity
• Increasing self-esteem
• Learning patience
• Developing a sense of responsibility

If you have a child interested in learning an instrument, don’t assume that it’s too hard for them. Instead, try to explore the benefits of learning an instrument and help your child find the right one for them. You can even enrol them in drum set classes to kickstart the process.

5. Choosing a suitable drum set is too expensive for kids

Children don’t require an extravagant drum kit stuffed with frills and whistles to be content. The truth is that they just want to get their hands on something musical. The best way to do this is to find a cheap drum set. These can be purchased online for as little as $50, and even the most basic drum sets can keep your child happy and interested.

It is fine to purchase your child a more expensive drum set, provided that you do not believe that a costly set is required to learn how to play the drums.

6. You need special skills to play the drums

Drumming isn’t a skill. It’s a technique. There are no special skills that you need to play the drums. The only people who can’t play the drums are those who don’t desire to play them.

If you have a child interested in learning to play the drums, don’t assume that they need special skills. The only thing they need to do is practice. Give them a simple drum set and let them play around with it as much as they want while they’re young. They’ll learn the basics of drumming through trial and error as they get older.

7. The drums are too loud for classrooms

This is another misconception based on a lack of understanding of playing the drums properly. Loud drum sets are not only annoying, but they also cause hearing loss in both the drummer and those around them. If you have a loud drum set, it will be too loud for the rest of the house, let alone the classroom.

While you don’t want to buy a toy drum set for your child, you also don’t need an expensive professional kit. You can find cheap drum sets that are light enough not to cause damage to the flooring or wall of the classroom but that are also loud enough to be heard.

8. The bass drum is an essential part of a drum kit

There’s a common misconception that the bass or kick drum is an essential part of a drum kit, which is why it’s placed at the bottom of many kits. The truth is that the kick drum is the only part of the drum kit that makes a sound. The other drums are used to accent the sound of the kick drum. As a result, the snare drum is the most crucial part of a drum kit.

The snare drum is the part of the kit that produces the most recognisable sounds. The snare makes the ska-skat-skat sound of a rocking drumbeat, and it’s the snare that’s used to keep the beat in a jazz band.

Conclusion

While many myths about learning drums are untrue, a few are genuine. Drums are loud, and they can damage your hearing if you don’t take proper precautions. They can also be expensive, and it may take several years before your child can play in a band.

However, drums are less intimidating than other instruments, and they’re also easier to learn. They’re a great instrument for kids and adults alike to understand. Whether you want to start drumming or finally get started on this journey with your child, Drum Tutor offers beginner drum lessons for adults.

Get in touch with us today to kickstart your drumming journey!