
Here are a few additional thoughts.
For Parents
- Whatever goals you set for your children consider the time and personal effort you will have to give to the project? Remember hockey clubs have coaches, kids don't practice on their own. Even Tiger Woods has Sean Foley present when he practices for feedback and instruction.
- What are you going to give up to make room for music study?
Here is a personal example. I study jazz drumming. I'm planning on attending a jazz camp for adults next summer. When I arrive there I will have to audition for placement. I want to place as high as possible. :-)
so,
- Each day I practice on the pads for a few minutes, with my metronome, my rudiments and other sticking patterns. I listen carefully for steadiness of rhythm and evenness of tone.
- I've engaged drum teachers in January. One for kit, another just for snare work in the concert band.
- I listen to jazz drumming daily in the car.
- I practice on the kit nearly every day for one to two hours. Either alone or with the jazz quartet on Monday mornings and the Hamilton Concert Band on Wednesday nights.
- I read drum magazines and watch instructional videos for motivation and inspiration.
- I'm focusing on the core competencies of drumming: Time, feel, balance, and endurance. I tape many practices for feedback.
- Special emphasis on the bass drum in the next while and basic Latin grooves.
For yourself
Goal: Recreational player
Strategy: Two hours of playing and practice a week
Tactics: Ditch the TV and web surfing by 2 hours. Tell your kids to go outside and play. Give a list of pieces to your teacher you would like to learn.
Cheers.
David