Drum Student, Arthur G.
Drum lessons are not the first choice for parents when they decide to start their child in music lessons. This is not because the drums are a bad choice. Instead, there are some practical hurdles to get past when it comes to bringing a drum set into the home. But once this is resolved, drums are a GREAT option for young and older children. Drums develop gross motor skills by getting a player to gain coordination of all their limbs. But drums also develop fine motor skills that deal with stick control technique. Having this technique helps a drummer play at different volumes which is key to becoming an effective player. Aside from this, drums are just fun and innate to our enjoyment of music. Who has not played an air drum solo while stuck in traffic or hanging out in your room?
Hurdles To Drum Lessons
Most of the time, it’s not the drum lessons that give parents pause-it’s the instrument itself. Drums are big, loud and they are not inexpensive so it’s reasonable to want to start with a different instrument. But there are ways around each of these hurdles.
When it comes to volume, one effective option is to use drum mute pads to dampen the sound of the set. These pads are often made of non-slip rubber that are placed over the drums and cymbals. They have the same bounce and feel of playing on the kit, but reduce the sound immensely! SMMC routinely stocks mute packs by Vic Firth and Evans.
The next hurdle is having the room for a drum set. Depending on the age of the student, junior drum kits are a great way to get a good set that doesn’t take up much room. SMMC rents junior kits that are appropriate to use for children aged 5-8 yrs old. Another option is to invest in a practice pad before investing in a kit. Practice pads are solitary, circular rubber pads that imitate the bounce/feel of a drum head. Students can develop their sticking techniques quietly on a pad until they (and the parents!) are ready for a drum kit. There are even drum kits entirely made of pads!
But enough about getting started with drums-onto the award winner!
In His Teacher’s Words
Arthur has been taking both piano and drum lessons with SMMC August 2021. Currently, Arthur studies drums with Mr. Rob Wolk. Rob holds a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Mr. Rob writes:
“Since I’ve been instructing Arthur, I’ve been continually impressed by his inherent love of music, his inquisitiveness, and his tenacity. Not only does he push himself to master the exercises I give him in a musical way, he always comes in with new questions, song suggestions, and heaps of enthusiasm. Recently, we’ve been working on increasing the physical coordination required for drumming while maintaining a sense of musical form, even if what he’s playing is repetitive. It’s increasingly clear to me that he’s not just learning musicality, but unlocking it. Though he has a strong desire to succeed regardless of the musical hurdle he’s presented with, he’s also made tremendous progress coping with mistakes and using them as opportunities to learn. I’m excited to hear what music he’s sure to make!”
Whoa-that is some high praise for such a young student! Way to go Arthur and keep up the great drumming!
Arthur During A Recent Lesson
Enjoy this performance of a famous Led Zeppelin tune during one of Arthur’s recent music lessons!
Meet The Student
We sent Arthur a set of questions to answer revolving music and his general interests. We’re excited to be able to share what this charismatic young boy had to say!
- How long have you been playing your instrument?
“I started playing drums in 2021, so almost for three years.” - How do you make time to practice in your busy schedule?
“I just try to practice before everyone goes to sleep so I don’t wake them.” - Is there anything about your instrument that makes it special?
“I use an electronic set that I got from San Marino Music Center. I like it because I can use my headphones while I play it. At some point, I will switch to an acoustic drum kit.” - If any, who are some of the artists you look up to for your instrument and why do you like them?
“My teacher, Mr. Wolk because he makes playing fun!” - What do you like about the song you chose to perform for the SOTM video?
“It seems like an easy song to play, but it would be really hard to play exactly like the recording.” - What do you like to do in your down time?
“Play games and listen to music. I also like swimming and play the piano!”
Thank you for sharing Arthur! Keep up the fantastic work and practicing!
Meet The Instructor
Robert Wolk is a drummer, educator, and composer based in Los Angeles. As both a teacher and a lifelong student, he aims to foster a curiosity for and love of music that is bolstered by a strong technical foundation and an understanding of tradition. Robert holds a Master of Music in composition from The University of Maryland, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Percussion Performance and Composition from The University of Maryland Baltimore County. As an artist, Robert has written for a variety of ensembles ranging from orchestra to rock bands to computers. He has released over 10 albums of original music, contributed to many other recordings, and performed as the main act at venues like The Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles and The Fillmore in Washington DC.