Teaching a child to learn how to play the drums can be a very challenging, yet rewarding, task. There are many types of drums and drum combinations, so it is important to determine what style and what type of drum your student would initially like to learn. Help your student recognize and understand basic concepts like rhythms and tempo before any musical equipment is used. Once your student understands basic rhythm concepts, he can begin to experiment with different percussion instruments.
Recognizing Tempos and Beats
Step 1
Listen to music samples with your student. Teach him to recognize fast and slow tempos.
Step 2
As you listen to the music, count and clap 1-2-3-4 with your student. Explain that each number represents a "beat."
Step 3
Help him recognize that count 1 is the downbeat. As you clap to the music, emphasize the downbeat by giving a louder clap than the other claps.
Step 4
Identify the upbeat, or count 3. As you clap to the music, continue to emphasize count 1 with a louder clap, but begin to emphasize count 3 with a louder clap, as well.
Imitating Rhythms
Step 1
Sit at a table with your student, hands resting on the table top.
Step 2
Tap basic rhythms with your hands on the tabletop, such as 1-2-3-and-4 or 1-and-2-3-and-4. You also can remove beats from a sequence. This represents a "rest" or break in the music. For example, tap 1-rest-3-4. Begin with short sequences up to 4 beats.
Step 3
Have your student mimic each rhythmic sequence.
Step 4
As your student grasps this concept, add variety to your sequences by increasing the tempo, lengthening the sequences and adding more complex rhythms.
Step 5
Combine the concepts of listening and tapping by having your student continue to copy rhythms while listening to the music samples.
Playing on a Drum
Step 1
Have your student stand in front of a snare drum. Adjust the head of the snare drum so that it is level with the student's hips.
Step 2
Your student's feet should be face-forward, approximately shoulder-width apart.
Step 3
Have your student hold one drumstick in each hand. His hands should rest comfortably just above the hips, the tips of the drumsticks roughly creating a 90-degree angle on the drum head.
Step 4
Repeat steps 2 through 5 in the "Imitating Rhythms" section.
Step 5
As your student gains proficiency in playing rhythms on the drum head, begin adding simple rhythms that he can tap with his right foot. Have him tap the rhythm "1-rest-3-and-rest" with his foot, while tapping "rest-2-rest-4" with his drum sticks.
Tips and Warnings
- Most nursery rhymes and traditional rock 'n roll music have a simple, recognizable beat. Beginners should use 2B or 5B drum sticks, as these sizes are better for control and muscle development. Remember to provide positive feedback and encouragement to your student, as learning any new skill can be frustrating and overwhelming. Teachingideas.co.uk states that children are visual and tactile learners, so let them watch and hear how different percussion instruments are played. Music is everywhere. Outside of formal lessons, you can continue to encourage your student to recognize and create rhythmic patterns.
Things You'll Need
- Music system or boombox
- Music Samples with various tempos in 4/4 Time
- Table
- Snare drum and stand
- 2 drum sticks
