Yeah Purdy I love the idea and will likely do that... my real concern is passing on those bad habits you mention.

I am truly not a very good player at all. I basically stopped playing in 1973 and then took it back up in 2007. Worked with two drum teachers both of whom said.... "you've got a lot of bad habits and not an abundance of natural aptitude, at 50 years old what do want you out of these of drum lessons?!?" I could only respond... I love collecting and working on drums... and I love putting an old album on the Fisher turntable and playing along. So they said.. "then go home and do that."

I can't teach him the rudiments or how to properly play them.. :(

Very good points. This is an opportunity to learn about working and overcoming problems to acheive a goal. I like the idea of rewarding progress and/or fortitude. I am not qualified to be a drum teacher, but I could mentor and offer honest advice to a beginner. Remember to enjoy the journey, few of us will be Buddy Rich!

I had a VERY rewarding experience recently. My old band director from high school was retiring and at the retirement party, I ran into one of my old students (Steven) who studied under the same director but many years later. I had not seen him since he was in 5th grade when I finally went off to college. Turns out he is doing extremely well and he had a very deep and sincere gratitude for all of the help I had given him to get to where he is today. While we were catching up a high school kid came up to talk to Steven. It was one of his old students whom he hadn't seen since HE went off to college a half a dozen years before. Steven's student (I unfortunately don't remember his name) was just about to graduate and go off to college himself. He seemed to have that same genuine respect and gratitude of Steven that Steven had of me. It was really rewarding the way that worked out all three of us in one place together. I'm not sure what my point to the story is other than being a drum instructor and mentor to kids can be extremely fulfilling if you are willing to put in the time.

Tan

> I'm not sure what my point to the story is other than being a drum instructor and mentor to kids can be extremely fulfilling if you are willing to put in the time.

That -is- the point! Great story.

Jim - I'm going to ask you to trust me... treat yourself to a copy of Tommy Igoe's; "Great Hands For A Lifetime" video. Just watch it the first time. Grab your sticks and a pad for the second viewing.

If you do the work-out Tommy teaches/demonstrates for just 10 or 15 minutes -everyday- you will progress in leaps and bounds. In 6 mos. you won't recognize yourself on the drums. The coverage of technique is second to none and Tommy is one of the best drum coaches I have ever seen. I've been playing for 50 years. Studying Tommy's video has helped me to break through walls and barriers, (stuff I just couldn't play well, like fast, decent single stroke rolls for example,) that have stood since 1963.

Old-timer coming back after a long lay-off? Tommy's instructional video is just what the doctor ordered. He'll demonstrate correct technique/execution, and give you a daily work-out that will blow your mind when you see how fast it helps you to improve. Here's a sample of the video from You Tube:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofYoqZzXDw[/ame]

Here's a sample of the advanced level workout. He'll demonstrate three work-outs; beginner/intermediate/advanced, pick your poison and dive in. This one is the advanced work-out. It'll show you what you can accomplish in a surprisingly short time by practicing regularly just 10 - 15 minutes a day. I do this one at least three times a week. Keeps my chops up beautifully. When I sit down at the kit, playing is just pure fun. With this work-out, you do the grunt work first so you can fully enjoy your time on the drums.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgmQa4x2uyE&feature=related[/ame]

Like I said, trust me. You'll thank me later. It'll open up the drum kit for you in ways you can't begin to imagine. Spend time with it, you'll be greatly rewarded.

John

I really need that DVD!

[COLOR="SeaGreen"]Is this the next kit for me to make as a "donor kit"??? This kid will need all the help from us, as a community, he can get, and he knows not what is upon his doorstep...I can do it, but others will HAVE to pay the shipping costs. It will likely be 9 ply shells in Green Jonni...

I will build a 4 pc, snare, 20, 12, 14 and nothing else. You guys will have to provide hi-hat stand, all the beginner cymbals, snare stand, etc...I will build the drums, just tell me when.

GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/COLOR]

Jonni... brother if you do that. I've got the hi hat stand covered and some B8's.... I'm sure some Kruts will show up on ebay for a crash/ride. I've even got a Speed King we can stick on there just to make sure there is something VINTAGE in this project besides me. :)

AND... Purdie I'll work with him one evening a week and figure lesson plans to work on in between. I will commit to that!

If it comes together... I'll make sure we get posted a picture of him on his kit. That would all be pretty thrilling to him. They are real good people.

If it doesn't come together... this will still work out... I know.

I've been teaching for years and I do agree that a teacher learns from teaching.

The most important thing in teaching a 5th grader (or any age) is to take the time to get the know the student personally. Show him that he is embarking on a wonderful journey. Take the time to display a timeline of what he will be doing with you. Show him the progression from one book to the other.

Be ready to handle all his objections and insecurities that he may have on learning the instrument.

My students on average will start behind the set after 6 lessons. By then they've started reading and play their bass drum in 4 on various wrist exercises which can be transferred from practice pad to the drum set. I believe you should integrate the drum set to his lesson as soon as possible.If you don't you may loose the students interest. As a teacher you should make learning fun.

As for buying drums, you can't go wrong with spending $300.00 dollars on a used set. There are plenty of drums for sell. You should be directly involved in choosing the drum set for the student (and setting it up). I would stay away from the electronic drums (for a beginner). Although electronic drums usually have useful features for the beginner drummer, like metronome and play-along songs, they are quite costly and do not keep their value. Electronic drums still cannot reproduce the exact feel and richness of the sound of acoustic drums.The most advanced features, like realistic pads and advanced sound modeling, are only featured in high-priced electronic sets, inaccessible for most non-professional drummers. Lastly, if you're not qualified to teach him set him up with a reputable teacher.

Give me a couple of weeks, guys.

I will do it, but mom wants a few days to get us all back together. Life is not what it was a few months ago. I will do this, the boy will need to put some of the kit together and the mentor will be responsible for getting it back together. I'll let "Momma" and Grandpa know it's time for a new kit. BTW, who is my new mentor???

Vinnydee, I do this for many kids, I will provide the shells, all ready to pound. Guys, I may need some heads, and will need them sent to me so I can tune the shells. This is GAME ON. We need to get this kid behind a kit, and I have the kit. Is green sparkle OK?

I will need shipping, someone please pony-up for it. As soon as I get the shells close to ready, I'll let ya'll know!