Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

[Sarah Jane Edwards]

Good afternoon;

I have been so blessed to come across this wonderful resource, and have spent many hours reading through the different topics discussed here.

However, I do have a question that I haven't yet found an answer for; that is, where can I find a good reproduction drum for my 12 year old brother?

Also, one other question, what should I put the most focus on acquiring for my brother right now? He has portrayed a civilian since he was a little boy, but now as he wants to get into the military aspect of things, I'll need to acquire new clothing and other items for him. We are pretty much starting from scratch as he recently went through a "growth spurt" and outgrew most all of his things, and I'd like to do things right the first time as we approach this military aspect, even if it takes longer initially. I don't have a huge amount of money, (I'm a typical broke college student) :) so what should I get/make him first?

Thank you all very much!

Sarah Edwards

94th IL Infantry

[markj]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Hi,

As for actually learning the rudiments, etc. you might want to check this thread:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1929&highlight=drums

As for obtaining a drum, you might want to check out these pages:

http://www.geocities.com/cwfifedrum/

http://www.fifeanddrum.com/

If you search the "For Sale" section of "AC" you will also note that drums occasionally come up for sale:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1192&highlight=drum+sale

You should also surf various threads (using the "Search" function) discussing what folks should concentrate on purchasing. Opinions vary but obvious items would be those dealing with "health, safety, and comfort" (e.g., decent cap/hat, canteen, shoes, etc.).

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Sarah Jane Edwards]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Thank you, those links will be helpful. I have found the search function invaluable in the past, thanks for suggesting yet anther subject to search for.

Sarah Edwards

[yohahn]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

ms.Edwards
First off ,I am glad to hear there is a new drummer in the ranks,I have been at it 30 years now and still love it!I have afew pionts that may be helpful.Almost all begining drummers play there drum too hard,so you may want to go with a synthetic head at first(and only at first),sheep skin is easily broken,In a drastic tempeture change(inside to outdoors)they will break like glass if not given time to adjust.It is a good idea to have a veteran drummer tune the heads,over tighting will warp a drum fast.Rope tension drums are expensive,care of it is critical.
As far as type of drum, Cooperman is good ,but high dollar.I would try to find a used one, as cheap drums are not that much cheaper and you will end up spending more money in the long run having(and wanting )to replace them
Good luck and havve fun!!!
John Boyd.

[marlin teat]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

In addition to the advice given by others I would highly recommend drum lessons. I don't know which college you attend but you can usually find a starving music major that will oblige. Make sure that the instructor teaches traditional grip as opposed to matched grip and stresses rudimental technique. Drum lessions develop confidence as well as skills and will hopefully develop a love for the percussive arts.

Once a Sinfonian, always a Sinfonian

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

I believe there is a drum for sale on the BUY/SELL folder right now.

[Sarah Jane Edwards]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Thank you for your tips, Mr. Boyd, I am printing out your post and giving it to my brother. Given what you said, I believe I shall just continue saving up money until I have enough for a good drum instead of compromising for something less expensive and of lesser quality/authenticity. Jacob has a civilian impression he can use to 'tide him over' until he gets his drum.

I am looking into drum lessons. I know a lot of people who play drums, and who are willing to help us out.

Thank you all again, you've been so helpful!

Sarah Edwards

[Bill Cross]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

I don't know where you live, but no one has mentioned the Don Hubbard Field Music School at Fort Delaware. My son attended two years and learned an awful lot in a delightful environment.

[Sarah Jane Edwards]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

The music school sounds great, but I don't think it is an option for us, as we live in central Illinois. I'm getting some books and tapes and things for Jacob to listen to and read, and hopefully he can learn a bit that way. Of course, I believe experience is one of the best teachers! :)

Thanks again!

Sarah Edwards

[markj]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

The music school sounds great, but I don't think it is an option for us, as we live in central Illinois. I'm getting some books and tapes and things for Jacob to listen to and read, and hopefully he can learn a bit that way. Of course, I believe experience is one of the best teachers! :)

Thanks again!

Sarah Edwards

Well, you might want to try contacting the "Camp Lyon Fifes & Drums" out of Pekin IL (assuming they're still together):

http://www.angelfire.com/il/camplyonfifeanddrum/

Another group that might be helpful, although it primarily focuses on 18th Century field music, is the Theatiki (Kankakee) Fife & Drum Corps out of Bourbonnais IL:

http://hometown.aol.com/djkboysrus/TFD.html

Perhaps they can help out with lessons, etc. If all else fails, you can contact the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, which is based right here in Lafayette IN:

http://tafdc.org/

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[1stMaine]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Miss Sarah,

I was a percussion major in college, back in the dark ages, and I would offer you this advice: Buy your brother a good set of sticks, and a really nice practice pad, a metronome, and leave him at that for awhile. Find him a good instructor for private lessons, someone who will not only teach him the rudiments, but how to read music.
Ensure that he learns all of his basic rudiments, from flams to paradiddles, and have him practice them to the beat of the metronome so that he learns how to keep time. It would also be nice if he had a music stand to hold his method book(s) and a stand to support the practice pad at the hight he would wear a snare at. This will ensure that he learns what he needs to learn, and that he has the sufficient interest to keep at it and daily practice to develop his skills.
Learning to keep time, be consistant with your rudiments, and proper sticking will pay handsome dividends in the future. Besides that, buying him a drum at this point may very well be the worst thing that you could do. They are expensive, and there is the very real chance that he can be overwhelmed with all he needs to know up front, not to mention having to learn how to wear the drum correctly, let alone march with it.
Let him start out clucking with the chickens before you allow him to try and fly with the eagles. He can still take the field as a civilian, and even toss his sticks into his bedroll to practice with the soldiers when he gets the chance.
respects,

[marlin teat]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Miss Sarah,

I was a percussion major in college, back in the dark ages, and I would offer you this advice: Buy your brother a good set of sticks, and a really nice practice pad, a metronome, and leave him at that for awhile. Find him a good instructor for private lessons, someone who will not only teach him the rudiments, but how to read music.
Ensure that he learns all of his basic rudiments, from flams to paradiddles, and have him practice them to the beat of the metronome so that he learns how to keep time. It would also be nice if he had a music stand to hold his method book(s) and a stand to support the practice pad at the hight he would wear a snare at. This will ensure that he learns what he needs to learn, and that he has the sufficient interest to keep at it and daily practice to develop his skills.
Learning to keep time, be consistant with your rudiments, and proper sticking will pay handsome dividends in the future. Besides that, buying him a drum at this point may very well be the worst thing that you could do. They are expensive, and there is the very real chance that he can be overwhelmed with all he needs to know up front, not to mention having to learn how to wear the drum correctly, let alone march with it.
Let him start out clucking with the chickens before you allow him to try and fly with the eagles. He can still take the field as a civilian, and even toss his sticks into his bedroll to practice with the soldiers when he gets the chance.
respects,

Tim,
What does a percussion major say on fhis first day at work? -- Would you like fries with that? :)

I was a percussion major also, although I suspect in even darker ages. I've also been a marching percussion instructor tech for some of the better known Drum Corps and would like to stress the importance of the very good points you made. Lessons are essential!!, but so is "networking". Too many times the drummers are just doing it until they get old enough to join the ranks and it shows in the lack of enthusiasm. By networking I mean getting in with a good group of musicians, whether a school band program or a period organization such as the 125th Ohio Tiger Band. I'm a firm believer that if you want to be a good musician, you have to hang around with good musicians.

Speaking of the Tiger Band...I would like to commend these fellows for the great job they did over Memorial Day weekend. Not only did they participate in the ranks at Pickett's Mill but the next day they traded in their weapons and marched in a Memorial Day parade in Rome. This was above the call of duty and was highly appreciated by the organizers of the event. Thanks again, fellows!

[1stMaine]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Comrade Marlin,
You say true, and I should have added that joining the music program at school will reap enormous benefits for him in the long run. It will be especially true if they have a good marching band, because he will learn much that will be useful to him in later days.
It is a two-edged sword, however, as my wife claims I have this annoying habit of tapping my hands along with the music, sort of an air-drum-set rather than an air-guitar. Ah well, cursed be the drummer's lot:)
Honestly though, the years I spent from junior high through college playing in marching bands were wonderful, and it even got me a job with a drum and bugle corps when I first joined the Navy. Good duty if you can get it! The long days of summer spent marching with a drum slung over my shoulder were well spent, because it is through just such mundane effort that you learn the tricks of the trade. How to adjust and wear your sling and drum. What's the best angle for your sticking. Etc. It makes marching to the beat and keeping your head squared away second nature.
I would also reccomend that, as he progresses through the years, that he make it a point to spend time with each member of the percussion family, from toms to bass to cymbals, etc. That way he will learn the capabilities and limitations of each, and should he wish to arrange some cadences or music, he'll be better prepared for it.
I know he's only 12, but you'd be surprised how quickly he can come around to something if he wants to, and laying a good foundation now will only make him better as he gets older.
respects,

[Sarah Jane Edwards]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Gentlemen, thank you for sharing your advice with me.

Jacob is very musically inclined, and I think he very well might pick up on this quickly. In browsing through some sites that sold drums, I did see what was referred to as a "practice pad" - I must say I was a bit puzzled as to what it was, so thank you for enlightening me. They look pretty inexpensive, so I think I can manage getting one of those for him right away, so he can start practice (and he is quite eager to being practicing!)

I have never before looked at drum music, and this may well sound an ignorant question, but is drum music the same as, say, piano music? If so, can one be taught to read music outside of lessons for the particular instrument that individual is playing? I play violin, piano and guitar myself, and am willing to teach Jacob how to read music if I can do so. But, I don't want to confuse him if a drumming instructor tells him something different.

I think I am the one feeling a bit overwhelmed - but it's very exciting learning about something I ordinarily would not be all that interested in.

Mr. Jaeger, thank you for those links. I sent an e-mail to the Camp Lyons group. I would be so pleased if something with them would work out, as Pekin is quite close by.

Sarah Edwards

[1stMaine]

Re: Question concerning drums/beginning military impression

Miss Sarah,

Musical notation is the same for a drummer, however, the notes are all written on one line or space, rather than the various notes for all other instruments. Quarter notes are still quarter notes, etc. You will find that a percussion score will have the various instruments, such as cymbals, tympani, toms, bass drum, snare, etc, written on different lines, but that only one instrument will be scored on that particular line.
Your ability to teach him how to read music will help him save money, and allow him to question you when needed, rather than wait for his next lesson.
I wish you both the very best. Please let us know how things turn out.
respects,