I have a brilliant 8-year old. Really, he is. And I’m not just saying that as his mommy. I want to be able to say that he’s normal, but he keeps convincing me that he’s not.
Here’s a kid who is borderline ADHD (my thoughts), can’t talk without stuttering because his brain is going faster than his mouth (thank G-D for that!), and generally can’t walk, talk, and think at the same time. He can’t sit still unless he’s playing video games. And then he does this: I started him and the youngest in drum lessons - just for fun, and because I figured that I was too old to take them myself. I figured, why not? The youngest, who is a natural athelete, I figured would pick it up like he does everything else. I had really figured that the 8-year old would bang the sticks a few times, and get bored with it.
Oh no.
By only his 2nd lesson, he’s already doing fills, and is ahead of his 12-year old cousin by about 4 rhythms. His teacher (a 15-year old who has been taking lessons for about 5 years) is amazed. He taught my son how to read drum music yesterday in about a minute. Now they’re reduced to incomplete sentences when talking with each other - teacher says “try it this way…and then you’ll…” and my son interrupts, and says “You mean like this…” and he’s off.
He may never be a true artist, but he’s got the makings of a great technically proficient player.
So yes, I’m bragging. And it feels good. 
STG
Fantastic.
Glad you have found something for him.
Of course, I’m glad the drums are at YOUR house instead of mine!
Loads of fun ahead as a percussionist in school bands should he choose that route.
I don’t know, can you?
PS: Good on you for encouraging your childrens’ pursuit of music. It is an irreplaceable gift that can last a lifetime.
Good for you STG, shout it from the rooftops.
Prodigies fascinate me.
You are a lucky small town girl.
That’s great! It’s such an awesome feeling when a person finds something they’re really good at and enjoy. 
They make electronic drum sets that you can plug headphones into. so all you hear externally is patty patty pat pat on the little rubber pads. This may be the greatest invention ever.
Hooray! Music is something he’ll treasure forever- try introducing other instruments, too!
Teach him Rap Music. If hes got ADHD, he can be the next EmineM.
Eek! Now I can’t get that line from American Pie out of my head - you know, “There was this one time, at band camp…” I think he’ll enjoy it though.
He told me the other day that now that he’s using more than just two drums and a cymbal, that he needs his own set pretty soon, because the practice pads just “ain’t gonna cut it, mom.”
All four boys that are taking lessons are planning their own band - but I’m not sure what you do with four drummers. Dueling percussionists?
ParentalAdvisory - my oldest nephew already thinks he’s the next EmineM - and he’s been tagged as ADHD/Dyslysic (I know, I can’t spell) with an iq of about 83. I’ll let him have all the honors.
STG
That’s absolutely awesome, STG, brag your ass off! Parents of children with behavioral difficulties have far too few opportunities to do so, good on ya.
Rent that movie for him: oh, what’s it called?
Drumline?
He’ll love it.
If he ever gets a chance, have him listen to Jason Marsalis’s drumming. He’s the youngest of the Marsalis family, and is a BRILLIANT drummer. His brothers all say he’s the most talented musician in the family, which is saying something in THAT family! I’ve sat there and watched him play two wildly differing but equally complex rhythms simultaneously, one with each hand – just amazing. A great role model for a young drummer. Best of luck with yours!
Hey SnoopyFan - I watched it with my H a few weeks ago, and that’s what got me started on the whole drum fascination. I always loved the drum core as a kid, but our drummers were such jerks that I never learned anything from them. And, being from a small town, we only had one snare, one bass, and one of those with 4 toms.
Thanks Mama Tiger - I’m off searching the net now…
STG