Mood:  bright

We bought Kyle a drum set and it was delivered today! Weeeee - it is now set up and he has played it a little tonight - he's playing right now. I expect that he will play it a great deal tomorrow while we are at work and he can annoy his sister with all the banging.

We looked at a few hard rockin' tunes with wild drum solos on YouTube to inspire him a little to let go and just have fun playing his drums. No need to be controlled right now, just bang away and have a great time.

I've suggested to him that he wear his earphones and listen to his favorite songs and try to play along with the songs. We'll see how it goes. I don't mind the noise at all but I think Matt will start to long for quiet.

I just couldn't help buying them though. There was a one day sale on e-bay and a full drum kit containing: a bass drum, two toms, a floor tom, a snare, a crash cymbal, a high hat, all the stands, a drummer's "throne" (aka padded stool) all the pedals, a drum key and a pair of drum sticks cost only $199.95. Yes, they are made in China, but they are new and a wonderful glossy, shiny black color. With shipping the total cost was $288.95. Now, just how could I pass that up? Drum sets made in the USA by a name brand company cost WAY more money, and he is just a beginner. I figure if he can beat up on this set for a few years and show us that he really wants to play the drums. Then we can invest in a better set later, something by TAMA or Pearl with Zillgan or Paste cymbals.

The really cool thing is now whenever we want to get him a present we have oodles of stuff we can get him to accessorize; everything from more cymbals and stands, cowbells, tambourines, wood blocks, chimes, and of course more heads and drumsticks. OH - and if ever he wants to tote these things around, cases for all the drums, cymbals and stuff. I think I have Christmas and birthdays figured out for the next eight years!

I've already found several interesting books on drumming that come with CD's to listen to that teach you various beats to different songs. I have everything on a Wish List for Kyle so that if this turns out to be something he likes we can start down that path.

What I am also hoping this will do, is provide him with some healthy exercise. I don't think I have ever met a heavy set drummer in my life - at least one that played regularly and with any rock or enthusiastic music. It is just to strenuous a workout to get that big.

Hopefully this will make his time here at the house more enjoyable for him, provide him with something he can do indoors that still gives him exercise, and something that isn't about staring at some box of entertainment all day, but that requires imagination and creativity. We'll see.

I am going to post pictures of Kyle and his new drum set on Windows Live - take this link - http://trippiehippie1972.spaces.live.com/