Malcolm is still in the middle, but now he’s a drummer.
Frankie Muniz, the actor who played Malcolm in the popular television show
“Malcolm in the Middle” has become the drummer for a band called Kingsfoil. The
band has finally made it across the pond and is performing shows in the United
Kingdom. The Nottingham Post reports that the band is popular among American
teens, so it’s a big deal that they are gaining international appeal. The
former child actor says he has enjoyed his opportunities through the years and
feels that behind a drum kit is exactly where he belongs. Read more here: Malcolm In The... band - US TV star to play city bar
You may be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't like drumming. Sure, there are people out there who don't like certain genres of music and those genres may be what pop into their heads if you ask them what they think about drumming, but all you have to do is put a drum out where people can touch it to see that drums are difficult to resist. Maybe even impossible. Due to this seemingly preternatural human response to the drum, it makes perfect sense that kids love drumming. The issue is that, sometimes, adults don't always love that kids love drumming.
If you find yourself in the tricky position of wanting to support a child’s musical interests while simultaneously resisting any desire to listen to said child bang away on a drum kit, our sympathies are with you. Living with a child who believes drumming to be the key to a fulfilling life can bring about feelings of desperation. Drums are loud and kids are often loud and together they may seem deafening. However, there are ways to encourage kids who love drumming without applying for sainthood.
First, you will need to set limits. Life amongst human beings is about boundaries and you and the drumming prodigy in your life will need to sit down and come up with a mutually beneficial practice schedule. Yes, kids love drumming, but it is important that it is a healthy love. Establishing a routine not only helps give focus to time spent at the drum, but it also allows the resistant adults involved an opportunity to train their own attitudes and behaviors.
Drum pads are a wonderful investment, regardless of the kid’s passion levels. By using them, the child can drum more often and in more environments without disturbing anyone. Hand drums, like djembes or bongos, can also be a solution if noise is a problem, while still giving a child an outlet for his or her love of rhythm. Drumming is often a community-building exercise, so take advantage of this opportunity to discuss how drumming affects your family, household, or neighborhood. Drumming is great, and practicing compassion and consideration will take everyone further in life.
Kids love drumming for a variety of reasons. Some enjoy the creative aspect, others benefit most from the stress relief, and many simply want to be heard. Providing formal lessons and/or drumming mentors may help a child tap into different values and develop character. Drums, like most things in life, challenge us to demonstrate our higher or baser natures. Take this chance to bond and practice a healthy relationship with your drummer, because the more emotional someone is about something, the easier it is to help create a positive experience and fond memories.
Roy Haynes is famous worldwide as a phenomenal jazz drummer
who can still fill a room. At age eighty-eight, Mr. Haynes has definitely
drummed with more greats than some of us have even heard of. His most recent
band is called The Fountain of Youth and to watch them perform is like downing
a heavy dose of that famous elixir. A review of a recent performance in
Jazzwise Magazine gives those of us interested in how Mr. Haynes is holding up
a glimpse into a magical night that included drumming solos, body drumming, and
tap dancing. Surely, Mr. Haynes still has far to go. Read more here: azz breaking news: Roy Haynes taps into the Fountain of Youth at Ronnie Scott’s
A man in Potsdam, New York, has made a name for himself and
put his drums on the map. Tim Damon began his drum-making business five years
ago and is finally being noticed by some big names in the business. He used to
make custom fishing rods, but decided to turn his love for drumming into a
career. His hobby of making drums by hand from local wood sources has became a
full-time job and he loves going to work every day. Jason Sutter, a drummer
currently on tour with Marilyn Manson, is one of the customers of these unique
drums. Read more here: Potsdam Man Marches To Beat Of Drums He Creates
Sheila E recently helped celebrate Chuck Brown as part of a
tribute concert. The world-famous drummer told the Washington Post that she had
planned to become an Olympic runner, but performing with her father at age
fifteen changed her goals. Sheila has been a professional drummer for forty
years, now, and uses her position to encourage other female percussionists. She
has the Elevate Hope Foundation to help kids heal their pain from being abused
and uses any platform she can to be approachable to fans. The drummer is
working on a new album and her autobiography will be out soon. Read more here: Sheila E., an inspiration to drummers of all ages and genders
A documentary about drumming legend Ginger Baker paints a
picture of a man who was good on the drums but not so good in his personal
relationships. “Beware of Mr. Baker” surprises people who thought that the
drummer wouldn’t make it past the 1980s. A twenty year heroin addiction may be
the reason for his horrible personality, but it’s just as likely that he’s
simply not a nice guy. A review of the film on independent. ie says that the
drummer has worked with many wonderful musicians over the years, but
unsurprisingly, no band he was in lasted very long. Read more here: Cream of the crop of the drummers
Drumming still has a place in Europe, but maybe not this
year. Elitsa and Stoyan Yankulov-Stundzhi, a drumming duo from Bulgaria,
attempted to earn a spot in the Eurovision finals, again, but didn’t make it.
The duo placed fifth in 2007 by performing its song, “Water”. This year, the
drumming duo hoped to make it by performing “Only Champions”, but failed to
impress the judges. According to novinite.com, many Bulgarian people consider
the contest a sloppy, back-scratching political event, making it unlikely that
the duo faces any love lost in their own country. Eurovision finals air on
Saturday, May 18th. Read more here: Bulgarian Drumming Duo Fails to Make Eurovision Finals
Is there anything more romantic than someone composing or playing a piece of music for the love of their life? While pianos and guitars may get most of the attention with regard to love compositions, drumming for love is not totally unheard of. After all, what would Latin music be without either conga drums or love songs? Here are a few good reasons to consider serenading the love of your life.
Love celebrations: Drumming can be a great way to say “I love you” during a wedding or anniversary celebration. Not only do hand drums invite everyone around to participate in some way, but they are also hard to miss. Once you start drumming, you will have everyone’s attention, including your special someone. Drumming for love doesn’t have to involve days of preparation, either. If you have a more adventurous spirit (and you likely do if you are using drums this way), feel free to give an unpracticed yet inspired, heart-felt performance. Allow the emotions to carry you away as you drum on a djembe and your significant other is likely to pick up the beat and meet you on the journey.
Valentine’s Day: Sure, you could send flowers or candy, but that’s rather mundane. Why not surprise your loved one with a piece you’ve been working on for a while? Drumming can be a spiritual experience, but it can also express intimacy. Learn to play a simple rhythm on the congas and play for your date at a club or somewhere dancing is taking place. That could put an interesting spin on things. A date becomes more memorable when the person drums for you while you hit the dance floor. Drumming for love is fun and drumming for future love can help create a lifetime of memories.
Birthday parties: No matter how old a person is turning, birthday parties can be fun. If you find yourself planning a birthday celebration, remember that drumming has the power to connect all age groups. While you’re drumming for love of the birthday boy or girl, everyone will enjoy themselves. Even babies and elders who need to sit throughout the evening will find themselves bopping along to the drum beat, and maybe even shaking a maraca! As you use your drumming to express your love, you will be able to look out into the room and find everyone enjoying themselves along with the cake and ice cream.
Drumming can be used for many purposes in our lives. We don’t have to only bring out the drums for transcendental or group drumming sessions. We can use these powerful instruments for the more mundane aspects of life, as well…if drumming for love can even be considered mundane.
For students in Chatham, Ontario, drumming is leading to
more than a beat. The city recently held its fifth annual Youth Cultural
Symposium, dedicated to introducing students and teachers in the Lambton Kent
District School Board to the cultures and traditions of First Nations, Metis,
and Inuit peoples. This year the healing drum ZhowskeMiingnan was shared with
the community, allowing Luke George, the drum’s keeper, an opportunity to teach
the importance of living with respect. According to the Chatham Daily News,
Luke says the youth are now gravitating toward their traditional cultures
because they are a respectful way to live. Read more here: Drumming up cultural awareness
