We have enough toy stories out there, wouldn't you say? How about a drum set story? If you've read about my drumming beginnings, you'll know I was in 7th grade percussion but quit because playing the drums got "hard" and "girls don't play drums." But I eventually learned and decided that was a bunch of bull excuses and (as an adult) got back into drumming as a hobby. I signed up for private lessons my last semester of college, which fueled my passion, and I quickly improved as I practiced anywhere between 30-minutes to an hour every day. I moved from Utah to Arizona after that--- for graduate school--- and didn't have as much time for drumming as I wanted, but when I finished my Master's degree two years later, I bought myself a new, shiny drum set and took online private lessons. But I'm getting ahead of the drum set story... Before Me I researched drum models, types, and styles before purchasing my new set. I visited local music stores, searched the internet, and talked to people I knew who also drummed. I visited a lot of people selling drums on Craig's list, but eventually met a guy who was selling his five-piece Yamaha because his wife was making him.
He told me about setting it up before various gigs and breaking it down. He talked about the band members and the thrill of playing in front of an audience. At the time, I imagined myself doing similar, but--- to be honest--- the set had a quieter, simpler life with me. My time with the set I moved in with a new roommate when I bought the set, but she knew I was planning on the purchase and we negotiated a place in the small two-bedroom, one-bath house we rented together. And talked about the best times I could practice. I mostly reviewed exercises from my previous private teacher--- the one I had before moving to Arizona, but I also used YouTube to learn a couple songs I could play along with. For reasons unrelated to the drum set, my roommate and had a falling out, and I decided to move. I got engaged and was going to move in with my husband after we got married anyway, so I found a temporary place to stay until that time. Unfortunately, I couldn't take my set to my new place. There wasn't room. My fiancé, however, said I could set it up in his parents' basement until we found our own place, so I talked to my soon-to-be in-laws and made all the arrangements. After work, usually once or twice a week, I'd go to the basement and play around. I made up a few fun rhythms and shared my love for drumming with anyone who was visiting and wandered down to hear what the banging was. I got married and put the set up in our new home--- before my bed. (You can see my priorities!) It was about that time that I started this blog, so you can look back at my earlier posts to see the ups and downs of playing the drums while teaching and tutoring and writing. I feel like my drumming improved the most when I decided to take lessons again and found my way to Drum Ambition. But I also prepped for Hit Like A Girl Contest, which I participated in two or three different years. I wasn't always consistent in practicing and eventually had to drop online lessons, but having the set was always proof that I am a drummer. Just walking by--- and seeing the beautiful set made me smile. Saying goodbye Recently, my husband and I decided it was time to think about extending our family and become parents. I pushed for buying a house before doing so, not only because I knew we'd need the space as little ones always need so much... stuff... but also because I wanted a music room and space for the drum set. Well, shopping for a house was impossible! There was the pandemic and then inflation. In short, buying a house... just isn't in our budget right now. I remember sitting at the set and coming to the practical realization that I needed to sell the drum set. After a good cry, I said goodbye. Not long after that, I was finally pregnant... A new home My husband and I put the drum set up for sale two months ago. We had a few people ask about it, but they didn't seem all that serious. And then an old friend of my husband's reached out to us. He said he wasn't sure if he could afford what we were asking, but was really interested! We agreed that small payments would be fine, but when he told us that he worked as a music teacher and that he had two girls in his class, I told my husband to lower the price so he could have it. The new owner teaches kids from kindergarten to sixth grade! It's his first year teaching, and he was looking for something that would motivate them to practice, and something that would challenge his more advanced students. He came by with his wife tonight and picked up the set. As they were heading to the car, he smiled and said, "we're going to set it up tonight. It'll be a surprise for the kids in the morning!... I can't wait to share it with them, and, you know what? I think I have three girls in my class, not two." Which warmed my heart! My husband put an arm over me as they drove away. I thought I'd cry, but... I smiled instead. The drum set is going to a good home.
And another chapter in this drum set story is just beginning...
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I'm what you'd call a "hobbyist" drummer.
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