Drums

Drums are a very popular instrument and are commonly a favorite of children, alongside the guitar and piano. Keep in mind that there are different types of drums as well, depending on the genre you are playing. You have to let your child decide which one he or she thinks is best for his or her level of interest and personal preference. You should consider a number of factors as well before you purchase so you get your money's worth upon purchasing.

About Drums

The drum is a part of the percussion group of music instruments. These are categorized technically as a membranophone. Drums are made up of at least a single membrane, known as a drumhead or skin. This is stretched over the shell and struck directly with parts of the musician's body or with a kind of tool like a drumstick to create sound. More techniques have been incorporated to make drums produce sound, like the thumb roll.

Drums are the oldest musical instruments in the world. The design has not changed ever since for thousands of years. Majority of drums are known as unturned instruments, although several modern musicians are starting to tune drums according to certain genres and songs. Diatonic and chromatically tuned drums are now available. The timpani is also tuned according to a certain pitch. Usually, the drums are organized together to make a drum kit.

The Drum Sound

Several factors determine how a drum sounds, such as the shape, construction of the drum shell, type, type of drumheads and the tension of the drumheads. Various drum sounds also have various uses in music. Jazz drummers prefer instruments that sound clean, crisp and with a soft side. Rock and roll drummers prefer instruments that sound deep and loud. The construction of the drums will differ depending on the kind of sound the musician wants to create.

Drum Head and Tension

The drum head greatly determines how a drum will sound. Every kind of drum head has its own purpose, complete with its own special sound. Thick drum heads tend to have low pitches and tend to be very loud. Drum heads that have white plastic coating usually reduce the overtones of the drum head to a certain level. Drum heads that have black or silver dots can muffle the overtones further. Drum heads with a perimeter sound ring usually get rid of overtones. Jazz drummers eliminate the use of thick drum heads. Rock drummers usually like thick coated drum heads.

The tension where the drum head is held is another big factor that affects sound. When the hoop is put around the drum head and shell and tightened down using tension rods, the head tension can be adjusted. When tension is increased the amplitude of the sound is minimized and the frequency is enhanced. The pitch then becomes higher and the volume lowers down.

Playing the Drum

Drums are often played using the hands or by 1 or 2 sticks. In several traditional cultures, drums have a symbolic use and are usually part of religious events. Drums are also used in music therapy and in military functions. Drums usually mean a whole drum kit or a drum set. The person playing the instruments is called a drummer.

How to Buy

First of all, determine the kind of drum that your child wants to play. Most kids usually prefer rock and roll drum sets complete with cymbals. There are also some who like the jazz setup. A few may prefer the tribal sound, to play reggae and other classic beach tunes. Before you buy a full set, it is recommended that you let your child practice first or take lessons at a music school to determine if he or she is truly interested. You can purchase one or two basic drums for your child to practice with at home.

You can start investing in a full drum set when your child gets better. You can find old ones and just replace the covering to improve the sound. Have an expert assess the sound. Also check the different brands and why price differs between these. You can also look for setups online and choose the best designs that your child likes.

Violin

The violin may be difficult to master, which is why it is always recommended that you have your kids start on it at an early age. The instrument also tends to be a big investment, since violins can cost anywhere from a few hundred up to several thousands of dollars. It is important that you understand the features and learn about the different types to make the right choice. Maintain your violin to make it last for several more years. Here are some tips.

About the Violin

The violin is the soprano member of the string family. It also includes the double base, viola and violoncello. The abbreviation of the instrument is Vln in scores, to distinguish it from Vla or the viola. A string quartet includes 2 violins, 1 viola and 1 cello. Large orchestras have about 30 violins. The violin is held under the chin and rests on the left shoulder of the musician. The neck is held by the left hand for fingering. The right hand holds the bow. The violin is considered as a non-transposing instrument with 4 strings tuned in fifths at G3, A4, D4 and E5. The E-string is called the first string and is the highest pitched.

Playing the Violin

When a person plays the violin, the fingers of the left hand will press the strings to manage the pitch and vibrato. This will also make effects like natural harmonics and artificial harmonics. Other effects include portamento, trills, glissando, finger tremolo and multiple stops.

When performing, the right hand will strike, draw and bounce the bow over the strings. Pizzicato requires string plucking. Bow direction is very important to produce sound. The upstroke usually makes a crescendo, while the downstroke makes a decrescendo, used often on the first bar beat and other accent notes.

Choosing the Violin

You should consider a couple of factors when choosing a violin for your child. First, determine if the violin sound is good or excellent. Second, determine if the violin stays in tune for long. A violin should have power, which is described as sound being both rich and deep. You may bring a teacher or expert with you when choosing to determine playability and tone.

A child usually does not have the hand and finger strength to manage the pegs so tuning can be a challenge. You should try to get a tailpiece with the tuners already built in. This makes it easier to control, compared to the pegs. A bigger amount of money and time are usually invested in ensuring that the tuning system and pegs are functioning the best way.

Old or New Violins

Generally, old violins actually sound better compared to new ones. Avoid violins that have cracks and worn pegs and peg boxes however. The cracks tend to open and buzzes can be heard leading to more repairs and expense. A new violin is recommended for children, since they tend to handle the instrument in a rougher manner. A good option for parents would be to rent violins for their kids until they progress into the higher levels. When your kid is old enough or experienced, you can buy him or her the right kind.

About Origin

Italian violins are believed to be the best by experts, followed by French violins. 4/4 sizes made from Italy are better compared to fractional sizes. Majority of popular French and Italian makers create only few fractional sizes. Having a popular brand does not guarantee that the violin will play well. Always ask for a warranty or have an expert check or play the instrument first to ensure that you are getting your money's worth.

Purchasing Tips

A decent sounding violin usually costs anywhere between $750 and $1500. The dealer can have a newer violin that is taken back in trade, together with a few scratches. This can be quite cheaper and is a good option as well. Flaming or appearance of the violin has little relation with the tone. Do not purchase a violin just because it looks professional or like the one you saw at a recent concert.

When assessing size, take note that bigger violins are better-sounding too. If your child outgrows the last one, dealers usually allow trade-ins, wherein you get a new one with a bigger size, and add a small amount of cash.