SoulePapa Blogs :: Finding The Beat

I rolled into the driveway right behind Amanda and the kids.  They were practically leaping out before she came to a complete stop shouting, "Papa, Papa we got the drums!  Can we set them up now?!!" A real drum set given to Calvin by a real live musician (thanks, Mackenzie!).   

First... this requires a bit of musical background on my subject.  I present to you a six and a half year old boy with a storied history of abusing and misusing all musical instruments and toys .  "Sweet Calvin?", you say,  "How can this be?"

The answer is easy - because the boy plays every instrument as hard and loud as he possibly can.  This boy that knits and sews and loves fashion, nail polish and pink hand me downs from his aunties. He gets in front of anything that emits sound and crushes it with his hands, a stick, his feet, some knitting needles, whatever.  I was beginning to think he just didn't have the patience or interest to make music at this point in his life.  And, frankly, I've been getting a bit tired of the constant stream of used, abused and generally wrecked musical instruments that come across my workbench.  Granted, I am a master with duct tape and glue.  This is my medium.  But how many times can i mold the wooden xylophone back into shape?  Guitars with broken strings and broken necks.  Congas with ripped skins and cracked wood.  Did somebody leave this flute in the driveway?!!

The porch is swiftly cleared to make room for the new addition to the family.  A tightening here, an adjustment there.  He sets the stool in place ("it's called a 'throne' Papa") and climbs up.  The sticks are too big and his feet don't reach the pedals.  With a slight grin and a determined eye he hammers across each drum with a crisp, thundering roll and crosses back over his body to completely mash the cymbal.  He stops and we are all laughing out loud at the spontaneity and precision of his first attempt.  Later, I realize he had been, inadvertantly, training for that moment his whole six and a half year life. And finally the planets aligned and the drums found him and he nailed it.  Off he goes for an extended jam while Ezra grabs the harp to accompany him and Adelaide is dancing and bobbing her head around the room.  Maybe there is an instrument for every person or even every personality.   And, perhaps, a time to be connected with that instrument.  Maybe if I had taken an electric guitar lesson, as a seven year old, instead of piano, I'd have made it past my first lesson (don't ask).

Now, I'm just digging the beats.

And the band.

Comments

[naomi]

this post is brilliant!!! i laughed out loud. you, all of you, are fantastic. you make me happy and you inspire me, thank you soulepapa, soulemama, and soulekids.

[peggy]

cracking up at the picture of the band!

[Simone]

You guys ROCK! Party Hard! Nothing like some good head bashing to drums. Especially when Mama had a deadline ;)

[Susanna]

That "stage" with the flags above is wonderful! The upside-down guitar is even better.

[Rosa Pomar]

What a great post. And the second photo is one of my favorites ever!

[Eren]

What a wonderful post on connecting children with music...Calvin, meet my Ian...you two can crash some drums together anytime.

[Meredith]

Love it and adore those pics....

[Jessica Keith]

That picture of the band is precious! My little guy got a kid-sized drumset a couple of Christmases ago. It's a favorite of every energy-filled fella that walks through our door! (And despite what the party poopers will tell you, I've never regretted it for one moment!)

[Qalballah]

How very brave of you - drum kits - the one thing that would never make it into my house.

I feel for you with the destroyed toys too, man. Ah, the other side of the Soulemama blissful house ;-)

[heather]

so funny, yet so very important and wonderful that these drums found their way to calvin. i had a hard time sticking with piano as well... made it 3 months. i was 13 and just wanted to play zeppelin, my teacher was all into scales and theory... couldn't she just have thrown me a little bron-yr-aur to keep me "cool" at parties and then gotten back to business? nope.

not to be exclusive but it does seem that the marjority of craft bloggers are women... but there is potential for an entire movement of male craft bloggers showing their stuff with all forms of duct tape, liquid nails, and carabiners. oh, and let's not forget the zip ties...

oh, and i'm sure you and amanda have already discussed this reality... but... band practice always takes place at the drummer's house, home of the least portable instrument. get ready soule's. start saving your empty egg cartons now to duct tape to the basement walls and ceiling!;)

[Nelly]

At least your kids don't force you to dance until you drop dead. Mine do.

[brandie]

So very happy the drums have found a happy home :) Such a great post, Steve. And the photos are great. I almost missed Adelaide sitting there! And i love Ezra's handling of the guitar. Perfect.

[Gemma]

Excellent picture of the band!! Encapsulates the moment perfectly!

[Rietje]

That band looks great! Are they practicing a lot? :-)

[Rietje]

That band looks great! Are they practicing a lot? :-)

[Melissa Garrett]

A lovely post, indeed! Your description of Calvin was spot-on with how my Jacob is ~ sweet, yet utterly destructive!

[Jen]

What cool pictures! Especially the bottom one with Adelaide's head covered by a a blanket or something? Hilarious!

[Stefani]

I always did have a soft spot for the drummer, but in this case, the whole band is just so darn smoochy! Congrats to Calvin on finding his musical "voice"!

[bubbachic]

Wonderful post! He has found his niche! You write so beautifully.

Dee
x

[LauraJ]

These children, this blog never fails to make me smile!

[Heather]

Nice to read your posts again SoulePapa. You must be so proud of your wonderful family!

[amanda]

Love it!

[tamara]

I'm with you on the piano! Unfortunately I was forced to stick with it for 13yrs... Wonder what instrument would have been 'mine' if left to just resonate with one?

Love your sinking into autumn; such a bittersweet time. We are beginning to climb upwards into spring here, and for the first time I'm finding it quite melancholy too. Missing the tinge of cold, realising the fire hasn't been lit for a few nights.

Look forward to reading more!

[Beth]

Best picture ever. Ever!

[jess]

lol, my 1yr old loves the ukulele..specifically...johny cash on the ukulele. hillarious.

[crimson]

Oh I love it!
That picture of 'the band' is fantastic... may you have many more wonderful jam sessions to come!

[crimson]

Oh I love it!
That picture of 'the band' is fantastic... may you have many more wonderful jam sessions to come!

[Sam.]

Ah, this post gives me a *little* hope - I'm getting my son a set of drums (real drums, he insists, 'not toys, mom!' - for his birthday in Dec. Too bad though that I've just got the one kid and not enough to staff a family band :)

{Those pics are righteous, by the way...}

[Libby]

cracking up at the littlest member of the band!

[kimberly]

Our oldest Lucas did the same thing with every instrument...we believe it was because to him - they were props for his imagination. Unfortunately, many were destroyed while being a flaming torch or a river raft. Now he sings in a choir and he loves it.
Love your posts Soulepapa, glad you're back.

[katie]

looks like so much fun! I love the bunting! I heard are a utube fan, and my son is on there playing his instrument of choice...it is under "plumbers play the trombone", if you would like to take a peek!
So much fun!

[Lora]

WOO HOO Music in a house is a happy thing! ROCK ON!

[Melissa!]

What is Adelaide doing?!:)
I think one of the best things we can do as parents is to introduce our children to musical instruments and maintain it in their lives. I thank my parents everyday.
Wonderful post!

[kat nicholas]

love the band. do they have a booking agent? it took me a minute to see adelaide finding her groove - great picture!!

[Dana]

Rock n' roll! You may consider investing in a pair of earplugs for Calvin. Rock n' roll drumming can take a toll on the old hearing. :)

[Mefuza]

SouleFamily Band. Love it.

[camerashymomma]

oh my word that photo of the band, all three of them is precious! love the scarf draped over ade'aide's head and the pennants hanging above the stage are perfect! too sweet.

[jessica]

what cutie pies!! How fun is that- totally rockin' out!!

[Natalie]

They look ready to tour... where can I pick up some tickets?

[SoulePapa]

I love the band pic too (which amanda deserves the credit for!!).
I believe Adelaide is engaged in some serious performance art with her silk.

[Helen]

Amazing photo, lovely post. What a wonderful incentive to have at least three children!

[Toni]

Oh, the band. I love the band! (look at A.!)
This whole post reminds me of a few years ago when I left my children peacefully at that kitchen table working on their various things to take a shower. 15 minutes later I come out from my room to find them all in crazy outfits, the music cranked, brooms and pots and pans galore and lip-singing to the music. It was so funny. I'll never forget that.

Also, (forgive me for being long-winded) you just never know when a child will take off or bloom with some hidden talent. My oldest son started playing the piano at 15 and quickly became a beautiful classical pianist! Now he composes all kinds of music. Still, my husband and I just marvel at how talented he is with music. It just seemed to come out of no where. Like you though, I can piece together all the moments in his life that led up to it if I think about it.

[jen]

what a happy post! makes me smile..
wishing you a happy autumn day!

[Donna]

ahaha, love the mystery member of the band. And it looks as though the guitar might be ending up on the workbench soon...8-)

[kirsten]

that last photo is seriously hilarious. love it.

[amy]

oh sweet little ones! how adorable!

[stephanie]

oh.my.goodness.
that last pic is to die for!
that's one for the scrapbook!

[Steph VW]

Ahhhh... Childhood passions sometimes turn into careers!

My husband had one of those black cassette recorders in the late '70s. He spent many hours with that recorder, making music and sounds and working out the magical science of noise. Now he's a recording engineer with more albums recorded under the guidance of his ears than I can count.

The only thing I would suggest for Calvin? Ear plugs. My husband and I know far too many drummers who have lost their hearing to their passion. All the best drummers wear some sort of ear protection. *wink*

[diana]

The band! They're jammin'. Look at the singer - quick change of outfit for the next set I guess, while the guitarist is doing his solo...and the drummer keeps the speed up.

[Kelly]

love it!