PREPARE TO BE IMPRESSED

Tonight's post title seemed the perfect one as it concerns just how impressed I was when I attended my grandson's drum recital on Sunday.  I didn't know what to expect and, to a certain degree, I did expect to see a wide range of students, those who had been studying for a while, those who had a couple of years under their belt and, as with my grandson, those who had taken the drums for about a year.  Now it goes without saying that the drums are not particularly melodious and similarly not relaxing in nature and what began the program didn't disappoint.  In fact, when the first couple of kids began playing their 2-3 selections I had a hard time differentiating when one song started that the next song began.  But I am a supportive Grandma so there I was listening to the drummers one by one until my grandson performed.  So I heard a variety of abilities and as I said my grandson had only been taking lessons this past school year so I didn't expect much.  Until he began having an interest in the drums, I didn't realize how complicated it could be.  It's not just keeping a beat with a symbol now and then, it can get really intricate and when keeping rhythm in a couple drums at a time and differing rhythms at that, it's quite a feat.  So, without further adieu, here's tonight's poetic offering so I can share this experience with you as well.

THE DRUMMER BOY

By Patty Lynn

Today was something special and, boy, was I impressed,

My grandson's drum recital, I, frankly, never guessed…

That he would knock my socks off in quite the way he did.

He’s only taken lessons less than a year, this kid.

I wasn’t quite expecting that he would play so well.

His songs were complicated and, yet, as I could tell,

They took a lot of practice, and dedication, too.

His teacher is a good one & knows just what to do…

To motivate his students, to make them learn the ropes.

That’s why my grandson studies, ‘cause He has such high hopes…

Of being in a rock band and getting really good.

It’s obvious he loves them, and plays them as he should…

To be the kind of drummer that lends a steady beat,

Enhancing mood and message, to make the song complete.

He has an innate talent to sense just what to do.

I know he understands the fact the beat provides the glue...

That binds the song together and makes you tap your feet.

He holds the key to rhythm, the listener feels the beat,

That is, if there’s a drummer who really knows his stuff,

Whose playing is engaging and never is too much.

And though I wax poetic because that boy is mine,

Just try to understand that his playing, it was fine!

My grandsons just a ten-year-old, a ten-year-old, that’s all.

It might seem that I’m biased, but I say, “Not at all!”

He’s only taken lessons less than a single year!

That’s why I was so blown away, to me it was so clear…

That he’s got something special, a talent, that’s for sure.

My hope is with that talent, his interest will endure.