Teenage nephew is turning 16 at end of the week. Among his many talents and interest is playing the drums - he’s in a few bands for school activities, and his ‘house’ (school colours) garage band won Battle of the Bands. He’s in the jazz band, rock’n’roll (many styles), accompanies the choir, and he’s in the show band. Thought I’d buy him spare drumsticks, but no-one will tell me what his favourite kind are. So what’s a safe buy as a gift? TIA
Get him a gift certificate from online music companies AMS (American Musical Supply), a New Jersey Company or Musicians Friend (owned by Guitar Center).
AMS runs promotions every few months on gift certificates so check it first.
A voucher is a nice thought but I’d really like to give an actual gift. The point is to save him the time and effort of having to buy them himself. I’ve been told by another muso that apparently ‘just when you need them’, you don’t have a spare pair around, and I’d like to provide the spare spare.
A voucher is a nice thought but I’d really like to give an actual gift. The point is to save him the time and effort of having to buy them himself. I’ve been told by another muso that apparently ‘just when you need them’, you don’t have a spare pair around, and I’d like to provide the spare spare.
Have you thought about accessories like a stick bag? If you don't know the brand and type stick he prefers, it would be difficult to get him the right pair.
So we went to my preferred nearby instruments store, only to find it wasn’t there anymore. (I think it closed down late last year but I’d forgotten). Turns out the one I’d checked online was nearby anyway so we walked there - the drum room is just amazing!
You would have loved the two guys there this morning! The staff member was lovely and was trying to see if the cabasas were around, checked with the regular customer Jim. Jim was surprised I wanted more than a vibraslap, guiro or blocks (?) you put on a stand (because they’re fun, and there’s so much you can do, etc). We spent quite some time chatting about effects and what drummers like, esp when they’re young. Never did find the cabasa.
Got a lovely bag! Stacks of pockets, handles, straps. And - a drum key!!! Jim said he has ‘about 500 drum keys and I never have one when I need one’. So there’s now a key in the right bag pocket.
(I did check that Jim wasn’t a celebrity drummer I should’ve known. He blushed, and said no. Then he said he was off to play music all afternoon so I’m still not sure! )
Many brick and mortar music shops have closed in the states. Only the larger chains seem to have survived. There are still a few left, but my favorite stopped carrying pianos a long time ago and is known for providing lessons more than selling instruments. I did use them to rent a clarinet or flute while my son was studying music education in college. (They should have provided the instruments, but that's another story,)
Many brick and mortar music shops have closed in the states. Only the larger chains seem to have survived. There are still a few left, but my favorite stopped carrying pianos a long time ago and is known for providing lessons more than selling instruments. I did use them to rent a clarinet or flute while my son was studying music education in college. (They should have provided the instruments, but that's another story,)
this place has managed to keep going for almost 60 years. I've bought a guitar at the Asbury Park location, and also brought guitars in for repair. Hoping it survives the pandemic.
We’ve entered looser restrictions here, so there’s still some distancing and still most businesses are closed/shorter hours, however you can travel and visit limited areas and in small groups. So we popped over to deliver the birthday gift late on Sunday afternoon. It was magic watching the realisation dawn on his face exactly what it was and how to use it Currently all he’s using is a small jewellery pouch for his drum key, so the spare was the first thing he recognised (luckily the same model as his) and then the rest of the bag’s pockets started to make sense. He doesn’t know the shop we went to, so I’m glad we put a card there.
He also got his learner driver’s permit just after midnight (online), and insisted his dad take him out for his first driving lesson!! Drove for about 30mins before 1am , and twice more during the day then to school on Monday for first day back.
@musicmz, here’s an excuse to visit us when international travel resumes:
https://www.gcmusic.com.au/ It’s not too far from wonderful performances spaces at the local jazz club and performing arts centre, not to mention shemademedothis (D) and me.
@musicmz, here’s an excuse to visit us when international travel resumes:
https://www.gcmusic.com.au/ It’s not too far from wonderful performances spaces at the local jazz club and performing arts centre, not to mention shemademedothis (D) and me.
If you can book my band some gigs, I'l try to convince the guys it's time for a tour of Australia
Sounds a plan! We’re not yet open-borders (country, or State; other parts of Australia have resumed freer movement between States but airports aren’t really functioning and Qld isn’t open to non-Qlders). PM me and I’ll try to work out from them and the Arts Centre Basement guys what’s happening for the rest of the year.
ETA those emojis moved, they were meant to be together!!
I'm too late to the thread to help with your immediate need, but for future reference Steve Weiss Music is the go-to place for percussionists in the U.S. They have everything. And super-nice staff. Online only. A giant warehouse in Pennsylvania, but you can call for expert help. I have a serious percussionist in the house.
)
Hope your nephew likes his gift.
Sounds a plan! We’re not yet open-borders (country, or State; other parts of Australia have resumed freer movement between States but airports aren’t really functioning and Qld isn’t open to non-Qlders). 
Help, please!
Teenage nephew is turning 16 at end of the week. Among his many talents and interest is playing the drums - he’s in a few bands for school activities, and his ‘house’ (school colours) garage band won Battle of the Bands. He’s in the jazz band, rock’n’roll (many styles), accompanies the choir, and he’s in the show band.
Thought I’d buy him spare drumsticks, but no-one will tell me what his favourite kind are. So what’s a safe buy as a gift?
TIA