[brivon]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I am the mother of an 8 year old boy. My son has just had his second lesson with drums and wishes to continue full time. I need some advice on which sort of drum kit would be good for him as he is only the size of a 4 year old and can only use his right foot. He was born with a disability which has restricted his ability to grow at a normal rate so he will be smaller than the average person as he gets older. Is there a particular drum kit that he can use with just one foot? Please help as I have no clue about drums.

[dtxtremeiiispecial]

brivon,
Most drum sets come with two foot pedals. One is attached to the bass drum. The other is attached to a hi-hat. Your son needs to play a bass drum pedal. He does not need to play a hi-hat pedal. Buy a drum set with a bass drum but without a full-height hi-hat with a pedal if you can.
Your son will still be able to play a hi-hat. There are many hi-hats that attach to a cymbal stand or other hardware and do not include a foot pedal. Your son will not be able to get as many sounds out of this kind of hi-hat as he would if it had a foot pedal, but that's OK.
Some drummers like to play two bass drums, one with each foot. Your son won't be able to, but plenty of drummers use just one bass drum.
One playing foot is really not a problem in playing the drums. It may be a problem finding a set that doesn't come with a full-height hi-hat with a foot pedal, but maybe you can ask to exchange that hi-hat with a foot pedal for the other kind I mentioned.
Best of luck!

[Der Trommler]

You might also consider a junior drum set due to his smaller size. As you can imagine they are built for younger players that are smaller in size (google search a Ludwig junior drum set).

The advantage besides the smaller size is the smaller price tag. This way if down the road he loses interest you don't have a fortune into the set. If he stays with it you might eventually have to upgrade to different equipment as he gets stronger.

	Ludwig Drums Shop for Ludwig Drums at Musician's Friend

[brivon]

Thank you both so much for your help. I will look up the Ludwig junior set and I will also ask those questions about swapping the full-height hi-hat with a pedal for a different one without the pedal. Thanks again.

	Ludwig Drums Shop for Ludwig Drums at Musician's Friend

[Tainojim]

brivon, I'm sure you can get some great ideas from this website.

The love for a child has no limits.

Disabled Drummers Association

[brivon]

Thanks so much Tainojim for the website.
I have had a look at it and its perfect.
I never thought there would be a disabled drummers association.
My son and I cant thank everyone enough for their support with our situation.

[docROCKER]

i have seen some small groove percussion sets, but it sounds like your son really wants to go through with this, and the groove percussion sets are sucky. they do have one pedal, bass drum. Also you can buy junior sets, and the bass drum is more important than the high hat pedal. when you buy the set, twist the screw on the high hat too losten it and put it all the way down.

[Tainojim]

Originally Posted by brivon

Thanks so much Tainojim for the website.
I have had a look at it and its perfect.
I never thought there would be a disabled drummers association.
My son and I cant thank everyone enough for their support with our situation.

If I may speak for everyone here at DSC, You Are Very Welcome.

I got the idea from a band called Def Leppard. The drummer plays with one arm. Since he doesn't see this as a handicap, so why should anyone else. I had back surgery done 9 years ago and still play today.

Invention is the mother of necessity.

[docROCKER]

LOVE def leppard. disabilities shouldnt stop you!!!

[Tainojim]

So I would also suggest the "single hand drum roll" demonstrated on YouTube.com

Also checkout some "Def Lappard" videos to encourage your child even more so.