African Drum

[Oakleaf51]

Local comprehensive now callitself an "Arts College." Son comes home the other day and and says he has been learning how to play an African drum. Dead handy that. You never know when you might be walking down the street, there's a crisis, an emergency, and all they need is somebody who can play an African drum! Bingo! There you are, saving the day!
Then I suppose there are great career prospects for somebody who can play an African drum. Who need Phil Collins? Even the gorilla on the choccy ad can't play an AFRICAN drum, no, you need a British schoolkid for that!

[natalie_1982]

Heaven forbid that the school might broaden the child's horizon's a bit and show him that there is a world beyond his doorstep.

He's hardly likely to learn about other cultures if is parent behaves like Alf Garnet.

[Oakleaf51]

Ah yes! We've got to learn about other kulchers haven't we? Every visitor to these shore must be understood mustn't they?
So I hope the school order an Eskimo drum, and Indian drum, a Chinese drum, and maybe even an international drum kit to save a bit of space!
Will he have to read music i wonder, or just hit it!

[Oakleaf51]

Big debate again about education - UK slipped down the table in maths and science and wot not - but - what about our position for playing the African drum? Now yer talking!

[natalie_1982]

I went to state school in the late 80s and 90s, I got 10 GCSEs and qualified for 3 A'levels - and I learnt to play an African drum! I now work voluntarily for a charity helping children in Africa, and have been lucky enough to visit myself, as well as working in a full time paid job.

I have always considered that parenal support is just as important in a child's education as teachers are already up against so much. It's great to see how supportive you are being of your son, give yourself a pat on the back, well done.

See, we can all come out with sarcky smart arse remarks when we try :-)

[Oakleaf51]

I hope my sone does as well as you and get loads of gcse's and A levels - but what if he doesn't? Will he look back and think his African drum lessons were a waste of time when he could have done more of the stuff that employers want? What happens if he flunks and has to get a job on minimum wage? Who is the education for? Him or the drum teacher?

[Oakleaf51]

There's too many arts colleges and not enough schools!

[natalie_1982]

At least he will be able to busk, most will have to beg with no skills whatsoever to justify asking for money ;-)

[Oakleaf51]

Hey! I never thought of that! What a great career! I can just see him walking into the Halifax for a mortgage with his drum under his arm and asking to borrow a hundred grand for a house! Great idea!

[Oakleaf51]

"Can you play that thing?"
"Yeah!" Bang bang bang bang bang
"Can you play anything else?"
"Yeah!" Bang- bang- bang bang- bang bang-bang
"Oh that's good! Here's a hundred grand!"

[Ethel]

African drum is as useful as media studies.

From a musical viewpoint the African drum does give an understanding of rhythm and intonation, which is an excellent training for all musical instruments, including the voice.

On reflection, it is a lot more useful than media studies.

[Pippa68]

I agree with Ethel.

My son attends an 'Arts College' too, and this has been fantastic for the kids who aren't 'academic'. Let's face it, not everyone is..and it is those who slip through the net no matter how good the other lessons are.

Luckily my son is heavily into his music ~ and luckily the teacher is enthusiastic. The government are now starting to recognise the need for non-academic training for kids.

It's about time, too.

[Oakleaf51]

Ethel I think you hit the nail on the head a little bit - I'm fed up with kulcher and meeja studies and sociology and all the arty farty stuff that doesn't help to get a job and earn a few bob - and that includes that stupid African drum!

[Oakleaf51]

Well hey pippa, why can't they teach plumbing or plastering or electricals or mechanical stuff or anything that there is a market for? Not a stupid African drum! I bet the teacher is white middle class and has a nice house, what chance the kids who play the drum?

[Reverandfunk]

I can "play" a drum but i aint much good at that thing looking at words and reading and that

[jake-the-peg]

If more kids were better at media studies we might not have a countyry where people believed that what they read in the Daily Mail was true!

I seem to recall a young man whose father tried to force him into the family furniture business - it caused all sorts of trouble - his father sounds a bit like you oakleaf.

The son was John Betcheman

[Pippa68]

They should teach those, Oakleaf. I am sure in America they still have such things as 'shop' (car detailing/mechanics) but in this country health and safety has taken over the reigns!

For instance, during year 10 the students can do work experience. If they want to do such things as fire fighting, building (and all the trades which go with it) etc they can't. No child under the age of 16 is allowed.

It's a shame because Mr P is a builder, and decided on that career path due to his work experience when he was 15. He acheived his qualifications in the building industry through college courses after he had left school ~ which is still an option now.

[Skreecheeboy]

What difference is it to you? Does your son enjoy the class? You're going to have to let him off his leash and make his own decisions at some point, not everyone is driven by money you know.

[cambus]

If you wanted your son to have an academic career, then he is obviously in the wrong place, it is an ARTS college after all.
Your own education seems to have let you down, if you can't tell the difference, I hope your son fares better.

[beso]

I did brilliantly at school which I atternded in the seventies. I was the comensurate acedemic. Off I went to University but I was never really happy with my life.

Now in my forties I have taken up yoga and singing. Looking back at my life I believe it is a tragedy that I did not do these things from my youth. When I sing it brings me a sense of happiness that I have not experienced in any other way.

Music brings something incomparable to life and the sense that one can be part of something that trancends intellect.. Wake up and smell the roses.

[Pippa68]

My sons school is actually called an 'Arts and Language' college.

It doesn't mean that other lessons are inferior at all. In our case it means that the arts and language courses are splendid.