My mother's father, my grandfather, was a talented musician himself. Though he did not pursue music as a primary career, he did perform on the side as a hobby.
I remember, as a young boy, going into the basement of my grandparents house and quietly tapping my grandfather's wooden drumsticks or wire brushes on any one of the several drums and cymbals in his drum set. I would then sit down and lightly step on the foot pedal of the bass drum trying to produce rhythmic patterns to the best of my ability.
It was not until I was older that my grandfather sat me down and gave me short lessons on the instrument. After my first lesson he provided me with a spare set of his wooden drumsticks so that I was able to practice while I was at home. He explained that you don't need the physical drums for initial practice. He demonstrated by rhythmically tapping the drumsticks on the wall and then a book.
I've always been fascinated with percussive instruments and believe that it is often evident in my musical compositions. Though I did not peruse the drums, other than the brief lessons I received from my grandfather, I can contribute any instruction given, relative to music, to the formation of my compositional identity.
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