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Online drum lessons are ideal for those who want to learn to play the drums yet don’t have the money for private online tutoring, as well as those who would simply prefer to learn at their own pace. However, before starting any drum lessons online, it is important to debunk some of the most common drumming myths. 

One common myth is that you should attempt to be proficient at as many styles as possible with this instrument. There is nothing wrong with this approach, of course, but it is not right for everyone, if everyone went down this route, we would not have any unique masters of particular styles. 

Another myth is that the perfect timing exists. There is nothing wrong with striving for perfection, but don’t become obsessed with it, as timing in the musical sense is relative. A lot of people believe that dowels and brushes will enable you to play more quietly. This is not always true. The purpose of these alternative strikers is to give you access to different impact sounds, which allows you to differentiate one piece of music from another. 

Another widely believed myth is that bigger drums are louder. This isn’t always the case. Smaller drums can cut through music more easily because they have higher pitches. And while we’re on the subject of loudness, drums really can have a hugely negative impact on your hearing, so be careful. Having an audiogram every year or so to check your hearing is recommended.

Finally, mistakes aren’t a bad thing! They help you to learn. If you are struggling with something, repetition is the key. Practice it slowly until you get it right.

Choosing Your First Drum Set

Online drum lesson websites are proving to be increasingly popular, as a lot of people prefer being able to learn at their own pace, and online music lessons tend to be cheaper than other options. Plus, a lot of people have been looking for things to do during lockdown! But, before you can experience these lessons for yourself, you will need to buy a drum kit. 

One thing you will need to consider when looking for a drum kit is the material of the shell, as this will have an impact on the sound created. Mahogany and other hardwoods are common amongst older drums, offering a great tone. Birch has a darker and punchier sound, which is popular with recording engineers. Maple is ideal for acoustic and jazz, as it has a bright and warm sound. 

Next, you will need to consider how many drums you want and what size you want them to be. If you want to be the next big thing in metal, you will need a couple of small toms and a bass drum bigger than 18 inches. On the other hand, if jazz is your style, a four-piece kit would be perfect with 10-inch and 14-inch toms, an 18 or 20-inch drum, and a 14-inch snare. You will also need to consider the drumhead, as this has a big influence on the tonal quality of the drum. This can be the difference between your drum kit sounding good and great. If you go for a thick drumhead, you can expect less resonance, and more of a focused and darker sound. If you go for something thinner, a brighter sound will be created.

How do you choose to renovate your interior and improve its functions? Most households choose a combination of professional planning and skills and DIY approach. Whether you do it yourself or rely on experts at different stages of the design and construction, it is as much a matter of cost as stress-management. Specialists are more likely to help you manage your post-COVID home improvement projects and reduce friction! 

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An inspiring home office

If you’ve been working from the kitchen table all this time, you’ve probably come to realize that you need a home office. Home office designs are one of the most popular projects after the first COVID wave. Homeowners tend to choose a hands-on approach to the home office, which is a good idea if you already have a spare room or a free nook you can convert. However, extension and full conversions projects such as basement and loft will require professionals on site. Ideally, the perfect home office combines practical and personal elements. You want smart storage solutions and ergonomic furniture. But you should also consider mood-boosting decor with a vibrant accent wall and some personal touches, such as family portraits. Also, are you looking for additional home office supplies, stationery, and other office furniture? Consider different options for your supplies that will help you stay organized, chic, and comfortable to help you achieve the look that you want. 

A motivating gym studio

If you’ve been working out on your yoga mat inside the lounge, now’s the time to fit a home gym design into your property. Home exercising studios rank high on the list of essential home improvement projects in a post-COVID world. It’s a project that relies essentially on professional designers and architects who can help you add value to the property with a new functional room. When you introduce an area dedicated to workouts, you can invest in quality equipment without worrying about cluttering other rooms in your home! Needless to say, a self-contained studio to exercise can help you stay active easily. How about squeezing in some reps before dinner or hitting the treadmill before your first Zoom meeting? 

A self-contained playroom

Are kids back to school? As long as the coronavirus remains a risk, it’s fair to say that kids will experience further periods of digital learning. There’s nothing wrong with learning from home via an online interface. But that means that your kids need a room where they can learn and play. Is the bedroom not suitable? A lot of parents have been starting playroom projects to keep toys and other kits together. A playroom keeps the house tidy and encourages organization and cooperation between children. Besides, it is a creative space that can be efficiently designed and decorated by parents with the help of their children! 

Swimming Pool

The final thing that we’re going to be talking about is a great addition to your home, especially for the summer months. If you have always dreamed of having a pool in your home, now is the time to do it. You can look into a whole range of types of pool, ensuring that you get the one that you want. For example, you can look at a fibreglass plunge pool, or another type depending on the space that you have available. Speak to an expert today to get an accurate idea of how much this is going to cost, and how long it will take to complete. 

Home office, home gym, or home playroom, which one will be your favorite improvement project this year? Depending on your layout, both the office and the playroom can be a DIY project. However, you can reach out to a team of expert designers and builders at any stage for best results. We don’t recommend tackling your gym studio alone, though. 

Camping

There’s no better way to discover the great outdoors than a family camping trip. Many of us have fond memories of sitting around campfires, singing songs and toasting marshmallows. Camping isn’t everyone’s idea of a vacation, but it has so much to offer. When you choose to camp, you can experience outdoor living, enjoy incredible scenery and get away from it all. For those who aren’t quite sold on the idea of pitching a tent and rustling up a feast using a basic stove, there are alternatives to the traditional camping trip. Glamping has become extremely popular in the last few years, and it’s a great option for families and those who love the outdoors, but don’t want to sacrifice all the creature comforts. Another option worth exploring is hiring an RV or looking into buying a hybrid camper trailer if you love spontaneous adventures or you’re keen to travel frequently in the future. If you are going camping, it’s beneficial to choose a spot in advance and plan your route. Think about how you want to spend your time, how far you want to travel and the kinds of facilities and amenities you’re looking for. If you have children, and you want to try different activities and sports, look for campsites or parks that offer easy access to hiking and cycling routes and activity centers. Read reviews before you book. 

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Beach breaks

Beach breaks are always a hit with children. On a sunny day, you can spend hours swimming, snorkeling, building sandcastles and playing games. There are endless options when it comes to planning a beach vacation with kids. Before you decide on a location, think about how far you want to go. Are you eager to stay relatively close to home and drive to your destination, or are you happy to jet off and travel to a different state or country? If you’re going abroad, try and be flexible with your dates to save on flights, and compare prices before you book. If you book a package vacation, which includes flights, hotels and transfers, you might find that it works out better value than separate flights and accommodation. Resorts in popular destinations are often geared towards children, and if you’re looking for activities, kids’ clubs and plenty of options when it comes to eating out, it’s best to focus your search on family-friendly hotels. If you’re longing to escape it all and enjoy a quieter break in a more secluded spot, you could consider options like hiring a beach house or a condo in a residential seaside suburb instead of going to a tourist hotspot. 

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City breaks

City breaks may not be the first type of vacation that springs to mind when you talk about traveling with kids, but they actually have a lot to offer. If you like the idea of a packed itinerary, or you’re interested in combining cultural activities and experiences with rest and relaxation, city breaks offer the best of both worlds. If you visit places like Rome, Barcelona, London or New York, for example, there’s a vast array of things to see and do and keep young travelers entertained. With any city break, it’s wise to plan ahead and draw up a rough plan of action. This will help you figure out how you’re going to get from A to B and make sure you don’t miss anything on your must-see list. Check opening times, make sure you book tickets in advance for popular attractions and design an itinerary that limits travel. Explore museums, parks, galleries, monuments and famous landmarks in the same parts of the city on the same day. This will save you time, effort and money.  It’s worth reading reviews and getting tips from other travelers if you’ve never been to a city before and getting insider information about hidden gems and places that are popular among the locals. It’s usually a good idea to book tickets for activities and tours online, as they tend to be cheaper. You can also save by purchasing ticket bundles, which include multiple attractions. 

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Staycation ideas

Many families will be enjoying a staycation this year. With travel restrictions in place, it might not be possible to fulfill plans to venture further afield. The brilliant thing about staycations is that they enable us to discover what’s on our doorstep. Often, we automatically opt to jump on a plane or drive for hours when it’s time to take a vacation, and we don’t spend much time exploring the local area. You might have museums, theme parks, beaches or wildlife parks that you’ve never been to even though they are a stone’s throw from home. If this is the case, use your time off to enjoy fun-packed family days out and spend quality time together. You can hit the beach, take a picnic to the park, visit museums and galleries and get involved in local events and festivals. Check details of what’s going in your area online and join local forums or social media groups to hear about new events first. 

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Taking a vacation is a highlight of the year for most of us. This year may be a little different, but you don’t have to sacrifice all plans to take a break, spend quality time with your family and explore new areas. There are plenty of family-friendly destinations on offer, and you can choose from all kinds of different vacation types and experiences. From outdoor adventures and chilled-out beach breaks to fun-filled staycations and city breaks, it’s worth considering different options, weighing up the pros and cons and thinking about how you want to spend your well-earned time off.