What should I do with a gifted Steel Drum?

May 20, 2008 12:33 PM

What should I do with a gifted Steel Drum?

My parents gave me an authentic Jamaican Steel Drum as a present. By authentic I mean they sailed to Jamaica and bought it. They gave it to me because I've always been musically slanted, and what would be better than a quality new instrument?

Only, I have never played the Steel Drum before and have little reason/interest in learning.

My parents spent a good hunk of money on this thing, but i don't want it. It's currently in the corner of my small house, just waiting to be destroyed by my soon-to-be-walking son.

So what can I do? From some of my research, I think I could sell it for almost a grand, but I don't want to piss off my parents. Should I offer it back? Tough it out and hold onto it? They've already expressed dissatisfaction that I haven't learned to play it (I got it almost a year ago, right as my son was born...very little free time)

Any ideas?

posted by toekneebullard to human relations (13 answers total)

I'd explain to your parents exactly what you have explained to us here. Offer appreciation for the gift, explain yourself, offer it back to them and if they decline then post it up on eBay or Craigslist. A good instrument should always have a loving home and someone to play with it!
posted by ISeemToBeAVerb at 12:37 PM on May 20, 2008

Have you thought about possibly donating it to a local music program or drum circle group? That would not only allow you to be honest with your parents, generate good karma and give great joy to someone or a group of people who genuinely appreciate the gift.
posted by willmize at 12:40 PM on May 20, 2008

I'm sure your son will enjoy playing it very, very soon :)
posted by zeoslap at 12:41 PM on May 20, 2008

Keep it - your kid will love it!
posted by Aquaman at 12:45 PM on May 20, 2008

I wouldn't worry about the kid destroying it. As I recall those are tuned with a blowtorch and a ball-peen hammer. Presumably you haven't got those lying around in easy reach of a one-year-old. You can keep it indefinitely and it shouldn't lose much value.
posted by echo target at 12:50 PM on May 20, 2008

I don't want to reveal any hipster secrets, but judging by the number of steel drums that have magically and mysteriously appeared around my shared practice space in the last few weeks, I'm guessing steel drums are about to worm their way into indie rock. So, if you learn now maybe you'll be a hot ticket whenever this apparent trend rolls your way.
posted by loiseau at 1:04 PM on May 20, 2008

Let your son use it, and when you get sick of that -- gift it to his preschool. They will love it and you and your parents can rest assured that it will get plenty of use.
posted by iscatter at 1:27 PM on May 20, 2008

I'd donate it to a school or music program or other cause you think your parents would approve of in their names. I would weigh whether or not to tell them/ask them for permission, but that would definitely be my goal.
posted by kalessin at 2:33 PM on May 20, 2008

Just because they spent a lot of money on something at a tourist trap in Jamaica doesn't make it a) authentic or b) valuable.

Some of the best steel drums in the world are made right here in Appalachia, by the "father of the modern steel drum instrument."

With that said, call up local middle schools and donate it to one of them...or a high school. If they'll take it.

You might also take a moment to realize exactly what your hostility towards this gift is. I'm not being condescending, but you certainly seem pretty upset about it.
posted by TomMelee at 4:22 PM on May 20, 2008

It's currently in the corner of my small house, just waiting to be destroyed by my soon-to-be-walking son.

While the size of the house is not the same, my now-walking son loves to occasionally strum and drum the guitar hanging on the wall on our dining room. While he does occasionally abuse it, he learned quickly how to show some care in handling it. (Keep it on the sofa or rug -- not on the hearth!)

Might he destroy it? Yes, but it can be rebuilt. (I bought it as a refurbish from a then-budding guitar maker.)

Let your boy play that drum!
posted by Dick Paris at 5:52 PM on May 20, 2008

@ TomMelee: Any resentment comes form the fact that my parents have always bought bad gifts that cost too much. They spend a lot of money on stuff that people don't want. Just one of those parent things that bug a kid.

Thanks to everyone who suggested donating it to a school, that's a pretty cool idea that never crossed my mind.

sidenote: I have a drum kit at home, and I currently let my son go nuts on it. He loves it. I guess I've just always thought of the steel drum as a more delicate instrument.
posted by toekneebullard at 7:14 PM on May 20, 2008

I was in a store the other day playing with a steel drum for a couple of minutes, and the first thing I thought of was how much my 19-month old niece would like it. It's not bang/noisy like regular drums, its pretty sounding and damn near indestructable. Nthing saving it for your son.
posted by 8dot3 at 5:24 AM on May 21, 2008

Why not sell it and then INVEST the money either in a mutual fund or Roth IRA?

You know if you save about $480 every month until you're 35 you'll bank over a million dollars?
posted by PetiePal at 10:20 AM on May 21, 2008