Floyd, the drums prodigy

"I do not want to become a doctor or engineer, I just want to be a professional drummer,” is Floyd’s spontaneous answer when you ask him about his future aspirations. The 10 year-old prodigy is full of confidence, as are his parents and teachers who believe he is destiny’s favourite child.Floyd revealed his stupendous talent for playing drums when he was only three and a half years old. Foster Liberia, Floyd’s father says, “My friends and I used to jam together in our free time. During those practice sessions I used to take Floyd with me. He was just three and a half years old then. I taught Floyd some of the basics of playing drums. He easily picked it up and showed further interest to learn it.”His achievements are staggering for someone so young. In an exam at the Trinity College London, where even professional drum tutors struggle to earn 75 per cent marks, Floyd notched up a distinction in the eight grade, scoring 92 per cent.“The examiner from the Trinity University was amazed seeing this kid. The examiner had said ‘He is too small to attend the eight grade examinations’ but after the exam the same examiner commented that he had some electric wire in his fingers,” says J Mathew, Floyd’s tutor for the past four years.Mathew who is now the resident tutor of Jam Drum School says that Floyd is the first student who has started to learn the advanced classes in drums within three and half years of training.“He is the only drummer from Kerala who has passed Trinity College’s examination with distinction at such a young age,” says Mathew.Floyd who plays all styles whether rock, jazz or poly rhythmic says, “Among the different styles, I like to play rock the most as it is easy and people enjoy it the most.” For him the drum is like a companion and his ultimate medium of expression.“When I am happy I play rock. On other occasions when my parents scold me, I get low and then I play sad slow music,” he adds.“Unlike other students, he is very enthusiastic about any new style he learns and is keen to delve deeper into it,” says Mathew.Floyd loves Tony Royster and considers him as his role model. “I like his rhythmic style of compositions and like me he too started drumming since childhood. I admire him for that,” he says.He is also an ardent fan of Malayalis own Avial Band. “I like Mithun chettan in the band.He has also learned drum from Jam School but unfortunately I have not met him personally,” he says.When somebody asks him to play a favourite number, Floyd starts drumming Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Red White and Blue.’ Floyd’s drum teacher and parents have hopes that this talented youngster will one day shine on the international scene.They are even preparing him for Trinity’s diploma examination.“To pass the diploma one has to professionally teach students. I am giving Floyd that opportunity in my classes where he assists other students at playing drums,” says Mathew. Floyd apart from getting inspired from other bands, follows his own creative instincts when he performs on stage in his school competitions and other shows.