Thanks everyone! This is giving me lots of things to think about. I laid awake last night thinking about possibilities.
I like the shadow block idea and maybe a charcoal instead of a primary for the 'shadow' and a lighter gray or even white for the main strips. I also like the on point idea too...he's a different drummer for sure...but one of the best young men know, with a strong set of values and morals, so I want to give him something as unique as he is.
I live about 30 minutes from Hancock's in Paducah (yeah, I know...someone has to suffer) I may get the blocks sewn up and haul them down there and lay them out on various bolts.
I have 2 different kinds of musical note fabric and they're such a linear print, I don't like them at all...a note 'toss' in a contrasting color might work, but I don't like the sheet music look for this quilt.
I'm getting my hst's squared up and sewn into blocks today...keep the ideas coming...I'll post progress reports, so keep the ideas coming.