Drum Teacher
“I told people I was a drummer before I even had a set, I was a mental drummer.”
- Keith Moon
A patient and attentive teacher
Background info
Philosophy- Everyone can learn drums
Where I teach
Warning
A patient and attentive teacher:
- Individually paced learning.
- Students learn through encouragement.
- Goal orientated lessons.
- Develops positive foundation which can apply to all styles.
- Promotes good posture, correct technique and awareness of the importance of hearing protection for healthy drumming.
- Experienced with beginners and young students.
- Imparts values of musicality, tone, feel and technical proficiency.
- Believes that everyone can be a good drummer if they are willing to learn and prepared to work.
- Coaches bands to improve ensemble playing.
Background info
Back in the nineties I found myself living in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city. I had a regular gig with an expat covers band and sat in with several Nepali bands. My introduction to teaching came with an American friend of mine who asked me to help him improve his drumming skills. Soon I came to the attention of the leader of a Finnish scheme which brought kids with troubled backgrounds to Nepal. Part of their education was to get a band together and perform to their fellow students. I instantly acquired 5 students and learned that giving drum lessons was great fun and an interesting challenge.
After I returned to the UK I continued to teach alongside my other activities. During my period employed at Galaxy Records I coached drummers from the label’s bands and continued with individual tuition on the side.
During my recent stay in Kathmandu I was offered the drum teaching position at the British School and gave lessons to students aged 10 to 14 which I found to be a tremendously enjoyable experience.
Philosophy – Everyone can learn drums
Drums are the most fundamental instrument, alongside the voice. I believe anyone who has the desire, can learn how to be a great drummer. The only requirement is the will to work at it.
Although it can take a long time to become a virtuosic player, it is possible to learn enough to start playing with a band in a fairly short period, if the student is motivated and willing to practice what they learn in their lessons.
Everyone comes to the instrument with their own perspective. I aim to listen to my students and help them achieve their own goals at a pace which suits them.
As well as learning how to hit drums with a stick, I also teach tuning, the importance of listening and developing tone and am attentive to posture and playing in a relaxed manner to avoid possible injuries.
Where I teach
I currently teach in Colindale and Mill Hill in North West London.
Warning: I am quite preachy about the importance of hearing protection – this is due to the permanant and LOUD high pitched whistling that I have to live with (known as tinnitus) and some minor hearing loss which could have been avoided.
