Frequently Asked Questions
Am I too young to start learning the drums?
My youngest students are six years old. I have several who started with me at six and are still with me after ten or more years. Ideally you need to be able to sit on the stool and reach the pedals however I have done a lot of work with the children just standing up and learning to play patterns around the drums and cymbals. It can be fun to just experiment with the different sounds of the drums and cymbals and trying to play at a variety of volumes. If they want to play the drums do not try and stop them!!
Am I too old to start learning the drums?
Most definitely not! I have students who have taken up drumming in their thirties through to their sixties. Apart from it being great fun thee are many proven attritional physical and mental benefits of playing the drums. In short it keeps you young!!
Will I need a drum kit in order to start lessons?
I usually advise my students to have two or three lessons over successive weeks to find out if its for them and then consider buying a drum kit. The only way to progress is with regular practice and through gaining a familiarity with the kit in order to develop your muscle or motor memory. Drum kits are fun things to have around and before you know it the whole family are having a go!!
What drum kit should I look to buy?
Most of the major manufacturers offer good quality entry level kit packages. These kits usually have poor quality heads (drum skins) and cymbals however an upgrade further down the line will significantly improve the overall sound and feel of the kit. Alternatively the listings on the internet can throw up some good deals on pre owned kits of all levels of quality. The important thing is to know the market and I regularly advise and source kits and equipment for my students.
Is it OK to have an electronic drum kit?
Absolutely! The electronic drum kit market has developed hugely in recent years and has enabled many people to discover the joy of playing the drums. They offer the perfect practical solution to aspiring drummers who for various reasons are unable to have an acoustic kit in the home. There are some excellent competitively priced entry level kits available with some useful features such as built in metronomes and play along tracks together with an array of sounds and effects.
How will I put the drum kit together?
I can not only source your kit but I also offer a delivery and assembly service in your home. I will also precision tune the drums for you. “IKEA on steroids” was how one parent described the sight of their child’s disassembled kit!!
How often should I have lessons?
In the initial stages I always recommend every week if possible. It is important to maintain momentum and to develop some muscle memory as early as possible and this combined with a little regular practice can enable some significant progress over a matter of only a few weeks.
How often should I practice?
A little and often is better than an hour and then nothing for a week. Life is busy and it can be difficult of course but a regular programme will make all the difference even if its just ten or fifteen minutes at a time. It can be a healthy transition after school or work as it will require total concentration and focus and a need to be “in the moment”.
When will I be able to play in a band?
Whenever you want to is the answer!! You can achieve a lot in the teaching studio and the practice room but there is no substitute for making music with other people. You will learn something from every playing experience as well as having fun with like minded people.
Take the plunge…its a total blast but beware as it can become addictive!!
Should I consider taking grade exams?
Its entirely up to you. Both the Trinity and Rockschool syllabuses are robust and comprehensive and offer a practical and logical development path. They also provide a tangible measure of progress and can instil an important sense of confidence and self esteem in many students. The certificates look very smart and many of my students enjoy collecting them and proudly displaying them whilst others prefer to progress through alternative methods.