Matt

Based in Sidcup, Kent. I am a teacher of drums and percussion who has extensive experience from playing major UK festivals, touring the UK extensively, studying under a teacher for many years who has played with the likes of The Bay City Rollers and was schooled himself by world renowned drummer Thomas Lang.

I offer one-to-one drum tuition at my studio in Sidcup or I am able to travel to your residency for small additional fee to cover travel costs.
After having private lessons myself for a number of years and playing professionally around the UK you will learn all of the essential skills needed to work towards becoming a professional in the music industry, or just take on a new hobby!

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Over the years I have gained a lot of studio and touring experience as a drummer. I have worked with artists at studios and venues from all over the world and currently teach and tutor students from all ages covering all levels of drumming from new starters, to basic knowledge through to intermediate.

I have an immense amount of experience playing live around the UK and Europe with various bands and artists from all types of musical backgrounds, so I am able to take on any type of job. Performing live is one of the most exhilarating feelings you can experience as a musician, and I pride myself on seeing my students express themselves and show how much they have progressed when they are ready to play to a live audience.

I have played multiple festivals, concerts, pub nights, club settings, outdoor and indoor stages of all kinds and sizes, so if the student wish is to eventually play live in a band setting I will of course cover that and all planning and any problems which may arise when preparing to play a live show.

In my lessons I will also cover studio playing and recording live on record, or with sampled drums. I have extensive studio experience and will also help with performing to backing tracks and playing along to a metronome which is very under looked in modern playing, but is an essential tool and will improve your technique and shorten the time it takes to learn a particular drum part immensely.
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I am also in contact with multiple studios in the local area and all over the UK so I am able to suggest a variety of different places if the student is part of a band and is looking to record.

Tutoring Experience

I have been teaching privately for over 10 years whilst also teaching in public schools such as Blacken School for Girls (Blackfen) and St Catherine's Catholic School for Girls (Bexley), I am also CRB/DBS checked. My aim is to make my lessons as fun as possible while securing effective results in learning. This is a wonderful instrument rich in history and able to be expressed in so many different concepts. In my experience I was very nearly put off learning in the beginning due to poor teaching having come out the lesson with no real grasp with someone far too strict... I aim to never be like that, instead having a student itching to get home to put their new found skills into full motion, and then wanting to return to learn so much more.

You can also feel free to ask me anything to do with this fantastic instrument and I will answer to the best of my ability! Covering such subjects as gear and equipment, technique, advice on forming a band when you're at a playing live level, different genres and their characteristics, session playing etc. I have even gone through lengths such as building my own drum kits for the last few years so any repairs or customization queries you might have I will also cover as well, and help with purchasing your first full drum kit or next kit!

Lessons are £20 for 40 minute lessons or £25 per hour, a very competitive rate :). Payments can be paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer on the day or in advance if you prefer. Any lessons cancelled without 24 hours notice will incur payment of the full lesson fee.

Tutoring Approach

I am hardworking and have a very professional but fun attitude, which so far has got me extremely gratifying and inspiring work over the years. My lessons aim to inspire and have the pupil so enthusiastic to learn so much more which is incredibly easy to do since this is such a fun, artistic and inquisitive instrument. I take a very modern approach with my lessons utilizing current technology and playing styles and implementing them into the lesson plan. What my aim in my lessons to achieve is to cover what YOU want to learn, whilst I will cover all practices and implementations to make you a solid player I will always go by what the student wishes to be taught, be it a song or specific part of drumming, I will cater the lessons around you rather than dictate how I think you should be expressing yourself. Drumming like any instrument is an art form, one without any boundaries or set rules.

I cover all major genres and playing styles, no matter what level of playing you are I am happy to help you improve as a player. Just get in touch via email so we can work out what is best for you!
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