Drumsense Latest Tutor Signups

Gary Minor (UK)

Colin Woolway — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I started Drumming at the relatively late age of 20,having spent my childhood and teenage years as a 'frustrated' Drummer, using anything i could find that even slightly resembled Drums or Sticks ie Knitting needles and Biscuit tins etc and trying to emulate my heroes of the day, namely Stewart Copeland, Clem Burke and the Double Drummers thumping the tribal rhythms of Adam & the Ants, Terry Lee Miall & Chris Merrick Hughes.

I eventually managed to save up and bought myself a kit in 1990 fuelled by my passion and inspiration of the burgeoning 'Madchester' scene at the time ,and in particular Alan 'reni' Wren , and spent hours sat behind my newly acquired kit (apologies to the neighbours!!), desperately trying to copy the beats and fills of the popular songs of the time, in the hope of myself becoming a Drummer in a Band.

And here we are...22 years, and many Bands later,I'm still loving playing the Drums in a cover's band called The Helmets and also a Bob Dylan Tribute Band called Duluth.I have played with and met some remarkable Musicians and fascinating people, had some amazing experiences on my musical journey,and its with this experience, and of course the Drumsense program, that i hope to pass on to my students, who I'm sure share the same passion and love of playing the Drums (or Biscuit tins!!) as I do.

Tom Bradley (UK)

Colin Woolway — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

About Tom

Since discovering a passion for playing music in 1998, Tom has been obsessed with improving his skill on the drum kit and absorbing as many different types of music as possible. During this time he has had the privilege of studying with some very well established and inspirational drummers. Including James Hester (Cars On Fire), Ian Matthews (Kasabian) and Jason Bowld (Pitch Shifter).

Tom has played in countless bands over the years, with genres ranging right across the board, from jazz to heavy metal. Performance experience includes support for Phantom Limb, Hjaltalin, Beth Rowley and The Blue Aeroplanes. Studio work includes several albums, EPs and singles for bands and as a session musician for various singer/songwriters.

Over the past six years Tom has taught individual and group lessons within schools, colleges, universities and privately. He has a great passion for teaching and is always enthusiastic and eager to pass on the wealth of knowledge accumulated from years of study and experience within the industry.

Tom currently teaches at The Academy of Music and Sound (Swindon) delivering BTEC level 2 and 3 courses, Foundation Degree, and also providing one-to-one private lessons. He is currently busy as a freelance session musician working in the studio and on the function circuit.

Qualifications include a First Class BA (Hons) in Professional Musicianship, specialising in music teaching and solo performance.

Lessons

Lessons will of course be tailored to the individual needs of the student. Whether you already have some experience and would just like to improve your reading skills or perhaps revisit some basics in technique to iron out any bad habits. I always place an emphasis on the importance of time keeping and groove regardless of ability level. It is often forgotten that our job, as drummers is to keep time, provide a good groove for the rest of a band and make them sound good! Using a wide range of backing tracks we can cover any style of music in a very practical way. I can also cover grade exams.

Home visits welcome or studio based lessons within the Bristol and Swindon areas. Ability levels range from beginner to advanced, any age welcome. Discounted lesson blocks can be purchased and gift packages are available.

CRB checked.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any enquiries.

Bob Teeple (UK)

Colin Woolway — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I started playing drums when I was around 10 years old. I remember my mother taking me to drum lessons every week and sitting in the waiting room waiting for my turn. I played on a drum pad for a long time before getting a set of drums. I started out playing in the school band on just a snare drum. I had to show my parents that I wanted to play the drums before they would spend the money on a set. It was an exciting day when I got my first set of Ludwig drums. I remember playing for hours trying to get my coordination and rudiments down. Then I joined a band and started playing at school dances and weddings. I played all through high school and some college until I was drafted. I carried my drums with me in the service and tried starting a few bands but it was hard keeping them together. Then I got married and started a family and the drums had to go. I sold them and didn't play for a long time and then one day I got the bug and started to play again.

It's a love that you never forget. I don't really want to start playing in a band and traveling around all over the place but, I love playing and started getting my rudiments down again and I want to be able to put it to good use. So I started looking at how the young people today play and felt like they were missing out on the thrill of getting into the groove and not learning how to play the drums like a musical instrument. Anybody can play the boom, smash beat. I want people to enjoy playing the drums the way I have.

So I started looking around to see how I could put together a syllabus to teach the drum set. That's when I ran across Drumsense and realized that they did it for me. Drumsense is a structured way of learning and developing a strong base to build on. If you are serious about playing the drums, (WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER.) I'm really looking forward to meeting you and helping you on this great adventure. I love drumming and will do my best to inspire you to love it too.

Sara Leigh Shaw (UK)

Colin Woolway — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Steve Jannetta (UK)

Colin Woolway — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Hi, my name is Steve Jannetta, owner and drum teacher of drumminskool. I am a 49 year old drummer from Bradford, West Yorks.

I have played the drums for more than 30 years. I originally taught myself and played in various school bands and local amateur dramatic productions from age 15, but I quickly realised the need for professional tuition to improve my playing technique and studied with some of the UK's leading tutors, including the late Geoff Myers (Syd Lawrence Orchestra), and Dave Hassell, (session drummer, Royal Northern College of Music lecturer).

As a performing drummer I have a wide range of playing experience across a variety of styles. From 1997 to 2000 I played on two P & O ships, the Oriana and the Aurora. I have played in various function bands, tribute bands, and pub and club bands, playing a number of musical styles covering rock, pop, country, rock and roll, soul, jazz, big band, ballroom dancing and show band music.

I hold grade 8 drum qualifications with both Trinity and Rockschool and also hold a Level 6 teaching Diploma. I have an ongoing commitment to continue to improve. I recently studied jazz studies at Leeds College of Music and keep up to date with current drum tutor books, DVD's and CD's, and of course, you tube!

I have taught students from the age of 6 to 60 for more than 10 years. I try to teach in an informal and friendly style, using a variety of published and recorded material to give students everything you need.

I am now delighted to be part of the drumsense organisation and looking forward to taking my playing and teaching to a new level.

At very busy times we may need to use relief teachers. Rest assured that "DRUMMIN'SKOOL" will only use tutors who are known personally, experienced and qualified, and will teach to our exacting standards. All teachers are fully CRB security checked.

Whatever your reason for wanting to play the drums I feel sure that we can help you achieve your goals.

Please get in touch any time for a chat.

Ian Fereday (UK)

Colin Woolway — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I started playing drums and percussion at the age of 17 and it has been a passion of mine ever since. I studied with John Shearer (Curved Air) and Andy Bibb (West End Musicals) at Talking Drums and also took lessons from Francis Seriau and Paul Elliot at Drumtech.
I achieved a Pass with Distinction in both Grade 8 Drums and a Music Teaching Diploma, and learnt a great deal about playing and teaching in the process.

I've had the great privilege of working with some fantastic musicians over the years for gigs and recordings. I've been involved in many different types of musical projects including working for original artists, covers bands, function bands, church worship bands and even orchestras.

I've always had a great enthusiasm for teaching people to play the drums, and I've found that drummers generally have a great willingness to share ideas and techniques. Belonging to this community is one of the best things about being a drummer and I'm delighted to be joining the Drumsense network of tutors and students. The establishment of Repercussion Drum School was driven by a desire to share what I've learnt about drumming and to encourage players of all ages and abilities as they progress with the instrument.

I teach a variety of styles and techniques that are tailored to your requirements. These are your lessons and everyone has their own reasons for wanting to learn to play. The most important thing for me is that you enjoy your lessons and learn in the process. After all, it's called playing because it's meant to be fun!

I also play bass guitar and will occasionally incorporate this into the lessons, so that you as a player will understand how these instruments work together as a rhythm unit, and form the foundation of any great band.

I look forward helping you get the most out of playing this amazing instrument.

Matthew Jenkins (UK)

Colin Woolway — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Aaron Smith (USA)

Colin Woolway — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

My Mother says that, as a small child, I would pound on the pots and pans on the kitchen floor while she prepared meals or cleaned after meals. So, she was very supportive when I wanted to join the school band in 6th grade. I played right through my public school career and went on to get a college scholarship playing drums as well.

In my early twenties, I studied briefly with Mr. Murray Spivak in Los Angeles, California and extensively with Mr. Alan Dawson in Boston, Massachusetts. As a drum set instructor I taught for two years at Drum and Guitar City in Sacramento, California and, more recently, I've had a few private students here in Nashville, Tennessee.

I am forever the drum student myself and have continued to study drumming styles and techniques over the years. Right now I'm really into John Riley's jazz material and JoJo Mayer's hand technique material. I'm a firm believer that within the jazz drumming techniques are all the necessary tools to be proficient in any style of music a drummer may choose to pursue, even double bass drumming.

However, as your instructor, and with the help of the Drumsense materials, we'll pursue a plan to get you started at your point of interest and move forward from there.

I have a drum studio here at my house, with recording capabilities. Right now I am able to record a lesson and burn it to compact disc for students to take home for further study. I'm also in the process of setting up to do lessons over SKYPE.

I'm really looking forward to meeting you and helping you on this great adventure. I love drumming and will do my best to inspire you to love it too.

The folks at Drumsense have been gracious to include an interview I did recently that will tell you a little more about my musical experiences and about me. It's been a very interesting life. Just click here to read more.

Thanks
Aaron

Simon Whincup (UK)

Colin Woolway — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Simon has been playing and developing as a drummer since he was a young boy and has been involved with widely differing styles of music, from brass bands to rock. You'll know what we mean when we say he's a tidy drummer and, when recording and playing, is always adding new dimensions which he brings from his other musical collaborations.

He was recently featured on the BBC's Ceol Country Music programme in connection with the drumming skills workshops he runs and regularly undertakes voluntary work, teaching in the community.

Gideon Woods (UK)

Colin Woolway — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Hi, I'm Gideon.

Drumming is my Life, and my privilege to share.

I am a full time drum teacher and drummer based in the outskirts of Leeds, West Yorkshire.

I have been teaching for over ten years in primary schools, high schools, and a well known performing arts college, as well as maintaining a private teaching, and playing career.

My musical specialism is Live Drum'n'Bass, and Jungle, but before this, I played: Rock, Blues, Reggae and World Music as a band member, and many other styles as a session player.

In my home I have built a well equipped recording and teaching studio. It is a pleasant and professional environment in which to teach, learn and to make music.

I have been teaching a combination of my own teaching course, written in 2000, and RockSchool Grades, enhanced with a variety of exercises, books and dvds from other sources. I am now incorporating the Drumsense course into my teaching to further improve the pupils breadth of learning.

I have a flexible approach to teaching. With the knowledge that we all learn in different ways, I tailor my lesson plans to the individual's requirements, both in what they want to learn, and how best to achieve their goals.

Remember only perfect practice makes perfect, so do it right, get the right teacher.

I have Enhanced CRB Disclosure

Please feel free to get in touch for further information, or to get involved.