Workshops and Schools
I've been teaching both at schools, colleges and privately for many years. Some of my workshops include The Royal College of Music teaching improvisation to some of the Classical students. I included elements such as 'clave' and latin rhythms to widen the improvisational template. The day was finished off with a performance to an audience and a good time was had by all!
Some other workshops include Drumsense where I gave an afternoon's tuition, again on Latin rhythms; specifically Afro Cuban.
More recently I've been working with Alexander L'Estrange (composer of ZIMBE!) giving workshops and concerts, all over Britain, to prepare choral societies and local musicians to perform ZIMBE! These sessions helped the choirs to feel more comfortable with African rhythms. ZIMBE! was a project I recorded, played percussion on and mixed at my studio in South East London.
Some other workshops include Drumsense where I gave an afternoon's tuition, again on Latin rhythms; specifically Afro Cuban.
More recently I've been working with Alexander L'Estrange (composer of ZIMBE!) giving workshops and concerts, all over Britain, to prepare choral societies and local musicians to perform ZIMBE! These sessions helped the choirs to feel more comfortable with African rhythms. ZIMBE! was a project I recorded, played percussion on and mixed at my studio in South East London.
Private Tuition
I teach privately in my studio located in Catford, South East London. Here I use studio recording equipment as a teaching aid, so the pupil can understand the roll of a drummer and more importantly; what they themselves sound like!
Pupils have a vast array of teaching aids these days. YouTube is great for watching your favourite drummers. Then we go away and try to emulate them; but do we really know what we sound like playing that lick or groove? Or where it would be suitable to play it in a song?
This is where I think recording the pupil is both important and educational and certainly helps with the development of their 'musical ear'.
Pupils have a vast array of teaching aids these days. YouTube is great for watching your favourite drummers. Then we go away and try to emulate them; but do we really know what we sound like playing that lick or groove? Or where it would be suitable to play it in a song?
This is where I think recording the pupil is both important and educational and certainly helps with the development of their 'musical ear'.
Making Music With Drums
I feel the most important ingredient to playing the drums is keeping time as well as being musical. To this end I have produced a book with C.D. and DVD to help anyone who wants to learn, the absolute fundamentals of drumming. 'Making Music With Drums' is geared towards young children but the principles can be used by anyone who's always wanted to play but not known where to start. I use this book to start pupils off on the right track and have some fun along the way!