DRUM LESSONS
Current Availability
Current availability: Saturdays 10:35-11:05 and 11:10-11:40
I am happy to add you to my waiting list if no suitable slots are available.
I recommend at least 1 or 2 lessons before making a regular commitment.
These lessons are charged at the standard rate of £18.50 per half hour*.
Please note that I don't teach on Tuesdays or Sundays.
Lessons are at my home studio in Three Mile Cross near J11 of the M4 in Reading, Berkshire.
Sorry, I don't offer lessons at students' homes.
Drum lessons for home-educated students are offered on Thursday or Friday daytime at a special reduced rate. Please ask for times and prices.
100% exam pass rate (Trinity Rock & Pop syllabus)
Lesson Prices
30-minute lesson - £18.50*
45-minute lesson - £27.75*
60-minute lesson - £37.00*
* Once a regular lesson time is committed to, lessons will be invoiced monthly, half-termly or termly in advance (whichever you prefer), with a 10% discount if paid within 7 days.
Please note: Drum lesson prices will increase starting on Monday, 1st September 2024. From this date, and in line with the 2023-24 recommendation from the Musicians’ Union, lessons will cost £20 for 30 minutes. We will continue to offer a 10% discount for invoices paid within 7 days.
Full Terms and Conditions:
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(a) Fees for regular pupils will be payable in advance based on published term dates.
(b) Invoices can be sent monthly, half-termly or termly, whichever you prefer.
(c) Monthly invoicing on the 1st of each month is our default.
(d) Termly and half-termly invoices will be sent on the Sunday before the start of that billing period. -
A 10% discount will be applied to invoices of regular weekly pupils and applies if paid within 7 days. This discount is not available after 7 days!
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Late payments (after 14 days) may incur a £10 admin fee.
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Cancellations by us will be refunded at the rate paid at the start of that billing period (or carried over to the next invoice if you'd prefer).
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(a) Cancellations by pupils cannot be refunded or rearranged - Dave has a full teaching schedule, so it isn’t possible to rearrange lessons that you cannot attend!
(b) All lessons during published term times will be chargeable unless cancelled by us. -
(a) We require 4 weeks' notice (or payment in lieu) if a pupil is stopping lessons.
(b) Please let us know as soon as possible, in writing, if you wish to stop lessons. (c) You are welcome to give more than 4 weeks' notice! - If paying by PayPal, we ask that you pay using the “Friends & Family” option, or we reserve the right to charge you the fees we incur.
My Teaching Philosophy
Throughout my years of teaching, I've realized that a "one size fits all" approach doesn't work well for drum lessons. Everyone learns differently, so I'm always looking to adapt the structure and content of my students' lessons to fit their individual needs. Whilst I do teach from the Trinity Guildhall Rock and Pop grades, I'm also happy to teach other songs, styles, and grades. One advantage of the Trinity syllabus is that exams are relatively easy to handle. Students can book them online, either in person or as digital submissions. However, I always stress that exams are not mandatory. We can still work and make progress without them.
My own drumming style is built upon a strong foundation of drum rudiments, and I try to teach all my students the core PAS drum rudiments. But I also explain and demonstrate the usefulness of rudiments in drumming and how we can apply them throughout the drum kit. I want my students to understand that rudiments can be a lot of fun, not just dry and boring exercises.
I can cater to students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to experienced players looking to refine their skills. Typically, I can start formal lessons from the age of 6 (although I can do percussion lessons for younger players) so that kids can comfortably reach the pedals and play the drums without struggling.
I teach most styles, although I must admit that I'm not the best choice for anyone wanting to learn extreme heavy metal and blast beats, as I’m not the heaviest of players (the bassist in my rock band might disagree)!
In my teaching room, I have a full 6-piece acoustic drum kit and an almost matching electronic kit. During lessons, I encourage students to sit at the acoustic kit while I play the electronic kit, so they get maximum playing time without wasting time switching positions. I also have a high-quality speaker system for playing backing tracks, as well as a phone mount for students to record their lessons for their own enjoyment or for digital exam submissions.
Term Dates 2023/24
Spring Term 2024
Monday 19th February - Saturday 30th March (inclusive, except Good Friday unless pre-booked)
Summer Term 2024
Monday 5th April - Saturday 25th May (inclusive except 6th May unless pre-booked)
Monday 3rd June - Thursday 25th July (inclusive)
No lessons 8th-12th July - sorry!
As well as regular drum lessons, I can offer tuition in set-up and maintenance of drum kits.
Please ask for further details.
Dave is a member of the Musician's Union, and both Dave and Sophie have been CRB/DBS checked.
