Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Drum videos are everywhere these days and I have decided to jump onto the wagon!  Here is one video outlining a simple fill.  Thanks for watching!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMvlnOeVxjs

Friday, October 26, 2012

Drumming is about time keeping, feel, dynamics, stick control, bass pedal control and knowledge of how to move around the kit elegantly, and or with power.  Drummers have a wide range of styles they apply and understand.  As a drummer I aspire to be able to express something special and unique; something from my creative mind and something I can call my own.  Drum teaching is about providing the materials and instructions to become a drummer, but I try to make my students into creative thinking drummers.
Visit: www.westlondon-drumtutor.com
From West London Drum Tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Drumming in a band feels like a way to express, communicate ideas and to collaborate with other people to form something that is greater than the sum of its parts.  Some people say that drumming is a great way to release your anger, to throw a tantrum...  I know that a drummer can not ever drum effectively or create if in a chaotic rage, and that drumming requires a special control that flying into a rage can not give.  Drumming is more like meditating I think.
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From West London Drum Tutor, Drum Lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Skype Drum Lessons
Just completed my lesson on Skype from London to Sydney.  It was a great lesson with my student getting used to the nature of the technology, and the structure of the lesson.  I have been doing Skype drum lessons for only a month and it has spawned a new lesson structure that includes sending notes, videos and emails in between lessons.
Visit www.westlondon-drumtutor.com
From West London Drum Tutor, Drum Lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

After some attempts at trying to restructure my website www.westlondon-drumtutor.com I have arrived closer to where I want to be with it.  Have a look and it is still in its construction phase.  But people are finding me and I am getting students as a result!

From West London Drum Tutor, Drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Friday, October 19, 2012

As a drummer, the two drum stick grips have their definite contexts and place.  French grip, where the thumb is on top gives more subtlety to the playing and sounds a drummer produces, where German grip, stick held with palms placed downward, gives more power, and is generally a more dynamic impressive stick holding technique.  The U.S method aims to take the best from both worlds and is literally held with the hand at a 45 degree angle.
Visit: www.westlondon-drumtutor.com
From West London Drum Tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Bass drum technique, as with all aspects of drumming is vitally important.  Without proper bass drum control, the sound, feel, and expressive potential is greatly lessened.  The important elements of bass drum control are to
1. Keep the toes on the bass pedal around 5 C.M from the bridge of the bass pedal.
2. Move the bass drum beater elegantly with the toes remaining in contact
3. Do not stomp on the bass pedal and again keep the toes on the bass pedal
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This will enhance your bass drum control.

From West London Drum Tutor, Drum Tuition in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Playing the single paradiddle over the hi-hat, snare and bass is a great way to turn a rudiment into a groove.  Simply place the right hand on the hi-hat, the left on the snare and place a bass drum on the first of every eight beats.  You can place the right on the ride cymbal and do fills all around the kit...  There are many possibilities.
Visit: www.westlondon-drumtutor.com

From West London Drum Tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Roger Taylor, the drummer from Queen said that he never did hours of practice, he just played in the band and invented his feel, groove and fills in the studio and on tour.  Oh, so it is not everyone that plays at the level of Super Band, but there is a point here; you get amazingly excellent results from touring or playing gigs that you can not get practicing alone.  But still, I do practice alone, and with my band.  www.king-with-no-throne.com 


from west london drum tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Monday, October 15, 2012

Teaching children under 8 how to play drums is a very delicate thing; I have found that they to learn in a way that accesses their way of thinking and remembering.  As their mind body connection is not fully formed, they find it stressful to do the regimented training required to become competent at the basic technical skills needed as a developing drummer.  None the less, I have the most interesting lessons with under 8 year olds.  They say the most extraordinary things and have amazing flashes of creativity and insight.

So come along all you young and old, drums lessons are for all...
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From west london drum tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Friday, October 12, 2012

The new Rockschool Drum Kit Grades are excellent; though the format is very much the same, it does have a few innovations to assist learning.  In grade 1, the 'Drum Voices', are placed in their respective sections.  That is snare, floor, bass drum, hi and mid tom are in one section and the cymbals and hi-hats in another...  The issue of layout is what is essentially improved with the new Rockschool Drum Kit grade syllabus and materials.  What a relief!

From west london drum tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK
Visti www.westlondon-drumtutor.com

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

I have found that the fact of stick control and the lack of simple competency let alone mastery, is something that always needs work when I sign up a new student.  I spend weeks just breaking down bad habits arising through laziness or poor instructions.  But the results are very pleasing when the student and I smash the shackles of poor stick holding technique.

So, hold your stick very gently in the middle of your hand, grip the stick with the side of your thumb and index finger with the other fingers hanging very relaxed underneath the stick.

I will be publishing videos to elucidate these simple but important instructions.

Check www.westlondon-drumtutor.com for more information and excellent drum kit articles.

from west london drum tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The difference with Rockschool Grades for Drum Kit and Trinity Guildhall Drum Kit Grades is there is more emphasis on a variety of contemporary styles with Trinity Guildhall. Rockschool curriculum is written with an emphasis on rock in the way it is approached today. Having said that, rock as a genre contains strands and elements from wide range of musical genres.
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From westlondon drum tutor, drum kit lessons in Harrow, Greater London, UK

Monday, October 8, 2012

Teaching grade 8 drums is one of my favourite things, but not before seeing my students jamming on the classics and appreciating the contemporary musical output from both commercial and 'hidden' artists.  I raise my glass to my students' efforts and the masters that came before us.

Learn drums from www.westlondon-drumtutor.com

from west london drum tutor, drum kit lessons in Harrow, Greater London UK

Friday, October 5, 2012

I offer Skype drum lessons - from West London Drum Tutor.  I have been living and working in London and teaches drum kit in my private studio.  I also teach periodically in Sydney Australia.
Check www.westlondon-drumtutor.com for more details.