Pro Mark H-RODS Hot Rods Birch Dowel Drumsticks

In Oasis's Wonderwall, the drummer used a drum stick called Rods.  They are made of about twelve bunched up sticks bound in a couple of plastic rings.  Rods have a delicate effect and produce a softer more subtle drum sound.  You do not get the same rebound as from regular sticks, but you can get a balanced nuanced drum sound.  I recommend playing with a variety of sticks to gain an overall development of feel, dynamics and hand stick coordination. From Kasem, West London Drum Tutor, Drum teaching in Harrow, London.  

Using a piccolo bass drum as a floor tom

I have started to visualise a drum kit where I have brought the idea of extreme tuning to a new level.  I think to have an 8 inch tom one, a 14 inch tom two and a piccolo bass drum as a floor tom.  I have to get a nice bass drum from somewhere, build and experiment with this set up.  I always loved extreme tuning and I think to have a grander variety of sounds with more highs and bass notes has to be the best drum kit ever.  I do not really like giant drum kits with too many things to hit, but that is a matter of personal choice not to mention an army of helpers and a van to get around...  From Kasem, West London Drum Tutor, drum teaching in Harrow, London  www.westlondon-drumtutor.com

Tuning drum kits in Harrow London

A well tuned drum kit is a beautiful thing.  I often play kits that are old and battered, get out my tuning key and with an accumulated knowledge growing since 1990, I transform these drums into something musical. The most difficult drum to tune is the floor tom.  It is mean and stubborn, but when you find its voice and make it sing - that is a wonder to behold.  The bass drum is probably the most rewarding and responsive drum to tune and the snare is also very kind.  From West London Drum Tutor, drum lessons in Harrow, London.  www.westlondon-drumtutor.com

Cymbal Felts in Harrow London

Cymbal Felts

Cymbal felts are great when you have them and infuriating when you don't.  I have turned up to gigs and found no cymbal felts.  The pain this caused me when I thought of how my cymbals were going to be mutilated by the raw unsoftened cymbal stand.  I looked and found a cheap solution with a great twelve pack of plastic funnels and felts to protect cymbals.  Cymbal felts tend to go missing and now I have a seeming endless supply of them...  From Kasem, West London Drum Tutor, Harrow Drum teacher in London, UK

Drum Kit Grades 7 and 8 in Harrow, London

TRINITY DRUM KIT 4 2014-19 Grades 7-8 + CD

Trinity Guildhall Book 4, drum kit grades 7 and 8 is an interesting update from the previous book.  Naturally, the book lifts the student from a solid intermediate stage to an advanced player.  The book has a variety of jazz, funk, soul, afro-cuban and other skills such as integrating the rudiments in what are called 'exercises'.  The exam syllabus requires the candidate to play two exercises, two A Group Pieces, and one Group B piece; two supporting tests are then completed.  A great book and if you are serious about drumming, nothing here will be too difficult so long as the passion and drive is there.  From Kasem, West London Drum Tutor, Drum Kit Teaching in Harrow, London.

Trinity Guildhall Drum Kit Grades 5 and 6 in Harrow, London

Drum Kit 3 - Pieces & Studies 2014-2019 Grades 5-6 (with CD) Trinity Guildhall teaches the student the skills to reach beyond an intermediate stage to a more advanced mature one.  Packed with essential rudimental type exercises called 'Exercises' of which there are three, this book also has a variety of genres and styles to develop the drummer and their repertoire.  The exam syllabus requires the candidate to play two exercises, two A Group Pieces, and one Group B piece; two supporting tests are then completed. , From Kasem, West London Drum Tutor,, Drum Kit Teaching in Harrow, London.  www.westlondon-drumtutor.com

Harrow Drum lessons and Grades London

Top Hat is from Trinity Guildhall drum lesson grade one Group B Piece and is played without instrumentation.  It is 3 - 4 and opens with a ride bass snare groove, then moves to toms, then ends with a big snare bass and hats with foot crescendo.  It builds the skills that any beginner drummer would need and I recommend this piece to gain familiarity with a 3 - 4 time signature.  From West London Drum Tutor, drum grades and teaching in Harrow, London.  http://youtu.be/xsyVsQ9mJdA