Where are you based?

Drum lessons are in the Mid-Ulster area - Castledawson, Magherafelt (Northern Ireland). 

The central location makes it pretty easy to get to from anywhere in N.I. and I have students from all 6 counties.

If you're put off by having to travel more than 15 mins, this is not the coaching for you.

 

I only work with drummers who are COMMITTED and willing to practice!

If you're willing to travel and put the effort in, I can help you and give you a style of coaching and drum lessons that other tutors can't.

I want to help you learn and improve quicker than I did by avoiding the mistakes I made and sharing my 20+ years of experience as a drummer writing and recording music with my bands and performing live.

If you live further away you don't have to book in every week.  There are various options available.

Some of my students do a single or double lesson every week. 

Some do a double lesson every 2 weeks, some do a double lesson or single 1-hour session once a month.

One-off 1 and 2-hour sessions are also available.

I have had a variety of students aged 11-60 years old from all over Northern Ireland:

Hard Rock and Metal drummers have travalled here for drum lessons from Belfast, Magherafelt, Cookstown, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Fermanagh, Donegal, Ballymoney, Ballymena, Antrim, Armagh, Portadown, Crumlin, Newtownabbey,   Newry and Annalong to name a few.

 

 

What hours are lessons available?

Mon-Fri:  9am-9pm

Sat:  9am-7pm

*Subject to availability - waiting list option if fully booked.

Why take drum lessons, can I not just learn by myself?

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Of course you can, but you'll learn A LOT FASTER with the help of a seasoned Rock and Metal drummer with over 20 years of experience.

I genuinely believe if had've taken drum lessons when I started, I would've learned more in 1 year than I did in my first 5 years teaching myself.

Online lessons and videos can be great too but NOTHING compares to working with an experienced coach in person.

The problem is that there's so many videos and SO much information online that it can be overwhelming and leave you feeling confused and not knowing where to start.

They can't give you instant feedback, correct your technique, posture or give you the personalised experience a coach can.

There's a reason that the top footballers, fighters, athletes, musicians and business people in the world have coaches - they are committed to learning, growing and constantly improving as quick as possible.

I will help you avoid the mistakes that I made over the years and share my years of experience of learning, playing, gigging, writing, recording and overcoming injury and health problems and help you to become the best that you can be and progress A LOT quicker than you would be learning by yourself.

There are lots of great online lessons but they can't tell you where you're going wrong!

Knowing you have to see your coach face-to-face will also motivate you to practice more as he will be assessing your progress and keeping you accountable!

Lessons are tailored specifically for each student as not everyone learns in the same way.
 

Do I need to practice at home?

YES! You only get out of drum lessons and coaching what you put in!

 

You must commit to practicing AT LEAST 15 mins per day or 1.5 hours per week if you want to work with me.

Lessons are not to be used as a practice session.

The lessons are for me to teach you, analyse your playing and give you feedback and the things you need to work on for the next lesson so you can keep progressing.

If you don't practice at home then you are just wasting your money and both my time and your own.

I want you to get as much value as possible from the lessons whether you're with me short-term or long-term, and that means YOU putting the work in at home.

 

What if I don't have a kit right now?

I understand that if you're a complete beginner, you might want to try out some lessons to see if drumming is for you before investing in a kit.

Having an acoustic or electric kit at home is ideal but I can show you how to practice the techniques I show you, at home with no kit (yes really!).

You'll obviously benefit more if you DO get yourself an acoustic or electric drumkkit (you can get great deals on 2nd hand kits! so you don't need to spend a fortune!)


 

Do I have to commit to lessons long-term?

No, one-off 1-hour and 2-hour lessons are available but most of my students choose the block of 4 x 45min lessons which can be used as 4 single or 2 double lessons.
 

What kind of drum kit are lessons taught on?

Lessons are given on the high quality pro-level ALESIS STRATA CORE electric drum kit.

 

 

Am I too old to learn drums?

No. You are NEVER too old to learn or get back to drumming.

 

I have had students ranging from 11 to 60 years old and happy to teach anyone older.

 

Despite what most people believe, we are capable of learning and growing until the day we die and we feel better and more accomplished when we learn new things and make progress.

It has been proving that drumming is actually really good for your brain and can help improve your co-ordination and fitness.

So, as well as being fun learning your favourite songs or coming up with your own ideas, it's good for your physical AND mental health.

It's also a great stress reliever.

 

If you have any doubts feel free to get in touch and I'll have a chat with you.
 

Will my health or injuries stop me from learning/playing?

It all depends on what your issues are. Will it stop you forever?

 

No, not if you're determined to recover and do whatever it takes to get your health back.

 

I broke my back and badly broke my left arm and wrist back in 2000 and became a much better drummer with an even better attitude after that!

 

Chronic knee pain forced me to quit drumming and playing music in 2013 for about 5 years but I completely changed my mindset and my lifestyle, became fitter and healthier than ever, played a reunion gig with my old band in 2018, started teaching drums and created the BORN 2 BLEED brand in 2019!

Nothing is impossible and I'm passionate about this so if you're have any doubts please get in touch and I'm happy to have a chat with you to see if I can help.

 

 

Do you cover other styles of music apart from rock and metal?

No.

 

If it's not some form of Rock, Metal or Hardcore you want to learn then I am not the right drum teacher or coach for you. If you're unsure though feel free to get in touch and ask.

 

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Do you cover drum theory and grading?

No.

 

My focus is all on getting you playing what YOU want to play as soon as possible, building the confidence, self-discipline and mindset to help you become the best drummer you can be.

If you're committed, I can help you take your drumming to a really high standard with better timing than most.

 

 

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Is it hard and how long will it take to learn?

It all depends on how much effort and practice you put in and some people learn to play drums faster than others.

 

The more you pay attention in lessons, listen to what I say and practice at home the QUICKER you will progress.

 

Someone who practices 2 hours per day will obviously progress A LOT quicker than someone who practices 15 minutes per day.

Someone who doesn't practice at all will make very little or no progress at all.

And HOW you practice is also important.

Learning to drum is not easy but nothing worth doing is!

Drumming is worth the effort if you stick at it

 

Some of the best times of my life I owe to drumming and playing heavy music!

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It's really fun and satisfying when you learn to do/play things you never thought you'd be capable of.

 

Good music, learning new things, pushing and challenging yourself and making progress is what life is all about!

 

 

No matter what level you're at...

YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF!

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