Boy having a drum lesson in Tricks with Sticks studio

Learn to play the drums

In my drum studio in Falmouth I can teach individuals or groups of two on my three acoustic drum kits. I’m also a sessions drummer with a full recording setup. Please have a look around the site to learn more.

Boy having a drum lesson in Tricks with Sticks studio

Facilities

The fully-equipped drum studio is a creative musical environment. The studio is equipped with high-end drum kits. PA system, ear defender headphones, laptop with 50” display screen to aid teaching. There are also guitars, a bass guitar and keyboards to allow playing with live instruments.

  • My son has been taught by Chris for years now! Before, he was taught by a Cornwall music teacher that visited the primary school - if we hadn’t found Chris, he would have given up! Chris has given Aidan a love if drums, drawn out his talent, & given him confidence in his abilities. He went from hating the exams to now working towards grade 6! Chris is great with kids & his tricks with sticks aren’t bad either!!! Highly recommend!

    Zoe

About Me

I started playing the drums 33 years ago after I heard Dave Grohl drumming on the album ‘Nevermind’ by Nirvana and I have never looked back.

Since then I have played in a variety of bands and genres including: Grunge, Pop/Rock, live electronic dance music, Americana, Country and Klezma.

14 years ago I decided to give up my 9-5 day job to pursue a full time career in music. I applied to Falmouth University to study a degree in Music. Before I started the degree I obtained my grade 8 on the drums and grade 5 music theory.

When I graduated from Falmouth University I started my teaching career and I now teach full time 5 days a week

Skills

  • 33 years of drumming experience
  • 11 Years of drum teaching experience
  • Can play a wide range of drumming/music styles
  • 10 years playing live electronic music
  • Recording Sessions Drummer
  • Drum sample creation, loop writing, drum recording and producing using ProTools and Battery 4
  • Extensive live experience – Bestival, Glade festival, The Secret Garden Party, Strawberry Fair Cambridge, Camp Bestival, Festinho, Festival Awards O2 Academy Islington, The Jazz Cafe Camden, Scala Kings Cross, The Junction Cambridge, 93 Ft East Shoreditch, Cargo Shoreditch, The Macbeth Hoxton, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

Lesson Prices

All lessons are to be paid in four lesson blocks.

One to one lessons

  • 30 minutes – £20
  • 45 minutes – £30
  • 60 minutes – £40

Group Lessons per person

  • 30 minutes – £15
  • 45 minutes – £22.50
  • 60 minutes £30

On-site facilities

  • Free car-parking
  • Easy access for unloading equipment

Syllabus

The syllabus I teach is a hybrid of my favourite and most effective lessons and exercises I have learnt over my 33 years of playing the drums. My aim is for my students to become well rounded drummers with experience of playing all styles, being able to read music but also to be happy to improvise and jam with other musicians and to have good technique.

Lots of my students like to study for their drumming grades. So I usually teach the Trinity Classical and Jazz syllabus and the Trinity Rock and Pop syllabus. I can also cover the Rockschool syllabus.

I strongly believe that drum lessons aren’t solely about rudiments and technique; it’s also about having fun, that’s why you “play” an instrument!

Here’s a list of a few books I like to reference in my lessons.

  • Jo Jo Mayer – Secret Weapons for the modern drummer
  • Benny Grebb – The Language of drumming
  • Tommy Igoe – Great Hands for a Lifetime
  • Brains Lessons – Brian Mantia
  • George Lawrence Stone – Stick Control
  • Jim Chapin – Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer

Cancellation Policy

If you give under 24 hours notice the full lesson cost is forfeited. If it’s over 24 hours the lesson gets moved to the following week.2

Getting here

4 Berkeley Vale, Falmouth TR11 3PH
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FAQs

The  FAQs has the top things you need to know about drum lessons. Need more help? Hit up our support team via Live Chat.

Do you have parking available?
How do I book lessons?
How long are typical drum lessons?
Where is the studio?
Are food and drinks available at the studios?
Are food and drinks available at the studios?
Whats the Cancellation Policy
Do you have a waiting area for parents/carers?
What days do you do lessons?
What age is best to start drum lessons?
Do I need my own drum set to take lessons?
How often should I practice the drums?
Can I learn to play the drums if I don’t know how to read music?
What kind of drum set should I buy as a beginner?
What are the basic components of a drum set?
How do I set up my drum set correctly?
What are the basic drumming techniques I should learn first?
How do I improve my timing and rhythm?
What styles of drumming can I learn?
What are rudiments and why are they important?
How long does it take to learn the drums?
Will I be able to play songs after a few lessons?
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