Drum Tuition

Drum Kit and Snare Drum

From Jonathan Curtis

Drum lessons are offered on either the drum kit or the snare drum for those looking to focus on a particular area, or as a combined course for those looking for a rounded percussion education.

One-to-one lessons are conducted in a purpose-built soundproofed studio in Newton, near Bingham, Nottinghamshire.

Online lessons are available for distance and international students.

Drum Kit Tuition

Drum kit lessons are available for all ages and abilities, from young beginners to full-time professionals. Lessons are based on establishing a strong understanding of the fundamental aspects of drum kit playing, as well as conceptual explorations of the key areas of study. This may include:

All musical styles and genres
Graded syllabi and exam preparation
Rhythmic theory and sight reading
Improvisation and soloing
Professional skills
Recording and production

Snare Drum Specialism

The snare drum as a solo instrument has existed for hundreds of years, and far precedes the modern drum kit. Dedicated snare drum tuition is available to those wishing to specialise in this field, or for drum kit students wishing to strengthen their understanding of this part of the instrument.

Dedicated snare drum tuition focus on strong and controlled hand technique, learning the vast and varied repertoire, and a conceptual understanding of rhythm, composition, and phrasing. This further includes:

A deep approach to technique
Conceptual analysis
Traditional and modern repertoire
Rudimental and orchestral vocabulary
Rhythmic theory and sight reading
Composition

Graded Exams

Many students choose to follow the graded syllabi. This provides a structured and challanging progression through the fundamentals of drum kit playing, and includes musical pieces in all genres, technical studies, solo pieces, sight reading, and improvisation. Successfully passing a graded exam results in UCAS-rated and internationally recognised qualifications that not only provide a sense of pride and accomplishment, but can help in college and university admissions.

Though all syllabi are offered to students, preference is given to Trinity College London's Classical and Jazz syllabus. This is a well-rounded, challenging, and presitgious grading route that covers all aspects of the instrument. This route produces accomplished, classically trained, and skillful drummers with strong reading, listening, and improvisational skills.

Graded exams are offered on both the drum kit and the snare drum. Students wishing for the most rounded percussion education may wish to pursue both paths at once.

Online Drum Lessons

Drum kit and snare drum lessons are available online for students anywhere in the world. The only requirement is a stable broadband connection and a device capable of hosting a video call. This may include a PC or laptop with a webcam, a smartphone, or a tablet device. Though more advanced setups involving mixers, microphones, and dedicated cameras are possible, they are certainly not required.

Online lessons are available on the following platforms:

Skype
Zoom
Google Meet

Online lessons are subject to the same pricing and cancellation policy as in-person lessons, and exactly the same content is offered in the lessons. Click here to learn more about online drum lessons.

Pricing and Cancellation

Individual drum lessons are charged at a rate of £40 per hour or £20 per 30-minutes. Individual drum lessons can be booked online or in person through the online booking portal. Individual lessons are available for different durations with a progressive pricing structure.

All regular weekly lessons are paid for in advance, invoiced at £80 for four 30-minute lessons, and £160 for four one-hour lessons. Invoices are paid in advance of the first lesson. This is done to secure a regular weekly slot, and to fall inline with the cancellation policy. Regular weekly lessons may be taken in-person at the studio, or online anywhere in the world.

Drum lessons operate on a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. Lessons missed without 24 hours' notice will be charged at the full rate. Every effort will be made to rearrange the lesson wherever possible. Lessons that cannot be attended where 24 hours' notice is given will not be charged, and the lesson will simply roll over to the following week.

Full Day Intensives

Full- and half-day intensives are offered for students who wish to conduct longer sessions aimed at a particular topic. As these sessions are conducted in the studio, they are perfect for visiting international students, and those who are unable to visit the studio on a regular basis.

Half-day intensives comprise a single 3-hour session in the morning or afternoon, while the full-day course comprises both a morning and afternoon session lasting three hours each.

The topic of study is up to the student, but popular topics include:

An in-depth focus on hand technique
Sight reading and rhythmic theory
Focus on a particular genre or style
Improvisation and soloing
Focused grade preparation

Full- and half-day intensives are subject to more stringent cancellation policies due to the time commitments involved. Click here to learn more about pricing and booking.

Jonathan Curtis

All drum lessons are conducted by Jonathan Curtis. Jonathan is a drummer and percussionist, composer, teacher, author, and publisher with over a decade of professional experience and 25 years' drumming experience.

Jonathan holds a Grade 8 with Distinction on both the drum kit and the snare drum with Trinity College London, and has written and published dozens of books, compositions, essays, and instructional videos. He has also produced numerous studio albums, as well as appearing on numerous others as a session drummer.

Reviews

"Jonathan has been teaching me for four years and I have made steady progress across a number of drumming styles, from rock, drum & bass, jazz, latin, funk, fusion, linear, and, of course, the rudiments.

Every lesson is tailored and amended to my progress and to reflect the evolution of my musical interests. Time spent on elevating my drumming speed whilst maintaining accuracy has been especially valuable, and my drumming horizons are expanding exponentially as we've now entered the world of polyrhythms and broken time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Jonathan to anybody wishing to start drumming, or to the intermediate/advanced drummer who wants to further develop their skills."

- Colin, drum kit student

"Jonathan is not only very knowledgeable about his subject he is also an engaging and enthusiastic teacher. Our son really enjoys their lessons together."

- Andy, father of drum kit student

"Legitimately one of the best teachers I've had for anything. I've been having lessons with Jonathan since I was 14, and the amount of work the guy puts in to teaching and making every lesson easily understandable and accessible can't be overstated. Would highly recommend at any age or skill level."

- Joe, drum kit student

"Jonathan has been teaching my son to play drums for almost a year now. My son has made fantastic progress and loves his lessons. Jonathan is an excellent teacher; patient, friendly and full of encouragement, as well as being extremely organised. I would highly recommend him to anyone."

- Rachel, mother of drum kit student

"I am writing to strongly encourage drummers of any skill level to study with Jonathan Curtis. Coming to play the drums as an adult, I did not have the experience of first developing facility with rudiments, as is the typical progression when learning percussion in one’s youth; I had associated these skills with drum corp, not with the jazz idiom, and paid little attention.

However, never having developed those skills, my hands were slow around the kit after more than a decade of playing, and I felt frustrated and stuck, especially with any attempts to play an interesting solo. I had no vocabulary, or to be honest, even the concept of what vocabulary meant as a drummer, as compared with the chords and scales that provided the structure on which my bandmates developed their ideas.

I have taken private lessons before, but the sessions were overly focused on pattern repetition without musical context; with several instructors, it was evident that every drummer that walked through the door was handed the same method book, regardless of their goals or current strengths and weaknesses. This has all changed since working with Jonathan, and I could not be happier with the progress I have made.

My hands are learning finesse and speed as I shed rudimental pieces composed by Jonathan and matched to my learning needs, all while I am hearing for the first time the melodies that emerge from the combination of these building blocks. Jonathan’s encyclopedic knowledge of the history of drumming has instilled in me a sense of connection and context to what I am playing and why. His patience and ability to break down sticking points (pun intended) has made every lesson absolutely without pressure and immensely enjoyable. He meets me where I am and pushes me to grow beyond.

As a final comment, when the horn players in your band (who never pay attention to anything that the rhythm section does) comment that they have noticed your chops getting faster, smoother, more technical, and more melodic, well, what more endorsement could one ask for? Do your future self a favor and study with Jonathan Curtis."

- Rogene, Drum kit and snare drum student

Drum Lessons in Nottingham

JONATHAN CURTIS