A warm welcome from Darren Ashford
Welcome to my drum teaching website!
Feel free to use this site as a resource for aiding your progress as a drum student or if you require a 1 to 1 drum lesson or master class. If you have any questions relating to drums and drumming, please get in touch via the contacts page.
My teaching approach
I always emphasize a musical approach to playing the drums. One of my aims is to provide students with the knowledge and skill to enable them to play with or without music in a variety of musical styles. A good understanding of basic song form is therefore an essential skill that will help make a student's drumming sound more mature and professional.
Many drum teachers teach from very good drum method books but fail to make the connection between the technical exercise and it's musical application. The need to look past the technical is essential not only in teaching others but also for teaching yourself.
Having taught and observed a large number of different drummers over the years, I have developed an ability to pinpoint problem areas in drum technique and musicianship which are often overlooked. Very slight adjustments in posture, set up or in hand/foot technique are sometimes all that are needed to take students to that next level.
Teaching: Days and times
My teaching schedule at present is:
Aylesbury:
Wednesday 10am-9pm.
Saturday morning
Kilburn:
Monday
5pm, 6pm & 7pm
I don't expect pupils to commit to a regular time slot or pay for lessons in advance unless you would like to do so.
Lessons are taught in a sound proof purpose built studio on acoustic drums.
Fees
My lessons cost £35 per hour in Aylesbury and £40 per hour in Kilburn. This includes all lesson print outs.
Master classes
I also teach very advanced techniques and concepts to Professional drummers and Drum teachers who are looking to improve their own playing both technically and stylistically. I teach the Moeller system and various inter-related techniques including time and motion concepts, body awareness and natural technique development.
I feel strongly that practicing and playing with good technique can help build control and touch that can only help our 'Time Flow' and aid in the expression of our musical ideas.
Thank you for visiting drumlessons.uk.com. If you have any questions about drums or drumming please feel free to get in touch.
Keep drumming and have FUN!!
All the best,
Darren. |