Need a new drum teacher.

[Dave_Major]

Hey guys, I have been umming and ahing about this for a while.

I am a pro drummer/drum teacher myself but like everyone else I'm always learning. I do a lot of practice each day (3-4 hours when my schedule will allow) and I like to have a check up lesson every once in a while to discuss issues, bounce ideas and get new ones etc.

Now I have been trying to get a lesson with my teacher for about 6 months and I just can't seem to arrange one because he is really bad at returning calls and texts and is a busy busy guy.

Now here's my quandry. I have been going to my teacher for 4 years. He was my college drum tutor. He knows where i was, where i have been and what we have done before. I trust him and as you all know trust is a big part of the pupil teacher relationship.
He is also the 'source'. All the top players in Edinburgh have been taught by him and those top players are now drum teachers in colleges and universities.
There isn't an abundance of top teachers in edinburgh TBH so I was thinking of looking elsewhere.

Now the point. Do you guys think i should keep trying to get a lesson with this guy or source out someone else?
How do I go about approaching potential teachers and gauging whether or not they would be suitable for me?

Anyone have experience of changing teacher at this stage of their career?

Dave

[Boomka]

Hey guys, I have been umming and ahing about this for a while.

I am a pro drummer/drum teacher myself but like everyone else I'm always learning. I do a lot of practice each day (3-4 hours when my schedule will allow) and I like to have a check up lesson every once in a while to discuss issues, bounce ideas and get new ones etc.

Now I have been trying to get a lesson with my teacher for about 6 months and I just can't seem to arrange one because he is really bad at returning calls and texts and is a busy busy guy.

Now here's my quandry. I have been going to my teacher for 4 years. He was my college drum tutor. He knows where i was, where i have been and what we have done before. I trust him and as you all know trust is a big part of the pupil teacher relationship.
He is also the 'source'. All the top players in Edinburgh have been taught by him and those top players are now drum teachers in colleges and universities.
There isn't an abundance of top teachers in edinburgh TBH so I was thinking of looking elsewhere.

Now the point. Do you guys think i should keep trying to get a lesson with this guy or source out someone else?
How do I go about approaching potential teachers and gauging whether or not they would be suitable for me?

Anyone have experience of changing teacher at this stage of their career?

Dave

I'm all for taking on as many new perspectives as I can, and I recommend it to others. A different teacher will come at things in a different way, and a fresh perspective can often spur on a period of growth. I've been a working pro and teacher for many years and I continue to seek out lessons with great players and educators. I still get myself in to see Jim Blackley, for instance, every time I'm home to Canada. It can sometimes be good to go see a teacher who comes at things from an entirely different perspective. For example, I think that drumset-only players should take some time out to work with symphonic players to get a sense of their approach.

As for deciding who is suitable, I usually consider the concept and approach they're known for and decide whether or not it seems to swing with what I want to do as a player. No sense going to a hardcore rudimental marching guy if you want to improve your jazz concept. I also talk to other players I know about their experiences with certain teachers to get a sense of whether or not their approach is something I'm interested in. Then, I go on instinct. I picked a teacher here in the UK based on his connection with Jim Blackley and on a gut instinct that he was someone I wanted to get to know. It was a great choice for my playing and my career. He's ended up being teacher, mentor and friend. More than worth the time and money.

So beyond any preparatory research you might do, if you manage to get yourself in with a heavyweight teacher, chances are that you'll get something very valuable out of a single lesson. Even if you decide that sustained study with them isn't for you, you can take away a new concept or idea and work with it. Also, sometimes it's about learning what you don't want.

Anyway, in short, get on with it. Just because you're seeing someone else doesn't mean you can't still see your guy now and again, too. They aren't jealous girlfriends for the most part. So get yourself southward and try Dave Hassel (Manchester) for size. Or put some time and money aside and see if you can get in with Bob Armstrong. Or get on a plane and go see Jim Blackley, or Joe Morello, or Tommy Igoe. I think you'll be glad you did.

[Dave_Major]

Hi Boomka, cheers for you perspective. I am in London in a couple of weeks so did actually look to Bob but I have about an hour between getting off the plane doing the gig and then going back.
Definitely something I want to do in the future though and whenever (if) i do head across the water Tommy, Joe, Dom, Jhn Riley, Peter Erskine are high on the agenda. If not the only reason to head across!

I think my best approach is to seek out a guy for what I want as and when. Like you say a jazz guy, a latin guy etc.

Cheers again

Dave

[Caz]

Hi Dave,

I'm from Edinburgh too and know what you mean! In fact, I'm surprised we haven't met given how tiny it is! I was at Jewel & Esk on their music course. I'm in London now and the situation for teachers down here is much better. I recommended a good teacher for a friend from Edinburgh and he came down to get an extra-long lesson, stayed overnight in London then went back.. if you're really stuck that's not such a bad idea. Another idea is to get in touch with touring drummers... normally they have time to kill before their gigs after sound checks and would be happy to earn a bit of cash whilst doing so.

Good luck! I still gig in Edinburgh so will hopefully catch you at some point.

Caz