Beginnings

Hi Siân. Thanks for taking the time to have a catch up during this rather bizarre period we find ourselves in. It would be great to start at the beginning and find out a bit about why you started drumming. What was the tipping point for you deciding to try it out?

I was nine years old when I first got into drumming. My older brother was good at everything musical and I used to hang out at his band rehearsals. He showed me a few beats. When I wouldn’t put the sticks down my parents gave in to me having lessons at school.

Were you taking any other lessons at school?

I learned guitar around the same time and kept that up through school. But I went through all the grades on drums and that was my first instrument.

Liverpool

You studied at the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, founded by Sir Paul McCartney. What was it like going there?

It was an amazing experience! As one of four drummers in the year group I was in around ten bands each semester. It was chaotic but I loved every minute. Liverpool was such a great city for music. I ended up staying there for another four years after I finished at LIPA. It was a fantastic time for me.

So after four years of living in Liverpool did you decide a move to London would be inevitable?

My family are all based in the South and ultimately I wanted to move back here at some point. The reason any musician comes to London though is because there are more opportunities here than anywhere else. The competition is high. I needed that to push myself up a level and get involved in the music scene here.

Moving to London

The music scene here is vast. And it didn’t take you long to start playing with some big, known names. What has that been like over the past year?

Last year was a busy one for me and really amazing. A stand out day has to be Black Deer Festival, where I played with the Jessie Buckley band and The Wandering Hearts just a few hours apart from each other. I’m a fan of going to festivals in general. It’s a great way of discovering new bands to listen to. Just walking around soaking up the music at Black Deer after I’d performed was an amazing day. Both gigs that day were really special too. Nothing beats a mainstage crowd singing along with you at a festival.

Back to North London, what do you enjoy the most about being a drum tutor at your Finsbury Park studio?

Making a lot of noise! When looking for a studio it was important to have around the clock access and able to make noise at any time. The community at the studios is a really nice atmosphere too with lots of musicians and creative people. Finsbury Park is so well connected so it’s really handy for my students. It’s a really easy location and a great complex.

Your studio is really well equipped. Is there somewhere in particular you go for your rig?

Being from near Southampton I’ve always used a drum store called Graham Russell Drums. They have always gone above and beyond expectation. The shop is in Fareham but they deliver all over so I still use them as my go to! I just love the guys there.

Teaching online

We find ourselves in a challenging environment right now whilst we deal with coronavirus. Although you’re a Finsbury Park based drum tutor, you’ve made the extremely successful transition to online, or remote, lessons. We’ve had such great feedback. How have you found that experience?

Yes since the lockdown I’ve been offering music lessons via Zoom, which is working great so far. I tend to allow a little longer for lessons in case there’s any technical issues. But in general I feel like my students have been more focused and are using their initiative more than usual. It’s fantastic.

A lot of people are using their spare time at the moment to pick up a new skill or hobby. What advice can you give to someone thinking of picking up the sticks?

Learning a musical instrument is such an enriching activity. It not only boosts academic and social learning but also aids confidence and boosts mental health. It becomes part of your personality. However if you’re considering learning you must be prepared to dedicate time to the cause!

And for those currently taking lessons?

I would advise – do your research. There is so much out there and lots of different influences, so don’t just practice what your teacher tells you. Explore further. Dive into the different types of music that you really love and discover more. I use Drummerworld.com a lot. There is so much on there in terms of notated solos, videos and exercises. You can also discover drummers that you didn’t know before.

Diversity in numbers

Drumming is often criticised for its lack of gender diversity. Being a female drum teacher in London do you find this to be the case in the capital?

It’s absolutely true that there are fewer female drummers than male drummers in the world. But it is changing, and there is a lot of support out there for all drummers, regardless of gender. Between drummers we have an amazing ability to unite and not be against each other. I have definitely felt this over the years.

Ultimately everybody wants to learn the instrument they enjoy, which tends to be boys when it comes to band instruments. But the balance is different in every instrument.

What do you think we, and the industry as a whole, can do to make music more inclusive. And to encourage more non-male drummers to start playing?

I think schools, and people in general, are being more open about what’s on offer to the younger generation. Many are making a real effort to close the gender gap which is great. Anyone who has an influence on young musicians whether it’s parents, teachers, or even musicians out there doing it. It all helps kids think “Yeah, I could do that”. Ultimately though, you have to be really good to succeed. Regardless of your background, gender and so on. And that should remain the most important thing.

Influences

You’re a pretty inspiring teacher and we get so much feedback on how much your students enjoy their lessons. But what inspires you? Are there any drummers you really admire or had a great influence on you?

I think my top 5 drummers would be – Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Buddy Rich, Stewart Copeland and Travis Barker.

That is a truly great list! There’s not much I can add to that!

Agreed!

Have you ever had a particularly stand-out moment from one of your lessons?

I’ve had a few students come to my gigs. One time a student came to a soundcheck and had a go on the kit after we’d finished. The first time you hear a mic’d up kit through a PA is awesome! That’s what I wanted them to feel. It really made me smile! It’s having those opportunities to see where music can take you.

Those opportunities are vital. So many musicians cite that kind of experience as the moment they realised that “yes, I can do this!”

Yes exactly!

Before you go is there one single tip you think would make the difference to anyone currently learning the drums?

Listen to Buddy Rich playing. Find video footage of Buddy Rich playing. And when you’ve finished, do it again!

Siân, thanks so much!

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If you’re looking for a female drum teacher in London and would like to contact Siân for lessons, drop us an email at jack@northlondondrums.co.uk. You can also check out her Siân’s profile right here for more details. If you’re looking for online drum lessons rather than London drum lessons, Siân has a great set up too! Contact us for more details.

The post Interview with Siân Monaghan: “Learning drums aids confidence, boosts mental health” appeared first on North London Drums.

Drum Grade Exams – RSL Awards

A big congratulations to Emile (Queen’s Park) for getting a gigantic 91% in his RSL Awards grade 2 exam! His drum teacher Joe Snelgrove said he’s been working super hard and it’s definitely paid off! Emile chose to play Slipstream, Cuba Mama and Y’All, getting 19/20 on the last two pieces. With near perfect technical exercises he sailed into the distinction grade. Emile also completed this exam remotely given the current circumstances. Well done again Emile!

Well done to Rupert (De Beauvoir Town) for passing his grade 3 exam this term. Rupert did amazing, especially considering this exam took place with RSL Awards remotely. Rupert went for a really varied batch, performing Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, Smooth by Santana and Standard by Stormzy. Standard is a pretty quick track to play and there’s some difficult transitions in Smooth too. Great work Rupert!

Congratulations go to AB (Muswell Hill) who passed her grade 2 RSL Awards exam with drum teacher Joe Nicklin. She got a merit with 78% – nice work AB! She chose to play the Rockschool pieces Y’All and For You, along with Losing My Religion by R.E.M as the free choice piece. Excellent work to both AB and Joe!

Well done also to Ian (Winchmore Hill) for sailing through his grade 3 RSL Awards exam. His drum teacher Luca Romano tells us that Ian played the three Rockschool pieces Fallout, Overrated and Old Bones Blues. Fallout is an especially difficult one for grade 3. There’s lots of syncopation and it’s tough to stay right in the pocket. Excellent work Ian!

Drum Grade Exams – Trinity Rock & Pop

And last but not least, congratulations go to Howard (Muswell Hill) who passed his Trinity Rock & Pop grade 1 with drum teacher Joe Nicklin. Howard managed a fantastic distinction – amazing work! He chose to play Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, The Weight by The Band and Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. Keep up the superb work Howard!

Interested in London drum lessons?

Although the teachers mostly deliver London drum lessons, everyone is now available to teach online! (You can find out more about that right here). If you want to improve the marks in your drum grade exams, make sure you contact us!

Congratulations again to everyone for the brilliant drum grade exam results this term! If we missed your result out, email us and we’ll make sure your results are posted right here.

The post Drum Grade Exams – Results Spring 2020 appeared first on North London Drums.

If you’d like to contact drummer Luca Romano for drum lessons, contact us to book a session!

Starting out

Luca, you’re one the most experienced drum teachers we represent. It can be easy to forget that even the most experienced drum teachers were beginners at one point. What made you want to play?

I’ve always loved music. Even though no-one in my family played I grew up in a very musical environment. I always wanted to play. When I was about 12 I decided to make the step. Drums was somehow the obvious choice – it just seemed like the coolest instrument to me. Every time I’d listen to music I would ended up tapping along. (My parents loved that as you would imagine!) That’s when I started taking drum lessons and I’ve played ever since. Before then I played a bit of piano in school, but not very seriously.

Did you ever take any music exams in Italy?

Music exams are not very popular in Italy. I wish I had done though as it can be a very helpful way to learn any instrument. I often attended masterclasses and short courses – I have a whole box of certificates back in Italy. After I moved to London I started studying music on an academic level and obviously that included taking numerous exams.

You never pressure students into taking exams but for those that do, what’s the most rewarding part of this process?

The sense of achievement that I share with my students when they do well in an exam is incredible. After years of teaching, witnessing their progress first hand still fills me with joy!

Moving to London

You started drumming back in Italy at 12 but sometime after that you moved to London. When did that happen?

I moved to London in the summer of 2011 to study music and become a professional musician. I started a one-year diploma in 2011 and then my music degree in 2012. I’ve since completed my MMus.

How do you find living and teaching in London?

London is the place to be for me. It offers great opportunities both on a professional and personal level. It’s a city I truly love and it feels like home. My studio is based in Green Lanes which has a very strong music and artistic community. I naturally started to gravitate around it. There is also an incredible amount of great restaurants in the area!

Are there any secret spots in the area you’d recommend a music-fan checking out!?

The Nightjar in Old Street. They host a lot of very nice small jazz gigs in there – the atmosphere is very unique. And their cocktails are great!

Gear

Going back to your studio in Green Lanes, what’s the current kit set up you are using there?

Well it often depends on the gig I’m playing but my favourite set-up includes the following. For drums, a 22″ kick drum, 12″ snare drum, 10″ and 14″ toms. For cymbals, a 14″ hi-hat, 16″ and 18″ crashes, 20″ ride, 18″ china and both 8″ and 10″ splashes.

Wow, that’s pretty comprehensive!

All my cymbals are Zildjian and my kit is a beautiful Yamaha Oak Custom that I love dearly. I’m pretty content but I’ve recently entertained the idea of buying a deeper snare.

And this is the kit you tutor on I presume?

Absolutely!

So let’s move on from “drummer Luca Romano” now to “drum teacher Luca Romano!” Do you have any favourite books or resources you use in your lessons?

Lots and it depends on the area I am trying to cover. If I had to pick I’d probably pick the Patterns books by Gary Chaffee. They’re all absolutely fantastic!

Online versus one-to-one lessons

There are so many books out there and so much is available online too. With so many resources what actually makes coming to lessons worth it?

It is undeniable that the amount of online resources at our disposal is incredible. The internet is a source of constant ideas and inspiration. It really is a great time to learn an instrument. However guidance is also essential. In my opinion, that is the case for two reasons:

Firstly, having the guidance of someone makes the process easier, efficient and more enjoyable. They have already gone through the journey and know how to get from A to B. It’s hard to navigate through all the content available online. To have someone to show you the path according to your goals, abilities and personality is something hard to replace.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, is the face-to-face interaction. Your tutor is there to help you with all aspects of your playing. They will provide a constant flow of information.

Say you want to learn a song. You might go online and study one of the many videos on YouTube. But what if you can’t figure out that one fill? What if you try to play the beat as explained but still can’t crack it? That’s where having a tutor makes a difference. They can step in and give you a solution to your problem right there and then. A good teacher will advise you on things you didn’t even know you could improve.

Amazing teachers

Is there anything that you have brought into your teaching from the lessons you took?

Absolutely. I have been lucky to have had some truly amazing drum teachers throughout different stages of my career. They have inspired me greatly as a teacher.

My first teacher was a very calm and patient individual, he allowed me to really feel comfortable. Even during moments when I wasn’t doing great he would always be encouraging. He made me focus on the positive elements of whatever I was doing. He also stressed how important a knowledge of the instrument is. That’s the key of really turning the instrument into an extension of yourself.

That’s a really interesting point!

My most recent teacher was also an incredible educator. He gave me structure and methodology. I improved hugely in a very short period of time. His teaching style is based on a few very simple concepts. It’s something I’ve made my own from the very beginning of my teaching career. It’s helped me craft my own personal teaching style.

Taking music lessons

What advice can you give anyone thinking about taking drum lessons?

Just do it! I go on and on about how amazing it is to be able to play an instrument. There’s truly nothing like it – it’s an experience anyone who loves music should have. On a more practical level I would recommend to always have a goal in mind. “I want to play that song one day” or “I want to be able to play that groove or fill”. They’re great places to start. To embark on a journey like this and to visualise where you want to go will help you stay focused. It will help you to put in the work and passion you need to improve.

Is there any advice you can give to anyone currently taking drum lessons?

Enjoy the journey. Learning any instrument is a fluid process that is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling but also full of small challenges. I think back ten years ago and it makes me feel incredibly proud to realise how much I have overcome. Both in my musical journey and how happy and whole playing an instrument makes me feel. It’s a feeling that anyone can experience!

Practical playing

Once you get to your studio, is there a particular warm up you use?

I don’t really have a specific warm up. It depends on the mood and whether I am about to go on stage. Generally I try to make sure I include single stroke rolls as well as paradiddle variations. When gigging I warm up based on a 16th note single stroke rolls on a practice pad. Sometimes I double or diddle the notes. It’s great warming up like that – it’s both musical and fun.

I also often like to take out the metronome and phrase along using different compound stickings. I do that because it puts me in the right mood to walk on stage and let loose. If I am about to practice I try to warm up in relation to whatever I intend to practice. So it really depends!

Gigging

In terms of gigging, you’ve toured pretty extensively. Where has music taken you?

I’ve toured in most European countries such as Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany. Even Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro and the Netherlands as well as the UK. I’ve toured both with my band as well as session-ing for other bands. 2019 was a fairly busy year – I toured on and off throughout the year. My favourite place to play is Berlin, I always have a fantastic time there!

Is there a favourite gig you’ve played out of the places mentioned?

The one I enjoyed the most was when I played at a festival called ArcTangent in Bristol. My band You Break, You Buy was signed to a small indie in 2016 . A year later we were offered a slot on the second biggest stage of the festival. It was an incredible experience and the crowd was amazing.

I still smile when I think about seeing a few people walking around the festival with my band’s t-shirt. It was truly a beautiful moment for me.

Do you still go to gigs yourself?

Totally!

Which has been your favourite so far?

That’s tough. If I had to pick I think I’d go with the very first gig I went to on my own. It was The Cure in 2005. They played in this old Greek amphitheatre and it was breathtaking.

In 2019 I also saw two of my all-time favourite bands, Tool and The Midnight. It was fantastic!

Inspiration and improvement

Speaking of favourites, and I know it’s tough, but do you have a favourite drummer?

There are so many but I’ll go with Eric Moore II. He is such an inspiration and he’s the perfect mix. Eric can pull off an incredible solo as well as the most solid groove. There’s something about his playing that really excites. Every time I watch him play I want to go back to my studio and practice for hours!

Do you have a dream collaboration?

I’d love to play with Robert Glasper, Christian Scott, Jose James, and Jordan Rakei.

Before we wrap up, what projects are you currently working on?

I recently started session-ing for a pop band who record their songs using intricate electronic drum beats. It’s quite a challenge to be able to translate those parts onto an acoustic kit and to perform. It’s really made me grow as a musician and forced me to step out of my comfort zone.

Finally, is there a particular stand out moment from teaching so far?

I’ve had countless stand out moments. The one I remember most fondly was when a young student informed me they wanted to become a professional drummer. I had had them under my tutelage since they were quite young. To know that they wanted to make such important step filled me with pride and joy.

Thanks so much for your time Luca!

Want to book a lesson with drummer Luca Romano?

If you’d like to contact drummer Luca Romano for lessons, simply drop us an email at jack@northlondondrums.co.uk. You can also check out his tutor profile right here.

If you’re not in the exact area but you’re still looking for London drum lessons, do still get in touch!

The post Drummer Luca Romano Interview: “It’s a Great Time to Learn Drums” appeared first on North London Drums.

Trinity Rock & Pop Drumming Test Results

Lisa (Southgate) got a huge 91% in her first ever drum exam with Trinity Rock & Pop, an easy distinction! She took her grade 1 exam late last year and her drum teacher Jack Cowens says she’s delighted with her result. Lisa chose to Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars and Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. Fantastic results Lisa and Jack!

A big well done also to Lulu (Upper Holloway) for passing her grade 1 with 90% – a distinction! Amazing work Lulu! Lulu decided to play the three pieces Fever by The Black Keys and Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, with full marks in fluency and security. Lulu also played Another One Bites The Dust by Queen where she got 24/25! Her choice to improvise for the end of the test rounded off an incredible result. Well done to Lulu and her drum teacher Joe Nicklin.

Sophie passed her grade 2 Trinity Rock & Pop exam also with drum teacher Joe Nicklin getting a solid 81%! Well done Sophie! For her merit Sophie chose to play Fallin’ by Alicia Keys, You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac and Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz. Great work Sophie and Joe!

RSL Awards Drumming Test Results

Grade 6

Congratulations to Heiragan (Edmonton) for passing his grade 6 exam with RSL Awards with a whopping 92%! This of course means Heriagan got a distinction! He chose to play RSL piece You Can Call Miguel, along with Superstition by Stevie Wonder and I Feel Good by James Brown. Heiragan’s drum teacher Az Khan tells us he’s also been working on triplet phrasing. Amazing work Heriagan!

Grade 5

A huge congratulation goes to Sam (Crouch End) for getting a distinction on his grade 5 exam. Sam worked super hard on this one, getting 90% overall, and chose some pretty tricky tracks to perform. His first track was Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix. He then performed Hard to Handle by Otis Redding (although this version was more like The Black Crowes!) and Late In The Evening by Paul Simon, getting 19/20 on both! This coupled with full marks on his technique and musicianship questions meant he soared to the top grade boundary. Amazing work Sam!

Grade 2

Also passing with distinction is Andrew (Friern Barnet) who took his RSL Awards grade 2 this winter. Fantastic results Andrew! He chose the Rockschool pieces Y’All and For You, along with Relegation Riddim by Bugzy Malone. Great work Andrew and well done also to his drum teacher Lauric MacKintosh.

Grade 1

Congratulations also to Sapir (Muswell Hill) who passed his RSL Awards grade 1 with distinction! Sapir got 92% on his exam and his drum teacher Luca Romano says he’s absolutely thrilled. He chose to play Munky Fusic, West Coast Rollin’ and Bend & Snap as his Rockschool pieces. Sapir got full marks on his first piece along with 14/15 in his technical exercises. Brilliant work Sapir!

A big well done to Arwen (Muswell Hill) for getting a 79% merit on her first ever Rockschool exam! Arwen’s drum teacher Josh Hussey tells us she chose the grade 1 Rockschool pieces West Coast Rollin’ and Kaiser Roll, along with Liberation by Wretch 32. Arwen also got full marks on both her ear tests and the general musicianship questions. Great stuff Arwen!

Congratulations also go to sisters Stella and Isabella (St. John’s Wood) who got 86% and 74% (both merits!) on their first RSL Awards grade 1 exams! full marks on GMQ. Kaiser Roll, Yeah by Usher and Liberation by Wretch 32. Amazing work and congratulations both from us and their drum teacher Josh Hussey.

And last, but certainly not least, well done to Axel (Alexandra Palace) for passing his grade 1 with a merit! His drum teacher Luca Romano tells us that Axel chose the Rockschool pieces Munky Fusic, Bend & Snap and Kaiser Roll this time around. Great results Axel, keep up the great work!

Looking for London Drum Lessons?

A massive congratulations to everyone for the amazing set of drumming test results this term. It’s really important to remember that not every drum student takes drumming tests. You can still make great progress regardless! So if you’re searching for London drum lessons, exams or not, do drop us a line!

(Apologies we missed out any of your drumming test results this time. If so please do send us a message so we can get that rectified and uploaded right here!)

The post Drumming Test Results – Winter 2019 appeared first on North London Drums.

Trinity Rock Pop Drums Results

Well done to Lulu (Holloway) for passing her very first drum exam (Initial grade) with a distinction! Her drum teacher Joe Nicklin says she did great and has been super enthusiastic which is great to hear. Lulu chose Fever by the Black Keys, Island In The Sun by Weezer and Gold Lion by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Brilliant work Lulu!

Congratulations also go to Sophie (Highgate) for getting a distinction in her grade 1 Trinity Rock Pop drums exam. Her drum teacher Joe Nicklin tells us she chose Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, Float On by Modest Mouse and Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. Great choices and a great result. Brilliant work Sophie!

Matan (Edgware) walked away from his grade 3 exam with a merit! His drum teacher Joe Nicklin said he’s worked hard on this one, so well done to Matan! He chose the tracks Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith, Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses and Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz. Brilliant stuff!

The last result from drum teacher Joe Nicklin this term comes from Riley (Muswell Hill). Riley got a brilliant merit on his grade 2 Trinity Rock Pop drums exam. Great work Riley! Joe tells us that Riley chose the pieces Fallin’ by Alicia Keys, Miss You by The Rolling Stones and She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult. Nice one Riley!

RSL Awards Results

Debut

A huge well done goes to Sapir (Muswell Hill) who passed his Debut RSL Awards exam with a huge 93%! That’s clearly a distinction! Sapir chose to play Rattlesnake and Hazee Daze as two of his Rockschool pieces for the test. Well done Sapir for also getting full marks on the sight reading part of the test too. Amazing results!

Grade 1

Congratulations to Emile (Queen’s Park) for passing his grade 1 exam with RSL Awards! His drum teacher Joe Snelgrove said he’s been working hard so it’s great to see these results! Emile chose the three Rockschool pieces West Coast Rollin’, Jangle Road and Munky Fusic for the test. Well done Emile!

Another big congratulations goes to Eve (Alexandra Palace) for getting a fantastic 79% merit for her grade 1 exam. She’s been hard at work on this one in her drum lessons with her tutor Jack Cowens. Eve decided to play the Rockschool pieces West Coast Rollin’ and Deep Trouble. Congratulations Eve!

A big well done goes to AB (Muswell Hill) for her distinction at grade 1, with a superb 91%! It’s fantastic to see such a high mark for her first drum exam. Her pieces were Kaiser Roll, Munky Fusic and West Coast Rollin’, where she got 19/20! She also got full marks on her improvisation and interpretation test. This is along with full marks on the general musicianship questions too. What a brilliant result, great work AB!

It was Anna’s (East Finchley) first exam too, and she received an amazing 90% for her grade 1. Another distinction! Anna chose the Rockschool pieces West Coast Rollin’ and Kaiser Roll. She opted for Highway to Hell as her free choice piece where she got a brilliant 19/20! This coupled with full marks in sight reading and the general musicianship questions sealed the deal. Amazing work Anna, keep it up!

Grade 4

Finally, a big congratulations to Jonathan (Golders Green) for his grade 4 merit! Jonathan tackled some tough tempo and time signature changes in his drums lessons. These were then applied to his free choice piece Live & Let Die by Guns N’ Roses. For his two other Rockschool pieces, Jonathan played both The Nod and Cold Pants. It was all rounded off with full marks in his general musicianship questions. Great work Jonathan – now onto grade 5!

Want to learn to drum?

A huge well done and congratulations to everyone who decided to take exams this time around. Not everyone takes exams and many progress positively without. If you’re looking for London drum lessons, regardless of whether you’re interested in exams, please drop us a line!

(If we missed out any of your exam results, please do send us a message. We’ll get your results on this page with a congratulations message!)

The post Trinity Rock Pop Drums / RSL Awards Results – Spring/Summer 2019 appeared first on North London Drums.

RSL Drum Exams – Grade 4

Congratulations to Domenic (Muswell Hill) for getting a strong 84% merit on his grade 4 RSL Awards exam this term. Domenic had a strong set of scores throughout the exam, with full marks in his general musicianship questions too. Domenic chose to play the reggae song Jahmake Ska from the Rockschool tracks. For his free choice pieces Domenic went for Californication by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers along with Live & Let Die (the Guns N’ Roses version!) It’s a great result and he’s making great progress in his drum lessons. Well done Domenic!

Sam (Crouch End) entered his grade 4 this period and got 81% on his test, a merit! Well done Sam! As with Domenic, Sam also opted for Californication by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Live & Let Die by Guns N’ Roses as his free choice pieces. Along with those two, Sam chose the Rockschool funk song Cold Pants to complete his trio of tracks. With full marks on general musicianship questions and strong marks across the board, this is a great result! Nice work Sam!

Well done also to Rich (Wood Green) on his 83% merit for his grade 4 exam! Rich chose Cold Pants and the Guns N’ Roses-inspired Attitude as his Rockschool pieces. For his free choice piece Rich chose Message In A Bottle by The Police. Rich is now exploring his stylistic knowledge before getting ready to tackle grade 5. Brilliant work Rich!

RSL Drum Exams – Grade 3

Congratulations also to Lucas (Highgate) who got a huge 93% on his grade 3 exam. Lucas achieved 19/20 on two out of his three pieces. He also got full marks on his sight reading and general musicianship questions – amazing! Lucas’ drum teacher Joe Nicklin tells us he chose the Rockschool pieces Maiden Voyage, Indecisive and Fallout this time around. It’s a superb result, keep up the great work in your drum lessons Lucas!

RSL / Trinity Rock & Pop – Grade 2

A big well done goes to Matan (Edgware) for getting a merit (76%) on his grade 2 exam this term! Matan’s drum teacher Joe Nicklin tells us he went for the pieces Just Kissed My Baby by The Meters, Song 2 by Blur and Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz. Those three are such great choices for the exam, nice work Matan!

Also, a big well done to Ian (Winchmore Hill) for passing his grade 2 exam with drum teacher Luca Romano. Ian achieved a merit and is progressing super fast through the RSL drum exams. Luca says he’s making great headway in his drum lessons and the practice is really paying off! Ian decided to chose the three Rockschool pieces Cuba Mama, Y’All and Dora & Bootsy. Grade 3 here we come Ian!

RSL / Trinity Rock & Pop – Grade 1

A big well done goes to Evelyn (Muswell Hill) for achieving a merit in her Trinity Rock & Pop grade 2 exam. Her drum teacher Joe Snelgrove tells us she worked super hard on this one. She chose Under The Bridge by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Miss You by The Rolling Stones and Fallin’ by Alicia Keys. What a great choice of tracks. Well done Evelyn!

Well done to Ari (Golders Green) for his 82% merit at grade 1. His drum teacher Jack Cowens tells us he chose the three Rockschool pieces Deep Trouble, West Coast Rollin’ and Kaiser Roll. Jack tells us that Ari has been practising hard for this one and the merit really shows it. Great work Ari! Onto grade 2?

Congratulations also to Riley (Muswell Hill) who got an impressive 89% in his grade 1 exam. Riley’s drum teacher Joe Nicklin tells us that he chose the pieces Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Brunco Mars and Another One Bites The Dust by Queen for the test. It all works out as a very comfortable distinction. Super results Riley, keep up the brilliant work!

Interested in learning the drums?

Congratulations to everyone out there for passing their exams this term. It’s great to see so many amazing results, the drum teachers are super pleased with the progress. If we missed out your RSL drum exams or Trinity exam results, please send us a message. Let us know your grade so we can add your result to the page.

Not everyone takes exams and many progress positively without. If you’re interested in taking exams or looking for a London drum teacher who DOESN’T teach exams, please do still drop us a line!

The post RSL Drum Exams / Trinity Exams – Results Winter 2018 appeared first on North London Drums.

RSL Drumming Exam – Grade 8

A huge congratulations goes out to Harry (Muswell Hill) for passing his grade 8. It’s the highest graded exam available so Harry achieving a merit at 88% is no easy feat! This is awesome work Harry, great work. Harry worked super hard, having never actually entered a graded exam before. Part of passing his grade 8 exam was a requirement for his college application. So we’re both thrilled and proud that he will be going to Leeds College of Music in September. Harry chose the pieces Meet Darth Ear, Mind the Gaps and Lead Sheet for his exam setlist. He also got full marks on his general musicianship questions to round the exam off nicely. Well done again Harry – and good luck with starting university in September!

Trinity College / Rock & Pop Exams

A big well done to Tom (Wood Green) for passing his grade 6 Trinity College London exam with 72%! He chose a varied setlist which included Warning, V Is For Vernel and the rather tricky London Town. (London Town features a particularly challenging songo groove which you can check out here!) Onwards and upwards towards grade 8 now!

Drum teacher Joe Nicklin has reported in that his student Riley (Muswell Hill) passed his Trinity Rock & Pop Initial graded exam with a whopping 87%, a distinction! Riley performed Gold Lion by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Island In The Sun by Weezer. He also chose the super catchy Hold On by the Alabama Shakes. Those are some great piece choices Riley and what an amazing mark. Keep up the superb work!

RSL Drumming Exam – Grade 1 to 3

Well done also to Ian (Winchmore Hill) for passing his RSL Awards grade 1 exam with a merit. Ian practised hard and chose the pieces Kaiser Roll, Deep Trouble and Munky Fusic. His drum teacher Luca Romano says Ian is already well into preparing for grade 2. We’re sure it will go swimmingly! Great work Ian.

Drum teacher Az Khan has let us know that Milo (Arsenal) passed grade 1 with 74% – a merit! Well done Milo! Milo got full marks on his general musicianship questions too. He chose to play the pieces West Coast Rollin’, Munky Fusic and Kaiser Roll. Az say’s he’s been working hard in his drum lessons and is now well into preparing for his grade 2. Well done again Milo!

Well done to Rupert (De Beauvoir Town) for his grade 2 merit, scoring 81% in his second RSL drumming exam. Rupert chose the tracks For You, Dora & Bootsy and Y’all. He got 14/15 on his technical exercises too, proving that the practice really worked. Congratulations Rupert!

Another big well done to Sam (Muswell Hill) for passing his grade 2 RSL drumming exam with a merit! Sam chose to play Cuba Mama and the pop track Y’All this time around. His drum teacher Luca Romano says that the results were well deserved and Sam practised really hard. Brilliant stuff Sam!

A big well done also to Jake (Muswell Hill) for passing his grade 3 RSL drumming exam this term. Jake chose the RSL classic pieces Rasta Monkey and Overrated for his exam this time. For his free choice piece, Jake chose Roxanne by The Police. Getting to grips with those Stewart Copeland chops is tricky but Jake did great! Well done again!

RSL Drumming Exam – Grade 5

And last but by no means least, a massive congratulation goes to Heiragan. Heiragan passed his grade 5 exam with a merit! His drum teacher Az Khan tells us he’s been putting the pieces together whist also working on triplet phrasing in lessons too. Heiragan chose to play Rollin’ and Geek in this test. Well done to Heiragan and keep up the great work.

Looking for an exam focussed drum teacher?

Well done and congratulations to everyone for all the hard work put in this exam period. And if we accidentally missed out your RSL drumming exam, please do email us. We can get that corrected and get your results posted right here!

If you’re looking for a London drum teacher, make sure you contact us!

The post RSL Drumming Exam Results – Spring Summer 2018 appeared first on North London Drums.

Drum Exam Results – Grade 3

It’s a hat trick of distinctions for this bunch of grade 3 candidates for their RSL Awards exams:

First up is Boni (Manor House) who achieved 90% on her exam this time. Her test pieces included Old Bones Blues and Overrated, where she was praised for her “highly appropriate developments” by the examiner. She also got near perfect marks on her technical exercises and sight reading – superb work. Boni also chose AC/DC’s Back In Black as her free choice piece. Great work Boni!

Next up is Domenic (Muswell Hill) who also got 90% on his grade 3 exam. Domenic chose Indecisive and Overrated as his Rockschool pieces. For his free choice piece Domenic chose to play Roxanne by The Police. It’s a fantastic track, timing is crucial in this one, but it really paid off as he scored 19/20 on this track! He got near perfect marks on his technical work and aural tests and full marks in his general musicianship questions.

Rounding off the trio of distinctions is Sam (Crouch End) who, remarkably, also received 90% on his grade 3 exam. It was near perfect marks all around this time – Sam’s rigorous practice timetable has really helped him get the results. Sam chose Rasta Monkey and Fallout as his Rockschool pieces, along with his free choice piece Back In Black by AC/DC. Sam got near full marks on all of his technical exercises, ear tests and the sight reading. He got full marks on the general musicianship questions. Amazing work Sam, keep up the fantastic practice regime – it’s clearly working!

Drum Exam Results – Grade 1 to 6

Congratulations to Oscar (Highgate) for his merit at grade 6 with Trinity College London. Oscar worked super hard on this grade and really pulled out the stops when it came to practising. He chose the pieces Warning, London Town (with a tricky songo groove) and the jazzy V Is For Vernel. He got near perfect results on his technical work, sight reading and improvisation tests too! Superb work Oscar!

Drum teacher Luca Romano also has an impressive bunch of exams to report back this term:

Congratulations to Erol (Harringay) on passing his grade 4 RSL Awards exam! Erol picked a selection of pretty tricky tracks to get him through the exam, including Cold Pants and Hammerblow. Great work Erol!

A big well done also goes to Sam (Muswell Hill) for passing his first exam (grade 1) with a merit! Sam worked really hard to get his pieces perfected for the test. He worked from the RSL syllabus and chose Dora & Bootsy, Kaiser Roll and the very funky Munky Fusic for his setlist. Luca tells us he’s already begun preparation for his second exam. Let us know how it goes Sam!

Finally, a big congratulations to Cameron (Muswell Hill) for getting a merit in his grade 1 RSL Awards exam. Cameron chose the pieces Munky Fusic, West Coast Rollin’ and the indie-track Kaiser Roll as his set list this time. Luca tells us he worked really hard on this one. It looks like it really paid off. Nice work Cameron, keep it up!

Looking for a drum teacher?

A huge well done to everyone this winter exam period. It’s tough getting the practise in, especially as there are a lot school exams towards the end of term. If you’re looking to improve your own drum exam marks, make sure you contact us to book a lesson with one of the drum teachers. The teachers provide London drum lessons but are also available for online drum lessons too.

(If we accidentally missed out your drum exam results, please do let us know. We’ll get them posted on this page!)

The post Drum Exam Results – Winter 2017 appeared first on North London Drums.

Starting out

Hi there Sam. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your schedule for this interview, we know you are busy! You play both drums and guitar. Which came first and what made you pick these instruments in the first place?

I began having percussion lessons at the age of four. My Mum was a professional musician and she was keen for me to get into music. Mum tried to teach me piano but it didn’t go too well so she let me go my own way with percussion, something I was really keen to learn at the time. I ended up teaching myself piano at a later stage, as well as guitar. I was quite pleased with how I was getting on with drums and very inspired by guitar-based bands, so wanted to expand to melodic and harmonic instruments too.

So does that mean you play other instruments as well?

Playing piano spills over into synth/keyboards too. I also play bass guitar.

Teaching philosophy

What would you say are the main differences between teaching guitar and drums?

Drums are linear. There’s no melody or harmony to worry about so you can focus fully on things like rhythm and structure. With that focus, beginners progress through the basics quite quickly – although that’s not to say that you ever run out of things to learn and improve on!

I couldn’t agree more there, we’re all constantly learning and improving.

Guitar is perhaps more multifaceted so there’s a little more ground to cover initially. I try to focus on the type of music that gets the individual excited so that progress is made in one particular area before we begin to branch out into other areas of interest.

You teach from your own studio. Before you start working or teaching do you have a practice routine you run through?

I do a lot of writing and composing these days. I often have an idea in my head that I want to record but that I’m not yet practised enough to do justice. So I’ll work on that idea until I’m happy with it, which is a good way to push my playing. I also find the most rewarding practice is to find players you really love and meticulously pick apart how they do what they do.

Practice makes perfect

So in addition to that, what would be your number 1 piece of practice advice?

Repetition is key. It’s not always the most exciting part of the process but if you can’t do something then slow it down and keep doing it over and over until you can. Sometimes it’s good to just sit watching TV with a practice pad or guitar that isn’t plugged in and just get your hands and fingers really familiar with what they need to be doing.

Is there anything you bring into your teaching from the lessons you had growing up?

I started with quite strict classical training on percussion but then ended up having more informal drum kit lessons. It’s good to encourage the work ethic that classical disciplines promote but also keep in mind that people are so much more inclined to stick at it if it’s in rooted in something they enjoy and that they’re interested in. It needs to be explained in a way that is most suited to their preferred style of learning. I really try to focus of the specific interests and musical tastes of each student, without imposing any particular method.

Teaching philosophy

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of starting drum or guitar lessons?

Do it! Learning is really fun. It relieves stress, it’s good for your brain, good for your mind and the list goes on! It’s not easy sometimes so you have to try and commit to it but the challenges are extremely rewarding to overcome.

And for anyone already taking lessons?

Keep doing it! It only gets more rewarding as time goes on. Also, make sure you don’t get too bogged down with technical details and remember that it should always be an enjoyable process. In my experience, if you’re playing music you enjoy you’ll make better progress. The technique will come.

Do you have any advice for adult learners? We are constantly getting emails from people who believe it’s far too late to start learning.

Learning an instrument isn’t about having an end goal so there’s no reason why anyone of any age shouldn’t do it. The process of learning is so beneficial is so many ways. You learn a language for the end goal of being able to speak it fluently. Whereas having just a single music lesson can be fun, mentally stimulating and leave you with a real sense of accomplishment afterwards.

Half electric / half acoustic

Take us through your current drum kit and guitar set up.

I have spent most of my life building up equipment. I’m pretty happy with my set up now! I have a half electric / half acoustic drum kit which works really well for me. It feels like a real kit, records well and I haven’t had a noise complaint from the neighbours, yet!

As far as guitar is concerned I have a nice Orange amp and an embarrassingly enormous pedal board. The board is capable of making the guitar sound like an orchestra, as well as a guitar, and everything in between.

Are there any potential purchases in the not too distant future?

There is always more equipment that any self-respecting musician wants!

As briefly mentioned before, you have your own studio. What do you enjoy about being a Leytonstone drum teacher?

Leytonstone is so great. It’s very easy to get in and out of London from here but it’s far enough out to be quite relaxed. There’s a nice sense of community and also a lot of space. I don’t think I’d be so lucky as to have a studio in my garden if I was further into town!

Quick fire

Let’s finish with a quick fire round. Ready?

Okay!

Best gig you ever played?

I played in the Royal Albert Hall recently, which was pretty cool! Not the main-stage but still technically the Royal Albert Hall!

Worst gig you’ve ever played?

I played a lot of gigs in various bands whilst at university and definitely had my fair share of empty dive-bar experiences.

Best gig you’ve ever been to?

Roger Waters in Buenos Aires is going to be pretty hard to beat!

Dream collaboration?

Mike Patton, his vocal skills are otherworldly!

Lastly, favourite drummer or guitarist?

Snarky Puppy’s Larnell Lewis absolutely blows my mind on drums. And David Gilmour is probably the guitarist that has had the biggest influence on me.

Thanks Sam, we really appreciate it – you can get back to recording now!

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If you’re looking for a Leytonstone drum teacher and you’d like to contact Sam for lessons, simply drop us an email at jack@northlondondrums.co.uk. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible. You can also fill out the contact form right here to send us a message. If you’re not quite in the area but you’re still looking for London drum lessons, please still do contact us!

The post Leytonstone Drum Teacher Interview with Sam Thomas appeared first on North London Drums.

RSL Awards Results

Grade 3 & 4

Rich (Wood Green) achieved a whopping 95% in his grade 3 exam. Clearly this ended up being a distinction with him getting near full marks across the entirety of the test. This included a whopping 15/15 on his technical exercises. Wow! Rich chose the fairly heavy track Fallout as his Rockschool original piece. For his free choice pieces Rich opted for Nothing Else Matters by Metallica and Roxanne by The Police. They’re a pair of tricky tracks to nail, especially as the tempo of Nothing Else Matters is deceivingly slow. Incredible work Rich, well done!

Heiragan (Edmonton) has been taking drum lessons with his teacher Az Khan for a few months now. He got a distinction in his grade 4 exam after a tonne of hard work! Well done Heiragan! He decided to chose the reggae track Jahmake Ska, hip-hop track The Nod and the very funky Cold Pants. Alongside the test, Az tells us he’s been working on triplets, ghost notes and even linear phrasing. No wonder he got a distinction!

Well done to Jonathan (Golders Green) for his grade 3 merit, meaning his drumming exam marks totalled 79%. Jonathan worked hard on Rockschool pieces Old Bones Blues and Fallout, whilst choosing Back in Black by AC/DC as his free choice piece. Back in Black is a classic rock staple, with some tricky 16th note bass drums. These can be be tough to get exactly in the right place. Great work Jonathan, especially towards the back end of the test with full marks in general musicianship questions.

Grade 2

Next up is Lucas (Highgate) who snuck up behind Rich with an impressive 94% on his grade 2 exam. (Rich, you have competition!) Lucas managed to get full marks on his Rockschool piece Bleach, working really hard on his bass drum control. He also got 19/20 on the funk track Dora and Bootsy. For his free choice piece Lucas chose Should I Stay or Should I Go by the Clash. Full marks on the aural / ear tests AND the general musicianship questions rounded off a near perfect score. Keep up the great work Lucas and congratulations on your distinction!

Grade 1 & Debut

Congratulations also to Rupert (De Beauvoir Town) on achieving 85% merit in his first ever drum exam. It’s a great mark! Rupert chose West Coast Rollin’, Bend & Snap and Munky Fusic as his three pieces. Furthermore, he also got near perfect marks on his technical exercises, sight reading and ear tests. Onwards and upwards to grade 2 now!

Ian (Winchmore Hill) entered his first ever exam with RSL Awards, going in with the debut grade. It worked a treat as Ian got a distinction, great work Ian! For this exam he chose the three tracks Big Ideas, Full Rudder and Z. Ian’s drum teacher Luca Romano tells us he’s already hard at work preparing for grade 1. We’re looking forward to seeing the results!

Trinity College Rock & Pop Results

A huge well done goes to Ida (Highbury East) for passing her first exam, grade 1, with a distinction! She managed to get a huge 89%! She entered the Trinity College Rock & Pop syllabus and decided to chose a great selection of tracks. This included Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads, Sheena is a Punk Rocker by the Ramones and Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival. What a selection! Her drum teacher Joe Nicklin tells us she worked super hard on this exam. Great work Ida!

Well done also goes to Evelyn (Muswell Hill) for passing her Trinity College Rock & Pop Initial exam. Evelyn chose a wide of tracks to perform in her test. The tracks included the classic song I Am the Music Man, Black Betty by Lead Betty and Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day. Well done to Evelyn and her drum teacher Mark too!

And finally, drum teacher Az Khan also tells us that his student Stan (Tufnell Park) passed his Trinity College Rock & Pop grade 2 exam with flying colours. He chose the tracks Manny’s Blues. What’s Up and Flats in Dagenham. Great work Stan, keep it up!

Do you want improve your drumming exam marks?

Congratulations to everyone above, it’s clear that the hard work really paid off this time. If you want to improve own drumming exam mark, make sure you contact us to book a lesson with one of the drum teachers. They provide London drum lessons but are also available for online drum lessons too.

(If you’re already taking lessons with one of the tutors and we missed your mark out, let us know! We’ll get them posted here ASAP!)

The post Drumming Exam Marks – Summer 2017 appeared first on North London Drums.