Jamie Parker

About me

With a passion for hitting hard and a career spanning nearly two decades, I’m Jamie: a professional drummer based in Kent with my own fully equipped, sound-proof studio, where I work and teach on real, acoustic drums. While my speciality lies in rock and metal music, I’ve expanded my repertoire over the course of my career to include a diverse range of popular genres such as jazz, funk, hip-hop and reggae. I’ve been teaching drumming for over a decade, both privately at my studio and at respected music schools: YMS in Canterbury, and DrumWise and The Rock Music School in Maidstone.

I genuinely love teaching, and work with students of all ages across various genres and styles. My approach is student-centred, prioritising your own interests and goals. Whether it’s progressing in graded exams, mastering a specific song, honing timing, playing in a band or playing just for fun, I tailor my lessons to each student.

I’m committed to continuous learning and growth, and have had the privilege of studying under esteemed drummer Dave Elitch. I also have a range of experience working in professional studios and touring with different bands and artists, meaning my lessons extend beyond just drumming and into a variety of essential topics like tuning, recording, rehearsing and writing. By incorporating these aspects into my teaching, I aim to equip all my students with a well-rounded skill set.

Availability & Pricing

My availability varies as I work between Kent and London. Please contact me and we can arrange something : )

£32 per hour, £22 per half hour.

I play, teach and record in my own professional studio near Tenterden, nine miles from Ashford. While most of my students come to me, I’m willing to travel within 10 miles for an additional £10 fee, and of course I offer online lessons too.

Experience

I’ve been teaching drums privately for over a decade, catering to a diverse range of students aged 6 to 70, including those with neurodiversity. As an Enhanced DBS Verified instructor, I prioritise the safety and well-being of my students, and I’m happy to provide references upon request. Since 2023, I’ve had the privilege of teaching at three respected music schools: the prestigious YMS in Canterbury, and DrumWise and The Rock Music School in Maidstone.

Throughout my teaching career, I’ve seen my students achieve remarkable success: some have excelled in graded exams, and some have pursued further education in music schools. Many students have joined bands or embarked on solo projects purely for the joy of playing and making music. As part of my comprehensive approach, I ensure that all students develop competent foundational skills in reading music (unless, of course, you don’t want to!).

My approach is practical and personalised, centred around your goals and aspirations. What do you want to learn? What are you trying to achieve? I prioritise hands-on playing from the get-go: while theory is important, my immediate focus is on how you actually play the drums. After all, that’s why you’re here 🙂

Portfolio

My first ever professional release was in 2015 with metal band Novacaine Nothing, recorded at FloodGate Audio, followed by a single with tech-metal band proxxy in 2018. In 2020 I recorded drums for rock band Night Thieves’ debut EP “Battle Cry” at Stakeout Studios. That same year, I recorded drums for the talented duo Immortal Machinery at my own studio for their album Songs Without Words, and in 2023 I had the pleasure of recording drums for their latest album Kuzushi. I’ve also had some incredible experiences touring with them across Europe. More recently, I wrote and tracked drums for the American musician Brianne Bogle (whose tracks were mastered at the famous Abbey Road Studios) as well as English singer/songwriter Guy Prall. I’ve also played live for various hip-hop artists including Antlive, Ras Kass, and John Jigg$. I’m also the live drummer for upcoming pop artist Alex Kate.

You can find plenty of my work on YouTube (my profile’s JamieDrumz), Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp – all the usual places. Alongside my freelance work, I’m currently the house drummer for the popular jazz and funk jam night in High Wycombe known as Catch22 Jams, run by the MLN Ensemble, who also hire me to play the annual Wycombe Jazz Festival and High Wycombe’s FrogFEST. I’m also the drummer for metal band “Kingdom Rise.” As a musician I’m always growing and playing a variety of styles and gigs, working professionally in the industry alongside my teaching.