Robert James

Masters graduate and professional drummer – Reduce students’ time and effort by travelling to them – Teach all levels – Enhanced DBS certificate

Availability:– I have a limited number of students and have space for 1 more

Free Lesson/Bonus:– I’ll be offering the first lesson free for a short period

Guarantee:– If you can’t play along to your favourite music after the first lesson, I won’t charge my travelling fees (money back)

Ethos:–
Help students reach their musical goals as fast and effortless as possible- I let the students guide the lesson and study what excites them

Achievements:–
Performed at notable venues including, but not limited to:

– Ronnie Scott’s World-Famous Jazz Club +20 times
– European Parliament, Strasbourg
– Major UK festival
– Session drummer and recordings for Izzy Bizu (Grammy nominee), Sigma, Bollywood, Joe Devlin, Bert Brett, Mercy’s Cartel, & many others.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Music Performance at ICMP, specialising in teaching/pedagogy (2022).
• Peer Academic Mentorship Scheme, at ICMP. Mentor/teacher in drums. (2022).
• Higher Diploma in Music Performance, at ICMP. Distinction (2021).
• Grade 8, Rock School Drums (17 years old, 2013).
• Qualified Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer, RICS (2019).
• BS in Asset Management and Appraisal at the University of Reading (2014-2017).

Skills:
• I have been playing for 18 years (since 10 years old).
• Sight Reading/Reading Music.
• Teach Grades 1-8 for the 2 main exam boards.
• Session Drumming (supporting artists).
• Function Drumming (playing covers for events and weddings).
• Creative Drumming (writing original drum parts).
• Live and Studio Drumming (live performance and recording).

Ethos & Methodology:
1. Help students reach their musical goals as fast and effortless as possible.

Learning the drums can be painful and slow. I understand the challenges learners face, so my goal is to make your musical journey smooth and enjoyable.

I appreciate students often have busy and stressful lives outside of drumming and lessons should be a time of relaxation, learning and enjoyment. With flexible scheduling and travel options, I can bring drum lessons to you, saving you time and effort.

Each session includes a personalized lesson summary, complete with helpful links, custom sheet music, and tailored advice for your progress. Plus, I’m here for you throughout the week, ready to provide support and guidance to make the learning process easier and faster.

2. I let the student guide the lesson and study what excites them.

I know too many students who gave up their instrument because they were forced to learn something which didn’t interest them.

In my early years of learning the instrument, I was proficient at copying others, however, I struggled to be creative, take initiative and think for myself. This is similar to someone who can regurgitate/imitate a phrase in a conversation (like a parrot) but cannot express their own opinion and think for themselves. My goal as a teacher is to help the students imitate other musicians, assimilate their ideas, and finally innovate to find their unique voice.

Many teachers put a lot of time into technique and little effort into making music which can be uninspiring to the student. Using language as an analogy, this is similar to focusing on grammar and neglecting sharing ideas. I don’t know many musicians who were inspired to pick up an instrument because they were moved by technique. Whilst technique is important and is something I teach, I aim to balance topics to keep the students engaged and excited.