Information About Graham - Leyland teacher

Personal Description:

I have been drumming since the age of 7.
I had lessons from the age of 13 using Buddy Rich's Snare Drum Rudiments,
it took me two weeks doing paper rounds to afford a half hour lesson!
I am passionate about teaching. I love to gig in a rock/pop band.
I have had the pleasure of playing in clubs and pubs all over the U.K. I have played U.S. bases in Germany, Holland and Turkey, gigged in Spain, Malta, Denmark, Australia, The Shetland Isles and Dubai, jammed on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. I have backed many artists from Wayne Fontana to Lena Zavaroni. I have worked summer seasons in Newquay, Cleveleys and Cleethorpes. I was the resident drummer at The Duke of Wellington in Swinton, which involved a quick look at the artists music and straight on stage, no rehearsal.
I was signed to RCA records and had hit records in Denmark, Holland and South Africa with a band called Shabby Tiger, which involved working with Billy Ocean, and producer Ben Findon.
I have recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios for E.M.I.
In 2015 worked in Pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk with Anne Hegerty at Radcliffe Civic Suite, Heywood Civic Centre and Ellesmere Port.
My band were in Kay Mellor's "Girlfriends" on ITV in January 2018.
Online lessons have really taken off since Covid-19 caused music schools to close.
A very varied career, involving all styles of music, I think you would agree!

Tutoring Experience:

I set up my drum school in 2016.Then I taught at Rimmer's Music Academy in Bury until Covid caused it's closure.
I started teaching online from home. I was surprised how well on line teaching worked for drums so I built a small studio, which local students can also attend for face to face if they wish.
I use Rockschool and Trinity College and The Percussive Arts Society's 40 drum rudiments plus I write exercises to personalise the lesson.
My students have a very high pass rate in exams. Exams are not compulsory for casual drummers.

Tutoring Approach:

Learning to drum can be very frustrating, usually independence of limbs can be an issue in the early stages.
I try to make sure that students have fun and laugh at their mistakes.