About
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT LEARNING THE DRUMS?
Established in 2022, JL Drum Tuition is a new place located in Kempston, Bedfordshire, offering private drum lessons taught from my home address.
Lessons are suited for everyone, ranging from beginner to intermediate level. The lessons cover a wide range of skills and techniques, including posture, rudiments and playing to a metronome. Although I am new to the teaching game, I am very passionate about music and drumming.
For more information about lessons, please click here.
JL Drum Tuition is available from Monday to Sunday, 9am-9pm.
History
2023 marks 20 years since I first started playing the drums. In 2003, I took my first lesson, at Robert Bloomfield School in Shefford. I quickly developed a strong bond with being behind a drum kit, and I went on to self teach.
I found my new drum teacher at Stix School in Ampthill - the fantastic Martin Hearn. Martin spent 40 years working as a pro freelancer, working with artists including a 7 year stint with The Drifters. The Stix School was founded, by Martin in 1992, and operated until 2015. Martin taught an average of 50 1-1 lessons a week.
After spending 4/5 years learning at Stix, I started my journey getting band experience. Over a 10 year period, I have gained experience rehearsing in a variety of studios across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, playing in a handful of projects and playing anything from rock to indie to metal.
In 2021, I helped to form my current band, Fire Fall, a melodic hard rock band. Since being a part of Fire Fall, I have worked on a catalogue of songs and have played several performances. These range from jam nights to festivals to supporting other bands and even headlining our own gigs across the Bedfordshire/ Cambridgeshire/ Hertfordshire areas. Most recently, I have gained experience recording in the studio tracking drums for Fire Fall's debut EP 'Autumn Rain'.
JL Drum Tuition is simply about me sharing my knowledge and experiences, helping people to achieve their goals in music. I also believe that learning the drums gives you many benefits, for example it helps with physical and mental health.
You can see an early video from my drumming journey below.
Martin Hearn: My Teacher
As mentioned, I was taught by Martin Hearn at The Stix School.
Please read more about Martin below:
"I started playing drums when I was 14 after hearing my father tell us all stories of his time as a Welsh Guards snare drummer in 1947.
He soon passed me onto a kit teacher, Glyn Thomas, a session dummer. Glyn put me forward as a candidate for NYJO (The National Youth Jazz Orchestra), which as the drummer gave me an opportunity to hone my reading skills and techniques.
At 16, I turned pro working in theatre shows, cruises, cabaret clubs and many freelance gigs. Bands and artists I have worked with include Tommy Cooper, Russ Abbott, Jim Davidson, Anita Harris, The Drifters, and Michael Barrymore."
Martin Hearn, 2023
For more information on Martin, please visit his YouTube page.
