Adam Stapleford

Hello and thanks for checking out my profile!

After first picking up the sticks age 12, I began teaching formally at 16 and haven’t looked back since. 20 years later I've tutored hundreds of students across all ages & abilities with various institutions, drawing on my wealth of performance & recording experience on the back of a music degree from Newcastle Uni.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• A safe & inclusive space, welcoming to all backgrounds.
• Two professional drum kits, one for you, one for me.
• PA system for play-alongs.
• Bespoke lesson plans designed for your particular tastes and aims.
• An email after every lesson, documenting our learning and what to practise, plus any materials & links.

Our lessons would be guided by the idea that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach, with every student having different goals in mind and preferred ways of working. Whether you’ve got your sights set on grade 8 and beyond, or just need a space to let your hair down and play to your favourite tracks, I’ll keep my eye on the bigger picture and tailor our lessons to suit these aims.

From the very first lesson we’ll get playing to real tunes, applying your new grooves & fills in context. But as we dive deeper into the nuts & bolts of what makes a well-rounded drummer, we can explore such topics as:

• Timing & feel.
• Not just what, but HOW to practise.
• Transcribing: working out your favourite parts by ear.
• Reading the dots.
• Improvising: making it up on the spot!
• Stylistic knowledge: from jazz to indie, Afro-Cuban to drum ‘n’ bass – drumming is a great way to discover music you don’t yet know you love.
• Technique: make it easier to play what you want to play.
• Coordination: get those four limbs working in harmony, a bit like driving a car!
• Unlocking creativity to come up with your own ideas.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions. I look forward to learning what's drawing you to this endlessly inspiring instrument :)