Drumming Course

The course has 30 modules, distilled from 30 years of teaching and the best of my university lecture content, and all my pro-drumming experience . These 'one to one' lessons are catered for your individual choice. What do you need as a pro drummer? You choose the modules from the list below … like a menu!

Philosophy

I believe in simplicity. It’s not that the eventual patterns or fills must be simple, it’s just that it must begin with a simple seed which is easy to understand. This then grows into a myriad of exciting possibilities with your individuality and your creativity in mind.

As well as learning fresh new rhythmic approaches, I have lots of industry experience and can guide you through your career with advice and we can analyse drum tracking and demos and recordings you have previously done if you wish.

Summary

The course starts on Saturday, October 11th 2025 and there are very limited places available. Create your own course from the list of modules available and take as little or as long as you like with each module. You can enrol for as many consecutive lessons as you wish.

Advanced professional or semi-professional drummers only.

Classes are held every Saturday in the beautiful stately historic house that is Áras Chrónaín in Clondalkin, Co Dublin. We have 2 full state of the art acoustic drum Kits, 8 mic-recording options with Protools and a full percussion set up is available.

The cost is €60 per hour, €220 for 4 lessons or €420 for 8 lessons. We take payment by Revolut, Bank Transfer or cash in advance of the first lesson.

All of the modules have at least one of the following: Handouts and exercises sourced from the best books ever printed, YouTube online links and play-along MP3’s. Free access to an online course is available.

Standard terms and conditions apply. These will be sent upon initial communication to us.

Áras Chrónáin Irish Cultural Centre a magnificent Georgian house on 2.9 acres in a wonderful picturesque surroundings right in the heart of old Clondalkin village.

30 Modules

The course has 30 modules, but the lessons are catered to your individual choice, selected from any of the modules below. You decide what you need.

Practice Systems in 12 x 'Tempo Zones'

• Stickings/Rudiments applied to the kit
• Subdivisional work
• Orchestrations
• Accents

Techniques

• Reading: Drum notation skills
• Timekeeping, feel and dynamic control
• Linear fills
• Linear grooves
• Polyrhythms
• Independence
• Metric modulation
• Permutations
• Odd time signatures
• Soloing concepts: 'Trading 4's, Wilcoxons, and 'The Rudimental Ritual'
• Berklee College systems
• Groups of 3’s, 5’s and 7’s
• Fills: Crossing the barline
• Textures: Brushwork/Mallets/Hands
• Complex shuffles

Practicals

• Recording tracks to actual pro songwriter sessions - getting you to be a session drummer with the typical feedback experienced.

Styles

• African kit systems
• Latin grooves
• Drum 'n bass technique
• Afrobeat design
• Jazz basics: Independence
• Jazz phrasing: Working with 'Melodies'
• New Orleans drumming
• Advanced Funk drumming
• Percussion lessons: Congas/Bongos/Timbales/Djembe/Shakers & Bells etc.
• Traditional Irish rhythmic approach