www.drumstyle.co.uk

Welcome to DRUMSTYLE DRUM KIT TUITION (est 1989) and based in EXMOUTH and EXETER, DEVON U.K.

Tel: 01395 275839 (Monday-Friday 9am-8.30pm, or Saturdays 9am-5pm).
Email: (non urgent messages) via the "contact" button.


DRUMSTYLE was founded by professional drummer, tutor and drumming author, JIM FERRIS who offers private individual lessons at two drumming studios, one in EXMOUTH and another in EXETER (home visits are not possible, sorry).
Both teaching studios are easy to access, though the Exeter teaching room is via two flights of stairs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

***WHERE EXACTLY ARE THE TEACHING STUDIOS?
One is located in EXMOUTH at the edge of Woodbury common (15-20 minutes drive from Exeter motorway services) and the second one is at "MUSIC ROOM" (formerly known as Exeter Music Shop), SIDWELL ST, EXETER.

***HOW MUCH DO LESSONS COST?
£13.00 at Exmouth and £13.50 at Exeter (fees are based on nationally recommended rates and are set towards the minimum of those recommendations). Lessons are 30 minutes in length and are always given on a one to one basis using either an electric drum kit with external amplification (Exmouth) or an acoustic drum kit fitted with volume reducing practice pads and cymbal volume dampers (Exeter).
Lessons are taken weekly, with approximately 12 weeks holiday built into each calendar year, timed loosely around the local school holidays.

***WHEN DO LESSONS TAKE PLACE?
EXMOUTH lessons are available Monday to Friday during the afternoons and evenings. EXETER lessons all take place on Saturdays during the morning and afternoon.

*** IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE THAT YOU ARE PREPARED TO TEACH?
I like my pupils to have reached ELEVEN years of age before commencing tuition. Parents are welcome to ask for their childs name to be put on the waiting list when they become ten, but lessons will not be offered before the child reaches his or her eleventh birthday. This minimum has been set to ensure that the child does not embark on tuition before they are physically and mentally able to take full advantage of the lessons.

*** DO YOU TEACH GIRLS / LADIES?
Of course I do. I understand that the drum kit is still seen as a male dominated instrument but I can tell you that some of my most successful pupils have been female.

***COULD I BE TOO OLD TO START TUITION?
It is unlikely, pupils have started in their fifties and sixties though it is true to say that adults should try to be confident that they can spare the time to practise regularly between lessons, before they commence the tuition. Adults do sometimes struggle to find enough practice time each week.

***I'M LEFT HANDED, DOES THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?
The answer to that is both yes and no. A good proportion of my most succesful pupils are left handed, BUT they are all taught on a right handed kit set up, as right handed players. There are two reasons for this, firstly it would be impractical to rearrange the kit for one lesson and secondly, like many drum teachers, I think it is in the interests of the pupil to be able to get on anybody's kit and play. You will not be able to do that if you can only play with the kit set left handed.
In over 18 years as a professional tutor I cannot remember one left handed pupil who has failed, or been severely hindered by, having to play the kit right handed.

***HOW MUCH PRACTISE TIME WOULD I NEED TO FIND EACH WEEK?
I ask my pupils to be prepared to practise a minimum of four times a week for twenty minutes per occasion, on the work I have set for them. However it will not always take that long. Of course though, the more time you regularly spend practising the quicker you will improve.

***CAN I JUST HAVE ONE LESSON TO SEE IF I LIKE IT?
Most definitely, that is the preferred way although it will not be possible to tell if you will succeed after just one lesson (or two or three for that matter). Your chances of success with the instrument will be largely down to how much you practise and how well you absorb the advice given to you during the lessons.
PLEASE NOTE that if you do have a one off "try out" lesson, it is NOT a free lesson.

*** DO YOU DO "ONE OFF" LESSONS FOR BIRTHDAY/CHRISTMAS PRESENTS?
Sorry no, not unless the intention is to go on and have further regular tuition, subject to the pupil enjoying the first lesson of course.

***WILL I LEARN HOW TO READ DRUM MUSIC?
Yes you will. Many new pupils fear this part, but they quickly gain their confidence when they realise it is nowhere near as difficult to master as they thought it would be. Being able to read drum music will give you many advantages.

***WILL I HAVE TO TAKE DRUMMING EXAMS?
No, but each tutor book does have two summary pieces at the end which check that you have understood, and can cope with, the contents of the book. Pupils who reach the end of the Level Four tutor book should be able to cope with a Grade 8 external examination, if they wished to do so.

***DOES JIM PREPARE PUPILS FOR EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS?
The short answer to this is no, not currently.
After many years of successfully preparing pupils for external examinations and with a proud record of 100% passes ALL at "merit", "honours" or "high honours" levels, Jim is not currently doing so.

***PLAYING A DRUM KIT IN THE HOUSE WILL BE VERY NOISY WON'T IT?
It does not have to be. A drum kit and its cymbals can easily be fitted with sound reducing practice pads and dampers which considerably reduce the level of sound produced. It would cost you around £40 to fit out the whole kit.
Alternatively there are electronic drum kits of course. These are becoming evermore popular for home practise as they can be played through headphones, making them almost silent to others nearby.

***ARE DRUM KITS EXPENSIVE TO BUY?
A reasonable starter level acoustic kit with basic acceptable cymbals and sound deadening pads, can be purchased new for aproximately £325. Professional drummers would pay upwards of £2,000 for their kit so £325 is modest in comparison.
Electronic kits start at around £350 for beginner models.

***HOW SOON WOULD I NEED TO OWN MY OWN KIT?
Assuming you do not have good access to one at a school or wherever, it is recommended that you get your own kit within a month or so of commencing your tuition. You cannot take full advantage of the tuition if you do not have a kit to practise on between lessons.
Jim is happy to advise pupils / parents on a suitable purchase.

*** DO PUPILS TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO ATTEND LESSONS?
I have to say that I do try to discourage that. Experience tells me that if pupils live much more than 15 miles away from their chosen teaching studio, the travelling will eventually become a problem for them.

***TELL ME MORE ABOUT JIM FERRIS.
Jim was born in Coventry in 1955 and studied drumming for five years at the Coventry School of Music http://www.coventrycorpsofdrums.org.uk before embarking on commercial ventures at the age of fifteen. In 1970 he appeared at The Royal Albert Hall in London as a percussionist in the highest level of the finals of the World Brass Band Championships. It was suggested at the time that he was probably the youngest percussionist to have ever appeared at that level of competition. Jim again played at the Royal Albert Hall in the 90's.
During his playing career he has performed in many genres of music from Marching Band to Brass Bands to Rock Bands to Big Band Jazz and most things in between. Jim has worked in theatres, cabaret clubs, seaside shows, open air stadium concerts, live and pre recorded radio broadcasts as well as freelance recording session work at studios in London, Coventry and the West Country. He has played for many t.v. personalities appearing at live shows in the South West and has been the 1st choice drummer for leading Westcountry Jazz Big Band "A.J.'s BIG BAND" since 1990 http://www.ajsbigband.co.uk , playing on four albums with the band, the latest released in March 2006. Jim regularly appears at venues across the South and West of England with the Big Band and others.
All of this experience, gained over many years, leaves him ideally experienced to teach drumming to others.

***HOW DO I KNOW JIM FERRIS IS A GOOD TEACHER THOUGH?
Jim has taught drumming since he was eighteen years of age. He turned it into a full time professional career in the autumn of 1989. For nineteen years (1989-2008)Jim also taught drumming at schools across Devon and Somerset including leading independant schools Blundells @ Tiverton and Queens College @ Taunton.
Many new pupils are referred to him by local drummers, music teachers, present and former pupils. Jim has taught the children of many established local semi professional drummers, other professional musicians and music teachers, as well as teaching drumming to other music teachers themselves. He was also drum tutor to the son of a Duke and Duchess for a while, but for the sake of confidentiality won't say who it was!!
In 1994 he began writing a series of tutor books named "The Mere Mortals Guide To Drumming". The tutor books now consist of four levels (plus a double pedals book) and all pupils are taught from these books. Pupils who succesfully reach the end of Level Four, often go on to take Grade 8 national examinations.
As detailed above, Jims pupils have consistantly achieved "merit", "honours" and "high honours" passes in national music examinations right up to grade 8 "passed with high honours". Former pupil Mark Pusey is now a leading London session drummer with many t.v. appearances to his credit. A 15 year old pupil also won through to the final stages of the "U.K. Young Drummer of the Year Competition".

*** IS JIM WILLING TO GIVE FREE ADVICE?
In a word YES, he is very happy to help you if he can. Jim has a web site that tries to answer the most popular questions http://guidetothedrumkit.mysite.orange.co.uk .
If that does not satisfy your query, please email Jim with the details.

***PAST AND PRESENT PUPILS INCLUDE;
**Mark Pusey....London sessions, GIRLS ALOUD, SIR TOM JONES, JAMES BLUNT, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, EMINEM, LIMAHL, JOURNEY SOUTH. B.B.C.'s T.O.T.P's plus many other t.v. appearances and Radio One live sessions, Radio Two air time with THE RYES. http://www.myspace.com/markpusey http://www.myspace.com/theryes
**Matt Freer....drummer for RESONATE, Radio One interview and sessions, LockJaw (indie) Records. http://www.myspace.com/reso and http://www.resonateonline.co.uk
**James Bennetts....awarded "high honours" passes in both Grade 6 and 8 drum kit examinations. James toured China with a band in the autumn of 2006.
**Stuart Martin.... kit drummer for highly successful functions band "LIMITED COMPANY" http://www.limitedcompanyband.co.uk. Stuart was awarded a Grade 6 qualification with "honours".
**Ben Mc Cabe....semi finalist in the "U.K. Young Drummer of the Year Competition". Ben was also awarded an "honours" pass at Grade 8 drum kit.
**James Keefe (aged only 15) was awarded an "honours" pass @ Grade 8 drum kit.
**Nick White....Drummer for "MOLOTOV", winners of the "Exe Factor" Battle of the Bands 2006.
*Plus many more potential stars of the future!

*** PRESENT AND FORMER PUPILS HAVE ASSOCIATION WITH THE FOLLOWING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS:
* Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra (senior and junior bands)
* West Exe College Big Band
* City of Exeter Railway Band.
* Queens College Taunton (junior, middle and senior school bands).
* Blundells School Tiverton (jazz band).
* Sidmouth Town Band (senior and junior bands)
* Sidmouth Community College Band.
* East Devon Wind Band.
* Lympstone Junior Band.
* Exeter Childrens Orchestra.
* Exeter College Big Band.
* Exmouth Town Band.
* Taunton Concert Band.
* Tiverton Town Band.
* Exmouth Community College Jazz Band (senior and junior bands).
* Exeter Battle Of The Bands winners (2002) "Nookie".
* Exeter Battle of The Bands winners (2004) "Supenik".
* "EXE FACTOR" Battle of The Bands winners (2006) "Molotov"
* Many many working Pop and Rock Bands....... far too many to list here!
* Plus other school bands and orchestras across Devon and Somerset.

***JIMS GEAR;
Jim plays a classic PREMIER SIGNIA drum kit, ROLAND TDK6 electric kit plus a custom built PEACE PARAGON (canadian rock maple) kit.
PREMIER modern classic (hammered brass), MAPEX BLACK PANTHER (walnut) and DIXON artisan (bubinga) snare drums. D.W. 5000 double bass drum pedals with PAISTE (2002 / Signature) crash, ride and hi-hat cymbals, STAGG (brilliant finish, hand hammered) splash cymbals and a Sabian HHX Evolution "O" zone.
Vic Firth Steve Gadd signature nylon tipped sticks.

***TO BOOK A LESSON OR TO ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS;
Please telephone 01395 275839 between 9am and 8.30pm Mondays to Fridays or 9am till 5pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, email non urgent messages via the "contact" button.

Please note that sadly, it is NOT a good idea to call into the shop on Saturdays to try to discuss tuition with me, as I am nearly always teaching. Sorry about that.

***IS JIM AVAILABLE TO PLAY WITH BANDS?
Yes indeed, there seems to be an assumption that I am always busy playing with A.J.'s Big Band but there are always plenty of dates free that I am willing and keen to play with other bands. Please get in touch with details.

*** JIM ON MYSPACE:
http://www.myspace.com/jimferris

***OTHER USEFUL LINKS.
http://www.ukdrummerscollective.com The U.K. Drummers Collective.
http://www.pianoroomexeter.co.uk Devon's premier piano/keyboard supplier.
http://www.musicroom.com Music shop in Exeter
http://www.projectdrums.net Music shop in Exeter
http://www.theexmouthmusicshop.co.uk Music shop in Exmouth
http://www.psstmusic.co.uk Music shop in Exmouth
http://www.professionaldrumteachersguild.com

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