Drum Lessons

The drum teacher who comes to you (assuming you’re based in or around Cambridge) and wants you to be on stage!

A flexible and very much in-demand percussionist/drummer, Paul has played over a thousand gigs, in award-winning bands, with plenty of full UK tours under his belt and has also performed a tour of China as part of the prestigious Nanjing International Jazz and World Music Festival. He has appeared on over 30 albums (plus over 40 singles/EPs) and tracks he has played on have featured on Channel 4, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 5 and countless other stations worldwide.

He is also available for teaching work... whether you're a total beginner looking to take your first steps into the drumming world, or a regular player who just needs a few pointers, Paul can help. The sessions are relaxed, taught with patience and with the emphasis on developing your own style; the focus is equally on confidence and creativity, as much as it is on the disciplines required to play a tight groove.

Above all, much fun shall be had, which is very much the point of playing music in the first place, of course (Paul actively avoids teaching grades and any stuffy cliches with textbooks - you’ll learn everything you’ll need to be the ‘complete’ drummer whilst avoiding the pressures of exams). In short, Paul teaches the way he wished he had been taught when he was a nervous 8-year-old, all those many, many years ago. Competitions are regularly held during the lessons, with drum-related prizes and trophies for all ages and abilities, for those wishing to take part.

Lessons can be tailored towards playing with a full kit, or playing percussion (ideal for acoustic gigs and a great way to get build the rhythmic foundations). Once you're up and running, we can get you jamming to pre-recorded basslines/drumless tracks to replicate a real-life rehearsal/gig situation. These lessons aren't just to teach you how to play drums, but how to play live; we'll work on composure, improvisation and confidence. If you really get the drumming bug (which you will), we'll also work on how to prepare you for studio recording sessions.

Alongside the lessons, students are invited to perform live under Paul’s guidance with a full professional backing band, raising money for charity along the way. 

Paul teaches in three primary schools, alongside private one-off drum workshops at Cambridge University, percussion workshops in the south of France, Oxford University and in Derbyshire, and many, many private students (children and adults). Alongside an up-to-date DBS certificate, Paul has completed the Educare Advanced courses in: Child Protection, Equality & Diversity, The Prevent Duty and GDPR for Education.

He teaches over a hundred students a week and drinks a lot of coffee.

Paul also has a new lesson plan where the parent and child can learn at the same time, and seems to be the go-to drum teacher for young students who are lacking in confidence/have anxiety or social difficulties. Because let's be honest: that was him as a child, before he got all cocky. 

Drop Paul an email for a chat (thepaulrichards@gmail.com) and we'll have you playing in no time.

Cambridgeshire-based, but always willing to travel. Lessons available for all ages, gift certificates available.

PRICES:

Lessons - private (weekly/fortnightly): £25 for 45 minutes in your home (£20 for NHS staff/pensioners). Also available online via Zoom, but let's not - it's never as good.

Child + parent lesson (learn to drum at the same time as your child!): £30 (£25 for NHS staff) for an hour in your home

Crash course: Drums for Beginners (2-hour intensive course in your home - Paul brings the kit): £60

Drums without Drums course: £20 for 45 minutes online - don’t have a drum kit? No problem, pick 5 things to hit and Paul will try and match it at his end and we’ll get a groove going! This was launched during the pandemic, but it's still available if that's your thing.