How do I choose a drum Teacher?
A very common mistake parents make is not putting enough effort into finding the right teacher for their child. More often than not, they trust the Mc Music School to determine what is best, when we know from experience that won’t always be the case.
Finding the right fit for your child, with a qualified and engaging drum teacher isn’t always easy, but it is worth it. We have been lucky in many ways, and from early on found a teacher who was strict yet patient, experienced across multiple genres, had significant performance experience, was qualified to teach additional skills (eg. mixing and audio tech), is passionate about the success of your child (more than just showing off), and able to keep teaching even experienced drummers. Pro tip, if they can teach already performing artists, you are on to a winner.
You, and your child, should like the way they play
You or your child should enjoy listening to the way your teacher plays. There are many different styles of musician, spanning hundreds of genres. Even though a good teacher typically won’t try to impart his or her style into students, as an artist their fundamental playing style needs to be approachable, enjoyable, and engaging. Look for someone who sounds like a professional, and can groove across various styles. Ask them what bands they have played in, and go back and listen to the back catalog. If your teacher has never recorded, or has never been in a band, probably a good sign to move on.
Performance experience
Music is a shared experience, and the ability to play complicated patterns, intensely syncopated fills, or mind blowing grooves doesn’t mean much if your young drummer can’t work with a band. Try to find an instructor who knows what it means to be part of a larger musical experience, has been on stage, and is ideally performing on top of teaching. Better still, if you can find a teacher who has also worked with, or as part of a range of bands - either as the drummer, or as the audio tech/drum tech - you are on to a winner. The above extends to recording too, as at some stage your child will need to learn how to become a recording artist, which is a uniquely shared experience. For our son, the most fun way to learn is by jamming with either my daughter and I, or with friends. The sooner your child can experience being part of a “band” or see what it is like - the faster they will learn, and the more motivation they will have.
Patience
You really need a drum instructor who is patient yet firm, and able to stay with your child for the long haul. We learnt very early on that if your child can cope with discipline, then it is best to teach them, and expect as much from them, as you would an older child or adult. Children thrive within routines, and our son excelled in the discipline of practice and perfection. Not every child will be the same, but if you are able to have an open dialogue with their teacher about expectations, and have mutual trust, then you are on to a winner. Sadly, many of the Mc Music Schools don’t give parents the time they need to have these conversations with the teacher. It is for this reason we moved to private tuition very early on.
As your child’s instructor develops a learning relationship with you and your child, expect there to be ebbs and flows. There will be weeks when life gets in the way of practice, or lessons - school holidays, the flu, homework for example. There will also be weeks when it may seem like your child’s progress has stalled - because the drums are a complicated instrument. A good instructor is one who can go with this flow and find ways to make the most out of every session, or pivot immediately to something that will reignite your child’s interest.
Other musical interests and skills
Drums are but a small part of a much broader range of careers in music. Always look for a teacher who has additional skills, or even a career in something other than just drumming. Our son’s teacher, for example, is a well known audio tech - who works with some of the world’s top drummers during their travelling clinics. Learning how to place, mix, record, and amplify a drum-kit takes years, and is a skill he is actively teaching our son. Look for someone who has a similar skill and you will be set for many years to come!
The best instructors are those who also have a rock solid foundation in music theory, or another instrument, or who are songwriters. Having that additional skill set affords the instructor the ability to expose your child to what being a well-versed musician means, and should they take this as a career path, many more options to keep the income flowing.
Excitement
Your child should always walk away from their lessons knowing that they can “do it!”. The best teachers are able to infuse excitement into every session, while being strict enough to make sure the basics get mastered. John’s teacher has continued to encourage him to work on his skills, yet never shying away from correcting even the most nuanced technical error, by providing a balance of positive feedback that promotes practice and dedication, with a caring/firm “you need to work on this, and this is why”. The ability for a teacher to explain “why” your child needs to work on a specific technique can be a real motivator. For our son knowing that if he can master all of the rudiments, he will be able to play any fill, is a constant reminder to keep practicing. If your child’s teacher can explain the “why” alongside the “how to”, then you are on to a winner. Too many teachers follow a method book, look at the clock, and create bored students (This is true across all teaching). Many teachers are not able to articulate to their young students how learning ‘paradiddles’ leads to funky grooves. Look for a teacher who follows a method, but with years of experience, knows how to tailor it for each student’s unique needs and wants, and more importantly can communicate the “whys” to your child.
Lifelong learning
In almost every class since primary school (all the way through university) how many times have you wondered, “WHY am I learning this?” The WHY is often more important than the HOW - especially for younger learners who just want to rock out! Look for a teacher who will always show your child the path to being a lifelong learner. “Why are we learning ‘rudiments’? Because in a month I’ll show you how to translate that into some really complicated fills across the kit!” A great teacher knows how to give students a roadmap to their learning. If you do this in any subject area (including drumming), then your child will want to follow the road all the way to the end - and then ask “so what’s next?”.