Expert drum kit Tuition
Unlock your playing potential with professional drum tuition.
Meet the Tutors
Simon Mellish
Simon has been playing drums since 1979 and has spent many years studying the instrument to the highest level. His teachers have included Bob Armstrong, Colin Woolway, Mike Sturgis, Pete Riley and Gary O'toole. he has performed drum kit and snare drum masterclasses for the Royal Marines school of Music, London band week, Drumone drum shop, Academy of Contemporary Music plus many other notable drumming events.
Simon is also an active performer, playing around 200 gigs each year.
James Brierley
James is a long serving student of Simon's. His superb ability and technical understanding has seen him perform in many funk, latin and big band settings. James regularly stands in for Simon if needed and proven a high level of maturity in these playing scenarios. James also has an excellent talent for teaching and has shown that he can give new students exactly what is required to get them drumming! James Passed his grade 8 drum kit exam with a distinction and performs with his Aether on regular basis also.
Curriculum
Drum kit
Beginner students study from the highly respected Drumsense Teaching Method which is designed to enable the student progress through a series of grooves and fill - ins culminating in a comprehensive playing vocabulary.
Snare Drum Technique
Using Simon's book Technique Evolution, the student learns grip technique, rolling, rudiments and 46 sticking combinations. Students also study from Syncopated Rolls for the Modern Drummer which covers phrasing as well as roll applications. The highly respected Moeller system is a big part of the advanced snare technique study at Hybridstix drum Teaching Studio.
Stylistic Awareness
Styles:
Latin/Afro Cuban
Linear
Funk
Big Band
Studio work
Sight reading
Jazz / Bebop
Beat Buddies
A ten week course designed with the younger student in mind. Well suited to students aged 6 - 8 years old.
Drum kit Exams
Drum kit exams are taught using both RSL Awards and Trinity Rock and Pop syllabus. Our current pass rate stand at 100% over the last 33 years with 87% of students reaching a distinction result.
Exams are used primarily as a system of assessment and are integrated into the lesson structure.
