Drummin’ Time is operated from a South London based studio in the UK by professional drummer John Davies.
Offering one-to-one lessons, free online lessons and also online courses (coming soon).
JOHN DAVIES
Meet The Teacher
John began playing the drums in 1991 and performed his first paid gig at the age of 16. He went on to study a DipHe in Popular Music Performance (2000) and then a BA degree in Jazz Performance (2002).
He has since performed and recorded with various ensembles across Europe in many genres including Rock, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Soul, Folk and R&B. He performed on the London Greek scene for 17 years playing odd-time folk rhythms and traditional dance beats. He has also played at some of the countries most prectigious venues including Alexandra Palace, Jazz Cafe and the NEC Birmingham.
He has previously worked with Donald Griffiths (UK No.1 Reggae band ‘Aswad’) on his solo reggae projects, worked as a session drummer for Ron Pope (Vampire Diaries) on his Atlanta Tour, and has more recently been spending time in the studio doing recording sessions for various artists.
John has been teaching professionally since 2004 and has taught students from ages 4 to 74. Starting out as a peripatetic tutor for Southern County Music Services, he was then invited to teach at Drumtech Institute (formerly Tech Music School, now BIMM Institute) which he did for 7 years. Many of his past students have gone on to become professionals themselves.
Testimonials
Having been a self taught drummer I can honestly say that starting to take lessons with John was one of the best musical decisions I have ever made!!!! Within 6 months of working with John I could already use a far better vocabulary and the guys in the band can confirm this. John is an excellent listener and will make sure you get the best use from your time. He is also one of the nicest guys and makes the whole process fun and enjoyable. He has helped me out with technique, vocabulary, my own music where I've been stuck and the absolute most important thing...... How to practice to make the best use of my time between classes. The lesson plan is well structured according your abilities with a view to achieving your long term goals.
If your thinking of taking lessons I would highly recommend John.
H Soyer
Although I played the drums in my teenage years, I didn't undertake formal lessons. Now, some 20 years on, I picked up the sticks again and started lessons with John in an attempt to address my numerous shortcomings. He accurately assessed my level of competence and has encouraged and developed my playing over the past year. I have really enjoyed the experience as John's approach is patient, supportive and challenging (at the right level), his instructions are clear and his teaching materials support effective progression. His lessons are great fun – especially when we deconstruct a song – and his own talent and knowledge shine through.
G Thompson
John Davies has been teaching drums at our school since January 2014. I first met John when he came in for an interview and trial lesson. I was very impressed with John's knowledge and obvious ability with drumming, but most importantly his approach to teaching. He was very clear about the direction that he planned to take his students during lessons, including curriculum content and the formal examination process.
John has a very kind and caring nature with his students, and his passion for drumming is contagious - all of his students have developed a love for playing and practising the instrument. He keeps parents well informed about their child's progress, most notably through performance video clips, which have been a big success amongst the parents here. The children are progressing quickly and are developing key skills for the instrument. I have been most impressed by the professionalism and joy with which he approaches every day of teaching at our school. I would recommend him to organisations and individuals alike.
Rachael McKoy (Head of Music, Fircroft School)
I started to learn to play the drums in my forties. It is not easy to take up something completely new having followed a fairly high pressure career and being used to generally doing things well and being the person in control. Suddenly you become this useless person with no co-ordination. To deal with this you need a teacher who commands your respect, clearly knows exactly what he is doing, and has the patience and ability to deal with your inevitable frustration. John has all these things, and he is makes the process enjoyable. He has the experience to deconstruct what you are doing and build things up slowly.
Regardless of how much time you can give to practice or what level you are at with your drumming - John would always give a lesson 100%, make it interesting and try to find new ways to capture your attention. Not only that - he is a great person to spend an hour with - and when you do not have many hours a week to spare, this is an important consideration.
I would recommend John Davies to anyone. Whatever time you have to give to learning to play the drums, he will enable you to make the best of your ability.
T Bourne Ph.D
I'd been playing drums for a while without formal lessons, and when I started learning with John he was brilliant at initially assessing my level, and throughout, giving me a framework to work out where the gaps were and how I could develop to become a much better drummer. From early days basics, to playing songs and learning more complex exercises, every lesson is fun, filled with enthusiasm and I always come away feeling like I've moved on. It's great to learn from someone who is clearly a very talented drummer, and also a patient and encouraging teacher.
L Winder
John's knowledge, technique and experience on drums shows through in everything he teaches. His lessons are always very clear and well-thought out and the material very well chosen. John is patient and respectful and his lessons are always interesting and enjoyable.
M Keating
My son has really enjoyed his lessons with John over the past few years. I think the progress after each lesson is noticeable, and I definitely appreciate his flexibility in fitting into our family's hectic schedule!
L Rees
I started with drummin time as a complete beginner at 25 simply out of a desire to try something new. After the first lesson - awkwardly bashing away to some music- I was hooked. The lessons have been a perfect blend of music theory applied to playing songs and having a laugh. It has opened me up to music genres I never thought I would like- especially jazz! - and has left me annoying housemates and commuters alike with incessant tapping and air drumming to songs I'm trying to learn. Fantastic studio, great teacher! I cannot recommend drummin time highly enough! Rock on!
Dr. C James
My son has recently joined drummintime. John has the patients and enthusiasm to keep him focused and able to enjoy his lessons whilst also learning. My son looks forward to his weekly lessons and is learning to play the drums quicker than I could have imagined and I believe this is down to John's teaching technique.
C. Read-Beche
What are the most important skills of a great music teacher? Patience, professionalism, fun, and able to adapt to the student abilities (challenging but not frustrating). It took me a while but I found The Man! His name is John Davies.
A Miribel
John has been teaching my daughter drums for several years during which time she has made excellent progress. John has also worked very hard to ensure she has a good ear for music alongside progressing with the theory and has given her an interest in different types of music genre. His enthusiasm for the drums, both as a teacher and player is evident and this together with his patience and knowledge have inspired my daughter to really enjoy playing the drums.