Brendan B.
Drumkit & Bongo Tutor
Qualifications
- First Class BA Music (Hons) degree from the University of Leeds
- Drum Kit Grade 8 Distinction
- GCSE Music (A*)
- A Level Music
Styles Taught
Latin, Jazz, Rock, Funk, Metal, Blues, FusionExperience
Playing
I have been playing for over 20 years and have performed professionally across the country, both in musical productions, functions, and original band gigs. I have a wealth of experience playing various musical styles including jazz, latin, rock, pop and funk.
Teaching
I have been teaching privately since 2007 and have maintained a 100% exam pass rate. My private students have varied in age from 6, to adult students in their 50's. I have established a large private student base from my home studio in Leeds and many of my students now have professional playing careers of their own. I also work as a peripatetic music teacher across West Yorkshire, and have vast experience teaching children of various ages and ability levels.
Teaching Style
My teaching is very much focused on the individual. I assess each student's goals and musical tastes early on and tailor my tuition for their individual requirements. I ensure that all my students have hand-outs/e-mails for each lesson, encompassing the lesson focus, and key areas for further study.
I focus on all the key skills needed for a professional musician, such as reading, playing with solid time, and playing various styles of music authentically, and have developed hundreds of exercises for the development of each skill. From the very first lesson my students will be playing along to music, and developing a strong sense of pulse.
I am a friendly person, a good communicator and a passionate musician who thoroughly enjoys his job. This comes across in my teaching style and enables my students to share the same passion.
Syllabi
I currently teach from the Trinity Guildhall, Rockschool and Trinity Rock & Pop syllabi, though I do not rely on an exam syllabus for my teaching. One of the main reasons I encourage my students to take exams is to help with UCAS point when applying for University, though this is not always necessary. The bulk of my lessons are designed around my own (more diverse) materials, which will enable my students to play a greater variety of music.
Specialties
Styles
Latin, Jazz, Rock, Funk, Metal, World, Blues, Fusion
Skills
Time, Coordination, Feel, Groove, Technique, Transcription, Note Reading, Improvisation
Other Services, Areas of Knowledge & Musicianship
Transcription, Music Theory, Music History, Drum Kit maintenance, Music Analysis, GCSE/A Level music assistance
Teaching Location
Leeds LS9
Lesson Prices
| Lesson length | 30 min | 45 min | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at tutor's location | £15 | £20 | £27.50 |
Student Reviews
Brendan has been teaching my son, Joe, 13, for the last year at Yorkshire Music School in Saltaire. Joe began learning in November 2012 and progressed very quickly, getting a score of 94% in his grade 1 Rockschool exam, in very large part due to Brendan's teaching. I am delighted that Joe is learning with Brendan, who is an excellent and inspirational tutor. He is very skilled at handling young learners and knows both how to connect with Joe, and keep him continually focused on learning in the lesson. I have sat in on nearly every lesson, so have observed him at work - praising, encouraging, picking out both good practice and errors, getting Joe to correct himself, select the best piece, and interspersing theory and notation with playing, correcting posture etc. He also stretches Joe musically, with music selection and more complex rhythms (eg jazz) than Joe might select himself. Joe loves his lessons, in short. From what I have observed (and I have spent my life teaching, if not music), I can recommend Brendan very highly as a music teacher."
I have worked with Brendan for many years, playing all kinds of music with him. As a drummer his technique and musicality are second to none. His deep knowledge of many styles of music strengthens his performance and ensemble playing, and it is a joy to improvise, gig, and record with him. If you want to learn how to play drums properly, he is your man! As a teacher I know he is highly experienced and patient."
As a longstanding student of Brendan's, I have progressed rapidly as a drummer for a number of reasons: Brendan has taught me how to get the most out of my practice time, how to improve all key areas of my technique and musicianship, and has provided me with a wealth of resources taken both from his own experience and in the form of books, pieces, and other materials. He is an absolutely fantastic teacher, a great musical mentor, and to top it all off his lessons are the highlight of my week. He is a great listener and is able to help with everything that I am unable understand without him. I cannot recommend Brendan enough for adult learners like myself."
Brendan's Media
Contact Brendan
After making contact, Brendan will normally be in touch with you within 48 hours. You will also receive a confirmation email, which includes Brendan's contact details.
We guarantee 100% privacy. Please review our Privacy Policy.
