Drum Kit Lessons

I’m a drummer who is currently touring original music internationally and nationally. I have a Bachelor of Music (Drum Kit Performance) and 6 months of full-time percussion study in India to my name. I hold a Blue Card and have taught drums and been an ensemble leader at Petrie Terrace State School in Paddington. In 2015 I was chosen to mentor the recipient of an Australia Council ‘Art-Start’ grant and was called upon to teach a study intensive in Sydney. Two of my former students have gone on to graduate university level music education while a third played drums for internationally renown act Emma Louise. I’ve 22 years of playing years of performing and teaching experience.

My aim is to develop well rounded musicians and support the long-term advancement of a student’s potential. I try to keep lessons fun and relevant to people’s artistic journey and I’m good at making music easy to understand. I coach many beginners and kids who are just getting started and I have students as young as 5 years old.

Learn drumming at my studio equipped with 2 beautiful sounding kits, a P.A. and laptop setup that lets us play along to your favorite songs, and a bass guitar rig so I can play bass while you play drums.

Study listening, technique, reading, transcription, time keeping, tone, chops, poly-rhythm or any aspect of the drumming universe!

Testimonials:

“ Dave’s supportive, laid back nature; combined with his passion and creativity on the drums, make him the perfect teacher for all ages. I came to Dave after losing passion for the drums after many years as a professional drummer, and he instilled in me the confidence and inspiration I needed to get back on track. Since then, he has been a supportive and important mentor, always catering to my specific needs and aspirations. I’m so grateful to have Dave as a teacher, and I highly recommend having him teach you or your child in his amazing drum studio. ” – Jaymee Watkin.

“ I first started seeing David Bell for drum lessons after many years of playing in my bedroom, with my drumming skill never taking the right steps forward.

David accessed where my drumming level was at, he also questioned what direction I wanted to take my drumming which is such an important factor. It really did not take long to get things started.

His studio is such a relaxed environment and you get to learn from a great player who has more than obviously worked hard at his drumming and to share his knowledge with you is awesome and I highly recommend him to anyone from beginner to advanced.

I always knew what I wanted from playing the drums and David definitely set me on the right course, his ability to understand and help you improve your technique is amazing.

To learn from a great teacher is priceless, so hit him up. ” – Ben Buckley – Drummer for Adrenaline, Triplet.

“ There are probably as many different approaches to teaching music to children as there are people trying to teach them. Dave is unique in his ability to balance his passion and absolute perfectionism as a drummer with a patient and calm manner. He makes music fun and creative, while still achieving the discipline and technique required for growth and future musical collaboration.

Many teachers will approach music in a mechanical fashion, leading to excruciatingly painful experiences for parents. With Dave, the opposite has occurred. My son is learning to approach music as an expression and a challenge, and I’m sure he has a lifetime of music to look forward to. Thanks Dave for getting this journey started! ” – Rob Sherwood, Guitarist with Roz Pappalardo.

“ Dave is both a talented musician and a talented teacher. He has taken the time to really understand my son, to build on his strengths and to connect to his way of learning. He clearly builds a love of rhythm and commitment to improving in all his students. I feel very lucky that we found him! ” – Rebecca Riggs – mum of Dante, 12 yrs old.

“ Dave is a talented, diligent and intuitive teacher who inspires a love of music. His style is gentle and encouraging. He instinctively knows the language and mode that will best suit the student learner and his techniques for teaching ensure that, although a new beat may be challenging, it is within reach. I remember a day when our son was frustrated and said it was “too hard”. Dave reassured him that “there is no such thing as a hard beat, there are just unfamiliar ones”.; a mantra our son still uses. He is playing that ‘hard’ piece in a talent quest final this week! I would wholeheartedly recommend Dave as a percussion teacher and also as a mentor. In the high pressure world our kids live in, Dave is a breath of fresh air. ” – Leith Henry – Mum of Will, 9 years old.