News
2017 teaching weekend with Robert Brian
 Rob will be offering individual lessons at the studio in Totnes, over Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April 2017; prices for lessons will be £50 for an hour, or £80 for a 2-hour session. Places are on a strictly first come, first served basis, and there is limited availability. Lessons can be reserved now, & must be paid in full by 31st March 2017. Rob is one of the most exciting players & educators in the UK, & has a wealth of experience across a multitude of styles & genres; his "Technique & Musicality" DVD is a superb resource for students & tutors alike. Some of the names Rob has worked with are -
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Crowdfunding new drums for Park School
I'm raising funds for a new Yamaha Manu Katche Junior drum set with Istanbul Mehmet cymbals for Park School in Dartington, Devon. Having been lucky enough to teach at Park for the last 7 years, I've seen some brilliant talent come through, often from a very early age. In order to give these children the best start, I feel they deserve the best instruments available. My commitment is to perform & record the entire All-American Drummer book, by Charley Wilcoxon; 150 solos in all. I'll be posting a new solo each week, on Instagram & Twitter (#WilcoxonChallenge), also on Facebook & YouTube. To donate, just go to the Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/parkdrums & please share widely. For more information about Park School, please visit http://www.parkschoolonline.com/ My thanks go to Claire Brock for coming up with the initial concept of the Wilcoxon Challenge, and to Matt at Sia Drums UK.  |
Colin Woolway Teaching Weekender in Totnes
I'm delighted to announce that I'll be hosting Drumsense founder & UK drum education legend Colin Woolway this May. Colin will be providing individualised private tuition at the studio in Totnes, on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May 2016. The lessons are £50 for an hour, or £80 for 2 hours. To book your lesson, or should you have any questions, please contact me on 01803 414151 or email james.sharp@drumsense.com at your earliest convenience. Places are limited, and will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.  |
Music Teacher magazine
I'm very happy to have contributed a couple of features for this month's Music Teacher percussion issue. You can download the issue here.  |
Steve White teaching weekender in Totnes
Following on the success of last year's teaching weekender with the amazing Craig Blundell, I am thrilled to announce that I will be hosting world great & UK drumming legend Steve White, this September. Steve will be offering one to one private tuition at the studio in Totnes, on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 2015. Should you wish to book a lesson, please contact me on 07888898925 or email james.sharp@drumsense.com at your earliest convenience. Places are limited, and will be on a first come, first served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.  Steve has been playing professionally since the age of 16. He is probably best known for his association with Paul Weller, both in the Style Council & as a vital part of Paul’s solo career. Some of the other names Steve has performed and/or recorded with are – The Who, The James Taylor Quartet, Oasis, Ian Dury, Paul McCartney, Dr John, Carleen Anderson, Jon Lord, Ocean Colour Scene, Trio Valore, Galliano & many more.
Steve was the youngest musician to perform at the Live Aid concert, and is one of a select few to have performed at both Live Aid & Live 8. He is currently helping put the finishing touches to an album by his new band, The Family Silver, featuring long-time partner in crime Damon Minchella on bass, Justin Shearn on keys, and the magnificent Matt Deighton on guitar & vocals. Steve is one of the UK’s most vital educators, and is the teaching lynch-pin of the annual Freddie Gee Drum Academy, currently in its 15th year; his enthusiasm for drums & passion for music is infectious, with students travelling from all over the UK & Europe to study with him. |
Istanbul Mehmet cymbals
 The new cymbals have been in place in the studio for the last few weeks, & I am absolutely blown away by the sounds & the amazing quality of these handmade instruments. Put simply, they actually inspire you to play more, & to play differently. I cannot ask for more from any instrument. This of course means, that every single student will be using the very best in professional quality cymbals from their very first lesson onward. I am also excited to join the team of UK educators for Istanbul Mehmet. The models I am using are as follows;
To see & hear these cymbals in person, simply either book a lesson, or contact me to arrange a viewing by appointment. For sales enquiries within the South West & Wales please contact Nick Hopkin Drums - 01873 739138, email nick@nickhopkindrums.com For sales enquiries elsewhere in the United Kingdom please contact Drum Shop UK - 0191 4187113, email info@drumshop.co.uk For any other enquiries regarding Istanbul Mehmet cymbals please email info@istanbulmehmet.co.uk  |
Drum Wisdom - Bob Moses
 This book has also been out of print for a while, but is really too good not to be read, enjoyed & shared. It's full of great insights, common sense & above all, musicality. |
Brush Artistry - Philly Joe Jones
 It's a great little book for getting started on brushes, & it's been out of print for years. Feel free to share; |
Change of details
 Now that we finally have a landline at the studio, the business telephone number has now changed to: - o1803 414151. Please note that this number is for non-urgent calls. For any other calls please use 07888 898925, or email james.sharp@drumsense.com Many thanks, James |
Old School - Nu Skool Drum Day, featuring Steve White & Craig Blundell
 Sunday September 9th 2012 will see Steve White & Craig Blundell making a welcome return to the west country, appearing at The New Continental Hotel, Plymouth. The event will kick off at midday, with attendees enjoying 4 hours of intensive drum tuition with Steve & Craig. There will then follow a break, during which a buffet will be available, included in the day ticket price of £35. The day will then resume with an evening masterclass scheduled for 7pm start. Tickets for the evening event only are available at £10 or £5 for under 16s. Tickets are available from myself, via PayPal; Alternatively, you can purchase tickets from Vibes Music on (01752) 603563 or from Clive's Drums on (01752) 266626. Places for the day event will be strictly limited, so please order your tickets ASAP in order to avoid missing out. I hope to see you there, please say hello if you can make it. James |
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