Drum Zen Tutor - Sam Green

Playing

I started playing drums 9 years ago at the age of 13. I remember my initial inspiration came from watching Mitch Mitchell's energetic playing with Jimi Hendrix on television. I have been hooked on music and drums ever since.

Initially inspired by the great rock players and more contemporary metal artists, I started playing in bands with my friends, practicing every weekend and learning to play my favourite songs. I played in numerous bands whilst at school, most notably metal outfit Nokturne, with whom I co-wrote and recorded several tracks.

By the age of 18, I was convinced that music was what I wanted to do with my life and I set about raising the funds to send myself to music college to further my musical education. I spent 8 months working full time as a postman, practicing in my spare time.

In September 2004, I began studying at The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, undertaking a BTEC National Diploma in Music Performance. I received personal tuition from some of the most acclaimed tutors in the country, including Pete Riley (www.peteriley.net), Jon Duff and Mike Sturgis. As well as valuable lessons on music theory from gifted bassist, Nick Preston (Jamie Cullum) and tips on stagecraft and performing from guitar legend Pete Friesen (Alice Cooper).

I first heard about the Drumsense programme from Stuart Roberts (a great inspiration to me), who quickly convinced me of its validity during a private tutorial.

I graduated from ACM in July 2005 with a Distinction Merit and a new found confidence in myself and my playing. Since then I have played with many local artists, including a stint with local function band, The Rockafellas, which gave me the opportunity to play a private event at the prestigious Queens Stand, Epsom Downs.

I currently play for up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Tamar Broadbent (www.tamar.org.uk) and I am writing with a new experimental project which aims to recreate drum and bass and electronic ideas in a live situation. More information can be found on my website: www.samgreen.eu

Teaching

I first began teaching whilst at ACM in June 2005. The first couple of lessons left me buzzing; they were so rewarding and I was excited to be paid to do something so close to my heart. After about a month I could feel that teaching was my vocation. To this day I still look forward to each lesson and take great pleasure from passing on my knowledge to my students.

At the start of 2006, I wanted to start structuring my teaching better and it was at this point I investigated the Drumsense programme further. It all seemed so logical. Here was a sure-fire way to teach anyone how to play drums, with maximum efficiency. With a systematic style reminiscent of the book The New Breed, by Gary Chester, the programme effectively develops co-ordination, technique and creativity, all at the same time, and I cannot praise it enough.

Since applying the concepts of the programme to my own practice regime, I have encountered numerous benefits and I feel I have become a more confident and proficient drummer, with a far greater understanding of my instrument.

Sam Green

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