Why Choose Al's Drum School?
LEARN FROM THE BEST.
Founded in 2018 Al's Drum School is the culmination of decades of drumming passion from the mind of Alex Moody, a professional touring musician who's played at some of the UK's largest venues. Alex's passion for music and drumming shines through in everything we do here at Al's Drum School and it's his unique and exciting approach to teaching that makes Al's the number one choice for those looking to not only have fun with drumming, but also master it!
LEARN IN WAYS THAT SUIT YOU.
We appreciate that not everyone learns in the same way, which is why we offer all our students a wide variety of lesson types all carried out by fully enhanced DBS checked staff & teachers. Whether you want to come down to our studio, learn via video chat from the comfort if your own home and kit, or if you want to learn on demand from anywhere with our selection of courses and videos, we've got you covered!
LEARN THE AL'S WAY.
Our approach to teaching is unlike anything you've seen before. We incorporate our experience of being professional drummers with decades of experience to instil our knowledge to our students, we don't simply open a drum book and say "play this"! Everything you'll learn at Al's will have context, meaning and experience running through it, so that when you leave you'll not only know how to play the drums but you'll know how to play the drums in your own way!
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...
Experience all that Al's Drum School has to offer with our FREE taster sessions, designed to allow you to dip your toe into the world of drumming without making any financial commitment. Click the button below, book your free taster session, and let us prove to you why Al's is the place you want to learn to play the drums.
"SOMEDAY" IS NOW. START YOUR JOURNEY.
Someday never comes! So instead kick start your drumming journey today and learn alongside Alex Moody and the team! But why choose us? We're glad you asked...
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Learn from experienced professionals!
Founded in 2018 by Alex Moody, a professional touring musician with experience performing at some of the UK's largest venues, Al's Drum School brings decades of drumming passion and expertise to its students. This professional background ensures that students receive high-quality instruction rooted in real-world experience.
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Tailored and Flexible Learning Options
Recognising that each student has unique learning preferences, Al's Drum School offers a variety of lesson formats, including in-studio sessions, online video chats, and on-demand courses. This flexibility allows students to learn in the environment that suits them best, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience.
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Innovative Teaching Approach
Moving beyond traditional methods, Al's Drum School incorporates the extensive professional experience of its instructors to provide lessons with context, meaning, and practical application. This approach empowers students to develop their unique drumming style and confidently apply their skills in real-world scenarios.
Ready to get started? Click the button below to book your first drum lesson, and you'll be taken to the payment page. Once your booking is complete, we'll send you all the details you need to begin your journey. Then, all that's left is to grab your drumsticks, find your rhythm, and start your path to becoming a drumming superstar!
WHY LEARN THE DRUMS?
Whether you want to learn the drums for yourself, or would love to see your child start their musical journey, there are endless benefits! Countless studies have shown the power of learning an instrument, especially the drums. We've even had phycologists write guest blog articles about the incredible results seen when observing someone learning the drums. We've listed some of the most noticeable benefits below.
REDUCE STRESS
Playing drums can relieve frustration, disappointment and stress. Playing for just a few minutes can boost your mood. Similar to a “runner’s high,” drummers’ brains release feel-good endorphins immediately after playing. The physical stimulation of drumming and the sound vibrations that resonate through every cell in the body stimulate the release of negative emotions.
SELF EXPRESSION
Playing the drums can help people express themselves and get in touch with their emotional state. Drumming helps us connect to our core, enhances our sense of empowerment and stimulates our creative expression.
DEVELOP CONFIDENCE
In the act of learning the instrument, drummers develop a growth mindset. That is, you must believe that you can learn challenging parts by starting slow and breaking them down. The skill of breaking complex tasks into manageable parts carries over in many areas of life. Believing you are able to learn difficult material is crucial to overcoming obstacles both in music and in life.
MINDFULNESS
When one plays the drum, they are placed squarely in the here and now. One of the paradoxes of rhythm is that it has both the capacity to move your awareness out of your body into realms beyond time and space and to ground you firmly in the present moment.
INCREASED MOTOR SKILLS
Playing the drums requires a synchronicity between the brains visual encoding and the body’s muscular coordination. Research shows that drummers are better able to control their motor functions, possess a higher degree of dexterity, are better at activities that require steady hands, and have the ability to react quickly.
MENTAL & PHYSICAL FITNESS
Nothing gets your adrenaline flowing like playing the drums! A drum practice session is a great way to break a sweat while having fun. Drum students burn an average of 270.4 calories in 30 minutes just by playing the drumkit and moving to the beat. It sure beats spending hours in the gym!
For more information or sources please click here.
FREE VIDEO LESSON
Learning to play the drums and coming into a studio you’ve never been to before can be intimidating, so here at Al’s we’re on a mission to make you feel excited and confident behind your drums! We wanted to create a gift for you to help get you playing your first drum beat and excited about starting your learning journey.
Sign up to our newsletter below to claim your free lesson and play your first beat!
TIMELINE OF PROGRESS WITH AL'S DRUM SCHOOL
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Choose from in-studio or video call lessons.
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Discuss your goals and current level with your instructor.
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Receive guidance on the best starting point for you.
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Begin your drumming journey with expert support.
First Lessons & Early Stages
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This all depends on your starting level.
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Master fundamental drumming techniques and rhythms.
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Build coordination, timing, and control.
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Develop confidence and fluency on the drum kit or practice pad.
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Work through personalised exercises tailored to your goals.
Learn the Basics / Develop Your Skills
Take Your Grades (If You Want To)
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Work towards recognised drumming qualifications in collaboration with Trinity College London.
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Learn graded pieces, technical exercises, and sight-reading skills.
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Gain a deeper understanding of music theory and drumming concepts.
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Receive step-by-step guidance to prepare for exams.
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Take your exams in house (We are Trinity College London accredited examiners)
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Explore different genres, from rock and pop to jazz, funk, and beyond.
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Learn advanced techniques like double bass drumming, rudiments, and polyrhythms.
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Jam along with your favourite tracks and develop your improvisation skills.
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Understand how to perform in a band or live setting.
Expand Your Repertoire and Style
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Hone your unique drumming style with ongoing lessons.
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Explore professional opportunities, from recording to live performance.
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Receive mentorship and advice tailored to your long-term drumming aspirations.
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Stay motivated and inspired with fresh challenges and personalised goals.
Continue Your Learning
The above is just to act as a guideline of what you can expect from your timeline of learning with Al's Drum School. In reality all lessons and students are unique and our approach is bespoke to each person. However you learn, and whatever your goals, we will be there alongside you.
MEET THE TEAM
Alex Moody, Founder
Alex has had a long and successful career as a professional drummer and found an immense amount of joy and wellbeing from pursuing drumming professionally. He loved it so much that he wanted others to feel that same power the drums had to offer.
While teaching a wide range of students throughout his career, Alex saw the amazing benefits that drumming could bring to someone’s life, even as a hobby. Like when a young boy grows in confidence and is able to show and tell his friends about his amazing new musical skill, or when a student in her mid 50s was able to perform with her favourite local band after wanting to play the drums since she was a teenager. These special life moments are why Al’s Drum School was born.
As a professional touring musician Alex was the drummer for artists and bands like Lloyd Yates & The Dualers. Alex has several Top 40 UK Album credits to his name and in recent years has begone to pursue interests outside of music such as entrepreneurship, music therapy, and mindfulness training.
Guy Dollery, Teacher
Guy has been a core team member since the early days. Guy is an experience drummer and is our primary teacher at our Portslade studio. Guy brings a calm and structured approach to learning perfect for all ages, beginners and advanced drummers alike.
Zal Jones, Teacher
Zal brings experience and energy to Al's Drum School. He predominantly teaches in our Hastings based schools but is often seen helping out elsewhere as well. Zal is very popular with all his students for his energy and enthusiasm.
Joe Donegan, Teacher
Joe teaches in a number of our Hampshire based primary schools and has proved to be very popular with the students who enjoy his energy and enthusiasm for the drums.
George Pickering, Teacher
George teaches at a number of our West Sussex based schools and brings a unique and fun approach to his students. Popular from day one, George is a fantastic addition to the team.
Admin & Support Team
Ask any small business owner and they will tell you "it takes a village to make this work!" - luckily we have an incredible team of people working in the background to ensure Al's Drum School is the best it can be! This team includes Jordan Whittingham (Al's Drum School co-owner), Tom (Admin assistant), and Gillian (Finance Assistant).
"I've been fortunate enough to have a successful musical career, but the excitement of seeing a student learn a new technique - the joy in their eyes when they finally crack it - that beats anything that I've ever experienced on stage."
~ Alex Moody
Al's Drum School In-Schools Programme
We are proud to bring the joy of drumming directly into schools across the South of England. Every month, we inspire and educate over 150 children, helping them develop rhythm, coordination, and confidence through our engaging and interactive lessons. Our in-schools programme is tailored to suit all abilities, from complete beginners to budding drummers eager to refine their skills.
Below, you can see the fantastic schools we currently work with, delivering high-quality music education and nurturing the next generation of drumming talent.
Our mission is to provide as many as people as possible the skills and tools needed to ensure they can learn the drums anyway they choose, and from anywhere they choose!
Whether its through our Sussex based studio, where our incredible team teaches in-person lessons with students from all walks of life and of varying musical abilities, through our on-demand courses such as the Beginners Drum Course, via our biannual Platinum Mentorship programme where we teach the professional musicians of tomorrow how to get a leg up in this competitive profession, or through our in-school teaching at education centres across the South of England - if you're looking to master the drums, Al's Drum School is the place to be!
Contact Number: 07548 502 453
Email: info@alsdrumschool.co.uk
Address: Fort Rockaville Studios, 4 Chapel Road, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1RA