Lesson Feesfrom $22.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
Alex is a professional drummer and music teacher from London with twenty years performing and teaching experience. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and for the last 20 years has been performing and recording in the UK at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Jazz Cafe and Abbey Road Studios with musicians such as Michael Olatuja, Miles James, Ash Soan, Laurie Blundell (Cityfall), Jo Caleb, Tom Cawley, Jeremy Stacey, Wally Badarou and Bob Clearmountain. As well as teaching in colleges and schools, Alex also runs a successful private teaching business called Drum Lessons Greenwich.
Alex is a versatile musician having studied Jazz, Classical, Brazilian and West-African music with distinguished teachers such as Barak Schmool, Ian Carr & David Corkhill. His father, Phil Gould, is a founding member of successful British group Level 42. Alex is an experienced improviser both on drums and piano, drawing upon a wide range of musical influences. He also trained to an advanced level in the Kodály Method, an approach to music education aimed at developing an understanding of music through the experience of singing. Alex has a love of great songwriting and is a published songwriter and music producer with experience in modern production techniques and tools including Ableton Live and Avid Pro Tools.
Alex qualified as a teacher of the Alexander Technique in 2009 from the Centre for the Alexander Technique in London and later continued his professional development with Nelly Ben-Or MBE, the world’s leading exponent of the application of the technique to piano playing. The technique aims at the awareness and removal of unnecessary tension in the performance of an activity. His own playing has benefited greatly from it and he has stayed injury-free throughout his career. Alex applies it’s principles in his lessons, giving students a means of playing with greater freedom, preventing back-ache, tendonitis and other chronic injuries, allowing them to enjoy music even more!
Each lesson will focus not only on WHAT music to play, but also WHY and HOW you should play it. I start from the ground up introducing the essential elements in a step-by-step approach that will not only have you playing straight away but will also give you an understanding of what to play and when. My experience as an Alexander Technique teacher informs my lessons and I teach my pupils to play with good posture and without excessive tension.
- Testimonials -
"During a gig shortly after my first lesson, I found that I had greater control over the effects of stage fright, something I am very grateful for. As a drummer, the lessons with Alex have helped to identify postural habits that have blocked my potential and to develop a technique that harnesses power without creating excess physical tension. The benefits of the lessons have continued to unfold over time, and I am a calmer, more present individual as a result. I highly recommend Alex for his integrated approach to drumming and the Alexander Technique.” - Simon H., drum kit & Alexander Technique lessons.
"I met Alex with the intention of learning a few chops to play around with while having some fun on the kit. While working to my needs and preferred styles, Alex's knowledge and enthusiasm for music as a discipline made me eager to learn more and develop in areas I didn't know existed. Alex's approach to teaching is holistic, integrating the drums into their wider musical context. His way of teaching is friendly and relaxed, respecting the student's personal way of grasping musical concepts. I often find myself fascinated by how he methodically simplifies and explains rather complicated ideas relating to feel and technique. He has made a huge contribution to my understanding of the relationship between mind, body and sound while playing. I like the vibe of his studio and I am always looking forward to our regular session." - Alex B., drum lessons
"Really fantastic drum teacher, patient and experienced. He has made learning so much fun for our son. Highly recommending for professional and thoughtfully put together lessons!" - Elle F., drum lessons
"Alex is a great teacher. Professional and approachable. I love having lessons with him and the kit and studio is fab." - Jennifer N., drum lessons.
Bmus Jazz/Classical Percussion - Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Qualified teacher of the Alexander Technique (MSTAT)
Deconstructing famous songs. Working from 'Fresh Approach to the Drumset', 'Stick Control', 'The Art of Bop Drumming', 'Modern School for Snare Drum', 'Wilcoxon - the All-American Drummer' and more. Vocalization using Takadimi.