Drums Course

Drums Courses

Découvrez le clip d'un de nos ateliers, là où nos élèves jouent ensemble ;)

Program

In drum lessons, learning is done through exercises, but also through music from your favorite artists. For the youngest, the introductory phase classes are focused on fun and games. There is no age limit to start playing an instrument; children, teenagers, adults or seniors, our classes are open to all.

For beginners, it is important to understand that learning this instrument requires work and patience. At this level, it is important to focus on playing technique in order to immediately adopt the right reflexes. First, we will explore different basic rhythms and grooves to develop coordination and allow the beginner to progress with precision and fluidity. This approach is not limited to drums but is also applied to different percussion instruments such as the practice pad and body percussion. We do not require the student to take two years of vibraphone lessons like at the conservatory for example. With regular practice, the beginner will be able to play more complex rhythms and progress to a more advanced level.

For intermediate drummers, the field of possibilities is already very vast! Different musical genres are covered such as pop, rock, jazz, funk and many others. Different playing techniques specific to the genre will be learned according to the students' desires and preferred styles. If you are a metal fan, for example, we will focus on mastering the double pedal, which involves using both drum pedals to create complex and fast rhythmic patterns. We will explore syncopated rhythms and more sophisticated drum patterns to improve your ability to play with precision and variety. Our goal at Apolline School of the Arts is to help you develop a deeper understanding of rhythm and musicality by enabling you to play more creative and interesting drum patterns. Finally, it is at this stage of practice that your style as a drummer asserts itself. We will focus on self-expression and how to showcase your own playing style. Our school aims to help you progress while having fun and enjoying your drumming. 

For advanced drummers, you have already acquired a solid experience in the instrument that we want to push further. We focus on technical aspects such as improvisation, score reading, jazz solos, perfecting playing dynamics, complex polyrhythms, just to name a few! If the student wishes, he or she can also join one of our contemporary music workshops to experiment with playing in a group. Even if the level of requirement is high at this stage, it is important to keep in mind that playing an instrument should be an enriching experience and a source of motivation at any level. Pleasure above all!

In short, our lessons are personalized in order to best meet the needs and objectives of each student, whatever their level. Our teaching at Apolline School of the Arts is designed to help students reach their full musical potential through the drums, and beyond!

Objectives and skills

Development of key skills:

  • Independence
  • Coordination
  • Groove
  • Breaks, fills, exits
  • Rudiment

Discover on this link all the skills developed during drum lessons with us.

This study is done through pieces of music of various styles, chosen according to the tastes of the student(s), in order to correspond to their desires and desires. Students will also learn the maintenance and structure of their instrument, as well as how to read scores.

Concerning this last point, it is important to specify that at Apolline's, music theory is integrated into the instrument course, sparingly and in a manner consistent with the subject studied by the child. Thus, theory sticks to practice and becomes digestible and interesting. To learn more about this subject, see our article on music theory lessons.

Learning music with Apolline

How do you get out of the usually rigid framework of the early years of musical learning found in most schools in Switzerland? 

Based in Lausanne, Apolline has a different philosophy. Rather than offering children and teenagers the opportunity to learn in individual lessons, the emphasis is on small group lessons - of 2 or even 3 students, depending on the instrument. This group work will encourage listening, playing with others, improvisation, as well as a sense of musical sharing. The students will progress technically, while having the pleasure of playing music. The extra motivation generated by learning and progressing together is an important driving force.

The groups are always formed according to the age and level of competence of the students, in order to allow a coherent exchange and dynamic progression. For more information, see our article on private VS semi-private music lessons.

Apolline offers its students the possibility of integrating a music band workshop, in addition to the basic instrument course, to allow them to play with other musicians of their own age. Accompanied by a teacher, they will learn to play in a group, through covers or their own compositions.

Prices

Cours Duration Monthly price* One price**
Children and adolescents (under 18):
Semi-Private - 2 students 40 minutes 111.00 CHF 1'250.00 CHF
   
Children and adolescents (under 18):
Privé 30 minutes 149.00 CHF 1'690.00 CHF
Privé 40 minutes 166.00 CHF 1'890.00 CHF
Privé 50 minutes 179.00 CHF 2'090.00 CHF
   
Adults (from 18 years old):
Privé 30 minutes 166.00 CHF 1'890.00 CHF
Privé 40 minutes 175.00 CHF 1'990.00 CHF
Privé 50 minutes 189.00 CHF 2'190.00 CHF

* 12 monthly payments from September to August (voir notre règlement).
** Price for payment of the full year's courses in one payment.

Prices are valid for an annual registration (courses from September to June). All fees are included in the prices listed. Registration during the year is possible (prorated according to the number of remaining courses)

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Learn more

Like all instruments, learning to play the drums can be a complex and demanding task, especially at the beginning. If you love music, rhythms and think you have good coordination, then the "Drum" is for you. Our teacher is there to guide you in your progression, because solidifying the basics in a school via a professional drummer will grant you a correct and reliable technique.

In our opinion, there is no minimum age to start drumming at Apolline. Children can enroll from a very young age, although we recommend waiting until age 6 to start. It is important to keep in mind that playing any instrument is a musical process that requires time and patience. We obviously encourage adults to take the plunge, keeping in mind that it may take more time and determination than for children. Regardless of the age of the learner, Apolline's drum instruction focuses on the learner's enjoyment and motivation, encouraging creativity and a love of music.

There are several basic exercises to improve one's technique and thus climb the levels. For a beginner, the first rhythms are often based on a simple rhythmic signature, such as 4/4, which is often found in rock music for example. The basic drummer's rhythm is called the "backbeat"; the student hits the bass drum on beats 1 and 3 and hits the snare drum on beats 2 and 4. Before you start playing jazz solos, you need to start with the musical foundation!

Unless you have a soundproof studio at home, it can be difficult to set up a drum set at home without disturbing your family and neighbors. One solution can be to purchase an electronic drum set. But beware, electronic drums have advantages and disadvantages. One of the negative points is the feel and sound. Electronic instruments tend to be less responsive and offer less feel, dynamics and touch than an acoustic drum set, which can affect the way beginners learn technique. That said, with the right approach and resources, beginners can learn and develop solid drumming techniques on an electronic drum set. When it comes to learning coordination and basic rhythms, electronics are more than enough, and many newer models are getting closer and closer to the feel of a real drum set.

Yes, drums are more expensive than a guitar... The price of a drum set depends on several factors, such as the quality, the brand, the number of pieces and the type of drum set (acoustic or electronic). The prices of drums can vary considerably, from 200-300 francs to several thousand. Acoustic drums are generally more expensive than electronic drums because they are made from natural materials and require more labor to build. A real drum set will be more "musical". In addition, it is the so-called "hardware" parts that cost the most. These are the metal parts that form the structure of the drums, to hold the drums, cymbals,... Electronic drums, on the other hand, are often less expensive because they have lower production costs and require less maintenance.The number of parts in the drum set is also an important factor in determining the price. A standard drum set usually includes a bass drum, snare drum, toms, ride cymbal, crash cymbal and hi-hat pedal. It is advisable to look at second hand offers on the internet, there are often good deals to be had!

Yes, a drum lesson can be taught online via webcam. With the advances in technology and the popularity of online lessons since the pandemic, many teachers of all kinds are now using webcams to teach their students. Webcam drum lessons are still not optimal, although they can be beneficial for students with busy schedules or who live far from their teacher. We use several methods to teach online, using visual aids and screen sharing tools to enhance the quality of the lesson. It is important to note that a face-to-face class will always be more effective than an online class, especially when the teacher and student are playing simultaneously. Webcam courses can therefore offer a satisfactory teaching quality for motivated and autonomous students. It is important to note that at Apolline, our teachers do not travel to your home to give lessons.

There is no particular diploma given to students throughout their learning process. Indeed, Apolline favors learning that is based on pleasure through progression and not on performance. This is why we do not organize exams, and why there are no diplomas. Every year we organize a festival with the colors of the school: The Apolline Fest. You can read our article on this subject. Each student who wishes to do so has the opportunity to register and perform in front of an audience of friends and family. This is a good opportunity to showcase all the work done during the year. It is also common for our teachers to write letters of recommendation for students to help them achieve their goals. In addition, for experienced students, our teachers offer a professional curriculum to prepare motivated students for the art school entrance exams. All of our music teachers have a degree from an art school.

At Apolline, we organize workshops for the most motivated students who wish to discover playing in a group. Within this framework, we encourage our students to perform in concerts, in particular in bars/clubs in the city of Lausanne as well as during the annual Apolline Fest. This program is not suitable for beginners, but rather for students who have already mastered their instrument. A workshop room with good acoustics is available to the students to allow them to play in the best possible conditions. Our workshop teacher, who has a lot of experience on stage, aims to pass on his passion for live performance to his students. We will also teach them to acquire a good stage presence and the specific codes of the stage world. We make sure that the pieces chosen are enjoyable for everyone, in order to guarantee an enriching experience mixing fun, work and progress.

First of all, each style has its own technical requirements and needs hours of work. Sometimes the simplest, most repetitive patterns are the most difficult to perform accurately. That said, here are some styles of music that are generally considered particularly demanding for drummers: Jazz: Jazz is a musical style that emphasizes improvisation and complex rhythmic coordination. Jazz drummers must be able to play syncopated rhythms, complex accents and time variations while maintaining a sense of tempo. Fusion: Fusion is a style of music that blends elements of jazz, rock and funk. Fusion drummers must be able to play complex rhythms at fast tempos while maintaining a strong rhythmic cohesion with the other musicians. Progressive Metal: Progressive metal is a musical style that combines the complexity of jazz with the power of metal. Progressive metal drummers must be able to play intricate patterns using double pedal techniques and fast, precise strokes. Latin Music: Latin music is a style of music that emphasizes syncopated rhythms and percussion. Latin music drummers must be able to play complex clave rhythms while interacting with other percussion. Drum and Bass: Drum and Bass is a style of electronic music that emphasizes fast, syncopated rhythms. Drum and Bass drummers must be able to play complicated rhythms while maintaining a fast tempo and synchronizing their playing with electronic sounds.

Binary and ternary rhythms are two types of rhythmic divisions that are commonly used in music. The binary rhythm is divided into two equal parts. This means that beats are divided into two parts, often notated with note figures such as quarter note or white. The beat is usually experienced as being divided into two strong beats, which are often accented on the first beat and the third beat (if the measure has four beats). An example of a binary rhythm is the standard "rock" or "pop" rhythm, where the beat is divided into two equal parts and the strong beats are usually accented on the first and third beats (if the measure has four beats). In contrast, a ternary rhythm is divided into three equal parts. The beats are therefore divided into three parts, often notated with note figures such as dotted quarter note or dotted eighth note. The beat is usually experienced as being divided into three strong beats, which are often emphasized on the first beat. An example of a ternary rhythm is the waltz, where the beat is divided into three equal parts and the strong beats are usually accented on the first beat.