'Drumming' up self-confidence

Richard Quinn started drumming aged five and by the time he was 24 had set up his own drum school in Barnsley. Helen Williams is a student.

I contacted Richard Quinn some years ago and asked him if drum lessons might improve my confidence. "They'll definitely do that," he said. "But you might annoy your neighbours..."

I daren't speak for my neighbours, but I can say I've gone from being a complete drum novice to playing a couple of gigs, recording versions of Bon Jovi and Eric Clapton songs, and having lots of fun.

Fun is a main component in Richard's tuition but he will make you work. And there's no getting away from practice. Richard, whose dad was a professional drummer, has had plenty of that.

He said: "From 16 to 24 I played all over the UK and across Europe in rock covers bands. I've played venues from city halls to holiday camps to military bases. But it's not all great - I've also played some of the biggest dives in the country."

Richard's dad had advised him that he needed a back-up to gigging because of the financial insecurity and the rigours of travelling, and the young drummer found himself teaching, initially from his mum and dad's extension at their Monk Bretton home.

He set up the Richard Quinn School of Drums based in Doncaster Road ten years ago alongside the Andy Stocks Guitar School.

"Andy and I have been mates since we met at a jam night when I was 14," said Richard, now 33.

The two musicians collaborate on a range of activities for students including Rock Crew and Rock Orchestra.

Rock Crew is aimed at players who are well into their development while Rock Orchestra is an entry level programme. Both get students into a live band experience, with Richard and Andy sorting out venues, equipment and sound and lighting.

"It's about giving people the chance to gig," said Richard. "When we started there was nowhere for young kids to play - we had to put things together ourselves and it was always little pubs. Now we have 12 to 14 young bands and Rock Crew plays to crowds of 300-400."

The drum school provides professional tuition - via six CRB police-checked tutors - to students aged six to 65.

The school offers Rockschool and Guildhall drum grade exams and also has a recording studio. It runs summer camps and drum clinics with some of the top drummers in Europe like Jason Bould and Craig Blundell and there are

trips to see 'superstar' drummers like Thomas Lang.

"We've had students go off to the London colleges,  establish themselves in the music industry and start their own businesses," says Richard, who also teaches drum courses for Sheffield College.

Drummers may have a reputation for being a bit crackers but Richard says drumming helped keep him on the straight and narrow.

He said: "Parents tell me that not only has drumming given their kids more musical confidence but it has made them more confident in everything."