Drumsticks Jeff RichSecondary Schools

The Masterclass lasts for an hour and a half and Jeff can cater for up to 200 students in a workshop. He has a technician who comes in to set up the equipment, this normally takes an hour. There are 2 sections of the Masterclass:

Section 1 – Jeff begins by explaining how he got into the music business, from playing in bands in school to playing and recording with many famous artists including Stretch, Judie Tzuke, The Climax Blues Band, Def Leppard and of course, Status Quo. He explains to students that like any other business, it is hard work, determination and a degree of luck that are the key ingredients to a successful career.

Jeff then talks about the development of the drum. Students will learn how technological changes through the centuries have led from animal skins being stretched over hollow logs, to modern plastic skinned drums, designed to stay in tune.

Jeff starts with African drums and then onto the old European military drums, right through to the modern snare drum where he demonstrates a few rudiments. Students are selected to play various drums all through the session.

Section 2 – This section deals with the drum kit and percussion. Each part of the kit is explained and Jeff goes through different styles of playing including independence tuning etc.

Jeff then plays a solo on the kit to show how versatile a drum kit can be. The results at times are breathtaking as he demonstrates the skills of a professional musician.

After the drum solo Jeff invites up to 100 students at a time to play percussion and drums with him.( There are 200 pieces of percussion for the students to choose from). Usually, everyone gets up and plays an instrument and there are two attempts at this until everyone has joined in.

When everyone has sat down Jeff likes to invite drummers in the audience to come up and play his kit. It is quite a large kit and he likes to give the drummers this opportunity. To round off the Masterclass, if there is time, Jeff invites the students to ask him questions about the workshop or music in general.

Evening Workshops For Parents & Friends

Jeff is also available for evening workshops with Parents and friends. This a relaxed and informal evening where parents get involved and also have the opportunity to ask Jeff questions about his career and life on the road.

“Thank you for a great afternoon with the drumming and percussion workshop.
I have had some really positive feedback from the students who took part and it must make you feel quite proud when you meet up with a young musician like Jamie who started his career in drumming because of a workshop you ran some 8 years before when he was in primary school. It’s good to know that you are also very much in touch with what goes on in secondary school music.

I’ll certainly recommend the workshop to other schools whenever the opportunity arises and please keep me in touch with any gigs that you might do in the future.”

Ian • Tomlinscote School
“The pupils are speaking about your masterclass and how much they enjoyed. We also have a lot of pupils who want to change their instrument to drums. Anyway, I’ve included three quotes from pupils who attended your class;

“When I went up to play the drums I thought to myself, I want to do this for a living. Rockin’ all over the World” – Stuart Cairns S1

“I thought that the drumming masterclass was really good. I enjoyed learning how to do a drum roll, ‘mummy, daddy’ is a very good way to learn it!” – Katie Ballingall S2

“I enjoyed being able to get up on stage and play the drum kit, as well as, getting positive comments from Jeff. Thanks” – Kyle McAulay S6″

Lynne Miller • Buckhaven High School
“As a parent at Trinity School I’d just like to thank you for last night which was thoroughly enjoyable. Your presentation was really professional and engaged not only the young people but everyone who was there.

I think it revealed to the parents how many young able drummers we have at the school.”

Stuart Durrant, Parent • Trinity School
Thank you so much for coming into our school yesterday. We all really enjoyed your workshop. I had no idea of the skills required for drumming; it really opened my eyes.

Your talk was very inspiring and one of the pupils said, “I have learnt that if you really enjoy something and you put your mind to it you can achieve your goal”

Karen Knowles, Careers Assistant • Bolton School Senior Girls
“A huge thank-you for the Drum Masterclass at Macmillan Academy the other day. It was a fantastic event and truly inspiring for both students and staff.

The students have not stopped taking about it since, a truly inspirational and enjoyable experience. I will be recommending you to other schools.”

Mrs C Frankish, Acting Head of Music • Macmillan Academy
Can I say a massive thank you on behalf of everyone at Hilbre for your brilliant workshop this morning. Inspiring, entertaining, interactive and fun are just some of the words I would use to describe it. I very much look forward to welcoming you back soon for part 2 and I will certainly pass your details onto other colleagues in Wirral schools.

The event will be remembered by all, but particularly by those who got the chance to play on the big drum kit. You could see the delight in their faces.

Thanks for giving up your time to visit us at Hilbre and please pass on our thanks to Wayne your technician.

Mark Bellamy, Headteacher • Hilbre High School Humanities College