News
Yamaha extends music schools promotion
Andy Barrett Nov 13 2008, 4:05pm
Top drummers backing ‘First Lesson Free’ campaign
Four of the UK’s top drummers are backing a pioneering national music making campaign led by Yamaha Music Schools and aimed at introducing more people to drumming by offering free introductory lessons.
The scheme, championed by Feeder's drummer Mark Richardson (pictured), Amy Winehouse’s sticks man, Troy Miller, Neal Wilkinson (Van Morrison) and Massive Attack and Kylie Minogue drummer, Andrew Small, has the potential to bring a whole new audience to the art, Yamaha is hoping.
There are currently 25 Yamaha Music Schools offering the Drum Encounters course and, alongside guitar tuition, it's one of Yamaha’s fastest growing courses.
“We’re delighted to launch this national push to get more people into music making,” said Yamaha Music School’s manager Nigel Burrows. “It's a very simple idea – we are offering free introductory lessons for all and, following the success of our recent Jools Holland free keyboard lessons promotion, we know many people will subsequently enroll on a YMS course.
The scheme has received the support of a high-powered group of professional drummers, who will be visiting participating schools wherever possible. Their endorsement will help us promote the scheme and raise awareness of drumming. The lesson will introduce people to the fundamentals of the art and cover the basics required to play.”
Mark Richardson added: “I’d like to introduce more people to playing the drums, and I know that Yamaha feels the same way – and what better way to get started than by getting your first lesson totally free. Lots of people want to play but are unsure of where to start so probably never take the first step. This campaign is designed to introduce more people to music making generally and drumming in particular.”
More information on Yamaha Music Schools is available at yamaha-music.co.uk
