Drum Lessons
Drum lessons from Guitar Shed put you in the lesson room with some of Atlanta’s most talented drum teachers. Percussion has been central in our experience and expression of music through the ages, so it’s no wonder the drumset is the rhythmic backbone of modern popular music. Whether you want to rock like John Bonham, swing like Art Blakey, or break it down like Questlove, our drum teachers focus on what they all have in common – the fundamentals of technique and coordination, the role of timekeeping, and the stylistic elements of grooves, fills, and improvisation.
Our Teachers
Browse teachers below and then book a lesson when you're ready! You'll be able to see specific teacher availability in our Opus scheduling portal!
SOUNDCHECK
Check out what students and parents are saying about Guitar Shed!
"My son had a wonderful experience at Guitar Shed. He received extraordinary one-on-one drum lessons, attended the Camp Woodshed summer camp, participated in the teen band program, and performed at recitals. We are transplants to Atlanta and after our first year here, I commented one day that I wasn’t sure moving to Atlanta was all that I’d hoped it would be. My son responded, “But if we never moved to Atlanta, I would have never experienced Guitar Shed.” That, I think, speaks volumes. My son is now at Interlochen Arts Academy studying music production and engineering. He is also a member of a jazz combo at Interlochen and prepared for his audition for the same at Guitar Shed. Extremely grateful for all!"
- Cheryl
"Great spot for lessons, even for adults! I’ve been playing drums for some time, but struggle to grow without structure. Also, I wanted to try my hand at bass. Coming here every week is a highlight – I continue to grow and learn in both and am amazed by the instructors!"
- Camden
"My daughter has been taking drum lessons from Guitar Shed for about three years now and She really enjoys it! They are very friendly, communicative and professional. They are great with children and adults. I especially like the fact that they keep the parents informed about their child’s progress. What’s also great is that they give children the opportunity to experience being in a band. This helped my daughter, who happens to be an only child, learn teamwork! They have great performances as well. Another plus is that they made great adjustments for Covid safety! I highly recommend Guitar Shed! They are an awesome group of musicians and musical mentors!"
- Cheryl
"I highly recommend Guitar Shed for anyone looking to learn to play an instrument or improve their skills. We have had excellent experiences with guitar lessons from Sean McMorris and drum lessons from Dylan Banks. Not only is their instruction top notch, but so is the entire school experience. From the very first impression, we saw that Guitar Shed was run by kind and friendly people with a passion for teaching music. When the pandemic hit and GS switched to virtual lessons, the school handled it with great professionalism and concern for students. We can’t wait until it’s finally over so we can once again enjoy GS’s fabulous student showcases live and in person."
- Nick
Related Resources
Find instrument related resources and recommendations below:
DRUMSETS
A complete drumset includes:
kick
snare
at least one rack tom
at least one floor tom
cymbals
hardware (stands and pedals)
Drums: Gretsch, Pearl, Ludwig, Tama, DW, Mapex, Yamaha, PDP, Sonor, and Premier.
Cymbals: Sabian, Zildjian, Paiste, Meinl, Istanbul, Bosphorus
Electric Kits: Roland, Alesis, Yamaha
ADULT DRUMS
Note to Students and Parents from our drum teacher Zack….
Here’s a good example of what you’re looking for – complete set with cymbals and hardware (stands). Pretty easy to find on Craigslist or Reverb (like Craigslist but only for musical equipment).
Drumsets are referred to by number of pieces, but the pieces refer to drums only. So a 4-piece kit refers to kick drum, snare drum, mounted tom (aka rack tom), and floor tom. A 5-piece kit typically has two mounted toms. Cymbal setups and drum sizes can vary. Tom sizes will vary and don’t matter too much. Typical kick drum sizes are 20″ or 22″ which is fine for most kids. Small kids do better with an 18″ or 16″ kick drum which are becoming more and more common.
Buying online is your best bet, especially for a used set. Brick and mortar stores sometimes sell used gear, but usually sell drums, cymbals, and hardware separately. Beginner kits with cymbals and hardware included are available, but then you’re paying retail markup for a brand new set. Online, you can often get a better quality/more durable set with cymbals and hardware included for the same or less money.
Brands to look for include Gretsch, Pearl, Ludwig, Tama, DW, Mapex, Yamaha, PDP, Sonor, Ddrum, and Premier. Most of those companies make everything from student models to pro models, so prices will vary widely. Beware of drumsets marketed for kids, they are often glorified toys that won’t stand up to abuse. Better to buy a used set by a known manufacturer than a new one by a knock-off brand. Lookout for dented or torn drumheads, cracked cymbals, and stands that don’t adjust properly (screws stripped, parts bent, etc). These are either deal-breakers or price leverage, as you’ll have to replace them.