MEET PROFESSOR JUSTIN PATERSON
ABOUT ME
Professor Justin Paterson has been teaching drums for over 25 years.
He worked as a professional player for over a decade, playing in many styles, including rock, pop, jazz, fusion and world music with a number of well known bands. He has recorded at many of London's studios and performed in a number of countries, as well as making TV and radio appearances.
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Justin has taught hundreds of students of all ages and abilities; beginners, enthusiasts and professionals.
Previous teaching has included a private practice and many schools in South-West London and Surrey, both freelance and working for the Richmond Music Trust, and until 2021 drum teacher at the Richmond Saturday Music Centre, a post he held since 1994. He was also drum teacher at Richmond Upon Thames College until 2004, and was also a course coordinator there, setting up and leading the Music Technology department. Justin was assessed by OFSTED and notionally awarded the only Grade 1 in the Faculty; this is the highest possible grade for teaching excellence.
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In 2004 he moved into the university sector and has worked at London College of Music in the University of West London since then. As Professor of Music Production, he leads a Masters degree course and is a widely published researcher, with partners including BBC, Warner Music Group, Abbey Road Studios, Ninja Tune and MelodyVR. He has given master classes at international conventions in a number of countries, including three in the USA.
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He was commissioned to write the 'definitive' book on drum programming – The Drum Programming Handbook, and is a founder and co-chair of the Innovation in Music conference series.
He has also worked as a professional music producer and composer.
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He has a BSc (Hons) in Electronic Engineering, an MSc in Microelectronic Systems Design, a Cert. Mus. in Contemporary Drum Styles and a doctorate in Music Production. He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is DBS cleared.
Justin loves the drums, and is never happier than sharing his experience and bringing the best out of his students!
LESSONS
Lessons are offered in your own home, at a time of mutual convenience. Alternatively, lessons can be delivered by video call – Zoom, etc.
Typically, lessons will be of a duration of one hour and will take place on a weekday evening or Saturday afternoon.
The fee is £44 per hour, although in addition, a travel allowance might be negotiated depending on distance and alignment with other student visits; this will be kept to a minimum and is an honest reflection of the time/travel commitment to visit you. It is highly unlikely to exceed £5. You might wish to consider how this is offset against your own potential travel and associated time.
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The first lesson is half price.
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Payment is requested at the end of each lesson. I am happy to rearrange prior bookings, but should you wish to rearrange the time or cancel, please note that I operate a 24-hour cancellation policy, by which notice given prior to this period is without charge, but within it payment for the originally scheduled lesson is still liable (in addition to a rescheduled one).
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Whilst other teachers might sometimes be cheaper, the stated fee is a reflection of my experience, qualifications, expertise, and the demand for my services. As with everything, you get what you pay for… if any single lesson fails to fully satisfy, then no payment will be required.
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Every student will be assessed, and through discussion, a custom learning programme will be developed according to the individual's aspirations and requirements – giving the students exactly what they want. Open dialogue is encouraged throughout the lessons, and further support is offered out with lesson times to aid practice.
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Also see the Curriculum section.
TECHNIQUE
Technique is the tool that allows you to express yourself musically.
I offer support in many approaches, including:
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Hand/foot coordination
Phrasing
Linear approaches
Groove
Hand technique (including the Moeller system)
Working with a click or sequencer
Foot technique
Independence
Double Kick Drum
Playing in a band
General tricks!
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There are many other things too, but the list would get too long...
PROGRAMMING
Reading music is very important. It has numerous advantages — from communication with other musicians, understanding written lessons in books, and gaining insight into the actual coordination concepts of drumming.
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It is also a powerful tool for remembering the content of lessons!
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I strongly encourage students to learn to read or develop their current standard, although as an alternative I can offer purely aural lessons too.
GRADES
If you wish to study towards sitting formal grade exams, I can support this and am very experienced in doing so. I have helped more students than I can count towards achieving distinctions, from Grade 1 up to Grade 8.
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However, I never compel students to sit grades, as they simply do not suit everyone's aspirations and learning styles.
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I support drum kit examinations from the Trinity Rock & Pop and Rockschool syllabi.
READING
Reading music is very important. It has numerous advantages — from communication with other musicians, understanding written lessons in books, and gaining insight into the actual coordination concepts of drumming. It is also a powerful tool for remembering the content of lessons!
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I strongly encourage students to learn to read or develop their current standard, although as an alternative I can offer purely aural lessons too.
STYLES
I teach many styles, including:
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Rock
Pop
Jazz
Hip-hop
Funk
Latin
World music
EDM
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... and many more!
LOCATION
I can visit you at the following locations, which are intended only as a guide towards the area I cover:
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Esher
Kingston
Hampton
Leatherhead
Richmond
Surbiton
Teddington
Twickenham
Walton Upon Thames
Weybridge
Even if your own location is not listed, if you live in this general area, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
TESTIMONIALS
NICK STAPLETON
"I was 10 years old when I started having lessons from Justin, having never touched a drum in my life. By the time I was 19, he had got me to a level that has since allowed me to do hundreds of gigs and know that I'll be able to play this instrument for the rest of my life"
MIKE THEXTON
"Justin is a very good drummer and also a very good teacher - the two don't always go together, in my experience. He's always encouraging, and gave me the confidence - and the beats - to go out and drum with a band in public."
MIRANDA RADFORD
Justin has been my drum teacher and mentor for the last 8 years. We started this journey when I was eight and he has been a brilliant teacher. He is calm, patient, and understanding; he just ‘gets me’. Over the years he has given me the solid foundation and building blocks to enable me to regularly perform in a professional jazz band and play at weekly jazz jams. I have attended the National Jazz Collective short course and have been put forward for Junior Royal Academy. I have also been asked to attend an audition for the BRIT school. All of this has been achieved over a short period of time and none of it would have been possible without him. Thank you Justin. Miranda Radford 2022
ANDREW CORRIGAN
" I was taught by Justin for 3 years, and his passion for rhythm and music has stayed with me ever since. Knowledgeable of so many different styles, he was able to understand where I wanted to be and how to actually get me there. Patient, motivating and fun, he was able to guide me through the more challenging beats I'd wanted to know for years. Actually practising helped too!"
STEPHEN FROST
"Justin has been teaching my son Jamie drums for many years and has nurtured Jamie's skills from the very beginning up to the highest standard. There's not much that will get a teenage boy out of bed early on a Saturday morning, but Jamie's drum lessons with Justin do just that! Justin is highly skilled and thoroughly likable - what more could you ask for?"
