Granite City Music Tuition

07/09/2026

……….and just like that, my week off is over and Granite City Music Tuition is back open for business! 🥁

I’ve had a brilliant week away from the studio and, for once, actually managed to switch off from work completely! 😂 It’s been so good to have some proper time off, spend time with family and friends, enjoy a few days out and, of course, get my music fix in Glasgow at St Luke’s with Norrie and the band! 🎶

I’m ready to get back behind the kit today! 🥁

The drums are ready, the diary is fully booked with a waiting list and I’m looking forward to seeing all my students again and getting stuck back into lessons! 🎶

Thank you, as always, for keeping me so busy. I genuinely love what I do and feel very lucky to be able to call this my job! ❤️

Now back to reality……..and apparently I’m turning 40 this Sunday! 😬🤣 I’m still trying to work out how that’s happened because it only feels like a few years ago that I turned 30! 🤣

Right… let’s get back to it! 🥁😃

29/08/2026

26/08/2026

Sharing for one of my students 🎸🎶

21/08/2026

A reminder about illness 🤧🥁

I really shouldn’t have to keep repeating this, but unfortunately I do.

Please do not attend lessons if you are unwell.

My illness policy is clearly stated in my Terms & Conditions, which everyone agrees to and must adhere to before attending their first lesson. It has also been included in recent newsletters and reminders.

I also send a message on the morning of lessons asking parents to confirm that their child is well and has been completely clear of symptoms for the required timeframe. If your child becomes unwell after you have confirmed they are okay, please let me know rather than bringing them to the studio.

The policy is there for a reason.

For me, this isn’t simply about avoiding a few days of feeling unwell. Alex has Addison’s Disease and is immunocompromised, meaning illnesses that may be relatively minor for someone else can potentially have much more serious consequences for him. I also have other vulnerable students and family members to consider.

I also don’t want to become ill myself and then have to spend all my time at home, unable to teach in-person, unable to see my family and unable to visit my Grandma in her care home because I could potentially pass an illness on to her. There are real-life consequences to bringing illnesses into the studio, and it isn’t fair for other people to have to deal with those consequences because someone chose to attend a lesson when they were unwell.

I therefore need everyone who attends lessons to take this seriously.

If you or your child is unwell, please do not come to the studio. Let me know and, where appropriate, we can use Google Classroom so the lesson can still take place online, even if that means switching to online just 10 minutes before the scheduled lesson.

I have put these systems in place specifically so that illness doesn’t necessarily mean missing a lesson altogether.

I completely understand that children and adults get ill, that’s life. What isn’t okay is knowingly bringing illness into the studio when there are other options available, potentially exposing me, my family and other students.

The illness policy isn’t optional and it isn’t a suggestion. Please respect it.

Thank you to everyone who does. 🥁

20/08/2026

Sharing to spread awareness here in the Bridge of Don area! Why not pop along and find out more about the fantastic work that Men In Mind provide 👍

📣 Bridge of Don, we’re coming to you!

(PLEASE CAN WE AS YOU TO SHARE THIS FAR AND WIDE)

Men In Mind are holding an Awareness Session at Middleton Park Community Centre, Bridge of Don, on Monday 14th September, with a 6:30pm start.

The evening will be an opportunity to find out more about Men In Mind, the work we do within communities across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and how our peer support groups are helping men to connect, talk and support each other.

Most importantly, we want to hear from the people of Bridge of Don.

We’ll be looking to find out whether there is a need and demand for a Men In Mind group in Bridge of Don, and what that group could potentially look like.

Whether you have heard of Men In Mind before, you’re interested in getting involved, or you simply want to find out more, come along and have a chat with us.

📍 Middleton Park Community Centre, Bridge of Don
📅 Monday 14th September
⏰ 6:30pm start

Come along, meet the team and help us find out whether Bridge of Don needs its own Men In Mind group.

Everyone welcome.

18/08/2026

🎶 Roots Beneath is finally here! 🎶

Huge congratulations to Norrie "Tago" MacIver on the release of his new album which is now out! It very quickly went to #1 in the Country music album charts on iTunes!

I’m really happy to have been a small part of the album, singing with the choir on a few of the tracks back in February at a studio in Glasgow 🎤❤️

It’s always pretty special to be involved in something like this, and I can’t wait to hear all the songs played live in Glasgow next month, just in time for my 40th birthday celebrations! 🎉

Go give it a listen!🎶👏

🎉🎉Roots Beneath 🎉🎉

I'm delighted with the amount of support you are all showing with my new album!

I'm still number 1 on the UK iTunes Country music album charts!
This is crazy and I can't thank you all enough!
I can see Luke Combs is on the way up now too so I need to keep ahead of him 😂

This is crazy and I can't thank you all enough!

Keep downloading and streaming as much as you can!

Also, everyone who pledged for a digital copy of the album through the crowdfunder will receive those in the next few days! I'm just getting everything together for you all!

Remember to also buy your tickets for Saint Luke's where you will hear all the new songs live for the first time with the band!

Please share an tag your friends to keep this going for me!

You're making this "quiet island boy" very happy indeed.

07/08/2026

*NOW SOLD*

After many years, it’s time for me to say goodbye (again!) to my Alesis DM10 drum kit.

This kit has been such a big part of my drumming and teaching journey. It helped me teach so many fantastic students and has created countless memories over the years!

A few years ago, I actually sold it to one of my students, but when they decided to move on, I couldn’t resist buying it back! 😄

Now, thanks to Alex surprising me last week with an incredible early 40th birthday present, my beautiful new Alesis kit, it’s finally time for my faithful DM10 to begin its next chapter.

I’d genuinely love to see it go to someone who’ll enjoy it, learn on it, and make as many great memories with it as I have.

If you’re interested or would like more details, please send me a message. 🥁

07/08/2026

🥁 Lesson Availability Update! 🥁

Not long until the schools go back, it’s been a quick summer! ☀️

There are now only the following lesson slots remaining:

📅 Monday’s – 6.30pm (fortnightly only)
📅 Tuesday’s – Fully Booked
📅 Wednesday’s – Fully Booked
📅 Thursday’s – 3.30pm (weekly), 4.15pm & 6.30pm (fortnightly only)
📅 Friday’s – 5.45pm (fortnightly only)

If you’ve been thinking about starting drum lessons or know someone who has, now is the time to get in touch before these remaining spaces are gone.

To book any of the available slots:

📱 WhatsApp or Text: 07490 736014
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 Send me a message on: Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn

04/08/2026

A huge well done to all my students on passing your music exams! 🥁

I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Your hard work, dedication and practice have paid off, and it’s been a pleasure watching you grow as musicians! 🎶

Keep believing in yourselves, keep enjoying the journey, and keep making music! 🎵

Congratulations on a fantastic achievement! 👏🎉🥁