Hello, Paul here; I am a drum/percussion teacher based in Cambridge (I do other creative bits and bobs too.) I love teaching drums, I have been a drummer for pretty much all of my life and for the last five years I've been having a lovely time educating, watching my young (and, er, older) drummers also get the same enjoyment out of it. I've always wanted my lessons to 'not feel like school' - we'll learn, but it must be fun, and exciting. NOTHING is more exciting than being onstage, performing live, especially if you're new to this. I could go on for hours about the benefits of drumming to our mental and physical health, but I've covered that over at my main teaching site - www.thepaulrichards.com
For a while now I've been putting on these little showcase gigs, they went virtual for a bit in 2020 (like the rest of the country) but it's nice to be allowed out again. We've always done them for charity, a bucket goes around, a few quid goes in from happy parents/randomers at the bar, my magnificent students have the chance to show the world what they've been learning. Let's not get political, but the country is in a bit of a state at the moment. I feel very lucky, privileged even, to make a good wage out of doing what I love. I'm really very fine, I eat well, I live relatively comfortably. My students and their families seem to be in the same boat, too. But many others aren't. I've recently turned 40 and old and as a result I now listen to far too much Radio 5 when driving and I hear a lot about this 'tough winter' that is hitting UK, the 'heat or eat' battles facing families. Not to mention the rising energy costs... there are too many dilemmas hitting honest, hardworking people. We're a developed country, how is this allowed to happen? Young families struggling, good people who have done nothing wrong. We must be able to help. Drummers to the rescue! No, seriously, we can. I may have drunkenly bought a 'drummers saves lives' domain the other day but my wife rightly said that was a bit strong, but we can help. For the next live show, and for the shows after that, audiences won't be charged entry. No money shall be exchanged. They will bring food and life essentials, that we will automatically put straight into a food bank. Instantly, we are helping others. Kind of like a rock and roll harvest, with lots of drums. We've recorded an album, too, full of drums that has been a nightmare to mix but it's finished now, that will go on sale and all funds raised will go straight to the Trussell Trust. We'll record a Christmas thing. I'm thinking we even stage a drumming musical at some point...drum orchestras perhaps, but let's calm down. Either way, lots of things. It's a win-win situation: I have a lovely time training up my drummers for gigs > they have the time of their lives > somebody who previously would have gone hungry will now eat.
