Da Capo Academy of Music logo
info@dacapomusic.ca
(416) 237-9595

Drum Lessons

drum lessons illustration

Overview

Whether you want to play in a band, improve your sense of rhythm, or just let out some steam - there is no denying that drums are just an all-round fun instrument to play!

In our studio, we incorporate real song tracks into our lessons so that you get a genuine playing experience. Students can also choose to play either an acoustic or electric drum set, or alternate between both!

guitar lesson in progress

What is a good age to start drum lessons?

At 6, most children are grown enough to have a comfortable reach around the drums and are mentally ready to get the maximum benefit from their lessons. However, if your child is younger and you think they are ready to start, we would be happy to give them a free trial lesson and give you our recommendation.

Lesson Format

Private lessons: these are one-on-one lessons with student and teacher. Private lessons are a great option for students looking for highly-focused and individualized music instruction. The teacher is able to give their full attention to one student and students normally progress faster in this environment.

Semi-private lessons: these lessons consist of two students per teacher. Semi-private lessons can be a budget-friendly option for parents with two children or two friends wanting to learn the same instrument together. The one obvious drawback is that students don't receive as much focused and individualized attention from the teacher as they do with private lessons.

Lesson Duration

At DCAM, students can choose between 30-minute, 45-minute, or 1-hour lessons. The right lesson length depends on your age, experience level, and learning goals.

30-minute lessons are ideal for young children (ages 6-8) who are just starting out. This duration matches their natural attention span and allows them to stay focused and engaged throughout the entire lesson. These shorter sessions help build positive associations with learning music.

45-minute lessons work well for older children (ages 9-12) and are our minimum recommendation for teenagers and adults. This extra time allows for more comprehensive technique work, theory instruction, and the opportunity to work on multiple songs or skills in a single lesson.

60-minute lessons are perfect for serious students, advanced players, or those preparing for performances or exams. The full hour provides time for warm-up exercises, technique development, repertoire building, music theory, and performance practice all in one session.

As students progress and their attention span increases, many naturally transition to longer lesson durations with their teacher's recommendation. This gradual progression ensures students are always challenged appropriately without becoming overwhelmed.

Materials

lesson in progress

Beginning students can start out with our “Intro to Guitar” book series, which includes 3 books. These books help lay all the important foundation for beginning guitarists, including the reading of tablature, strumming patterns, and lots of fun songs to play along to! After completing the series, students are free to start learning songs that interest them and can join our “Band Experience” program, which allows them to get a feel for what it's like to play in a group with other instruments and musicians.

Instruments

At DCAM, students can choose between an electric and an acoustic drum kit.


Don't have a drum kit? Talk to us or check out Long & McQuade. They offer both acoustic and electric drum kits for both sale and rent.

Styles

Students can choose to drum to rock & roll, pop, jazz, or blues. We do it all! We also prepare students for the Royal Conservatory Percussion examinations.

Teachers

drums teacher Raul

Raul

drums

Originally from Havana, Cuba, Raul started his musical career at the age of eight. Dazzled by the sound of drums and percussion, he took lessons with several private teachers, who encouraged him to pursue music as a profession. After finishing his studies in Cuba, he immigrated to Canada in 2005 and continued his studies at Humber College, where he finished his Degree in “Contemporary Music” in 2010. During his time at Humber, he was awarded the Millennium Scholarship and, as a member of the Humber Studio Jazz Ensemble, gained valuable experience working with world class artists such as Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dave Douglas, Labarbera Brothers, Chris Potter and others. Today, he teaches and continues performing and recording professionally in the city of Toronto.

piano,

Joseph

piano, drums, guitar, trumpet

Joe is a multi-instrumentalist currently in his third year studying Jazz Piano Performance at the University of Toronto. He started taking trumpet lessons when he was still missing his two front teeth, and began studying guitar only a couple of years later. Having been extremely lucky to study with teachers who prioritized building a personal relationship with music, Joe has spent the last decade learning new instruments, writing and recording original music, and geeking out over music theory. Today he dedicates time between his classes to performing in local venues and teaching a variety of musical instruments. His dream is to be able to help his students build the same joyous, curiosity-driven relationship to music that his teachers fostered in him.

drums teacher Ryan

Ryan

drums

Ryan Sequeira is a recent graduate of Humber College's Bachelor of Music program, where he studied with renowned drummers Joaquin Hidalgo, Steve Mancuso, Marito Marques, and Larnell Lewis. With over 5 years of teaching experience, Ryan takes a student-focused approach to lessons, encouraging creativity and a strong personal connection to music alongside technical growth. Having grown up in Dubai and Mumbai before moving to Toronto, he brings a wide range of influences to his playing and teaching, from funk and fusion to Cuban and African rhythms. In addition to teaching, Ryan leads his own funk group, Rs Collective, and performs regularly across Toronto.

Our teachers are all qualified professionals and passionate musicians. We do our best to match a student with a teacher that we think would best fit their musical goals as well as their personalities. We understand that while some students prefer a relaxed teaching approach, there are always those for whom a more strict approach is more effective. Students also have the option to request to change their teacher if they wish to do so. Learn more about our teachers on our Teachers Section.

FREE TRIAL LESSON

Just fill out our quick trial lesson form and wait to hear from us within 1-2 business days. If you like your trial lesson, you can sign up for regular lessons with us! Our lessons are available online (Zoom or Skype) as well as in-person if you live close to our location. Start learning your favorite instrument with one of our amazing teachers today!