When I started my drum lesson studio, deciding to make the transition to losing the day job and focusing on passing on my craft to others. I had no idea that there were so many females wanting to learn to play.

I had assumed that because I was male and teaching from my home, females would not be inclined to call me, because of fears of being alone in a studio with a young guy. As well, drumming seems to be a male dominated art.

Man was I wrong…..

I currently have a 75% female student roster and building. So what’s going on girls? Are you finally showing the dudes that you can do it better? or at least as good?

I wanted to find out why I have so many women wanting to Rock! the drums, so I asked all my female students why they want to play and why they chose me over countless other guys that are out there. (By the way, I have yet to see any women teachers out there in web land).

First off a big consensus was that drum stores/shops are a place where women are not treated like knowledgeable thinking people by the mostly male staff. These drum shops can be very intimidating and many females can’t imagine buying/talking about drum gear or taking lessons in a place with this type of atmosphere.

I think drum shops may want to think about the female consumer because that’s who are buying cars, clothes and condos etc…

One thing mentioned was when they called me for lessons they liked the friendly vibe I gave off and my studio was not in some scary warehouse down an alley, or in a dark nasty basement somewhere uptown. Kudos for me. But i think what matters most is when they have a lesson they feel like there is some care taken in structuring and teaching the lesson to their interests and goals as well as being treated with respect and dignity. It’s not about me and what I can do as a player/teacher. It’s about the student, and what they envision for their learning and playing needs.

Two of my students told me that when sourcing out a teacher they were actually being asked out on a date. Crazy!!! and not good. I have a baby daughter and i hope she never has to worry about getting picked up by her piano teacher.

A few of my students said they always wanted to get into a band or they like the physicality of it all but felt they wanted to learn right from the basics and until they saw my ad or website they just hadn’t taken the next steps of finding the teacher buying the drums etc. Another issue, was never before has there been the ability to play in an apartment or condo until the last few years. I mean there has been electronic drums since the 1970’s but they were crappy and expensive. Today there is a ton of electronic drum sets out there by companies like Roland and Yamaha etc that have come out with drums that sound amazing and have sensitivity on the snare and an all around great sounding/feeling set up for learning to play. People are now living out their desire to learn the drums without having the cops shut them down 9pm.

With that said…. (time for me to shut the hell up)

My female students are quick learners eager to learn everything and have the patience to absorb and go through the physical muscle memory motions that is required to play drums…. And play them well. I’m very lucky to be teaching these women because they teach me humility, respect and wisdom as well as patience for explaining things that sometimes are quite difficult to impart. They help me be a better teacher. Thanks so much guys.oops I mean gals…

Look out dudes the women are kicking some major drumming ass!!!!

I’ll include some links to some cool female drummers that are out there.

See ya!

www.cindyblackman.com

www.terrilynecarrington.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patty_Schemel

www.drummergirl.com