Maxie Cheer
Drum lessons in Harringay Green Lanes, London, N4 1FF
Connected Profiles:
Hi there!
I am a full time professional drummer and tutor offering drum lessons to ALL ages and abilities from my teaching studio in Manor House / Seven Sisters, North London, and online via zoom. I also offer mentoring for students who want to progress in to the world of work as a session drummer or tutor themselves.
My teaching approach is based around the concept that every student is unique. You will have your own drumming goals and experiences and your own style and pace of learning, and this is something to be embraced! I tailor lesson content specifically to each student, whilst ensuring there are no gaps of knowledge in the fundamental basics of kit playing.
Some examples of topics students often wish to look at in lessons are : Beginner drums, building grooves and fills, time-keeping, playing to music, playing with other musicians, exploring different genres, double bass drum technique, Jazz introduction, sight-reading, performance techniques, drum theory, rudiments, improvisation, ear training, drum solos, audition prep, session work prep and speed development to name but a few.
In my 10+ years of teaching I have worked with students on absolutely every drumming topic you could think of [!] and am lucky enough to be mentored by some of the top players in the country (Colin Woolway, Kaz Rodriguez). However, If there’s anything I don’t feel suited to teaching, I can certainly find you another tutor who is an expert in the field.
I don’t believe that grades are right for everyone, but if they ARE up your street I am very proud to say I have a 100% pass rate for grades 1 – 8 in both Rockschool and Trinity syllabuses having prepared over 50 students for their exams to date.
Drum lessons are pay-as-you go and organised on a session by session basis so as to be completely flexible around student’s schedules. Particularly adult learners! I also rent out my fully equipped studio to my students for £10 an hour, so you can get some quality full volume practice in on pro gear in between lessons. This includes a music playback PA, full kit and breakables, sticks, tea and coffee and is available 24 hours a day. Free secure parking on site. Kitchen, Shower and lounge also all on site.
Lessons cost £40 / hour.
*** I am also offering lessons via facetime for the same cost if preferred. No kit needed for first ten lessons.***
Feel free to drop me a reply or a text with any questions you might have, or swing by and check out the studio / grab a brew with me before committing to a lesson if you like!
Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon,
Maxie Cheer 🙂
[They / He]
I teach at a fixed location (studio)
State of the art vintage Gretsch custom drum kit, multiple high end snares, fully endorsed Zildjian cymbal sets, Vic firth sticks in varying sizes.
Free ear plugs, free tea and coffee, taps, toilets, kitchen, lounge, free secure parking.
There is one step from car park to studio, all rooms including toilets are on ground floor.
I have a DBS Disclosure Certificate (What's this?)
DBS date: September 2021
Experience and Qualifications
CV:
I am a professional and driven musician with a broad skillset and insatiable passion for my work. I have enjoyed a decade of global live performances, session recording, and drum tech work with diverse and inspiring artists and production teams. I have written soundtracks for the BBC, played major international stages, recorded with legendary producers, and studied under session greats. This has gifted me a varied insight into all areas of the industry which continues to fuel my dedication to creatively honing my craft and adding value to all future projects.
Live performance:
− Toured extensively across the globe with various artists and production teams.
− Played international main stages including SXSW, Glastonbury, The Roundhouse,
Manchester Academy, Scala, Electric Ballroom, Sound City, Bestival, Green Man, The
Great Escape, and BST Hyde Park.
− MD’d and drummed on various shows/tours including organising rehearsals and managing
backing bands.
− Incorporated triggers and hybrid drum technology to ensure live performances accurately
reflect studio recordings, and to allow high energy performance whilst remaining true to the
sound of the tracks.
− Experienced in the creative and reliable application of hybrid drum technology including the
Roland SPD-SX, Roland TM6 Pro, Ableton, and Behringer mixers.
− Created and performed drum parts in a live environment, based on recordings/demos.
− Programmed, engineered, and monitored in-ear mixes for backing bands whilst performing
live, simultaneously.
− Extensively prepared for live performances including dedicated practice, show/tour specific
tech spec curation, and proactive endorsement/affiliation management.
− Experienced in additional touring roles alongside live performance, including tour manager,
backline tech, drum tech, monitor engineer, and driver.
Recording Experience:
− Designed and built my drum recording studio which includes high spec industry equipment such as Gretsch vintage drum kit, Zildjian K Custom cymbals, Shure microphones, Behringer X32 Compact mixing desk, Focusrite interface and hardware units, and Sony A6000 camera rig.
− Recorded drums for a range of artists in major studios such as Visconti Studios, Air Studios, The Church, Abbey Road Studios, BBC Maida Vale Studios, Assault and Battery, RAK Studios, and Britannia Row.
− Drummed in multiple recording sessions with producers such as Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex), Alex Kaparanos (Franz Ferdinand, Hot Chip), Margo Broom (Fat White Family, Idles) and Charlie Deakin-Davies (Gary Barlow, Laura Marling).
− Written and recorded drum and percussion parts for the BBC.
− Worked as an in-house drummer for events/sessions with Sunday Best Records, Rough
Trade Records, Hermitage Works Studios, BBC Radio1 Live Lounge, and Element 79
Management.
− Studied drum recording, mixing, and production techniques to offer a creative voice within a
studio environment.
− Experienced using industry level DAWs including Logic Pro, Ableton, and Protools.
− Designed a bespoke recording workflow allowing me to create drum tracks for artists all over the world. A track record of quick and consistent high-quality turnaround on briefs.
− Experienced in additional recording roles including percussion tracks, Foley sound and
SFX, drum and midi programming, recording session MD, assistant engineer/engineer, co- producer, mixing engineer, and mastering engineer.
Career history
March 2022 - present: Live and studio drummer for Bimini (Relentless records/Sony)
January 2022 – present: Dep drummer for Poppy Ajudha, recording BBC6 Music and Radio 1 Live Lounge sessions at Maida Vale.
Nov 2021 – present: Second Thoughts Live shows (drum tech)
Jan 2013 – present: Drummer for WAHL, Charlie Deakin-Davies, Mary Epworth, The BBC, BBC Radio, ATTAWALPA, Finding Kate, Meggie Brown (live and recording)
Jan 2018 – present: Dep drummer for Franz Ferdinand, Friedberg, Gossip, Beth Ditto (live and recording)
Nov 2021: EP demo sessions with Jamie T, Alex Kapranos (recording)
Sep 2021: Soundtrack for BBC series ‘Guilt’ season two (recording)
Jan 2021 – Dec 2021: In-house remote session drummer for Abbey Road Studios and Institute Artists (recording)
Feb/March 2020: Friedberg EU Tour (live)
Nov 2019: Meggie Brown X Domino Records UK Tour (live, MD, and drum tech)
Sep 2019: Soundtrack for BBC series ‘Guilt’ season one (recording)
July 2019: Sessions for Charlie Deakin Davies / Gary Barlow / Clara FT (recording)
April - June 2019: Gossip / Meggie Brown EU and USA Tour (live and MD)
July – Aug 2019: WAHL UK and EU Tour (live and drum tech)
March – Sep 2018: Festival tour incl. IOW, Bestival, Glastonbury, SXSW, BST Hyde Park with Meggie Brown, WAHL, Mary Epworth (live and drum tech)
March 2018 – May 2018: Mary Epworth UK tour/BBC Live lounge performances (live) March 2018: Session drummer for Tony Visconti (recording)
Charity and interests
Volunteer course director and founder of The Grit School and mentoring co-ordinator for the School Ground Sounds Mentoring scheme; both of which aim to aid disadvantaged young musicians’ access to the industry and equip them with skills and resources.
References available on request
Other:
I am a core member of the Trans Creative Collective, founded in 2021, curating work and training opportunities for transgender and gender non-conforming people in the industry.
I also teach drum kit, write and produce my own emotional indie-boy bedroom bangers, and volunteer with the Vortex Jazz Club.
Relevant Education/Mentorships:
2021 – present: Mentoring programme with global session drummer Kaz Rodriguez.
2018 – present: Student of drummer and international drum educator Colin Woolway.
2016 – 2018: Student of Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club House drummer, Mark Fletcher. 2014 – 2018: Student of influential jazz drummer, Lloyd Ryan.
2012 – 2013: Artist Development Higher Diploma of Education (Level 4), Distinction 2008 – 2011: GCSE/A Level Music
Prices & Options
Standard hourly rate: £40
Further pricing details: 10 Lesson block booking : £300 (save £100)
10 Practice session block booking : £50 (save £50)
Online lessons via zoom are the same price as in-person lessons. No drum kit required for first ten lessons. Same block booking offer applies.
Cash / PayPal / Transfer. All payments are taken in advance. I will always try to rearrange a lesson if a student can not make the time they booked, but in cases where that is not possible I withhold the right to keep payment.
Testimonials and References
Please visit following link to read student testimonials:
Maxie’s lessons have been critical for my development as a drummer.
They help me progress in the directions I need in order to keep improving.
Also they've inspired me to start giving lessons myself and have been monumentally helpful in getting me set up as a tutor. I really appreciate everything and am looking forward to my future lessons and teaching!
Listed in All Tutors, DBS / CRB Checked, Located at a drumming studio, References available
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Tutor: Maxie Cheer
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