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Premium Drum Tuition For All Levels

Overview & History

Carter Skillicorn Drum Tuition was founded in 2020 with a simple mission: to share the passion for drumming. In the early days it operated as a one-man service, offering remote and mobile lessons. In 2021 the business was officially registered, and with the support of charity Edinburgh Jam Group a dedicated teaching space was established in Newbridge. This provided a permanent home for lessons and became the foundation for steady growth in student numbers and teaching practice.

 

As the school grew, Carter continued to refine a structured approach that remained adaptable to individual needs while staying true to the mission of making drumming engaging and inspiring. By 2025, he was delivering close to 1,500 lessons each year. To support this expansion, a small team of freelance tutors were brought together to help manage overflow. Carter still delivers the majority of lessons himself, maintaining direct involvement and consistency across the operation.

 

Today, Carter Skillicorn Drum Tuition is recognised as one of the leading drum schools in the region. Carter is widely respected for his methodical and adaptable approach, which has supported hundreds of students at every stage of their journey- from complete beginners taking their very first steps to advanced players preparing for university and professional study. His reputation has been built on consistent results, a clear and structured teaching style, and a genuine commitment to helping each student succeed. This has established Carter as one of the most trusted and highly regarded private drum tutors in the country.

Safeguarding, Security & Inclusion

At Carter Skillicorn Drum Tuition, the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of every student come first. Lessons are designed to be welcoming, supportive and accessible, so that all students can feel confident to learn and grow in a secure environment. We believe music should be open to anyone who wants to learn, regardless of background or ability.

 

All tutors are registered members of the Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and have completed child protection and safeguarding training through the NSPCC and Children in Scotland. This ensures that every student and family can have complete confidence in the professionalism and integrity of the teaching environment.

 

The school is committed to inclusive practice and has experience supporting students with a wide range of additional support needs (ASN), including autism, dyspraxia, ADHD, APD, FASD, anxiety, and physical disabilities. Lessons are tailored to meet individual requirements and paced in a way that supports both progress and enjoyment.

 

For added peace of mind, parents and carers are always welcome to observe lessons, and session recordings can be provided on request.

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click to view full safeguarding policy

Location

Edinburgh:

Unit 2, 2 Harvest Road, Newbridge, EH28 8AN

 

Dundee & Angus:

Lessons are available by arrangement- please get in touch to discuss options.​

 

Availability

We aim to make lessons as accessible and consistent as possible. Regular lesson slots are available, with a waiting list in place for high-demand times to ensure fairness. Lesson length and session formats can be tailored to suit individual needs, and group sessions can also be arranged.

 

If you have specific requirements, we are happy to discuss and adapt where possible.

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Pricing

Our pricing reflects the level of expertise, structure, and personal attention that each student receives. Every lesson is designed to be purposeful, supportive, and geared towards steady progress. 

That said, pricing is still competitive for the area.

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  • 30-Minute Lesson (In-Studio): £25

  • 45-Minute Lesson (In-Studio): £33

  • 60-Minute Lesson (In-Studio): £38

  • Home Visits: Currently unavailable

Location, Availability & Pricing

Cancellations & Refunds

We understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes lessons need to be changed. Our policies are designed to be fair to students while also keeping the school running smoothly.

 

Cancellations:

  • Lessons can be rescheduled or cancelled free of charge with at least 48 hours’ notice.

  • Cancellations made within 48 hours of the lesson, unless due to genuine emergencies, will be charged at the full rate.

 

Refunds:

  • Advance payments for lessons are refundable within 30 days, in line with The Consumer Rights Act 2015, minus the cost of any lessons already taken.

  • Refunds cannot be issued after this 30-day period.

 

We’ll always do our best to be flexible when unexpected situations arise, but these policies help us ensure fairness and consistency for all students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you follow a syllabus?

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every student follows a structured path that covers the essentials: technique, coordination, musicality, and rhythm- but lessons are always tailored to individual goals. If a student wants to bring in their favourite songs, we’ll use those to keep learning engaging while still covering the foundations. Beginners progress step by step, while advanced players can focus on refining specific areas of their drumming.

 

Do you offer graded exams?

Yes- RSL graded exams are available for students who want to take them, and we handle the recording and submission in-house. That said, exams are never our only focus. Our main aim is to build well-rounded musicianship: confident, creative players who can truly express themselves on the kit.

 

When exams are part of a student’s journey, we don’t rush the process. We take time to select pieces that are both challenging and enjoyable, and we make sure every aspect of the syllabus is learned to a high standard. This approach has led to excellent results, with students here generally achieving merits or distinctions.

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Is there an age limit?

Absolutely not. It’s never too early or too late to learn the drums. We welcome students of all ages and backgrounds.

 

For younger learners, regular one-to-one lessons usually works best from around age 12 upwards. Students younger than this are assessed individually, and if we think they’ll benefit more from specialist junior tuition, we’ll point families in the right direction. We also run junior and early years workshops from time to time- details are shared on our Facebook page.

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Do you teach music theory?

Yes. Every student learns the basics of rhythmic theory and drum notation, giving them the tools to read, understand, and apply what they play. We keep theory practical and relevant, always connecting it to music that students actually want to perform.

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How do I book a lesson?

Just get in touch to discuss your goals and availability. If there’s an open slot, we’ll get you started straight away. If your preferred time isn’t available, we’ll add you to the waiting list and let you know as soon as a space opens up.

 

After the initial lesson, if it feels like the right fit, everything else is managed through our student portal. This system handles bookings, payments, resources, and your lesson calendar in one place. It also gives you the flexibility to book into any available slots yourself, making scheduling as simple as possible.

 

For adult learners, lessons can be paced around busy schedules, with practice even built into lesson time if needed. 

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Do I need my own drum kit to start?

Not right away. Many students begin lessons before they have their own kit, and we can make strong progress in the studio during that time. Within the first month or two, though, we recommend having regular access to a drum kit. This helps keep progress steady and makes practice at home much more enjoyable and effective. We’re always happy to advise on affordable starter options or different kit types that suit individual needs.

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How much practice should I do?

Consistency matters more than hours, but regular practice is essential. For beginners, 10–15 minutes a day is often enough to build strong habits and keep progress moving. As students advance, especially when preparing for exams, auditions, or performances, longer or more focused sessions are required.

 

For younger students (under 18), we set clear expectations for regular practice. All practice is monitored and logged through the student portal, which allows both students and tutors to track progress. Practice efforts are reviewed regularly, and if a student isn’t living up to their potential, this is discussed openly so we can get them back on track.

 

Students are also tiered according to their individual goals: whether that’s learning purely for fun, working steadily towards graded exams, or aiming for professional study. This helps manage expectations and ensures lessons remain both enjoyable and motivating, whatever the student’s path.

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Students who exceed expectations are rewarded through the 'Student of The Month' award.

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How long does it usually take to see progress?

Every student learns at a different pace, but with regular lessons and consistent practice most beginners start to notice real progress within the first few weeks. Often this comes in the form of improved coordination, timing, and confidence on the kit. As students advance, progress becomes more about refining detail and tackling more challenging material. We set clear, realistic goals from the start so that progress always feels visible and rewarding.

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