Drum4fun pulled in plenty of interest at its break-up concert just before Christmas, showing more than enough enthusiasm for the regular group to return to the Pipe Band Hall in Glasgow St.
Drum4fun will be supervised by Linda Clarkson and her husband Brian, a drum tutor who has been on the pipe band scene for more than 50 years.
"The purpose is to give people an entry point into percussion and music in general in a way that’s more relaxed than a formal pipe band setting," Mrs Clarkson said.
"We’ll cater for all ages but young people in particular, and start with basic skills like how to hold drumsticks properly, different types of drums, reading simple music, counting and keeping the beat with basic rhythm and moving up to explore simple patterns."
She said drumming was excellent for co-ordination and fine motor skills, and the emphasis was on fun and informality.
"As a drummer, of course I think the drummer is the most important part of a pipe band.
"They’re the heartbeat for the other musicians to base and reference themselves on, and assemble and weave their tune around it."
The group has received funding from Creative Communities and the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust to help keep the lessons free, and is set to run after school on Fridays beginning in February.
"Brian and I are both retired now and we wanted to use some of our time to give back to the community," Mrs Clarkson said.
"It’ll be a great place to start no matter what kind of band you’d like to play in, and we look forward helping budding percussionists decide whether to take it further or just have fun having a bit of a bash."
