Drumming
Groups
Love drumming? Come and play with us.
Build your skills and feel the thrill of playing in a percussion ensemble when a group of drummers locks into the rhythm.
Our drumming sessions are for adults with different levels of experience, from people developing the basics to experienced drummers looking for a new challenge.
There are no auditions, and the music is arranged at different levels so you can develop at a pace that works for you.
All abilities welcome. Your first session is free.
We have a range of membership options, including fully and part-supported places for those who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.
Learn to read. Learn to play. Learn to perform.
Drumming Groups are about developing your skills and experiencing the excitement of making percussion music together.
You’ll work on three connected areas:
Develop your reading
Enhance your understanding of musical notation and become more confident turning what you see on the page into rhythm.
Music can be arranged at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, so you can choose a part that suits your current experience.
Develop your playing
Develop the building blocks that make drumming easier, more controlled and more expressive — including rudiments, patterns, sticking and technique.
You’ll then put those skills into practice by playing regularly with the group.
Develop your performance
Discover what happens when individual drummers become a tight ensemble.
You’ll develop skills such as timing, precision, listening and teamwork, with opportunities to bring the music to life through performance.
Different parts. One powerful sound.
This isn’t a drum circle
Our drumming groups have a particular musical focus.
Rather than free-form group drumming, sessions develop percussion technique, music-reading and ensemble playing.
You’ll learn written drum parts, practise patterns and develop the ability to play confidently and precisely with other musicians.
This makes the group suitable both for people who want to develop their drumming and experienced percussionists looking for a different kind of ensemble experience.
What it feels like
There’s something great about drumming with other people. The individual patterns start to connect, the group finds the same pulse and suddenly you’re creating something much bigger together.
Inside a session
See our drummers learning patterns, developing technique and rehearsing together.
In performance
See what those rhythms can become when the ensemble performs.
Who can join?
Our drumming groups are for drummers and percussionists aged 18+.
There are no auditions and different levels of experience are welcome.
You might be:
Beginning to develop your drumming skills
An experienced player who hasn’t previously learned to read music
Returning to percussion after time away
Looking to improve your technique
Wanting more opportunities to play with other drummers
Looking for a musical outlet because practising a drum kit at home isn’t practical
An experienced percussionist looking for a different ensemble challenge
You don’t need to arrive knowing everything.
The point of the group is to develop while you play.
Do I need to read music already?
No. Helping drummers become more confident reading musical notation is one of the aims of the group.
Music is arranged at different levels, so you can start with an easier part and progress to more complex parts as your skills and confidence grow.
Already comfortable reading music? You can choose something more challenging and focus on developing other aspects of your playing and ensemble technique.
From practice to performance
Drumming becomes particularly exciting when everyone plays as one.
As the ensemble develops, sessions can work towards performances that combine rhythm, precision, teamwork and visual presentation.
That can include elements such as movement and simple choreography alongside the percussion itself.
You don’t need to arrive as a confident performer. You’ll develop the music and the ensemble skills together.
Find your drumming group
We currently run a regular drumming group in Birmingham.
Come and try your first session free.
Birmingham Drum Battery
Wednesday evenings | 7.15–8.45pm | Kings Norton
Learn, play and perform with a percussion ensemble designed for drummers at different levels.
More about the Birmingham Drum Battery
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Wednesdays, 7.15–8.45pm during term time.
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Kings Norton Ex Serviceman’s Club
1853A Pershore Rd,
Cotteridge,
Birmingham
B30 3DJ -
Sessions combine work on notation, rudiments, sticking, patterns and playing technique with ensemble rehearsal. Music is divided into different levels so you can choose a part that works for you while contributing to the same overall performance.
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All abilities are welcome. You don’t need to be able to read drum notation before joining. More experienced players are equally welcome, whether or not notation has previously been part of their playing.
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If you have them, bring:
A snare drum
Snare stand
Music stand
Drumsticks
Ear protection, such as earplugs or ear defenders
You do not need to transport a full drum kit.
If you don’t yet have any of this equipment, don’t let that stop you trying the group. This can be borrowed. We also have sticks available for purchase.
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Free parking is available directly at the club, located down a side road just off Pershore Road between the William Hill and Euro Express International Supermarket. You must register your car registration inside the main doors on the iPad provided or you will be fined.
Kings Norton railway station is a short 5-minute walk away. Local bus routes (11, 45, 47, and 18) also stop within a minute's walk of the venue.
Local bus routes servicing the immediate area include the 12/12A, 22, and 54/54A. -
The venue has step free access and disabled toilets.
Meet your group leader
Reuben
Reuben is a composer and percussionist who studied at Birmingham Conservatoire and has worked as a music practitioner since 2015. As Misfits Music’s Music Director, he arranges music and develops activities that help musicians with different levels of experience play together.
What should I bring?
You won’t need to carry a complete drum kit to sessions.
If you have your own equipment, bring a snare drum, stand, music stand, drumsticks and ear protection.
If you’re just getting started and don’t yet have everything, get in touch. We can let you know what can currently be borrowed and what you’ll need for your first session.
How much does it cost?
Your first session is free, so you can experience an orchestral group before deciding whether you’d like to continue.
After your trial, you can choose from our available membership and payment options.
Need help with the cost?
A limited number of fully supported and part-supported places are available for people who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.
You’ll need to apply for a supported place, and we’ll explain what information we need and what happens next.
Wondering if Birmingham Drum Battery is for you?
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Yes. Different abilities are welcome, and the music is arranged at different levels.
You can choose a more accessible part while you develop your technique and confidence.
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Yes. More advanced parts are available, and ensemble drumming introduces different challenges including precision, notation, coordination, listening and playing tightly with a group.
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No. Developing your ability to read drum notation is part of the group.
If you can already read music, you can choose more challenging parts and concentrate on developing other aspects of your playing.
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No. Birmingham Drum Battery focuses on developing percussion technique, reading notated music and rehearsing together as an ensemble.
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No and you won’t need to bring a full kit to sessions.
If you have one, bring a snare drum, stand, sticks, music stand and ear protection.
If you don’t yet have everything you need, contact us before your first session, and we’ll let you know what equipment can currently be borrowed.
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Percussion can be loud, particularly when several people are playing together.
We ask participants to bring suitable ear protection such as earplugs or ear defenders to help protect their hearing.
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Absolutely. Lots of people join a new activity without knowing anyone else there.
You already have one thing in common with everyone in the room: you enjoy making music. And, we’ll help you settle into the group.
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Book your trial and we’ll send you the practical information you need before you arrive.
You’ll meet Reuben and the other drummers, get set up and take part in the session.
There’s no audition and no pressure to decide immediately whether you’d like to continue.
Come along, pick up the sticks and see how it feels.
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There are opportunities to perform and take part in other activities during the year, but this is optional.
We’ll always explain what each opportunity involves so you know what to expect.
Join us this September
Our new term begins w/c 7 September.
Our orchestral groups work on music together as the term progresses. Joining near the beginning means you can learn your part alongside everyone else, settle into the group and have the best possible experience.
Take part in your free first session by 18th September.
After this date, new registrations will close until the next term.
Missed the September joining window?
You haven’t missed out for good.
Our next term begins in January. Join the waiting list and we’ll let you know when bookings open.
Ready to make some noise?
Build your technique.
Find your rhythm.
And discover the power of playing as part of a percussion ensemble.
Your first session is free.
We have a range of membership options including fully and part-supported places for those who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.