New Year Honours 2022: British Empire Medal for inspirational Harrogate Percussive Edge Drum Tuition Music Tutor - Ian Macpherson BEM

https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/new-year-honours-2022-british-empire-medal-for-inspirational-harrogate-music-tutor-3516995



Testimonials...

James Cassells  - "Asking Alexandria" - Young Drummer of the Year finalist, Harrogate Music Festival winner,

I began taking lessons with Ian when I was 13. Looking back at that time I could barely hold the drum sticks let alone string together a groove. If I was completely honest I must have had some innate talent or else Ian would not have taken me on as a pupil and persevered with me. The Drummer I am today is a direct result of his ability as a teacher and his willingness to share his skills. Ian is a hard taskmaster and expects 100% commitment from his students. With me he found a willing pupil and within 2 years I had accomplished more than I could have imagined. Improved technique, Rudiments, Styles, Theory and Sight Reading.  I would recommend Ian's books. They are very effective and produce real results!!

James in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOrlYtJJuY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJFsJunFu68

Achievements: Grade 8 - Distinction, Drummer for "Asking Alexandria" touring the world and living my dream, Thanks Ian!


 

George Farrar - Young Drummer of the Year finalist, -Session Drummer, Drummer for The Queen Extravaganza

I have been going to Ian for drum lessons for 6 years now and can honestly say without him my drumming experience would not be the same. From the moment I started with Ian my playing improved dramatically and quickly. Ian has helped me pass grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 all with distinction! I am very pleased with my grades however the technique and skill Ian has shown me through my time with him has attracted world class player Thomas Lang to take an interest in my playing and also Asking Alexandria drummer James Cassels. Ian has defiantly been a big part of my musical life and I owe so much of what I know to him if not all of what I know. I am sure Ian will always be part of my musical life and I certainly hope he continues to expand me not only as a drummer but as a musician, Thank you Ian! 

The Official Young Drummer of The Year 2015 Video of George Farrar's Performance. (Link below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg437Jfs5Gg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiQTSlyKNVY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWMeuqwxgYs

Victoria Wren

At the tender age of 52 I had finally plucked up the courage to have a go at learning to drum. When researching teachers in the area I came across "Percussive Edge" and found Ian, who is extremely well qualified and experienced. I was a complete newbie and had never even sat at a kit before. As expected, I had been feeling a little nervous about my first lesson, but Ian was very friendly and chatty, which put me at ease. Ian has a lot of patience and is good at breaking skills down into manageable pieces. He explains and demonstrates things clearly, and if I'm struggling,  he finds a different way of approaching a task which helps me understand what to do to improve. 
Now I'm 15 months in and it's amazing how much I've learnt in that time. I feel motivated to practice during the 2 weeks before lessons and always have a piece of music to learn...my favourite bit...as well as technical skills, rhythms and sticking practice. I look forward to my drumming lessons with Ian and have no hesitation in recommending him. 


Paul McCudden


I started 'playing' the drums to loud music whilst at University just for fun as my friend had a kit. I had no idea what I was doing but loved it nonetheless, however 20 years passed before I touched a kit again and decided to learn properly. My first teacher gave me a Rock School Grading book and started working through it with me, which we did for about a year. I really enjoyed having lessons and making progress and genuinely felt I was doing well.

I relocated and had to find a new teacher and came across Ian's website. Having read the testimonials I contacted Ian and meet up. Ian assessed me in the first lesson and very quickly saw my faults, which at the time I was oblivious to. He kindly didn't make a big deal of them but drew up a number of exercises we needed to work on.

About three years of lessons later, a period which included a break for Covid and me having surgery on my shoulder, it's amazing to see how I've progressed. Ian's lessons are diverse, interesting and always challenging! I remember him saying we only meet every 2 weeks and that's enough. I was used to doing weekly lessons but I'd never get through my practice work now without that 2 week gap.

I recently passed my Rock School Grade 5 and the difference before working with Ian and now is incredible. I'm always learning, always getting frustrated with new techniques, but always improving, sometimes without even realising!

I couldn't recommend Ian highly enough. Whatever style of drumming you're interested in and whether you're there for gradings, progression or just fun Ian is a great teacher.



Scott Newbould

I can't recommend Ian enough. I first started learning the drums at school from ages 15-17, then didn't touch them until I started with Ian again when I was 26. I asked if we could start with the basics to help me re-learn and ensure I had a good foundation to build from. In the 15 months I've been having lessons with Ian, my skills, ability, confidence, and knowledge behind the kit have all increased massively. Ian always knows exactly what I need to work on to improve, always providing me with material that is just the right amount of challenging, which makes learning and playing very enjoyable. He is a very good teacher, and is able to explain things in different ways or have me try things with a different approach if they don't initially click with me. And finally he's just a great guy overall so it's always a pleasure to go to my lessons.  

Richard Critchlow

I have been playing drums for almost 40 years, since I was 7.  Although I have played in many bands in my time, I’ve never had a lesson. However, having recently started playing in a band again, I decided the time had come to see where formal lessons could lead me.  Ian had been recommended to me by a friend of a friend and what caught my attention, was the ability of the person I knew Ian had taught. I genuinely didn’t know what to expect – nor I think, did Ian.  A self-taught drummer with 40 years of muscle memory and very little conventional technique must be a teacher’s worst nightmare.  However, when we first met, he put me through my paces, which was much more about whether I was prepared to do what it would take to learn rather than my ability to play.  He made it clear that my stubborn attitude to reading wouldn’t work if I wanted to get the most from lessons (he was right of course).  I really liked Ian from the moment we met and was blown away by his effortless playing and ability, but more importantly his ability to explain things really clearly.  I thought that if he could teach me even a tiny percent of what he knows it would be amazing.  I have been having an hour lesson every two weeks for almost a year now.  I’ve learned more in that time than I could ever have imagined.  He is building otherwise absent foundations under my rhythmic house and pushing me to places I’ve always wanted to go but had no clue how to get there.  His lessons hit the spot perfectly, we’re not doing grades, just focusing on things I want to learn, not just what Ian wants to teach.  However, I know there is so much I don’t know, so I really enjoy it when he throws something at me that I haven’t even thought about before.  I thoroughly look forward to my lesson and the fact that he is able to teach an old dog new tricks is testament to his ability if ever it was needed.


Liam Wood age 10  Grade 4   -   Distinction 98%

Liam came home from school at the tender age 6 and announced to our horror that he was taking up the drums!!! The influence was from a marimba band that was at school at the time giving the children an insight to music in general.

Thinking nothing would come of this, we tried to ignore the fact that this is what Liam wanted, but after six months of Liam’s persistence we started the arduous task of finding a percussion teacher.

To our luck and astonishment we soon found Ian and “A STAR WAS BORN”

And no, I don't mean our son Liam……….

If anybody would like to ask our family about Ian MacPherson we would only have praise and admiration for this man. Although Liam has achieved his grade 4 with distinction at the age of ten, it has all been due to Ian’s hard work, encouraging way and his firmness when needed - and yes, every young child needs this type of tuition in order to progress as our Liam has done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW2Yblxuy08

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DpdVhUUQLc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GB25yKHyWw



Testimonial - Paul Barnard - Harrogate

The moment I met Ian, I knew it was going to work well, the impressively professional studio and a warm greeting couldn’t fail to make a positive first impression.
I’d been playing for about two years, Ian assessed my level, discussed what I wanted to achieve and we got started.
I particularly like the structure that Ian brings to the lesson, which blends beautifully with his creative guidance. 
My progress from a clunky basher who couldn’t read drum music to someone who can now have a decent go at Back in Black by ACDC, has surprised me, but I don’t think it surprised Ian, he s done it before and he will certainly do it again.
I would recommend Percussive Edge unreservedly.

Happy drumming, Paul Barnard


Testimonial - Hannah Jefferies - Harrogate

I have wanted to play drums for a long time and so for my 26th birthday, 10 months ago, I thought I'd look for a teacher. I came across Ian's website and Ian soon got in touch about the first lesson. 
It was quite an emotional experience to start to play some grooves along to familiar music. Ian's studio is amazing and he was so helpful in recommending sticks and equipment. He even sent me the links online, recommended the best music shop to get my drum kit and he gave me a huge book of grooves that he's composed himself. 
I have lessons once a fortnight and it is something I really look forward to. I can depend on Ian to guide my drumming and I've every confidence I'm learning to a high quality in technical ability and style. Not only is he a great musician, he is an awesome teacher as he is really friendly and understanding. Nothing is ever too much. I love the homework because I always get a range of things to work on.
I'm moving away from Harrogate but I'm definitely keen to stay having lessons as I always come away on a high. 


Testimonial, Adam Webster

If you are looking to learn to play for the first time as I was , or just brush up on the skills you already have , you will genuinely find no better teacher than Ian.
It’s not often in life you find someone that is passionate , dedicated and a true pleasure to learn from.
The vast experience Ian has throughout his career really does make him the most knowledgeable teacher I’ve ever met and his passion is infectious , his teaching style is tailored to each and every student and he has a knack of being able to explain things so it is easy , manageable and encouraging to learn , no matter your age or skill level you will look forward to each lesson, and seeing what you can learn next . 
Take the step and fill in the contact form , I promise you won’t regret it .

Testimonial - Ela Gajda

My son started taking lessons with Ian 8 months ago when he was 8 years old. Ian is very easy going and has kept him very interested in his instrument. Ian is very easy to talk to and my son loves his drums lessons and always looking forward for another lesson. I highly recommend him as an instructor for anyone of any age!

 Testimonial - David Sinton 

What can I say? I was introduced a year ago to Ian when my daughter expressed an interest in playing drums. After finding Ian online and contacting him she started lessons. This pricked my interest as I wanted to play in my youth but never took that leap. What an eye opener! I had no musical experience and couldn't read a bit of music. Ian has changed all that. His patience is unlimited and helps us both learn at our individual paces, sometimes even encouraging some good nature father/daughter competition. We always come away with challenges every lesson and enthusiastically practice to get right. If all music teachers where like Ian maybe I would have started a lot sooner. Can't recommend him enough.


Testimonial - Sue Lawson

You will not find a better teacher of drums than Ian who not only has the amazing technical ability and discipline of a background as a military drummer/bandmaster himself but he also is a warm and kind person who is able to inspire and pass his love of drums onto his students. He somehow manages to teach complex and often repetitive musical theory things in a meaningful and interesting way and wow does he help the students get great results! My own son achieved 3 Distinctions in each of the exams he has sat whilst a student of Ian's and another drum teacher even contacted my son and asked him how Ian managed to get these results! A combination of high expectations of his students and the ability to break things down and make the lessons interesting meant that my son always looked forward to each lesson and independently did all his homework because he was motivated to. That says a lot about Percussive Edge tuition and I could not recommend it more to anybody wanting to improve their drumming. Whatever background or ability you have, Ian will go the extra mile in making sure you are making great progress. I am so pleased we found him.

Testimonial - David Smalley 

I have been a student at Percussive Edge for the past five years and have loved every minute. As an adult who wishes he'd learned an instrument properly at a younger age, I find Ian's patient approach to learning very refreshing and adapted to me. Ian is a fantastic drummer and a renowned musician whose music skills go far beyond just drumming. If you are an adult who wishes they'd taken up drums when they were younger - you can do it now without your parents complaining about the noise! Go and learn with Ian at Percussive Edge!

Testimonial - Mick Phillips

Holly our daughter has been having drum lessons with Ian for around 5 years. She cannot wait to go to her lessons and totally loves going. Ian has so much patience and is so brilliant with Holly who is now 15. She works so hard playing her drums all the time, as she is so enthusiastic, all brought out by Ian. 
Thank you Ian for everything you do for Holly she's now a great Drummer and has such motivation.

Testimonial - Freddie Palfreman

I started lessons with Ian about 7 or 8 years ago, and since then I have improved hugely as a player and grown in confidence on the drum kit! 
Ian's lessons are highly enjoyable and tailored to each of his students so that he ensures anything you struggle with is addressed and not left as an ongoing problem. He's very understanding and keeps the work you do varied so that the lessons are fun as well as productive. In addition, he's happy to give advice on all aspects of playing the drums, and he even helped me in buying my first acoustic drum kit. 
I would highly recommend Ian to anyone looking to have drum lessons!

Testimonial - Alision Aston

Ted's smile as he heads down the drive after his drum lesson says it all. He is so enthused that he practises as soon as we arrive home, then regularly throughout the week. Ian's teaching is organsied and structured, with clear expectations - and it's lots of fun too!

Testimonial. - Tony Gamble - harrogate

I first learnt to play the drums in the 1970s – enough to do okay in school bands and pub gigs. But by the mid-1980s, working life had taken over, and I’d more or less given up.
So when I decided to give it another go in the spring of 2014, I was very, very rusty. Fortunately, I found Ian.
He proved to be exactly the teacher I needed: encouraging, positive, keen to get results – and yet with the patience of a saint. He’s also really easy to get on with, and has a very personalised approach to teaching. This is perfect for a ‘mature student’ like me, as he adapts the lessons to suit the way I want to improve, and always has a handy tip to help overcome specific weaknesses.
Most importantly, Ian is a brilliant drummer, with vast musical knowledge spanning all styles and genres. It’s a real treat to hear him play. His set-up for lessons is impressive too. With excellent equipment and the latest technology, he can show you exactly how it’s done, while you learn and practise.
This is the way to learn the drums properly, and to have fun while you’re doing it. I’d definitely recommend Ian to anyone, of any age.



Liam Hill - Harrogate

I had peripatetic drum lessons at school and found I had an aptitude for drumming but it was not until we found Ian that my drumming really progressed.  Ian is a very likable and approachable person and a really inspirational teacher.  I have really enjoyed learning to play the drums with him.  I have progressed through grades with Ian, starting with Grade 3 and recently achieving Grade 8, each one passed with Distinction.  I can honestly say that without his tuition, I would not have received these Grades. 
Each pupil is different, learning in their own way and Ian appreciates each person’s individuality, tailoring his teaching style to their needs to get the absolute best from them.  On a one to one basis, with lots of different pupils, that is an enviable skill.  The pass list on his website demonstrates this.
Nothing has been too much trouble for him to help me learn, if I have struggled with anything, by the next lesson Ian has come up with some method (be it highlighter pen, memory stick or other idea) to help overcome it.  Thanks for all the fantastic help and ideas Ian! I wouldn’t have got my Grade 8 Distinction without you!
Liam Hill.​

Tony Gernon – Thirsk

As a youngster I played drums at school and recently wondered, with some apprehension, about starting playing again after a gap of many years. I approached Ian and his subsequent lessons and encouragement have been inspirational. His professional expertise, musical knowledge and ability are second to none. Ian has a warm, engaging and effective teaching style and coupled with the first rate facilities in his studio, I find the lessons to be both highly rewarding and very enjoyable. My next lesson is always something I look forward to and I would highly recommend Ian to anyone thinking of taking drumming lessons – do it now before the opportunity passes you.
 

Tim Brooke – Harrogate

I am a man of mature age (in my 50s!) and deep within me (since I was a boy) was a desire to be a drummer, however it wasn't until 6 months ago that I took up drumming lessons with Ian.
 With Ians great tuition, I have learn so much in so little time. As a person who hated school with a passion, I now have a passion for my drum lessons. I look forward to Ian's cool, calm, non-intimidating, patient approach to the lessons. We even have a laugh in the lessons (why wouldn't I not want to go!). He gets good results at a pace to suit the learner.
For anyone who thinks it is too late to take up drumming - it is never too late with Ian's expert one to one tuition. You put in the practice in (lots of it) then Ian will make a drummer out of you - a good drummer! I always Look forward to my next drum lesson with you and really appreciate the effort you put into my lessons.

Chris Pritchard - The Climates 

From the moment I first meet Ian, I got along with him straight away and not wasting any time Ian asked me to play something right off the top of my head just to give him an idea of what he’ll be working with. I thought about it for a moment and played a Lamb of God song. Taking into consideration that Ian is not a complete fan of metal music, he told me how impressed he was with the first performance. This showed me from day one that Ian was not just a standard drum teacher. Ian was someone who actually cares and listens to students whatever their musical music taste is and someone that one way or another will find a way to mould that individual student into a true musician.
Ian’s teaching technique is unique and different to any other teacher I would say. I would describe his technique as “planting a seed and watching it grow”. Ian will always go that extra mile for his students and do anything and everything to benefit their learning potential. Ian provides you with the reading, rudimental techniques and many other progressive technique enhancing exercises that a drummer needs in order to grow at a pace that works for you. In the end it is the commitment that you put into Ian’s work that will make the obvious difference. If you’re smart, you will do it and see real results. Wasting opportunities with a teacher like Ian is something you will live to regret. Teachers do not come as unique as Ian. He’s a true inspiration to my playing and always will be and it is safe to say I would not have achieved my Distinction at Grade 8 or attained a place at The Academy of Contemporary Arts in Guildford (ACM) without his constant support. Ian’s Percussive Edge Books have made such a difference to my progress and I would not hesitate to recommend them whether you take lessons with Ian or not. Cheers Ian!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoFY7UrexDI


James Ord – North Yorkshire

We had been searching on and off  for some time for a drum teacher for James and then whilst looking on the internet I happened to come across Ian's Percussive Edge website and thought it looked really interesting, especially since he had taught one of James's favourite drummers (James Cassells). We are so glad to have found the website. From the first lesson Ian has been a huge positive influence for James.
Ian channels everything he knows into making each lesson relevant and accessible at the level the student is working at. He regularly takes a lot of time outside of the paid for hour to plan, help James out if he is stuck, or give support and information to James. He gets back to you immediately if there are any questions. Ian is funny and easy to get on with and is a great role model and his drumming is incredible.
Ian expects more of the student and demands high standards but in a positive way that motivates. Each session is tailored just to where each student is and it is obvious that allot of preparation goes into every lesson. Ian 's Communication is outstanding and everything is clear and structured.
"Ian thinks of stuff that other drum teachers wouldn't bother to do to make it easy for me to learn, even altering the music sheets to make them easier to read. My drumming has come on really well and he is such a nice person. He expects a lot from you but that's a good thing because it's my future and he pushes you hard to help you be the best you can be." 

We would not hesitate to recommend Ian to any prospective students- he is the best drummer we've ever heard but he can also teach what he knows and that is a rare combination.  - James, 16.