The beat goes on for Falkirk drum business thanks to a real heavy hitter

Stickmen are never ones to see each other stuck and Paul stepped in just in time when he saw an online post from dD Drums director David Dowell stating he was going to be forced to close down one of his rehearsal rooms due to the impact of lockdown.

Paul covered the cost of the rent for the rehearsal room – and more – allowing dD Drums, based in Falkirk’s Ladysmill Industrial Estate, to keep the beat going.

The support from the Gun man meant David was able to recruit Iona McNab to join the dD Drums team.

David, who has attracted famous drummers like Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain to the Falkirk area, said: “Iona brings not only the expertise she has acquired through many years of studying, performing and teaching various aspects of music – including percussion – but also the communication and teaching skills that allow her to engage with and teach even the youngest students.

“She taught melody and rhythmic percussion to my daughter Ella when she was just a child, so I experienced Iona’s magic and witnessed the tremendous effect she had first hand.

“Iona lives to teach. Drumming is a combination of rhythm and music – and teaching and learning are balance of learning and fun. Iona is a master of all that and more.”

Iona, who comes from Linlithgow, cannot wait to get busy allowing dD Drums to expand its business to includes the smallest of beatkeepers.

She said: “In terms of education and inspiration, David Dowell has for many years been doing so much for the local music community. His Scottish Drum Festival events put Falkirk – and Scotland – on the map of the international drumming community, while his mission to foster and sustain a very inclusive local drumming community have made dD Drums the heart of the local drumming scene.

“I’m so happy to now be part of that effort to ensure local children and players have the opportunity to learn not only music and become part of the player community, but also gain the confidence and sense of independence that will help guide them through life.”

Now the rehearsal room is secured and Iona is on board, dD Drums is able to offer an invitation to parents with their pre-school kids everywhere to join them for a free block of festive themed sessions in the run up to Christmas.

These online sessions will incorporate all the fundamental principles of music. with the main element, of course, being fun.Iona said: “Get your tappers and shakers ready, it’s going to be lots of fun as we beat a musical path towards Christmas.”

These free classes will be hosted on Zoom between 11am and 11.30am on Thursdays, from December 3 to December 17.Visit www.dddrums.co.uk/contact or email [email protected] for more information.