Frequently Asked Questions — Gulf Breeze Drum Lessons
Quick Answers for Busy Parents
• Contract? No.
• Signup fee? No.
• Monthly subscription? No.
• Pay as you go? Yes.
• Okay to miss a lesson? Yes — just let me know.
• First lesson free? Yes.
• Need a kit to start? No.
• School band / drumline / snare / bells? Yes.
• Kids and adults? Yes.
• In-person and online? Yes.
Ready to try a lesson? Just click the button above and quickly book your first free drum lesson. Or Contact Josh and Crystal at (850)777-0868 or (828) 458-2982 .
Getting Started
What age do you start?
Age 6 and up is usually the best age. At that age most students can focus, hold the sticks comfortably, and start building good habits. Younger students can start earlier on a case-by-case basis. If your child is very young and excited about drums, we’ll talk through it and decide together whether lessons will feel fun and productive right now. Adults are welcome too — complete beginners, returning players, and gigging musicians.
What happens in the first lesson?
I explain what we do during lessons, talk about what the student wants to play, check posture and grip, and start making music right away. Parents are welcome to stay for all lessons. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of how lessons work and whether it feels like a good fit.
Can a parent stay during the lesson?
Yes. There is plenty of comfortable seating in the drum studio. Sometimes entire families come and enjoy the lessons. It is a family environment and I encourage family members during lessons. Some older students prefer to work one-on-one. Either is fine.
What do we bring to the first lesson?
Nothing. You don’t need sticks, books, a notebook, or a drum set. I have a drum set the student can play, plus sticks and books they can use at the studio. The first lesson is about getting comfortable, hearing what the student likes, and starting to play. You only buy gear later if you want things at home for practice. For lessons here, I have everything the student needs.
Is the first lesson really free?
Yes. The first lesson is free, with no obligation to continue. It’s a chance for the student to try drums in a real studio, for you to see how lessons work, and for us to make sure it’s a good fit. If you want to keep going after that, we simply schedule the next lesson.
How do I book a lesson?
Call or text (828) 458-2982 or (850)777-0868 or click the button above to book your free lesson. You can also use the contact form on this website if you prefer to contact Josh first. We’ll find a time that works Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm.
Cost, Commitment, and Scheduling
Do I have to sign a contract or pay a signup fee?
No. There is no contract, no signup fee, no registration fee, and no monthly subscription. You are not locked into a semester, a package, or a minimum number of lessons.
Is this pay-as-you-go?
Yes. Lessons are pay-as-you-go. You pay for the lesson you take. That’s it. No prepaid months. No automatic billing. No “unused lessons expire” policy.
What if we need to miss a lesson?
Just contact me and let me know you can’t make that lesson. It’s that easy. Life happens — school events, sports, sickness, vacations, busy weeks. It’s okay to miss lessons. Because this is pay-as-you-go, you are not charged for a lesson you don’t take when you’ve let me know. Sometime parents forget about the lessons. I understand. You won’t be charged for lessons you don’t take. Period.
How do we cancel or reschedule?
Contact me as soon as you know you can’t make it. We’ll move the lesson or simply skip that week. No penalty. No obligation. No awkward “makeup policy” maze.
Can we take a break and come back later?
Yes. Students pause for sports seasons, summer travel, band camp, or family schedules all the time. When you’re ready again, we pick back up.
How much do lessons cost?
$35 for a 30-minute lesson and $60 for a 60-minute lesson. Students can come weekly or every other week. Many students do very well with a one-hour lesson every other week — it’s often more affordable, easier to schedule, and gives more time in each session to actually play. For students 7 and under it’s often best for them to take 30-minute lessons.
How often should we take lessons?
Weekly is great for fast momentum. Every other week works extremely well for a lot of families and also produces strong progress, sometimes better results. You can choose what fits the student and your calendar.
Practice and Gear at Home
Do we need a drum kit at home?
It’s helpful, but not required. A student can start practicing with just sticks. The next best step is a practice pad. After that, an electronic drum set is an excellent home option (quiet, headphone-friendly, and very effective). An acoustic kit is great when the space and budget allow it. Don’t wait to start lessons until you own a full kit. Many students begin with sticks and a pad and add gear later.
What should we buy first if we want to practice at home?
Start simple:
1. A pair of drumsticks
2. A practice pad
3. Later, if you want more, an electronic kit (not loud) or an acoustic kit (louder, but I’m a drummer and I love the sound of drums)
4. Eventually an acoustic kit if that’s the goal
I can recommend specific options so you don’t overspend or buy the wrong thing.
How much should my child practice?
Short, consistent practice beats long, rare sessions. Even 10–20 minutes a few times a week helps a lot, especially early on. I’ll give clear, doable practice goals so no one is guessing at home. I often suggest that 5 minutes a day is the best practice schedule if that is all you are able to do.
In-Person vs. Online
Are lessons in person or online?
Both. In-person lessons are at my Gulf Breeze studio, convenient to Pensacola and Navarre. Online lessons are available worldwide by video on Zoom. I also offer a hybrid of the two for those who want to reduce how much they drive for in person lessons.
Which is better — in-person or online?
Each student is different. In-person is great for feel, setup, and playing on studio gear. Online is great for consistency, travel weeks, and students who don’t live nearby. Most students can learn well either way. Some families even mix both. We’ll choose what works best and can adjust later.
How do online lessons work?
We meet by video. The student plays on whatever they have at home — a pad, electronic kit, or acoustic kit. I can see hands, posture, and timing, and we work through songs, technique, school music, and recording just like an in-person lesson. The student can also see me to effectively learn.
What You Teach
Do you only teach drum set?
No. I teach drum set, snare drum, bells, percussion, as well as drum tuning, recording, music production, and offer career development and consulting. Lessons include school band, marching band, drumline, concert snare, orchestra bells/mallets, jazz band, and the music students actually want to play.
Can you help with school band, drumline, snare, or bells?
Yes. This can be a regular part of lessons. Students bring band music, drumline parts, snare etudes, bell parts, or audition material, and we work on it directly. Parents often use lessons to support school band while the student still gets to play songs they love on drum set.
What styles do you teach?
Rock, country, pop, worship, jazz, funk, marching, concert percussion, Latin styles, and more. Students choose music they care about while we build technique, timing, reading, and groove. Lessons follow a structured plan with plenty of fun options each week.
Do you teach adults?
Yes. Adults who always wanted to play, parents who decided it’s their turn, and working musicians who want tighter time, better feel, or recording skills are all welcome.
Do students learn to read music?
Yes, when it helps. We use reading for band, rudiments, and charts, and we also learn by ear and by playing real songs. The mix depends on the student’s goals.
Can students record in lessons?
Yes. The studio has recording gear and there are two drum sets that are fully ready to record with microphones and recording interfaces, so students can play to tracks, record themselves, hear their progress, and even work on original music or production basics. Several of my students use their lesson time to record their own songs or record themselves playing drums to backing tracks or just on their own. It is a very effective and fun way to learn and improve their skills.
The Studio and First Visit
Where are lessons?
In-person lessons are at my home studio in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Online lessons can be taken from anywhere.
What will my child play on at the studio?
Students play on a top-of-the-line Roland TD-27 electronic kit for lessons. There is also acoustic gear in the studio that students can play, including a Pearl kit and a Ludwig Classic Maple setup used for recording and more advanced work. Beginners do not need to worry. Everything is set up so they can sit down and just play.
Common Parent Questions
What if my child isn’t sure drums are “their thing” yet?
That’s exactly why the first lesson is free and why there is no contract. Try it. If they love it, we continue. If not, you haven’t paid a signup fee or signed anything.
What if sports, band, or school get busy?
Then we slow down, switch to every other week, skip a week, or pause. The schedule should serve the family, not the other way around.
Will lessons only be rudiments and exercises?
No. Fundamentals matter, but students also play real songs, school music, and styles they enjoy. Progress sticks better when the student is excited about what they’re playing.
Do you teach complete beginners?
Yes. Most students start from zero. We go step-by-step so it feels doable, not overwhelming.
How do I know if online lessons will work for a young student?
If they can see the screen, hear clearly, and have a pad or kit in view, it usually works well. If in-person is possible, that’s often easiest for the youngest beginners. We can try one format and switch if needed.
Ready to try a lesson? Contact Josh at (828) 458-2982 or (850)777-0868 or through joshkinserdrums.com.