Drummer’s helping hand for teachers

THERAPY? drummer Neil Cooper is launching a website to help self-employed music teachers called Music Tutor’s Hero.

The Derby-based stick man with the Irish alt-rock band, also teaches drums in two Derbyshire schools and says the idea for the website came to him when he was looking for a way to organise his teaching sessions more effectively.

“I was teaching in schools, music shops and pupils’ homes, and I realised the organisation of each student’s lesson plans and notes could be simpler and should be easily accessible for parents.

“The idea was simple - all lesson notes, video demonstrations, invoices and planning would be online. Lesson reminders will also be sent automatically to pupils and parents.

“Using the website myself, I no longer require bags full of books and hand-written notes. My drumming students simply turn up to the lesson with their sticks - everything else is on their phone or tablet.”

Cooper (pictured), who gained a Certificate of Teaching from the Royal School of Music in 2001, added: “The media library is particularly appealing allowing tutors to store and play audio or video clips.

“This is very handy for teachers demonstrating techniques and for recording pupils, showing their progress and achievements.” To find out more visit MusicTutorsHero.co.uk. ■Therapy?’s new single, Callow, is out now. It’s taken from an album due for release in September.