Repairs and Tuition

A good drum lasts a lifetime, but skins split, ropes stretch and every player benefits from a teacher. We have put together a list of people around the UK who repair and reskin African drums or offer lessons, from one to one tuition to community drumming groups.

Filter by what you need and where you are, then get in touch with them directly.

Everyone listed is an independent practitioner. African Musical Instruments is not affiliated with them and is not responsible for their services, prices or availability. Teach or repair drums and want to be listed? Get in touch.

Find a repairer or teacher

Adaptatrap

Brighton, South East

Repairs
Reskinning
Re-roping

Instruments: Djembes, Drums

Adaptatrap has been part of Brighton's musical life since 1994. The shop has a new name now: Siesta Crafts Brighton, incorporating Adaptatrap, but it's the same love of handmade instruments from every corner of the world. Pat, the shop manager, handles drum repair work of all kind.

Drums Aloud

Birmingham, West Midlands

Workshops
Group classes

Instruments: Djembe, Dundun, Balafon, Sabar

Drums Aloud is an arts organisation founded by Nigel Sadler whose aim is to bring West African drumming to Birmingham, the Black Country and the surrounding areas of the West Midlands, Worcestershire, Staffordshire & Warwickshire.

The Drum Coach

Leominster, West Midlands

Workshops
Group classes

Instruments: Djembe

Peter is an experienced drum leader and percussionist with a background in the West African culture, and skilled at adult learning. Peter also has a coaching background in personal development. Currently running workshops for adults in Herefordshire, mainly around the Leominster and Ludlow area.

Richard McMullin

Isle of Wight, Online / nationwide

Repairs
Re-roping
Tuning
Workshops
1:1 lessons

Instruments: Djembes

28 years experience in African drum repair and maker of high end professional djembes.
West African Drumming workshops and tuition at all levels. Richard offers excellent repair work by post.

The Drum Doctor

Sheffield, Yorkshire

Repairs
Reskinning
Re-roping

Instruments: Djembes, Acoustic Drum Kits

Set-up by Phil Gilbert who has been playing drums for over forty years. He buys and sells drums and cymbals as a 'hobby' and his experience as a technician in school led him to create Drum Doctor.