Drum lessons & teaching during the coronavirus spread

Coronavirus is going to affect all musicians and music teachers in lots of ways. We need to be sensible and follow basic rules whilst teaching. The following guide should help to keep you and your students as safe as possible. Please read them and action where appropriate.

• All music teachers and drum tutors should follow the hygiene guidelines as set out by the NHS.
• My Drum Lessons advise music teachers not to use physical contact with their students. This advice applies in the context of coronavirus, and any teachers who still use physical contact as part of their teaching are advised to stop immediately.

Best practice in teaching hygiene should be followed with care. Teachers should:

• Avoid passing or sharing instruments between students where possible, especially where instruments come into contact with the mouth.
• Clean shared instruments and equipment between uses where possible, e.g. wiping drum sticks, stools or mallet handles etc.
• Allow a sensible space between teacher and student(s) and avoid standing or sitting directly opposite each other in close proximity, especially singers.
• Air the teaching room between lessons where possible and ensure that hands are washed regularly.
• Teachers should follow any guidance or procedures issued by their workplace.
• If you teach in schools or other settings, you should follow each setting’s policy on what to do if a student presents with symptoms. If a setting has not issued guidance, request it.

Teachers who work from their own homes or in their students’ homes should follow similar precautions. As these teachers are likely to be self-employed, they will need to be clear on their own policies regarding illness.

We advise that if either teacher or the pupil is unwell with any potentially contagious symptoms, the lesson should not go ahead.