Joachim Alfheim, is a professional drummer who is passionate about passing on his knowledge and helping you develop your drumming & music skills to reach your goals. He is a BMus graduate (Jazz Drums) with 15 years teaching experience. He encourages students to give input into their lessons and welcomes anyone (10y+) to come try out the drums.

Born in England, but grew up in Norway, Joachim got into music listening to his parents 50/60’s rock ‘n roll records before moving onto the 80’s and 90's rock music like KISS, Iron Maiden, Guns ‘n Roses. He picked up his first set of drum sticks when he was sixteen and shortly thereafter started a few bands with his friends, creating original rock and fusion music. His music taste changed rapidly as he kept learning. He got into artists like Genesis, Sting, Tracy Chapman, Pearl Jam, Police, Toto, Bob Marley, Phil Collins, FNM and Peter Gabriel, and this influence and love of all kinds of music is what keeps motivating him today.

Joachim had no real opportunities to learn an instrument - in or outside of school -  and therefore spent many hours listening to music to figure out what the drummers where doing on his favourite recordings. Being a self-taught drummer - who then went on to formal study - showed Joachim the benefits of regular drum tuition and inspired him to establish his own teaching studio.

Known as a dynamic and song-driven drummer, Joachim plays pop, alt-country, rock, blues, soul, reggae, jazz, folk and more. Bands Joachim has worked with include Escolita Soul, Mardi Lumsden & The Rising Seas, Alan Boyle, Chris Pickering and multi-award winning and ARIA nominated Catherine Britt and Kate Miller-Heidke.

Joachim relocated to Melbourne from Brisbane in early 2018 wanting a change, and to experience the big vibrant music city. When Covid-19 made Melbourne go into extreme and extensive lockdowns he thought it was time to relocate back to Norway 🇳🇴 (after many years abroad) and get back into the culture, music and the gorgeous nature of his homeland.

First off I do not follow school term but instead teach all year around.

Every student's background and expectations are different but I will try to outline the general idea of my teaching philosophy;

The main focus is on a musical and practical application of whatever you do on the drums so that you can play easier and with more fluidity around the drum kit. Through a supportive and fun way of learning you get to work on things that are aimed to your own goals, both through reading notes and listening playing alongside me. We might talk about the importance of posture and drum kit set up, work on fundamental technique, grooves and fills or being creative and coming up with your own parts. 

On your first drum lesson you get to go straight onto the drum kit, no practice pad usually for beginner students. For those of you that are just starting out I focus on getting you comfortable playing basic grooves and fills plus some basic note theory/reading for ease of you doing practice at home. Once you are ready for it I like us to work on playing along to music, preferably a music choice of your own!

For those of you that are more intermediate/advanced students the drum lessons are tailored around what you like to work on but often incorporates some of the lesson spent on the practice pad at the start of the lesson for warm up, work on basic grip/technical skills before moving onto the drum kit. We might be working on fill ideas, coordination, ideas for songs that you do with your band...

Joachim has 15 years teaching experience. He’s been running his own drum schools for most of that time in addition to working at other music schools.

His 1st one was Brisbane Drum Lessons. It was run out of his own house after doing extensive work to build a completely sound isolated studio ( a floating room within a room). After selling and moving from that home he rented 2 other commercial premises in Brisbane to run his drum lesson business.

https://brisbanedrumlessons.com.au/

In early 2018 he decided to move to the cultural mecca of Melbourne. There he quickly started up Play Drums Melbourne teaching studio in addition to doing fill-in gigs. It’s run out of a commercial rehearsal studio. At the busiest time periods there he taught about 20 students/20hrs a week.

After deciding to move back to Norway, Joachim decided to let his friend Benjamin Graham take over the teaching business so that his students can easily continue their drum lessons in the same location.

https://playdrumsmelbourne.com.au/

60min TRIAL LESSON. NOK 375,-

You get your first lesson at HALF PRICE. No matter what kind of lessons you want on a regular basis I find that we need a full hour the 1st time to make sure we have time enough to get to know each other some.

30min LESSON. NOK 375,-

The going rate for a standard a 30min lesson. Usually paid through a weekly/fortnightly subscription payment.

45min LESSON. NOK 559,-

The going rate for a standard 45min lesson. Usually paid through a weekly/fortnightly subscription payment.

60min LESSON. NOK 749,-

The going rate for a standard 1hr lesson. Usually paid through a weekly/fortnightly subscription payment.

*I do also have a couple of new student lesson promos on offer. Once they are done all lessons are charged as mentioned above.

**I have a strict 24 hr cancellation policy. Please respect this. I will however try to reschedule your lesson in the same week depending on availability.

Subscription Payment through Stripe

After running my teaching studios for years I believe I have found the best and easiest way of payment for your drum lessons. Besides offering a couple of promo deals for new students, all regular lessons are paid as weekly/fortnightly subscription payment (auto debit which can easily be paused or cancelled at anytime). This way we don’t have to worry about cash/payment but can focus on playing drums when we meet up.

I email the student their payment link.