Welcome to the Planet drum Resources page, your go-to hub for everything that supports your musical journey. Here you'll find curated playlists, recommended gear and books, exam guides, and how to book our practice rooms. This is where we gather all the extras to help you stay inspired, informed, and ready to make the most of your time with us, on and off the drum kit.
Trinity & RSL exams
At Planet drum, we offer the opportunity to study and sit both Trinity College London and Rockschool (RSL) drum exams, right here in our studios. Whether you're a beginner looking to mark your progress or an advanced player aiming for formal certification, our tutors are experienced in preparing students for every grade level. We’re proud to be an official Trinity College London examination centre, allowing enrolled students to take their Trinity exams on-site or online. We also regularly host Rockschool drum exams with flexible dates throughout the year.
Trinity College London Drum Exams Trinity exams focus on musicality, technique and performance. They are available in both Classical & Jazz and Rock & Pop formats. Next Trinity Exams at Planet drum (in-studio):
Wednesday 10 July 2024
Booking deadline: Please speak with your tutor or the studio team at least 6 weeks prior. Students may also choose to submit digital exam recordings at any time via the Trinity online portal.
RSL (Rockschool) Drum Exams Rockschool drum exams are ideal for students focused on popular music styles like rock, pop, funk, and metal. They assess performance skills, technique and musicianship in a modern music context. Next RSL Drum Exams at Planet drum:
Monday 8 July 2024
Monday 2 December 2024
To register, speak with your tutor who will help prepare you and guide you through the booking process.
Need Help Choosing? Not sure which exam board is right for you? Your tutor can help you decide based on your musical goals, preferred styles, and learning pace. There’s no pressure to take exams—many students learn just for fun or performance confidence! Speak to your tutor or the Planet drum team to find out more.
practice rooms
Please note that our practice roms are not open to the general public. As a Planet drum student, you're welcome to book a room at our Islington studios for your own personal practice. Rooms are available every day of the week at peak and off-peak times - just book your slot in advance and turn up. Off peak practice times: Monday to Friday, 2 pm to 5pm (can be booked a maximum of 48 hours before) Peak practice times: Monday to Friday, 5pm to 10pm and weekends (can be booked a maximum of 24 hours before) Students on the Compact course receive 1 x free off-peak practice hour per month. Students on the Standard course receive 2 x free off-peak practice hour per month.
Free off-peak practice slots are available for our students weekday from 2-5 pm subject to contract. To book, email the office within 24 hours of the desired slot. Practice slots can also be bought this page (off-peak weekdays 2-5 pm or peak evenings and weekends). Free practice allowance is valid for that month only and any unused allowance cannot be rolled over to the next month.
All practice rooms have at least two drum kits with Zildjian cymbals, a wide range of Latin and African percussion, electric pianos and a range of guitars, basses and amps. Please be out of the room on time so the next teacher/student can be on time also. The audio systems and laptops in the practice rooms are for teaching and examinations only. We advise to play along using your phone and headphones.
Read more about our practice studios in our blog.
equipment & books
See below the links to purchase some of our favourite tried and tested products! Please note, we are not a store, these are just Planet drum recommendations.
Drum sticks Choose size 7A for small hands, 5A for larger hands.
Looking to sharpen your skills between lessons? Head over to Rhythm School for a library of high-quality video tutorials, play-alongs, and learning aids designed for drummers of all levels. Whether you're brushing up on technique, building your groove vocabulary, or exploring new styles, Rhythm School offers clear, structured content to help you progress at your own pace, all created by Planet drum founder Alain Maurel. Happy drumming!
