Rephonic
Artwork for A Drummer’s Guide To...

A Drummer’s Guide To...

adrummersguideto
Instagram
London, United Kingdom
Session Musicians
Networking
Emily Dolan Davies
AMA
Podcast Format Change
Emilydrums.com
Musical Theatre
Social Media
Tempo
In-Ear Monitors
Showreel
Emotional Connection In Music
London
Logic Pro
Music Industry
Gigs and Fees
Recording
Remote Recording

’A Drummer’s Guide To...’ is the podcast that dives into everything it takes to thrive as a professional musician beyond the practice room. Hosted by Emily Dolan Davies, a drummer since 1999, pro since 2008, and a passionate mentor since 2018, this show unpacks the real-world challenges, triumphs, and strategies for building the career of your dreams. Whether you’re chasing gigs, navigating the mu... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes100Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsBusinessEntrepreneurshipMusic

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for A Drummer’s Guide To...

Latest Episodes

I've been trying to answer a question that's fascinated me for years...

I've met unbelievable musicians who never pursued music beyond a hobby, and others who built incredible careers despite not necessarily being the "best" player in the room.

So ... more

YouTube

Do you only get one chance to network with someone… or is that just something we’ve told ourselves?

In this episode, I answer a brilliant question from Anonymous about networking on Instagram, sending DMs, and how to actually build real connections ... more

YouTube

Most musicians grow up believing in the idea of a “big break.”

That one moment where someone important discovers you…

The audition that suddenly changes everything…

The gig that launches your career overnight.

But in my experience, that’s almost ... more

YouTube

You’re a professional.

It’s just four minutes.

So why does this song feel like a punch in the chest?

In Episode 219 – A Drummer’s Guide To… Heartbreak on the Setlist (Q from Anonymous), I answer a listener’s question about performing a song that’s... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Dom Ritchie
Drummer based in Leeds who asked a long, detailed career-question
Independent musician
Episode: 217 - Grateful, Successful… Still Wanting More (Q from Dom Ritchie)
Joe Threlfall
Guitarist aiming for West End and touring work
Independent musician
Episode: 209 - Get Fixers’ Attention Fast (Q from Joe Threlfall)

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 42 ratings
  • An inspiring resource on musicianship, resilience & staying human.

    An inspiring resource on musicianship, resilience & staying human.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chris-Tofa
    Australia3 years ago
  • A Drummer’s Guide To

    Inviting, friendly, thoughtful podcast with engaging presenter all served in handy bite sized portions!😀

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teldrum
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • Useful bite sized info

    So glad to find this. Friendly delivery. Relevant topics. Can listen in the small snatches of free time I have.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kathsterl
    United Kingdom6 years ago
  • Fantastic

    Emily, your podcast is fantastic and the way you present is so down to Earth and inclusive. The information is incredibly helpful and insightful. Thank you so much Emily 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pettonk686
    Australia6 years ago
  • A Drummer’s Guide To- 💖🥁🔥🎶

    I love Emily Dolan Davies’ podcast. It is full of excellent information, tips and thoughts about a broad variety of topics related to life as a professional drummer, things you won’t find elsewhere. Emily holds nothing back, is sincere, helpful and really fun to get to know via podcast! A true pro!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kickinwithkim
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Honest and approachable coaching style that demystifies the industry.
Warm, down-to-earth hosting with relatable industry anecdotes.
Authentic and encouraging—great for musicians navigating the business side.
Insightful, practical guidance for turning expertise into opportunities.
Clear, actionable tips for showreels, networking, and client outreach.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

220 - The Myth of the Big Break (Q from Jon Raynor)
Q: Do drummer auditions still exist?
Auditions still exist, but the host emphasizes that opportunities often come through existing relationships and being recommended by friends; consistency, reliability, and networking are key to being considered for auditions.
209 - Get Fixers’ Attention Fast (Q from Joe Threlfall)
Q: What should you be posting to stories vs pinned posts on Instagram?
Emily advises pinning a show reel and a polished, cohesive bio on the profile, while using stories to stay top of mind with ongoing documentation of practice, gigs, and daily activities. Stories should be raw and consistent, whereas feed posts should showcase real stage experience with a professional tone, and a show reel should demonstrate your ability to perform with others.
214 - Recording Your In Ear Mix - Do You Need To? Q from Joe Threlfall mp3
Q: What ways do you recommend of recording audio from your in-ear mix to your phone that actually works?
Start with the principle of control and quality: run the in-ear mix into a small mixer, take a separate output for the ears, and route another output to a computer/DAW (like Logic) for recording, or use a standalone recorder (e.g., a Zoom H2n) to capture WAV audio. Avoid relying on phone hardware alone, as phones typically struggle with latency and gain. If possible, ask FOH for a dedicated feed or multitrack files for the best possible showreel material, while keeping expectations realistic about audio perfection.
213 - Why Trust Gets You Hired (Q from Rob Quinn)
Q: Hey, Emily, just a thought for a potential episode. Trust.
Trust involves believing in your rehearsed parts and the process, and building reliability within a band so you can operate smoothly even under pressure.
216 - Underpaid, Overworked, Resentful Q from Anonymous
Q: How would you handle a situation where a band pays very little for gigs and travels long distances?
I would first assess my overall goals and whether the gig aligns with my longer-term plans. If it's fun and helps expand my network or skills, it can be worth it, but I'd also explore higher-paying opportunities or diversify with other bands to reduce dependence on one gig. If the pay remains low, I'd consider negotiating higher rates, seeking higher-end gigs, or starting my own outfit to regain control over pay and schedule.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About A Drummer’s Guide To...

What is A Drummer’s Guide To... about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, musician-facing show that combines coaching, real-world industry insights, and actionable tactics for building a sustainable career beyond the practice room. Episodes frequently center on networking, branding, showreels, social-media strategy, and professional mindset, with a strong emphasis on reliability, relationships, and seizing opportunities in live and studio work. Notable angles include in-depth Q&A coaching, audience-driven format shifts toward concrete scenarios, and candid discussions about challenges like pacing, finances, and well-being on tour. The host's clear, down-to-earth approach and willingness to share personal experiences make it a valuable resource for aspiring and working musicians seeking tangible caree... more

Where can I find podcast stats for A Drummer’s Guide To...?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for A Drummer’s Guide To.... We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to A Drummer’s Guide To... and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does A Drummer’s Guide To... get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for A Drummer’s Guide To..., including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for A Drummer’s Guide To...?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for A Drummer’s Guide To..., including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does A Drummer’s Guide To... have?

To see how many followers or subscribers A Drummer’s Guide To... has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to A Drummer’s Guide To...?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Drummer’s Guide To...:

1. Drummers Pathway Podcast

How many episodes of A Drummer’s Guide To... are there?

A Drummer’s Guide To... launched 7 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Drummer’s Guide To...?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for A Drummer’s Guide To...?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for A Drummer’s Guide To... from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for A Drummer’s Guide To...?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of A Drummer’s Guide To.... Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on A Drummer’s Guide To...?

Recent guests on A Drummer’s Guide To... include:

1. Dom Ritchie
2. Joe Threlfall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days