About Us

About Us


thePlanetDrum is an international drum and percussion school, with locations in London, Nice and Berlin. The idea behind thePlanetDrum started in London, where founding partners Mirko Schmitt and Alain Maurel founded the drum and percussion school in 1996. At the center of this was Mirko and Alain’s desire to pass on their own enthusiasm and techniques to both beginners and advanced learners.
In the process, they were able to create an atmosphere that set them apart from conventional music schools: learning goes a lot faster if you’re having fun and the atmosphere is free and relaxed. The music world concurred, singling out thePlanetDrum as the best drum and percussion school in London.

In 2003, Mirko came to Germany and opened the first Berlin school in Kreuzberg.

Prenzlauer Berg, in 2011, and Schöneberg, in 2015, made two more schools in Berlin. In 2018 we moved our studio in Prenzlauer Berg to a new location with daylight in Pankow. And in March 2019 we opened two brandnew studios at Musikfabrik Berlin. Since December 2019 we are also represented in the famous Berliner Rockhaus with our own studio.
In the meantime, Mirko had surrounded himself with a diverse team with international playing experience.
In Berlin, thePlanetDrum is still associated with the specially developed teaching concept of our “thePlanetDrum curriculum”, learning with fun and passion. thePlanetDrum also combines a strong theoretical foundation with a special focus on live performance – every student is playing songs from the very first lesson.

Learning with fun & passion!

thePlanetDrum über uns Mirko Schmitt drumschool Berlin

At a Glance


thePlanetDrum is the qualified drum and percussion school for Berlin. Since 1996, we’ve followed our curriculum with outstanding success in London, Berlin and Nice.
What makes thePlanetDrum special:

  • lots of fun
  • learning with our thePlanetDrum curriculum
  • diversified lessons
  • personalized
  • emphasis on live performance
  • rapid learning success
  • enthusiasm for playing
  • tutoring from professional musicians with international experience
  • permanent teaching staff
  • friendly atmosphere
  • group or private lessons
  • live playing workshops: students play songs with band
  • the legendary thePlanetDrum party
  • clinics: special drum topics are presented as a group lesson
  • all different styles: from Latin, through hip hop, R&B and drum and bass, to metal
  • all age groups: from 4 to 99
  • rhythm training, developed specially for children
  • locations in the heart of Berlin: Schöneberg, Kreuzberg, Pankow, Neukölln and Lichtenberg
  • face-to-face online drum lessons with good video and audio quality
  • tutoring in German, English, Spanish, Italian
  • free trial lesson
  • well appointed studios
  • tuiton optionally with acoustic or e-drum set

From Latin, HipHop to Metal!

thePlanetDrum Schlagzeugunterricht drumming Berlin über uns

Why choose us: our philosophy


At thePlanetDrum, passion and enthusiasm come first, not months of theory exercises. Our teaching therefore emphasizes live performance from the outset, so that you can apply what you’ve learnt directly at gigs with the band. You’ll have the chance to take part in our live playing workshops and train up your ensemble playing with the band. Advanced students present their skills in front of the audience – at the legendary thePlanetDrum party.

We’ll work through all the different styles with you in a friendly atmosphere: from Latin through urban rhythms to heavy metal. No matter whether you’re a beginner, an advanced learner or a pro, our teachers’ versatile, extensive and international experience will help you to get results as quickly as possible. We offer tutoring in German, English, Spanish or Italian.

Try it out!