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Rockschool Stories
09 April, 2025
Beats & Breakthroughs: Samuel Jacklin’s Rockschool Story
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From Saucepans to Stages: Inside Samuel Jacklin’s Drumming Journey
Samuel Jacklin’s journey is a rhythm-filled adventure that’s been years in the making. From banging on saucepans as a toddler to now studying our Level 3 Vocational Qualification in Creative Music Industry, Samuel’s drumming career has been nothing short of impressive. As he continues to perfect his craft, his goal is clear: hit those big stages, spread his music across the globe, and leave a lasting impact. His story is a perfect example of how dedication, talent, and an unshakeable love for the drums can take you to new heights!
The Early Beats: A Natural Born Drummer
Samuel’s drumming journey didn’t start with a drum kit; it began with a set of saucepans and wooden spoons! As soon as he could hold a stick, he was making music. Fast forward to a special birthday when Samuel received his first drum kit, a basic Roland Electric one. Drumming before bed became a regular routine, but it wasn’t always this easy. At first, there wasn’t much in terms of complex drumming to reference, as pop music dominated the airwaves. However, with the help of The Rockschool Drums Syllabus, Samuel found a new rhythm.
When Samuel began at Grade 1, some of the songs presented a challenge, but with the steady encouragement of his parents, “Practice – everyone who’s good at something needs to learn and practice”, he pushed forward. By the time he reached Grade 4, Samuel was ready for more of a challenge, and he began diving into heavier genres like Metalcore, Death Metal, and Prog Metal, all of which helped him develop his unique sound.
“Watching your child learn, grow, and blow your socks off with talent that neither of his parents possessed was incredible” – Samuel’s Parents
Samuel’s dedication paid off when he passed his first Rockschool exam with Merit in February after beginning in August. Over the years, he continued to work hard, aiming to complete one grade per year. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Samuel exceeded expectations and passed his exam in just 9 months, ultimately achieving his Grade 8 Exam!
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Musical Influences: Finding His Voice
In 2019, Samuel attended the UK Drum Show, where he saw Chris Coleman (Chaka Khan/Israel Houghton) and Ray Luzier (KORN) perform. These performances were pivotal in shaping Samuel’s personal style, influencing his love for polyrhythms and precision. Around the same time, he upgraded his gear with a new Roland Electric drum kit, thanks to PMT (Play Music Today).
After attending the 2021 UK Drum Show, Samuel started working with Drumazon, where he learned the ins and outs of drumming equipment and made key industry connections. That summer, his mother brought Samuel a Mapex Saturn acoustic drum kit, further honing his sound and style.
Gigs, Camps, and Growth
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Samuel attended several weekend Drum Camps, where he met pro drummers like Matty Brown (Ellie Goulding/Olly Murs/Stormzy) and Chris Turner (Oceans Ate Alaska). His impressive skills didn’t go unnoticed, and these camps played a significant role in shaping his recent musical developments.
Samuel is currently in multiple bands, including the prog metal band Arcædian, the punk band Chainmail, and the death metal group Muzzle.
Samuel’s drumming future is just getting started. As for his ultimate goal, Samuel dreams of making a career out of drumming, having fun, and touring with his prog metal inspirations, like TesseracT. “I want to make a comfortable living out of what I love and have fun doing it with the people around me,” he says.
Q&A: Samuel Jacklin’s Journey to Drumming Mastery
RSL: Have you had any cool opportunities because of your drumming skills?
Samuel: “Honestly, the biggest opportunity I’ve had so far is with you guys. The recording and promotion on your website has been amazing!”
RSL: How do you balance drumming with everything else in your life?
Samuel: “It’s pretty easy for me because I’m in a college where I’m learning music performance. I can practice whenever I feel like it, and I have my drum kit set up in the same room as my PC.”
RSL: What are your future goals as a drummer?
Samuel: “My goal is to make a living out of drumming, tour with TesseracT, and make Arcædian successful!”
RSL: Do you have any gigs, projects, or recordings coming up?
Samuel: “Yes! I’m recording with Muzzle soon, and then I’ll be recording with Chainmail on our second song, which I composed the drums for.”
RSL: What advice would you give to other drummers going through Rockschool exams?
Samuel: “Practice hard, but make it fun! I struggled with Grade 6 during COVID, but it taught me that consistency is key. Practice, but make it fun and easy to do, don’t make it feel like a chore.”
What’s Next?
Now studying RSL’s Level 3 Vocational Qualification in Creative Music Industry at Access Creative College in Bristol, Samuel is setting his sights on attending a music university and pursuing his career as a professional drummer. The course has given him the structure and opportunities to explore the many facets of the music industry. Samuel is also interested in travelling and has looked into taking part in Camp America, where he could teach drums and experience the world.
“At this moment, the world is his oyster, and that’s thanks to RSL and the amazing resources they provide. We’ll always be grateful for the support.” – Samuel’s Parents
From flawless fills to powerful performances, Samuel is making serious waves in the drumming world, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him. Keep an eye out for his future achievements!
Be sure to follow Sam and his band Chainmail on Instagram for all their latest musical updates.
If you have your own Rockschool Story to share, get in touch with us at marketing@rslawards.com!
