What is the idea behind 'Test the Best'?

"Test The Best" is a campaign by GEWA, a selection of music schools in Germany that belong to the "Percussion Creative" network, and the supporting specialised trade.
The drum sets are available for all interested drummers to try out. You don't have to be a student to take advantage of the reliable advice of the contact person.
It's very easy: just contact the school for an appointment, try out the kits and get advice. Have fun!

Marc Lamerz is a drummer and music school director of the drum school "Drum Sounds" in southern Germany. He has entrusted his playing with GEWA Digital Drums since this year and is our "Test The Best Partner". He has chosen a GEWA G9 and a GEWA G5 drum kit.

Marc, what persuaded you to use GEWA digital drum kits?
In 2022 I discovered a new side to the GEWA E-drum sets. At an event at GEWA, the sets were presented to us and the possibilities of the new updates were also shown - they really grabbed me here, at the latest!! I see the GEWA E-drum sets as absolute high-end drum sets on the worldwide market. No set is inferior to the other; a GEWA G5 drum set is just as good as the GEWA G9, only with different and/or additional options. I have a lot of fun using the sets in lessons or live in front of 2,000 people. I can sit back and relax, knowing that I have the best equipment with me that won't let me down. The layout and user-friendliness of the sets are clearly structured. This gives me the possibility to maintain an overview, even in stressful situations.

You also teach with acoustic drum kits. Where do you see the advantages of the GEWA digital drums in lessons or in everyday drumming?
A lot of students are not able to play an acoustic drum set at home. In lessons, an e-drum set offers the chance to show students the advantages and possibilities of such a drum set. As a teacher, it is especially important to me to be able to offer very good equipment in my drum school, which I can inspire students with. GEWA drum sets offer me the best options here! As a side effect, the lessons are much quieter. I see further advantages in the fact that an e-drum set has an integrated metronome and recording function, so there are no more excuses like "my metronome's battery is flat" or "recording is too much work for me".

You have put a lot of thought into how you can offer high quality teaching. What makes your school so special?
Absolutely! In my drum school, ‘Drum Sounds’, the focus is on the student; it's a "parent-free zone" and you can forget the stress of everyday life. Since 2015 I have been trying - and succeeding very well - to teach my students, no matter what age group, how to play drums at a high level with a lot of humour but also a certain seriousness.  ‘Drum Sounds’ was not meant to look like a classical music school and the objective was clear: drum lessons at the highest level for beginners and advanced drummers. This includes a teaching concept tailored to the students (which is cross-stylistic) and, of course, perfectly equipped rooms. Thanks to the GEWA electric drum sets, I can now offer lessons on both acoustic and electronic drum sets. A new ‘E-drum set room’ was created especially for this purpose.
One thing is for sure: I will never run out of ideas.

You are a drummer full of conviction and professionalism. What has your career been like?
I played drums passionately for several years and then decided to enter this business professionally. I first took lessons with many well-known drummers and prepared myself for my studies at the "Drummers Institute", which I then successfully completed. Of course, the focus was always on playing live. I still tour a lot with my band through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. But my other passion is and remains my drum school.