About Me

Harry Malabar (1996-) was born in North London and started learning the drums at four and at thirteen he embraced percussion. On Moving to the Isle of Wight in 2004 he joined bands, ensembles and orchestras and in 2011 he joined the Junior Academy, studying with Giles Harrison and Matt Dickinson.

With a continued passion for education Harry teaches drum kit and percussion for Dorset Music Service & across schools in Dorset. ‘Origins’ is his first drum kit book to be published in collaboration with Southern Percussion.

Other compositions and arrangements include works for: percussion ensemble, wind band, African drumming groups and brass dectet. After teaching for Haringey and Camden Music Services for around four years, he moved to Dorset in the summer of 2022.

In 2014, he began studying orchestral percussion as well as drum kit at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with David Corkhill, Sam Walton, Ralph Salmins and Richard Benjafield, among others. He has performed with some leading youth orchestras and London orchestras including the Rehearsal Orchestra under Sir Mark Elder. He has also taken part in Concerts abroad, on Radio 3, at the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Opera House, the Barbican and Steve Reich’s Drumming at Milton Court for ‘Reich at 80′.

In his spare time Harry enjoys reading and going for walks by the sea and in the countryside. He also supports Tottenham Hotspur FC, loves spending time in the garden and writing stories.

“Always compose when you play.”



“Pursue what you love and not what you think will pay the most.”

“Play what you’d like to hear.”



“Always have a plan B in place.”

“Be nice and play well.”



“Look ahead.”

“If you make a mistake, breathe, relax and keep going.”



“Sing as you play.”

“Pride yourself on being able to read basic note values quickly and reliably.”



“Start practicing slowly. Practice each rhythm or exercise at a comfortable, consistent tempo before increasing the speed.”

“Master the awkward and the uncomfortable.”



“Sing or tap the rhythm before you play it.”

“Listen to the sound you’re getting and strive to get the best tone from your instrument.”



“Maintain a relaxed feel while playing.”

“Experiment with rhythms and patterns that you create.”



“Actively listen to a variety of musical styles.”

“If you make a mistake, breathe, relax and keep going.”



“Sing as you play.”

“Reward yourself.”



“Use body percussion.”

“Breathe while you play.”



“Keep your head low and do good work.”

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”



“Try not to compare, be inspired instead.”

“Play to make others sound good.”



“Keep listening and learning.”

“Always know where 1 is.”



“Embrace your own sound.”