Chad Szeliga breaks down "The Diary of Jane" at his clinic at Berklee, March 9, 2017

[@TheModernHamlet]

This guy is the reason why Phobia is the greatest album from Breaking Benjamin. No drummer, in my opinion, is the perfect fit for BB except Chad.

[@UriBlack]

The first time I heard of BB was Evil angle follow by Diary of Jane

[@chrisprado4597]

Hummel is the best BB drummer.

[@andrewvanhalen1984]

Agreed, tried listening to the more recent stuff but it just doesn't do anything for me.

[@TheBryce2007]

Chad is a natural. He makes it look effortless. Phobia would not have been what it was without him.

[@Dave1979z]

Scooter Biggs agreed!!

[@w.odonnell4674]

@EJT2000 I really like Jeremy Hummel's work on the first 2 albums too and I agree that phobia was better with Chad's work on it. I will say the newer albums after Dear Agony lack those badass catchy riffs Fink brought to the table.

[@w.odonnell4674]

@EJT2000 Yeah I agree with DBD, after the hype from getting a new Benji album wore off I noticed it's faults. Ember is way better for the reasons you said, but I still feel like the guitar is too low and is missing those riffs from the first 4 albums. Fink did work for this band.

[@timmyboy9140]

The new drummer for BB is such a tool...He tried so hard to be like Chad...dude is so awkward when he tries to play, hes awful...Jeremy and Chad were REAL professional drummers and teachers. The new clown is just a coverboy, only reason he's in the band cause he swings on bens nu*ts...so pathetic

[@nikrdt3888]

@@timmyboy9140 so true bro

[@ChadSzeliga]

Thanks so much for your gracious and kind words everyone!!!

[@giovannigarcini7432]

Cheers chad 👌😉

[@giovannigarcini7432]

Excuse me chad you are not going to upload more videos playing or teaching some drums greetings bro

[@ChadSzeliga]

@@giovannigarcini7432 They took my channel down because, I haven't posted anything in awhile..so I might have to do another channel!!

[@giovannigarcini7432]

@@ChadSzeliga mmm what a bad friend the truth is, you and Aarón fink are great musicians I listened to you and Ben when I was a child I learned to play for you but hey greetings friend💪😊

[@ellingrusten6399]

2 years into my drum journey, hoping to pick up a thing or two from your videos I can find. BB was one of my foundational teenage bands and your drumming is a part of me now haha. So I'm sure I will be emulating it a bit, or as you might say, "stealing" haha. Skål

[@GorcStew]

I like how he is interacting with everyone like he's making friends instead of just giving a rehearsed speech lol. Seems like a great guy.

[@forsworn0493]

Honestly Chads style where he incorporates the bell and the fantastic fills in like I will not bow, it just flows so fantastically. Chad is definitely one of the greats in modern music.

[@Spectr3Gam3r]

Chad is easily my favorite drummer of all time. His style and sense of groove is an inspiration for sure. He's inspired my playing so much and pushed me to be a better drummer. I'm still learning new things everyday from all the Breaking Benjamin albums haha

[@doctacos1]

YES!

[@TheCCMorgan]

Wasn't expecting to sit down and watch this entire thing, but the way you teach just sucked me in! Seamless, comfortable, and professional. Awesome stuff here!

[@peteralexander7015]

same here

[@justinwilder3514]

One of my favorite drummers ever.. I progressed on drums by listening to this guy over and over

[@chairsmissing]

Had it not been for this guy, my drumming would still be in a caveman basis. One of my favorite and most influential drummers of all time, loved and still love with a passion his work with Switched and Breaking benjamin especially. Still re-visit his older BB tutorials and videos, and I'm glad he's still into them and still working his way with them.

[@FieroGTXX]

Dimitris Vasileias absolutely. His style is so tasteful. I've borrowed alot.

[@chairsmissing]

We all have bro!

[@FieroGTXX]

Ride work and Tom burst on Dance With the Devil. #killinem

[@chairsmissing]

Dude, to this day I can't get the Evil angel verse pattern as clean as he does. Mainly cause I don't have a kit to practice to in a long time unfortunately but you just can't get past that

[@wdrumz]

Agreed man.

[@ChadSzeliga]

thanks bro That means a lot!!!

[@mahntoaste2864]

@Chad, the difference in originality and raw skill/technique is something you should remember to remind people about as a person of influence, especially like in the example of the quasi-hater weightlifter guy explaining how he can play your beat with one-hand-and-coffee-blahblah. Being a musician isn't about doing impossibly difficult things that no one can replicate: I play more bass and guitar than drums (I'm probably a 2/10 on drums MAYBE on my best day), and my favorite lick EVER to play on the bass, volume up, bit of muddy overdrive, is the bass intro from A Song For the Deaf, by Queens of the Stone Age. Is it difficult to play? No... not at all... But does it just fucking sound fantastic to me? Yes it does. More importantly to my point, did I come up with the lick? I sure didn't. You don't need to have a grossly bloated amount of talent that oozes from every twang of the string, or flail of the stick. You just find your groove, or make your groove, and if people like it, they like it. That being said, Phobia drumming absolutely slays me as someone who would like to drum better, and as a musician in general.

[@newspaperlightbulb]

This guy is a true genius and artist. He boosted BB into the stratosphere. Their new drummer kicks ass, but he’s so cookie cutter, and doesn’t have that organic spontaneity that Chad has. When I first heard Diary of Jane on the radio and heard those splash flurries in the intro I thought that was the coolest shit ever.

[@justinwilder3514]

Alex Menendez I have preached this so many times bro.. Shaun’s a great summer don’t get me wrong, but he doesn’t touch chad on technicality and just true feeling of the instrument..

[@ThroneOfBhaal]

Not gonna lie, I started learning drums because of you. You're one hell of an artist. Thank you for sharing! :)

[@NilsHedstrom]

This is seriously one of the best clinics I've seen! I have watched this so many times! Wish I was there! Chad is such a creative and amazing drummer!

[@mattg7946]

you look like you belong teaching man. coming from one of your former students you just look like you love teaching and helped me so much. Hope you are doing well pal

[@jasonsigafoos631]

i could sit and watch him speak and play all day. I live in Pa so BB was a natural band to want to love. I remember the first time i heard Chad's sound and i was hooked on his style. I still to this day listen to those albums with intent on simply hearing his hooks. The bells and high hats just suck you in, it brings such a crispness to the music. No one does it like Chad!!

[@samuelmanjon4243]

I learned a lot in 17 minutes! Thank you Chad You always have inspired me to practice and learn more about this beautiful instrument! God bless

[@DylNyeTheDrummerGuy]

That guitarist kid just wanted to play so bad😂

[@brianjezuit1258]

Dylan Hitsman / Yes!!! Here, I noticed that too...heZ like "why am I even here???!!!" LMFAO 😆

[@IsyMaxine]

I find it ironic because it's usually the drummer who wants to just play when trying to jam with guitarists while they are tuning their guitars 😂

[@MaxBorasMusic]

​@@IsyMaxine Hi I'm the guy playing guitar in the video. It was really a privilege to back Chad at this clinic. He's a really great guy and what you see is the genuine Chad. He produced an album I did years ago with a project I led back then. He's the real deal.

[@Snipersounds]

I wish my other favourite drummers would break down their best beats in videos like this! The details given here are priceless! Thanks so much Chad!

[@EchoesofaSunkenworld]

Breaking down the entire universe behind a song from your perspective it is so rare, especially if explained with such passion . So inspiring. A voyage deep inside your mind, a voyage about what you felt while writing that song, bringing back to life a creation that has gained individuality by itselfùl.

[@Dalton13]

Chad is your favorite drummers favorite drummer.

[@froz3n144]

This dude gets it. Love watching your tutorials and clinics. Every time I watch, I'm reminded of why you're one of my favorites Chad. I can't get enough of that splash work, so inspiring. And by the way I so couldn't play that with one hand and a cup of coffee in the other 😂... Stay humble dude!

[@srisamarthinamdar]

You inspired me to learn drums, Chad! Almost 10 years now I am drumming! Glad to see you again! Cheers!

[@octaviohenrique.n]

Chad rules! best Breaking Benjamin drummer ever! Also, great channel and lessons! Cheers from Brazil!

[@ChurroWaffles]

Chad. I remember being a 14-year old drummer and listening to rock songs and copying drum tracks beat per beat. I loved trying my best to make the beat sound as close to the record as possible since my bands back then were cover bands. Fast forward today and I'm still breaking a sweat trying to copy your drumming on "Diary of Jane" and "Breathe". Needless to say I'm blown away how you took a rock band and swing the beat to sound so groovy. You certainly made a fan out of me man. I hope to see more videos of you teaching soon.

[@bryantisme123]

Love Breaking Benjamin. But they will, Never, be the same without the Sonic Genius of Mr Chad Szeliga. Chad I'm a guitar player, singer, songwriter. But your drumming stylistics are pure innovation. Look forward to meeting you one day Brother!

[@wdrumz]

They are not the same now, die hard fan over here too.

[@whoohaaXL]

Best drummer BB ever had. I remember an old vid he did where his right beater broke mid-song so he just played the rest of the song on the left beater and never skipped a beat. Loves how he described in another vid on this song how the bridge has that "Sevendust like" groove to it....Great band right there too....Excellent player right here...

[@h_Left]

That's right, Chad. I'm not a drummer, but I do airdrumming in the car listening to your style.

[@mikea.4477]

My favorite drummer. So versatile. Chad you’re amazing!

[@jeffreydean5112]

So true. Have to be dynamic and have your own style. Love your stuff Chad. My favorite drummer is the Rev from A7X. His City of Evil cd was amazing on drums. One of a kind drummer; so creative and unique

[@fairuzhussaini7301]

I'm airdrumming to this right now thousands of miles away. You kick ass. Hope you have a good day!

[@bullitt5337]

Chad you are a master at your craft bro! You are the number 1 influence in my playing. I would love to take lessons from you. I’m just a self taught enthusiast that loves playing drums no matter how good I may or may not be. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@TPAfirestorm]

Thanks for posting Chad. Would love to see more of these. Great presentation skills

[@ChadSzeliga]

Thanks guys for your kind words 🙏

[@zephyrkhambatta]

Thank You Chad. The one and only!

[@codydrummer]

Years ago I saw a video of Derek Roddy at a clinic and he said something that I felt summed it up perfectly. He tells all the "Metal Drummers" who come to him for lessons to get a nice pair of slacks and a button up shirt and go see a jazz band....but jazz drummers should get a Nile t-shirt and go see Nile because there is no such thing as over-exposing yourself to too many genres and styles.

[@JeffTheMedic]

Ps: the song “home” from Sevendust has the “from left to right”

[@rowdog80]

Chad.. Love how real you are by referencing other drummers. Props to Morgan Rose.. most aggressive drummer I've seen.. You put sooo much more finesse in your style than most. I "attempt" to emulate and incorporate your finesse in my drumming. Whether the ordinary gig goers notice it or not, the musicians in the crowd do..and most importantly.. I love to hear it back. When I listen to Breaking Benjamin, my 5yr old son, who drums, always asks me " Dad are you listening to Chad again"? By chance, would you mind telling me what hi-hats you are using in this clinic?.. I love there sound. Again.. thanks for posting your video's.. certainly changing a lot of our outlooks on drumming and showing us how the drums, alone, can take you on a separate journey through a song.. Awesome man! Thank you

[@cyndih4870]

You're a great drummer and a great guy so it all works! Good clinic, Chad!

[@ChadSzeliga]

Dimitris thanks so much for the comments. I can show you on Skype!!!! Hit me up at [e-mail]

[@chairsmissing]

Bro, I'm actually lost for words right now! I so wish I had a kit or something to nail this down, all I got right now are my sticks and drum pad. But basically, just talking with you is such a privilege for me, will definitely hit you up!

[@ChadSzeliga]

I can show you on a pad and pillow for cymbals!!! lol

[@chairsmissing]

Hey if it works for Dennis chambers, who are we to judge? lol

[@TheHentaiGuyz]

Chad Szeliga you are an incredible drummer Chad, but I do think you could play with a little more intensity (hitting harder) at times.

[@theagency4271]

Awesome!!! Thanks for uploading this!

[@jaydollYtube]

He's absolutely amazing drummer totally 🤘😎🤘❤️

[@Underdog_Drums]

Chad is incredibly creative, great chops, groove....and it's his own style. I'll say this. If I weren't a drummer, I probably would have never heard Chambers play, but would have heard Chad. I just started to dig into Chad's playing. His choice of voices, and the the placement on them, are as good as I've heard.

[@loris9920]

Oh chad, my number one drum hero!! stay humble

[@jasonstefanobateman4989]

Chad Forever and ever,bb fan

[@FieroGTXX]

Totally get what you mean by signature. Bro, you put that Dairy of Jane broken ride pattern in the bridge on the chorus of 'My Sacrifice' when you were with Scott Stapp. I was like OH no he didn't!!! That's the Szeligia magic though. It makes you , you. broken Splash, bell , hat patterns and that nasty whipping left hand crash. Favorite drummer for that and many reasons off the set in interviews. Oh and you got a nasty shuffle. Lolz. What a great guy. Stay Humble brother!!!

[@chairsmissing]

Damn those licks change lives bro!

[@ChadSzeliga]

Jonathan Cook thanks bro. I'm glad you have enjoyed the Bb recordings!!!

[@wdrumz]

Was that at the Chameleon Club?? I remember that show so well =)

[@doctacos1]

I love your message. Been a huge fan since I first really dug into the Breaking Benjamin's lineup on a personal level. You were such a huge part of creating their sound, such a unique sound and ambience set by you, the drummer but percussionist is more appropriate here. Keep doin you man, excited to keep hearing new stuff from you and whatever band you're a key attribute.

[@SuperballBG]

That last part with the bell made me crazy when I first heard it. It's one of those beats you just get obsessed with and HAVE TO learn

[@abakerdrums]

Great job Chad!!!

[@jeffcaplan7848]

Totally get what others say about your sound, certain things you do and how you play is recognizable. Your brand almost. I saw you play with a cover band at the Sands casino in Bethlehem PA (you had filled in for their regular drummer). I was just walking close enough to the bar where the band was playing (again, covers) and I said to myself that sounds like Chad. And sure enough it was you. I saw the entire show. It was amazing to see you playing in such a close up setting. I wound up tagging you in Facebook and somehow you recognized me and came Up to me at the bar after the first set. Then you came to my table and chatted with me after each set. Mostly about drumming stuff. Il ways told myself that I would live drum lessons from you.

[@ChadSzeliga]

I really appreciate it 🙏

[@JeffTheMedic]

Awesome brother! I think you hit it spot on about drumming

[@VoodooRock01]

It's funny when you talk about looking up to drummers in terms of history - "you look up to X, they looked up to Y" etc. I think I agree with everything you talk about in these clinic videos (even though I'm at a much lower standard than any of the guys at Berklee) - the way you talk about accenting harmonics without hiding them, using rhythms and patterns from other styles and drummers in your own parts; I'm in an 80's-style rock band and I do all those things. I still have a lot to brush up on in terms of my technique, (that's more due to not having practice space to myself, so that I can work at it, than anything else), but I love to add in bell-work and china shots to add to lyrics and accent musicality, and a lot of the influence to do that come from listening to your playing with BB. Anyway, TL;DR - I really appreciate the open and honest way you talk in these videos, and will definitely be following the advice you givere:absorbing more and more different styles and applying them in useful ways to styles of music where you maybe wouldn't expect to find them. Thank you!

[@PrinceTrader-uy5uw]

Whos the drummer he mentions at 3:25 ?? Couldn't get the name right

[@jovinabriam6715]

bissonette?gregg bissonette

[@PrinceTrader-uy5uw]

@@jovinabriam6715 thank you very much

[@AniMalcolmTheLibetarianNerd]

I remember watching you sit in with a funk cover band in Memphis in 06. You guys played Brickhouse. In that moment, your versatility made you one of my favorite drummers. I've "stolen" quite a bit from you.

[@jdredula6903]

Loving the Zoltan Chaney shirt ! Dudes is from my hometown ! In Ohio !

[@KingBrando87]

One of my favorite drummers. Seems like a super nice guy, it'd be cool to hang with him and talk drums and stuff if only for 5 minutes LOL. I've been playing drums since the age of 18/19 and now at 33, have realized how lazy of a drummer I have been all these years. Not bad not great neither. But in my older years I have gotten a bit more technical with fills and bell work. Chad definitely has been an influence, especially ride/bell technique. When I first heard "I Will Not Bow" it was like whoa! That ride sounds incredible lol. A few years back I sold my kit, long story, but the urge of missing and wanting to drum again came back and scored a Mapex Tornado kit for 40 bucks. Absolutely steal because there was nothing wrong with it. Jam on it time to time but have gotten lazy. This video is awesome and has inspired me to actually get back to practicing and get better!

[@ChadSzeliga]

Thank you so much for the kind words!! I do give lessons on Skype ...I charge $30 a half and $60 hr. I'm glad your getting back into playing again. God bless and keep rocking out on the drums

[@KingBrando87]

@@ChadSzeliga I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thank you and God bless you as well!

[@blazing6string]

Love you my guy. Miss you in BB so much!! 🤘🎶🤘

[@nickrosey5589]

could u maybe do a video explaining your kick technique

[@djentrification1631]

Well, my drumming style is HEAVILY based off Mr. Szeliga...

[@daniloantonio8830]

como eu queria que ele tivesse mais material como por exemplo videos, workshops, compraria tudo mesmo morando no Brasil

[@keepontruckin7135]

Chad you are so right bro 💯% my friend

[@m47kr3nt0n]

As teaching and motivating go, he is great

[@willstolp9601]

I like the way you look at drumming

[@iamnorml5907]

It was this song that got me hooked on Chad's little nuances he added to BB's songs. Great Morgan Rose reference. I thought I heard Rose's influence in Chad's style. And the song is "Home" .. not Terminator haha

[@fallout0074]

the best drummer for BB !

[@perrap79]

Chad is so right. As a ”rock-drummer” I would look down on wedding band drummers cause they were lame. In reality those guys could play circles around me. My outlook on drumming has changed a lot. I play along to anything these days AND Im having WAY more fun. I hope Ive improved. 😊

[@grull1066]

love you chad \../,

[@javanpatterson2595]

Dude you talk about being an attribute bc of your specialized sound. I know who it is now, so I’m sure he can take it as a compliment, but I was 100% convinced for a long time you were ii in Sleep Token.

[@5urg3x]

I miss you so much in Breaking Ben :( This is such a good vid, love it...subscribed!

[@matts.5728]

The Sevendust "From Left to Right" reference...the song is actually "Home" not Terminator. But awesome that you referenced Morgan and Sevendust!! 🤘🤘

[@JeffTheMedic]

Plus Sevendust is my favorite band & Morgan is my favorite drummer!

[@Szulerzy]

We want more! :)

[@cowboy41231]

Best drummer breaking Benjamin had! (I’ve commented this many times on KZbin!) I hear such a difference in the quality of the percussion during his time in BB... and plays with emotion, the dude they’ve replaced him with, his stage presence is as animated as a Christmas decoration 👀

[@Justen-vn8rg]

yelp so true bro so true

[@paul1933]

I’ve always loved Breaking Benjamin they’ve always had a huge impact on my life a lot of positive aspects and by far you were just so epic and I’d air drum all the time to the songs lol fantastic job chad 👍🏻

[@kazzdude1]

On the verse, there's a little subtle double kick beat. How do you do it while keeping your hihat closed?

[@dylan9298]

He's not using double bass, he's doing a double bass beat using single pedal.

[@fseanenglert7073]

Anybody know what splash cymbals he uses?

[@xXxArkhelxXx]

Chad, i just watched this video for the hundredth time and i swear, if i could afford the studio and your fee i would have classes in skype. :( Plz, post more videos!! And where is your new projects?

[@jovinthatcat]

4:13 10:54 and 15:39 sorry ,the playing on those parts of the song were addictive

[@tonnythedrummer]

Hey, Chad. First of all, I am a HUGE fan of your drumming and your former band Breaking Benjamin! Second, it's nice to see you still doing music! Third, how do you feel about Breaking Benjamin's new lineup and their latest album Dark Before Dawn?

[@ChadSzeliga]

Tonny Bivans. Thanks bro for your compliments.. Im happy for them and wish them the best in their indevers!!!!

[@tonnythedrummer]

Been a Breaking Benjamin fan for as long as I remembered!

[@kevintoscano6663]

Chad Szeliga I love breaking benjamin, old and new, and I honestly respect you, especially the part were you said about playing with your heart

[@richardmetalfan94]

*endeavors

[@jessebowles5632]

Insane double bass triplet towards the end

[@Snipersounds]

Holy SH! Do you have a course that we can buy please?

[@lakjax]

i like the the current BB band but the formation before the hiatus was amazing ...

[@Desmond_Kumar]

15:48 is he using a double pedal here?

[@Ascendxnce]

Hi Chad, Been a fan of yours for years. I had a quick question about the verse. When you play that "double bass" bit, are you actually using a double bass pedal or are you doing it with one foot? I remember years ago someone saying they wanted to do that part with one foot because that's how you did it. Thanks again!

[@matthewberesford8698]

If you're talking about the bridge, look at his left foot, he's using double bass

[@dylanskinner7690]

Love breaking benjamin but their sound will never be the same again without chad

[@Brpwndood]

In sales/cold calling my boss calls its 'dont spill all your candies at once'. Dangle a few to entice them then give out as necessary

[@roccoofthesnow]

Sick

[@Abyssuil]

Well edited video. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the sheet music is missing a snare flam at the very beginning.

[@jeremyguiles]

That's a great story. Until the End is a brilliant piece of drumming. Is that Jeff Porcaro's half time shuffle you play in that song?

[@marcbernard4295]

What's kinda drums he is playing. I like it. I want it. Specs and all

[@Defrxct1v1]

i didnt know daniel tosh was a drummer

[@leogarcia3]

9:31 The Dude said it best "Yeah, well that's just like, your opinion, man.."

[@chance_austin]

MAX WITH THE NOTHING MORE SHIRT 😱REPRESENT

[@lymerino919]

Chance Brunner i was scrolling for so long for a nothing more comment

[@MaxBorasMusic]

Thanks Chance. Yes, seen them 3 times. Amazing band live. Doing this clinic was quite the honor. Chad is the most genuine guy you'll ever meet.

[@kyloken]

Chad, when you cut these tunes do you do the "extra" stuck twirl stuff ? It seems that maybe some of the soul and swag could come out sonically though it's mainly a visual "thing."

[@UriBlack]

When is the next clinic??

[@chrisprado4597]

I'm confused. I thought Ben wrote most of the instruments for Phobia and Dear Agony including drums. Chad is not credited in any BB album. Hmmm. So why is he saying he wrote stuff? I know Jeremy wrote his parts.

[@js8t223]

awesome

[@forsworn0493]

Also what's up with the snares being down on the snare drum?

[@infelicitas]

so basically what he's saying is guitarist playing drums like a guitar is a good thing right?

[@mikebertolette7254]

Shawn doesn't play it quite like you you play it like it's yours

[@justsomeguywholosthismusta8495]

I admit it. I do miss Chad's Era of Breaking Benjamin... I love the new lineup that Ben has now don't get me wrong.. But, Chad has that finess style into him that made me love Breaking Benjamin more than I do before but that doesn't mean I don't like them now. In fact I really love what the new drummer did to the whole Ember album and this is coming from a guitarist... And yeah obviously I loved the riffs from that album since they kinda fit in to my way of playing...