Benny Greb on Improvising & Musicality

this is my answer to the first Question from the audience at Meinl Drum Fest in Sweden that i get asked about a lot , so i thought i`d share it with you. hope you enjoy it. Thanks to Meinl for letting me use the material to share with you.
When you live in the US check out my gear here: imp.i114863.ne...
When you live in Europe get easy access to my gear here: www.thomann.de...

[@J3p0]

"If you repeat something, you give it more value. If you repeat something, you give it more value. If you repeat something, you give it more value." Wise words! :D

[@LeakyJAZZ]

repetition legitimizes repetition legitimizes repetition legitimizes repetition legitimizes

[@PenguinMcDuck]

"But I play the ride cymbal pattern, it must be jazz...?! Ding, ting-ke ding, ting-ke ting..." Seriously, I'm tearing up from the laughter, you're such a genius.

[@eiskorn12345]

This could actually be a TED-Talk.

[@bentennnn07]

indeed.

[@joueavecpassion]

I agree with you

[@rhornjr]

Advice like this is invaluable for those of us still learning about soloing. My takeaways from this video: - Have contrast; quiet, then loud - Keep a theme/rhythm - Improv is *not* a constant flow of different ideas - A drum solo is not using "all your shit" - If you repeat something, you give it more value - What you play isn't as important as how you play it

[@bennygrebofficial]

great summary robert! all the best to you , thanks for really listening and the kind words.

[@DarkoP9.13]

- What you play isn't as important as how you play it= Emotions

[@HaloAdmiral]

Benny Greb is by far one of the greatest drummers.. no... MUSICIANS in history! It blows my mind how in depth and almost SPIRITUAL he is with his playing and seminars! I would be honoured to one day be taught by him.

[@Ozcwiste27]

12, 13 February in Poland this year :D You're Welcome too xD :))

[@TheVenusProjectInfo]

Mr.DerpMuffins Check out David Jones from Australia :)

[@WestseedGroove]

Hi Benny! I'd just like to say thank you for the answer to my question and for uploading it. I told alot of my friends of how you, instead of answering a short "I re-use some ideas, but mostly improvise", gave this inspirational lecture as an answer instead; I don't think I could've gottten a better answer. So many thanks for uploading, I'll share it to my friends who didn't attend the festival!

[@keagynsaunders6319]

''I knew every letter that he used'' XD absolutely brilliant this man is

[@aries_9130]

This really opened my eyes in so many ways when it comes to thinking musically. You're so incredibly inspiring. Thanks!

[@danieltaylor2037]

Probably the smartest and most thought provoking dissection of drum composition I've ever heard.

[@nathanredmon96]

Benny should write a book called "What, how, and why. The difference between good drummers and great drummers." Excellent explanation on communicating with the drums.

[@user-bn9py4dm8i]

You have changed my entire drum life in just 10 minutes...

[@Anaximander29A]

Haha, this should be a Ted Talk. :) This guy is huge!

[@benanderson5889]

He just turned a simple question from a viewer, into something far more than just an answer to that question. By simply answering one question, I learned more than any other clinic I have been to. What I wouldn't give to spend a day with this guy. If I got to choose a drumming mentor to take me under his wing, you better believe it is gonna be Greb. Not a doubt in my mind. Genius. Pure, organic genius.

[@ACDCBoy62]

Anyone else notice the length of the video? Couldn't be more appropriate.

[@TapatioDrummer]

excuse my ignorant me ... but why ¿? dont understand ¿? :S

[@ACDCBoy62]

"1337" means "elite": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leet

[@bad_keyzi]

benny, you totally got 13 minutes of my life, and I couldn't even notice it. Thanks for the hand, musically speaking!! really helpful stuff.

[@Nickropolis]

LISTENNNN, to what Benny is saying. Compliment and contrast are sooooo important. Compliment and contrast, contrast and compliment. The man speaks VOLUMES in so few words...take this stuff and put it in your vault of knowledge, it's going to blow you apart when you really get to absorb it

[@bmh8674]

I was looking for drum inspiration videos for a practice session tonight and this was just what I needed! This is why Benny is the greatest drummer (and we share the name)

[@rsmith462]

My favorite part: "Now is my chance to fill my wheelbarrow of practice shit .. and just ... blarghum .. "

[@Scottjazz55]

You are an exceptional player, teacher, and inspiration to all serious drummers. Hope to attend one of your camps/master sessions sometime very soon. We would love you to come to Calif for one of them, but in any case you will surely see me there....

[@KHT2313]

This was the greatest thing I have ever seen.

[@SteveToccoDrummer]

Benny, you are a genius as an artist and a genius as a teacher.

[@drummermil]

Spot on, Master Greb! You've simplified, as only you could, the vast complexity of really great drumming and of just how unlimited the "voice" drums can "speak" to the musician and the listener. Great, great stuff. Never stop sharing this kind of stuff!

[@ZennDrummer]

Wow. Love this guy. Absolutely changed how I approach my lifetime study of my instrument in just 13 minutes. It's so positive and enlightening.

[@xXbrick84Xx]

Wow. It's amazing how simply watching this man play and discuss drums on KZbin can teach me more about music than anyone else ever has. Truly a gifted musician.

[@Hasdude96]

i love it, he expands really clearly. Well explained! Benny greb just a mastermind of drumming!

[@BergmannsMusic]

Wow, großartig wie du die Sprache des Drums praktisch mit Kommunikationswissenschaften vergleichst. Lerne grade für einen Klausur in dem Fach und bin beeindruckt wie gut das korrespondiert!

[@finaldrumer]

You know he's German when he says the bit about freaking out cause of the cab being 5 minutes late.

[@crimsun7186]

And Asians would freak out about the cab being 5 seconds late.

[@boynamedlen]

Better with one stick than I am with two. Super interesting, without doubt the most engaging drummer/speaker out there.

[@sunsetpond]

Knowing your "why" is so powerful on so many levels!

[@tobert21]

Ach Benny, ich hab mir gerade die Szene mit dem Jazzpattern angeguckt und musste so herzhaft lachen, dass mir jetzt alles weh tut. Danke! ;) Großartiger Schlagzeuger und genialer Musiker!

[@lucalaurino2743]

What is a great groove? It's just a great repetition played with heart and musicality! Thank you Benny! You're so inspiring!

[@Snowbound2643]

If i could take one piece of advice on drumming, this would be it. Benny greb is an iconic figure in drumming. I watch this everyday!

[@christraven]

4:36 to 4:54 is pretty much every Thomas Lang clinic I've seen.

[@heladoscuro5074]

christraven Savage lol

[@KhanhNguyen180594]

Lolll

[@KrystleShak]

This was a real spectacle to watch, simply amazed with how much you can do with how you play your instrument and the various compositions of the instrument. Great Video!

[@21nd]

What deep concepts are revealed! Thank you Mr. Greb! Best wishes from your Russian Fan!

[@johnbartlett3860]

I want to hear the bass player joke.... Great explanation and demonstration, Benny, playing with you would be the ultimate musical experience.

[@jacobkittipol2546]

this is key to understanding percussion and drums. the how and why. People like Buddy Rich, Benny Greb and Steve Gadd understand this fully. Thanks Benny for explaining it like this!

[@themetaldrummerXD]

Benny, dein Vergleich ist so genial. Das hätte man nicht besser machen können. Die Viertelstunde hat mich so viel weitergebracht :)

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Incredible

[@Nickropolis]

I've watched this video at least 10 times, I still keep pulling new information from it. So much to learn.

[@billrinehart4479]

repetition is soooooo important in improv and he does a great job of demonstrating it in his playing in this clip.

[@ten4450]

but i play the ride pattern, it must be jazz

[@JonEastling23]

Ting! Ting, titing, Ting titing! Hahahaha

[@zrouth]

This man is a master and a master teacher, and that's one of the rarest things on the planet.

[@robcrisp]

Thoroughly enjoyed your clinic in London last week Benny. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[@HinnerkHesse]

He could create something like a comedy show, it would still be very instructive and inspiring.

[@franksonor]

great video and what an answer to a question :-) , love to see you live someday . cant wait for my sq2 !

[@benberry9519]

Thank you. This was one of the best discussions about improvisation that I've heard.

[@nathanredmon96]

I watch this video at least once a week, just to keep it soaking in to my thoughts. It's sooooooo good.

[@nicolashumeniuk5618]

Amazing info and so natural!! this video is one of the best on improvisation lesson!!! you´re amazing Benny!

[@NusratJahanPritom]

this is so awesome and mesmerizing

[@22cwheels22]

SO true. And that kit sounds amazing, as always with Benny's kit.

[@RoyChayanne4658]

***** there a lot of things , that we can express through why drums, any percussion ,or in that instance any instrument. i guess the HOW depends on HOW deeply you could connect. there are aspects in life as well, which contains suspense, love, unsaid words, and in the same manner i find the DEPTH an appealing factor. The why always arises, and thats how we evolve. thanks for the answer. the fact that youre so intense , makes my hair stand up.

[@giuliodare3545]

I repute him the best musician and also a teacher. Simply to understand, with joke and laugh he took the attenction towards explaining rudiments or concepts. He have the power to interest who's not interested in music

[@polsolo7976]

Totally agree with Greb. Pd.Front cameras are awesome! Never focus! Great work organization!

[@TancrediLoCigno]

And here's my favorite video ever. Thank you, Benny

[@jonahdvorin53]

He's better with one hand than I am with all four limbs xD

[@NVGTO]

+Jonah Dvorin (Father Chronos) That's exactly what I thought too!!

[@olinhu]

I lost count on how many times I've watched this video

[@spacejazz6272]

same...if just to hear his floor tom 😍

[@Kingding6]

great. he's a genius on the drums, his perspective on the instrument is basically at master-sage level, and, to top it off, he's genuinely hilarious.

[@andrebenedecti]

Benny Greb is the guy! Music is a Language. Perfect video.

[@LooopQ]

Benny greb is a riot and a phenomenal drummer

[@TheProfessorWilliam]

Thank you Benny, for putting some truth in the drumming world.

[@mlhbrx96]

Theres a well known youtube drummer who plays constant "new ideas". My reaction is exactly what you expressed, Benny!

[@DavidL3O]

Thank you for sharing your perspectives and wisdom I got some great information from this. 🙏🏻

[@thefrayedwire]

Truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing this, Benny. :)

[@crimsun7186]

4:34 Gospel chops solo! Yay!

[@Calj_Music89]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU , BENNY GREB !! :D THIS WAS SOMETHING I REALLY NEEDED TO HEAR !! :)

[@robowizful]

Benny Greb is the Philosophe of drums

[@qwertyfaintintheend]

Genius! I admire the way you play and the way you think about music. :D

[@GorcStew]

did he say "buffalo dead"? lol. Best drum clinic I have ever seen

[@Groovistt]

He should invited to TEDtalks.

[@MichaelMcCabe43]

It shouldn't come as such a surprise that he can do a better solo with one hand than i probably could with 6

[@TwincraftGaming]

Video length is 1337. So is the content. Keep rockin', Benny.

[@rishabrk2105]

Benny is a genius on all aspects!

[@Bren28]

Benny thank you for your another great lesson! spot on!!

[@MrTrollDoctor]

Wonderfully put!

[@AMONDRUM]

I like this subject too , THANK YOU

[@stickdrumsnrocknroll]

Thanks for this lesson Mr Benny !

[@daveodart]

so much wisdom :-) thank you Benny!

[@MrBongojoe12]

Soooo awesome! Knowledge!!!

[@jmrockstarbarber]

Very Inspiring as usual coming from the master!

[@mrbinky21]

Benny is so funny! What great advice! Very wise.

[@SchizophrenicReality]

Very well spoken : )

[@shai0123]

really a great musician!!!

[@evanniko5018]

Now I'm in the mood to drum!

[@zidjanarie]

this guy is deep and spot on!!!

[@GhostNote42]

Just...Great!

[@naminnooman]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome, Repetition!

[@officefishwatch]

Deng teng de deng deng te deng :)

[@anotherherosfall]

Wow, that was inspirational! Thank you!

[@Trommelkiste]

so good, so right!!!!

[@johndoe9450]

"Sorry for the long answer!" - We forgive! And thank you!

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

All of it was valuable.

[@markkuliini]

Exactly! It's not what, but how.

[@sunnysundayband2126]

He is a great man...!!!

[@dannypercussionman]

cool! sehr sehr gut erklärt!

[@therealzilch]

Super. Kompliment. Grüße aus momentan sonnigem Wien, Scott

[@ivankris8888]

Vaya monólogo más currao, que risas.. A paramount comedy de cabeza

[@robbledot7290]

Made me pull out the notebook

[@TheButterflyProductionHouse]

This is an eye opener . This is an eye opener. This is an eye opener.........

[@joao_cordeiro]

Amazing!