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.

[@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!

[@eiskorn12345]

This could actually be a TED-Talk.

[@808B4TMAN]

indeed.

[@joueavecpassion]

I agree with you

[@danieltaylor2037]

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

[@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 :)

[@aries_9130]

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

[@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

[@keagynsaunders6319]

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

[@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.

[@user-bn9py4dm8i]

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

[@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.

[@bmh86]

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)

[@boynamedlen]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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....

[@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!

[@sunsetpond]

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

[@Anaximander29A]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Hasdude96]

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

[@lucalaurino2743]

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

[@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!

[@KHT2313]

This was the greatest thing I have ever seen.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@robcrisp]

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

[@themetaldrummerXD]

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

[@Nickropolis]

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

[@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

[@billrinehart4479]

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

[@rsmith462]

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

[@franksonor]

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

[@SteveToccoDrummer]

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

[@benberry9519]

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

[@nicolashumeniuk5618]

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

[@nathanredmon96]

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

[@22cwheels22]

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

[@johnbartlett3860]

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

[@zrouth]

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

[@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.

[@TancrediLoCigno]

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

[@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

[@christraven]

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

[@heladoscuro5074]

christraven Savage lol

[@KhanhNguyen180594]

Lolll

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Incredible

[@polsolo7976]

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

[@thefrayedwire]

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

[@qwertyfaintintheend]

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

[@DavidL3O]

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

[@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.

[@HinnerkHesse]

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

[@LooopQ]

Benny greb is a riot and a phenomenal drummer

[@ten4450]

but i play the ride pattern, it must be jazz

[@JonEastling23]

Ting! Ting, titing, Ting titing! Hahahaha

[@NusratJahanPritom]

this is so awesome and mesmerizing

[@Bren28]

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

[@jmrockstarbarber]

Very Inspiring as usual coming from the master!

[@21nd]

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

[@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.

[@stickdrumsnrocknroll]

Thanks for this lesson Mr Benny !

[@TheProfessorWilliam]

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

[@andrebenedecti]

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

[@Calj_Music89]

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

[@crimsun7186]

4:34 Gospel chops solo! Yay!

[@MrTrollDoctor]

Wonderfully put!

[@daveodart]

so much wisdom :-) thank you Benny!

[@mrbinky21]

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

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

All of it was valuable.

[@rishabrk2105]

Benny is a genius on all aspects!

[@shai0123]

really a great musician!!!

[@anotherherosfall]

Wow, that was inspirational! Thank you!

[@SchizophrenicReality]

Very well spoken : )

[@mlhbrx96]

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

[@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

[@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!!

[@robowizful]

Benny Greb is the Philosophe of drums

[@AMONDRUM]

I like this subject too , THANK YOU

[@tyasteele]

Thank you, sir! May I have another?

[@GorcStew]

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

[@TwincraftGaming]

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

[@zidjanarie]

this guy is deep and spot on!!!

[@02121948]

WOULD LOVE TO KNOW AND LEARN HOW TO KEEP 8THS NOTES GOING WITH THE LEFT FOOT LIKE BENNY

[@TC-lk2ev]

rock your foot back and forward, heel then toe :)

[@MrBongojoe12]

Soooo awesome! Knowledge!!!

[@ajgdrums24]

so how do I practice this?? I love this thinking and I want to train myself to do it more. but hoowwwwe

[@olinhu]

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

[@spacejazz6272]

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

[@Groovistt]

He should invited to TEDtalks.

[@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

[@evanniko5018]

Now I'm in the mood to drum!

[@johnmackie4231]

Great drumming

[@markkuliini]

Exactly! It's not what, but how.

[@Trommelkiste]

so good, so right!!!!

[@rmrfboy]

wish there would be more like this on youtube. techniques are important but there's only few things where conceptual things are discussed/taught :/

[@tutodrum]

really good stuff...

[@johndoe9450]

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

[@roffeyay99]

This video is 13:37 minutes long, coincidence? I think not.

[@DeOPe]

+roffeyay99 same what i thought :D most funny thing: i watched it at 13:37 o'clock (1:30 pm actually, but in germany the day is 24 hours ;) )