The Language of Drumming: A System for Musical Expression

I have a lot to say, so be patient.Benny Greb has created something unique in the way of teaching "rudiments". In fact, his method is so unique some may even argue that he's not teaching "rudiments", but of course he is. But he teaches them in a style that is clearly oriented toward language which the title of this product promises. In fact, is it true that he doesn't teach "rudiments" in their standard form, but as he points out, all of the elements that he teaches can be used to build whatever "rudiment" you can dream up. He just breaks it down into a more fundamental alphabet of beats based on the various ways that beats can be grouped.Perhaps before I go further I should explain a little bit about myself. I'm only just starting to learn to play a drum set, rather late in life. I've already purchased quite a few of Tommy Igoe's videos on Groove Essentials and "Great Hands for a lifetime" which I highly recommend for raw beginners. Tommy does indeed teach the standard rudiment forms in great detail. I was looking for something that might take it to the next level, like showing how to apply the rudiments to grooves. I can't really say that Benny Greb's video does that exactly, but he does give a completely different method of looking at timing and working with basic beats.I would say that Greb's Language of Drummer is really tailored for drummers who have already learned the rudiments and basically want to sharpen their timing skills and add vocabulary to their basic rudiments. Because like Greb points out, when you look at basic beats as an alphabet there is no rudiment you won't be able to play. So it's more versatile in that sense. He prepares you for more artistic creativity in the long haul.He goes through the alphabet many times using many different styles and tempos. If you actually follow along by the time you've gone through all these exercises you will definitely know your musical 'beat alphabet'. He also teaches it leading with the right hand, then the left hand, and even on the bass drum and with the left foot on the hi-hat. So if you master everything he actually teaches you will have gained a lot of limb independence to be sure. And that's just on the first DVD disc.On the second DVD he takes you further into the drum set creating entire words and phrases using odd and compound meters. If you learn all that you'll be a pro as far as I'm concerned.Finally, he speaks to musical artistry and goes into some detail about how to listen to music, and what to listen for specifically, and how to tune into various parts of a musical composition. I really enjoyed that part because a large part of why I bought a drum set in the first place is to improve my rhythmic musicality so I found the latter part of the second DVD to be quite enlightening, and I'm looking forward to applying some of the techniques he teaches to my own musical compositions. Not just on the drums, but for all the instruments I play and write for.There are some weird scenes on his video. I don't think I'll be playing the drums using plastic bottles, or using an egg whisk as a drum stick. He was getting a little too 'creative' for my tastes in places. I understand his intention but I think those spots would have been better filled by just showing some examples of using things like woodblocks, sambago bells, cowbells, or other drum accessories. In fact, I wish he had included woodblocks since I have a pair on my drum set. I guess the fact that he played on a log in the first DVD will have to suffice as a 'woodblock'.Summary in short:If you're a raw beginner looking for detailed instructions I'd recommend Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials" and "Great Hands for a Lifetime". But if you're already playing and you're looking to express more artistic creativity and refine your timing, then Greb's "The Language of Drumming" might just be the ticket.

I purchased the DVD and liked the concept but didn't really start using the system until I got Benny's follow-up book (I reviewed that as well).Bottom line is that this is an extremely well thought out system and is presented very clearly. One of the most useful things I found was the visual representation of the "Rhythmic Alphabet" and this DVD provides a reference poster that is extremely handy for us visual thinkers!!!. The Rhythmic Alphabet is a great mental model that helps you start playing right away rather than getting hung up on the notes if you're not a reader (i.e easier to hear what your playing rather than thinking about the notes).The system is worth exploring, Benny presents multiple ways to use the system, which can easily be expanded upon - just fire-up your imagination (Benny certainly helps jumpstart it). As the DVD progresses through the system there are several performance clips to show how the system is applied in the real world (great for the visual and audio learners).I bought the DVD first, then the book, which really pushed me to use the system. I don't feel I've wasted any money with both products as my learning style was helped by both products - the DVD let me see Benny do it, the book gave me form so that I could do it.Here's the Amazon link for the book (with reviews): http://www.amazon.com/Benny-Greb-Language-Drumming-Expression/dp/1458422291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394897009&sr=1-1Also, I would seriously consider the Book, CD, 2-DVD Combo Pack as it offers a really good value: http://www.amazon.com/Benny-Greb-Language-Drumming-2-DVD/dp/1480342394/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394897009&sr=1-2

For those instructors out there that have been using Stone's book 'Stick Control,' but have been looking for material that might be more engaging for today's more techno-minded student ... this production just may be precisely what you're looking for.No ... your beginning level students probably won't be able to quickly master the Blue Devil's 'Ditty' nor Vanguard's 'Double Beat' with it, but I suspect that with as little as a week's practice using Greb's video ... almost any fifth grade music student can play a recognizable rendition of USC Trojan's masterpiece 'Orgasm.'Anyone looking for a gift idea for some aspiring drummer, regardless of what style of music he is studying, won't go wrong with this DVD. Note: it presents an odd, yet technically correct, means of teaching rhythm; and it presents it in a way that anyone who can sing 'Happy Birthday' can grasp the concept.I won't call it revolutionary, but it is definately an evolution in teaching the rudiments. And as applied to the drumset, it provides a meaningful (and enjoyably unique) foundation to the practice of independence.Three thumbs up in a two thumbs world.

Disculpen si no escribo en inglés jejejeje. Pero eso demuestra que el lenguaje de la música es universal. Está muy completo el vídeo, es sencillo de digerir, sin embargo con práctica esos ejercicios hacen que tengas mayor versatilidad en lo que haces en la batería.Simplemente me encantó!

I bought this for my boyfriend, and the only bad thing about it is that I may never see him again. He loves this DVD and wants to spend as much time with Benny Greb as possible :-) This DVD came quickly and was just as described. Great online shopping experience.

Ich weiss garnicht wo ich zuerst anfangen soll. Diese zwei DVDs haben meine Erwartungen, die ich durch diverse Youtube-Videos hatte, mehr als übertroffen. Sei es die Akustische Qualität, das Bildqualität und Kameraführung an sich, die verschiedenen Schauplätze, die verständlichen Erklärungen, die abartig guten Drumsolos, die zwischendurch eingeschobenen Auflockerungen, ja sogar das Menü ist schon der wahnsinn! Ich war einfach baff und fast schon traurig, als die DVD zu ende war.Neben dem Unterhaltungswert bietet Benny auch einige sehr interessante und wichtige Übungen, aber nicht iin einem trockenem Stil, sondern immer verständlich, locker und dadurch auch eingängig.Ich habe diese zwei DVDs am Stück verschlungen und mich danach erst mal für eine Stunde ans Schlagzeug setzen müssen, und man merkt sofort wie man ganz anders an die Sache ran geht und sich einem Aspekte eröffnen, an welche man nie zuvor gedacht hätte, und das nur durch den "Sound" von Benny Grebs Schlagzeugspiel. Die Übungen bringen einem zwar auf den ersten Blick nicht viel, meint man zumindest, aber man ertappt sich dabei wie man sie immer mehr in sein Schlagzeugspiel einbaut und seinen musikalischen Horizont dadurch drastisch erweitert.Ich kann Benny nur danken, er hat mir mit dieser DVD vieles aufgezeigt und ermöglicht, und das ohne allzu trockenes Üben, sondern mit Spaß an der Sache! Im nachhinein kann ich auch sagen, dass sich der doppelte kaufpreis immer noch lohnen würde.

Benny Greb is an incredible drummer and musician. Not only is he technically outstanding but he plays with great feel and sensitivity. You can check this out yourself on various youtube channels (including Benny's own one), where his demos and clinics can attest to his musicianship. This DVD reveals the fundamental principles by which you can change your whole approach to making and understanding all sorts of rhythms- learning a rhythmic alphabet that can be then used to compose rhythmic "words" and "phrases". It can be used to begin a course of study or, for an old dog like me, to learn many new tricks.Having bought the Benny Greb Language of Drumming book first, I was somewhat confused as to how to make progress with the exercises and drills. The DVD makes everything much clearer and Benny explains and demonstrates everything with precision and clarity. It is also shot beautifully, which makes it very watchable. If you are a drummer with aspirations to move to a much higher level of listening and playing, this is an amazing resource.

Un dvd monstrueux.Plein de bonnes idées, une pédagogie super et du groove.Il faut absolument avoir ce DVD