Interview with Grego Benevides:

Mr. Kenwood Dennard, How ya feel'in dogg?!? How's everything in B-town? Everything here is going well. But man, I've been home a month and I'm still looking for a gig! Can't find one!! I'm not giving up though. Actually, I'm trying to get an audition with STOMP. They emailed me and asked for a letter and a head shot. So, my happy ass is sending that chit next week!! Hell yeah!! Anyway... email me with the haps and da craps! I miss you brother!!!! I hope all is well!! PEACE
Dr.Grego Benavides

Bean town is cookin'... Congratulations for not giving up. I see life as a beautiful and loooooooooong journey. If you give up halfway, how can you enjoy the profound wonders fully? Good luck, Greg! :-)
Thanks for sending me the dialogue we had at Berklee! I include it here for all to enjoy! :-)

Q: What is your perception of time?

A: Time is a function of the human condition. As drummers, we utilize the illusion of time to make people happy! :o)

Q: What can I do to develop solid time?

A: 1) A.O.B. graph
2) Tempo memorization chart
3) Tempo analysis
4) Learn to dance
5) Get fired from a band
6) use inner directives to heighten your human condition.... "¡DETERMINATION !"

Q: What do you think about when you're soloing?

A: I think about one thought, "¡ BEE LINE !" Technique. Focus on emotional themes. Focus on the mundane technical aspects of the solo, form, etc. Then strive to simplify!

Q: What are the different gears of stick position?

A: 1) pivot from shoulder
2) pivot from elbow
3) pivot from the wrists
4) pivot from the fingers
5) pivot from the shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers
6) use the rim as a lever (a pivot point on the stick)

Q: How can I get faster and more even 16th notes on a single bass drum pedal?

A: The flutter technique!
1) use a "flutter" motion on the bass drum pedal. (don't play a note yet)
2) lower your foot causing repeated notes on the bass drum.

Q: When playing jazz ride, how can I make it sound better? Do the notes need to be the same, (dynamically) or are some notes accented?

A: accent the notes that are bold. 1...2...3 etc.

Q: What rate of speed do you play the one-handed role against a quarter note?

A: for example, 32 notes----quarter note = 123.

Q:Can you give me some breathing exercises for singing?

A: Go jogging! Ex:
1) press your palms together with fingers pointing towards the sky, now breath!
2) put your hands by your side; while keeping your rib cage up, breath.
3) pant! like a dog! Using your stomach, breath in and out rapidly.

Q: What singers can you advise me to listen to?

A: Bobby McFerrin, Jon Hendricks, Lambert Hendrix Ross, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Luaryn Hill, Take 6, Aretha Franklin.

Q: When you sing and play, do you put your playing on "autopilot" and concentrate more on singing?
A: It depends on which deserves the musical focus. Usually the melody does!

Q: When "free soloing," I tend to think of sharks feeding, floating down a river in a raft, or even running through dense woods. What do you think about when you're soloing?

A: Wow...same things!!!! :o) But, I think musically, not intellectually!!! Make sure you are playing your ass off by taking care of the basics and then thinking of one thought. ( a picture perhaps or an impression or feeling)

Q: Can you list some jazz I should listen to?

A: Wayne Shorter "A Thantis"
Elvin Jones "Genesis"
Miles Davis "Seven Steps"
John Coltrane "Love Supreme"

Q: Do you use a lot of finger motion when playing fast patterns on the ride or hi-hat?

A: Yes, 5th gear (not exclusively finger motion)

Q: How do you tune your snare drum?

A: First get good head! :o) Evenly: 1 6 8 4 3 7 5 2
1) Loosen up all lugs
2) 1/2 turns, tighten by feel, to the desired tension.
3) repeat on the bottom head.

Q: How can I go about memorizing the Alan Dawson Rudimental Ritual?

A: Play along with the CD over and over. Use "Composite Wisdom."

Q: When doing feels, do you find yourself structuring them around the groove you're playing or the melody?

A: The groove!!! The melody is good for strictly the form or structure.

Q: When playing live, what do you do as a drummer, if the stage volume is low and you can't really hear the other musicians?

A: Play quietly without losing the intensity! Fix it!! Plus, just advance! Start prioritizing your selective listening. Have Faith!! As Art Blakey said, "What ever you do, don't hold back."

Q: How can I relax before a big performance?

A: Chant to create a wave of happiness! If you have a lot of tension, use it for a worthy cause. Go out and do your best! Prioritize excellence!

Q: When soloing over an odd meter, do you count or do you try to just feel the phrase?

A: At first, learn to count smaller subdivisions. Then, bigger subdivisions.

Q: How would I go about teaching a beginner on the drums?

A: 1) bond
2) trust
3) inspire the person
4) connect to their dreams and fly! Get them to ask you questions. Make it fun. Find out their weaknesses and start there.
5) posture, technique, reading, styles, jamming and listening.

Q: How would you suggest practicing dynamics on the drumset?

A: Listen to techno! Also, practice the 100 count warm-up.
1-40 pp 15` (degrees)
40-50 p 30`
50-60 mp 45`
60-70 mf 60`
70-80 F 75`
80-90 FF 90`
90-100 as loud as possible