BeN'Z & Drums

Wondering what's the relation? Well, here's a little inside about BeN'Z and his drumming part-time career (hobby).

Their history
BeN'Z jumped and began beating the drums in primary 4 (9 years old). He picked it up not by force but by interest and also some subjectivity. By subjectivity, i should say He chose to pick it up because he noticed that only a few people play it unlike the piano or guitar.

By primary 6, BeN'Z was a certified grade 3 in drums and skipped the rest of the grades immediately to grade 8. At this time, he was able to play the grade 8 pieces(not perfectly but good enough). However, he did not sit for the exam, as normal studies were more important. Studies also made him put his drums to a halt.

*Note: he had instruction under a very skilled tutor during those few years, Chua May Ling. BeN'Z did not resume learning drums by anyone after that.

BeN'Z resumed his drumming at the end of secondary 3 after watching a video of Tony Royster Jr. (when he was 12yrs old). BeN'Z said "hey! I'm near 15, and I can't do any of that!". Hence, he self-taught himself and by God's grace, he out of the blue could do what he saw on the video and much more.

In secondary 4, with much will to better himeslf even more, he headed to Guitar collection at Taman Tun Dr. Ismail to learn under teacher Azlan. He learnt a few moves but stopped shortly after as he could not make the time with school and other activities.

Eversince then, BeN'Z self taught himself up till this present day.
*Note: aside from one or two(he can't remember) jazz classes under Danny (if i remember correctly)[drumlabAUS] who was a regular at the Paris cat Melbourne.

BeN'Z nurtures his drumming ability and skills through watching many videos by drummerworld, vic-firth, youtube. Also, he has attended many drum clinics in Malaysia as well as Australia. He enjoys watching other people play rather than himself because He believes that everyone has something to offer and learns from every drummer he watches.

BeN'Z and other drummers
a few who he met according to country

Malysia -
Bill Bruford, Kenny Aronoff, and Malaysian drummers (Arthur Kam, Jerry Felix)

Australia -
Johnny Rabb, John Blackwell Jr., Shaun (something), Sam Aliano

Gigs
BeN'Z has performed in many gigs not in primary or high school, but in college(technically still high school but you get my drift), and university.

In Australia he was a duo with his very talented guitarist Tan Min-On. Performing for college events that made names for themselves.

A snip it from Trinity College publication
click here to view

Actual video would be uploaded in the near future.

He also did side gigs around Melbourne in jazz clubs, bars, pubs. (sadly no photos/ videos)

In Malaysia, no gigs unless in playing in university counts.
Not forgetting, BeN'Z plays occasionally in his church Glad Tidings Petaling Jaya.

So now you've just got to know BeN'Z and his relationship with drums a little better!
Below are previously uploaded videos of BeN'Z drumming.

Posted in: BeN'Z, drums