Berklee School of Music

[Josiah]

I've always said they are only riding on the coat tails of the reputation earned by great educators.

But they just had to go and make it even worse. So aparently, of all the things, Berklee choose this to represnt them.


http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/kenwooddennard.html


Utter crap.

[Tim]

haha yeah i saw that the other day. funny how you can hear the guy going "buuhhh...uh huh"

[Massik Kretal]

Never heard of him, but that video was terrible.

It's kinda like when a 5 year old goes on a set and tries to hit everything really fast.

[Panopticon]

not working for me..i need to update quicktime but its not working:upset:

[FockerTheLopper]

I liked it. I didn't get bored. Its better then listening to Virgil beast around his kit, yes it was sloppy but it kept me entertained.

[Shu]

ahhahha..

that was terrible.. even i know better than that...

[Jezen]

Yeah I saw that a few days ago.

Thats just one more reason I don't wanna go to Berklee...

Its better then listening to Virgil beast around his kit

Uhh what!? Virgil's playing is very clean, albeit technical.

[Chimp]

I saw that a few days ago too, and from hearing the sounds he makes while drumming, i wouldn't wanna be a room with him...

[ThugsRook]

that was horrible

[sensitiveorgan00]

Ah, mad good. Now this guy knows how to have fun. :thumb:

[moogoogaipan]

well, from the energy that guy has, I'd bet that he has an awesome personality.
But watching that video makes me realize how much easier reachin the top will be.

[scorpion990]

Can somebody please do me a huge favor and convert that movie to a different format? My computer doesn't like .mov, and it downloading the newest quicktime doesn't help.

[J0llyhunter]

ohmygod. that just made my day. he seemed like he was having a great time though...HAHAHA! you see that smug look on his face in the end? that cracked me up.

[TTTSNB]

Yeah, I saw that guy play when I went to the Berklee Percussion Festival this summer. He has cool ideas, but he really struggles executing them, he's just so sloppy.

[Chris]

I thought that is snare sounded nice.

[LittlePound]

/\/\ now this is a guy who obviously sees the cup as half full

[GooseFilms.net]

not gonna stop me from applying there, anyway

[Win A Rabbit]

my computer won't work with quicktime. i keep trying to download it, but it keeps saying "the plugin did not initialize properly" or something along those lines. any help? it's really bad, since all the videos on drummerworld are quicktime movies.

[davidseung]

ahahah!


yea.. thats kenwood dennard for you.. he really really really REALLY loves playing drums....


hes a great drummer actually.. played with some great musicians, including Sting some years ago...


he also has a REAL good sense of time and groove and is also a proficient singer and keyboard player. i do admit his techniques a bit whack, but hey... he's a berklee professor: he's gotta be doing something right!!

[styler]

my computer won't work with quicktime. i keep trying to download it, but it keeps saying "the plugin did not initialize properly" or something along those lines. any help? it's really bad, since all the videos on drummerworld are quicktime movies.
it did that with me too, go to www.download.com (link wont work)
and look for quicktime 7.5 or something like that

[Loyton]

I liked it. I didn't get bored. Its better then listening to Virgil beast around his kit, yes it was sloppy but it kept me entertained.


You idiot, you know what I flame you all the time? Because your ****ing subhuman. Cant believe you just said that was better than listeing to virgil.


Anyway, the video was crap, that guy needs to ****ing grow up, I didnt feel any emotion when I listened to that. None. I want to FEEL somthing when I listen to music, not just watch it. Virgil, I feel that hes amazing and could be very good in most styles of music and I respect and analyze what he is doing.

That guy is sloppy on top of being unemotional.

[moogoogaipan]

That guy is sloppy on top of being unemotional.

True, but you realize that within some of the best great...
Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones were considered sloppy.
They obviously weren't "sloppy" in the normal sense, but compare them to Rich, who played super accurately.

[Josiah]

including Sting some years ago...


he also has a REAL good sense of time and groove
i do admit his techniques a bit whack,

but hey... he's a berklee professor: he's gotta be doing something right!!


I doubt he played with Sting, wich album or wich tour? That's easy to find. Considering Vinnie was with him for 10 years, and few other drummers have played with him.

Sense of time and groove? He must have forgot it for the video...

Being a professor at Berklee doesn't mean much these days. That video goes to show it.

[Loyton]

True, but you realize that within some of the best great...
Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones were considered sloppy.
They obviously weren't "sloppy" in the normal sense, but compare them to Rich, who played super accurately.

Ah mabye, but emotion is the other factor, which those players (for me, its all opinion of course) had emotion and made me feel somthing listening to them. That made me feel like wanting to turn it off, everything from the garbage gimmik one hand roll to the excess random cymbal crashes.

[moogoogaipan]

I doubt he played with Sting, wich album or wich tour? That's easy to find. Considering Vinnie was with him for 10 years, and few other drummers have played with him.

Sense of time and groove? He must have forgot it for the video...

Being a professor at Berklee doesn't mean much these days. That video goes to show it.

I don't know whether it's true or not... the source is Pearldrum.com, but you know how internet information is.

Kenwood Dennard was born in Brooklyn, New York in March of 1956. His parents were both professional singers. Kenwood began playing piano at age 3 and drums at age 8. He started private studies on piano at age 5 and on drums at age 9. In 1968 Kenwood attended David Mannes School where he studied ear training, theory, and piano. In 1971 he furthered his classical studies at the Manhattan School of Music Prep. Department, where he began studying percussion with Jim Price.

Kenwood finished High School at age 17 and was accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston in the same year. There he majored in composition. His principal instrument was drums, which he studied with Gary Chaffee and Alan Dawson. Kenwood attended the accelerated program in order to make time to study theory with Nadja Boulanger during the summer of 1975 in Fontainebleu, France. Kenwood graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee in 1976. Thus he completed his formal training, but has continued to study with master musicians throughout the world.

[moogoogaipan]

Ah mabye, but emotion is the other factor, which those players (for me, its all opinion of course) had emotion and made me feel somthing listening to them. That made me feel like wanting to turn it off, everything from the garbage gimmik one hand roll to the excess random cymbal crashes.

that's an entirely just opinion. I just don't trust that video.. I would like to see more before making a final judgement... If he's an "in-demand" then it must be for some reason... or maybe that's just being hyped by drummerworld.

[Win A Rabbit]

it did that with me too, go to www.download.com (link wont work)
and look for quicktime 7.5 or something like that
thank you. i finally have quicktime.

to the video... that was horrible. 90% of that stuff, i was doing the first day i played drums. and the other 10% took me no more than a week to learn. there was no feel, no structure, nothing. i'm amazed. if no-one told me he was a professor at berkelee, i would have thought it was another one of these 'noob on google video tries to solo, fails horribly' threads.

[moogoogaipan]

before I read his bio... I thought he was probably just some stupid student at Berklee who had gotten access to and audio/video room and created some stupid solo and then submitted it to drummerworld claiming that he was awesome.

[davidseung]

I doubt he played with Sting, wich album or wich tour? That's easy to find. Considering Vinnie was with him for 10 years, and few other drummers have played with him.

Sense of time and groove? He must have forgot it for the video...

Being a professor at Berklee doesn't mean much these days. That video goes to show it.

Sting has had many drummers in the past. Kenwood played on tracks on the album "Nothing Like The Sun." Im not completely sure if he did that tour... His discography is quite impressive actually.. www.justadvance.com

what was wrong with the timing in that video? if he cleaned up his rolls and put some more rests in and let it breathe a bit more, it would have been alright. i do admit that the solo didnt have much feel, but i have heard him play many times besides this video and believe me, he really CAN groove.

[DuckinFutch]

the #1 Jazz Band at my school is going to Berklee in I think febuary...

Their bassist and piano player are godly, especially the pianist...

He'll be pro when he leaves school...

[Josiah]

Sting has had many drummers in the past. Kenwood played on tracks on the album "Nothing Like The Sun." Im not completely sure if he did that tour... His discography is quite impressive actually.. www.justadvance.com

what was wrong with the timing in that video? if he cleaned up his rolls and put some more rests in and let it breathe a bit more, it would have been alright. i do admit that the solo didnt have much feel, but i have heard him play many times besides this video and believe me, he really CAN groove.


Ah well select tracks ok..

The point is.. if THAT is what Berklee chooses to represent themsevles. Well what a joke.

[FockerTheLopper]

Yeah I saw that a few days ago.

Thats just one more reason I don't wanna go to Berklee...



Uhh what!? Virgil's playing is very clean, albeit technical.
Yeah, but its really really boring. At least this guy has soul, I said it about 1000 times, Virgil is like a drum machine- a chop monkey. If you see how bored he looks when he's playing that fast, thats how bored I am. I perfer players like Weckl and Vinnie they aren't as good but they play better with bands and they have alot more feel.

[FockerTheLopper]

You idiot, you know what I flame you all the time? Because your ****ing subhuman. Cant believe you just said that was better than listeing to virgil.


Anyway, the video was crap, that guy needs to ****ing grow up, I didnt feel any emotion when I listened to that. None. I want to FEEL somthing when I listen to music, not just watch it. Virgil, I feel that hes amazing and could be very good in most styles of music and I respect and analyze what he is doing.

That guy is sloppy on top of being unemotional.
Alright give me a link to ONE Virgil video where I don't get bored and I'll agree with you. I'm not being an asshole right now, I just don't get what the big deal about Virgil is. Anyone can sit in a room for hours and hours and practice chops until theres not tommorow. Again, if you tell me what he does I'll like him but I'm not going to listen to him and figure it out for myself because its too boring.

[Josiah]

I perfer players like Weckl and Vinnie they aren't as good but they play better with bands and they have alot more feel.


Oh now that's just a load of crap.

[Double Bass Jim]

Haha yea really

Your talking about the Vin man... And weckl.. Come on!!!!!!

[FockerTheLopper]

Oh now that's just a load of crap.
I've heard planet X and you just can't compare to anything Vinnie or Weckl do, I haven't heard alot of Weckl but the couple of songs(and lots of videos) are much much more enjoyable then Virgils playing

[Josiah]

I've heard planet X and you just can't compare to anything Vinnie or Weckl do

That's a joke right?

I have a feeling you just have no idea what you are really hearing when it comes to stuff like that.

[FockerTheLopper]

That's a joke right?
Nope.

[Double Bass Jim]

Do you play the harp or something^??

[rohbit]

Do you play the harp or something^??

No, just with himself.

[Double Bass Jim]

I knew you'd show up and try to be funny.

Leave the jokes to the real comedians.. Like focker.

[Loyton]

Its better then listening to Virgil

Weckl and Vinnie they aren't as good

I'm not going to listen to him and figure it out for myself because its too boring.

I've heard planet X and you just can't compare to anything Vinnie or Weckl do


O wait, wait a second guys! Im starting to see a pattern!

If you take all the bolded letters it spells imaiduspt

that rearraged makes

I AM STUPID!

wow subconsiously even he knows it!

[aria]

hey talkin about harp can u harpists go chek out my fred on other instruments

[rohbit]

I knew you'd show up and try to be funny.

Leave the jokes to the real comedians.. Like focker.

*cries*

[ChrisD]

I doubt he played with Sting, wich album or wich tour? That's easy to find. Considering Vinnie was with him for 10 years, and few other drummers have played with him.

Sense of time and groove? He must have forgot it for the video...

Being a professor at Berklee doesn't mean much these days. That video goes to show it.


He played on one track of Sting's.It was on the album "Nothing like the sun" and on the Jimi Hendrix cover "Little Wing".
I couldn't get the video to download unfortunately,but his playing on that track by Sting had some emotional in it.

[FockerTheLopper]

That's a joke right?

I have a feeling you just have no idea what you are really hearing when it comes to stuff like that.
I heard in a thread a while ago, BB was saying how good Virgil was because of I don't even know what. I don't know. It just doesn't intrest me. Guess its a difference in opinions. I have a big biase against Virgil because I saw a video on drummerworld about a year ago and I read under it something like "I've been playing drums for 15 years and this video made me feel like a begginner. I wanted to go out and buy his dvd to see how he did it." so I guess I never really wanted to get into his played, but I do find it extremely boring.

On another note, do you know if Vinnie ever played with Chick Corea. I ran across some on bearshare. I can't really tell if its him so I'm not sure if it is.

[Jezen]

I consider him to be the most technically advanced drummer in the world. However if you're going for real drummer traits, I would say Vinnie or Weckl.

[FockerTheLopper]

I consider him to be the most technically advanced drummer in the world. However if you're going for real drummer traits, I would say Vinnie or Weckl.
What songs is he good to listen to, I have a couple of songs off moonbabies.

[Japan3gro]

Man I just can't get into Virgil... I can't take anything away from him though because he's a beast. I need to hear some Planet X stuff though. If anybody has some plz upload. The only thing I listen to is the 2 Vinnie solos ( about 15 mins long) on Houseofdrumming. Thats really good stuff right there and never gets old.

[Jezen]

^^^
Japan3gro, Do you have MSN?

[FockerTheLopper]

^^^
Do you have MSN?
I have an email adress at msn, I use aim

[Jezen]

What songs is he good to listen to, I have a couple of songs off moonbabies.

I particularly enjoy Ataraxia, and Quantum Factor.

I also really enjoy some of the older stuff too, like 'How to Grow Great Women', 'Alien Hip Hop', 'Pwitl', 'Flies Eyes', 'Times End' ect.

[FockerTheLopper]

I particularly enjoy Ataraxia, and Quantum Factor.

I also really enjoy some of the older stuff too, like 'How to Grow Great Women', 'Alien Hip Hop', 'Pwitl', 'Flies Eyes', 'Times End' ect.
I think I had quantum factor not sure, all my song files got deleted a couple of months ago and I only redownloaded the ones I listened to alot.

Japanpro we pretty much have the same views on Virgil exept that I find him alot more boring then you do. Oh well, I guess I'm missing out(or not)
Cheers:chug:

[Japan3gro]

I have AIM! someblackguy911

[Jezen]

I'll give you a video of Quantum Factor if you want.

[Japan3gro]

Sure go ahead man.

[The Fiction We Live]

O wait, wait a second guys! Im starting to see a pattern!

If you take all the bolded letters it spells imaiduspt

that rearraged makes

I AM STUPID!

wow subconsiously even he knows it!

You have way too much time on your hands..

[RushHourSoul]

I didn't mind it, some bits where definatly not to my taste but I can definatly say was getting into it and was very energetic. Wasn't very musical though, however he looks like hes having a great time, which is what drums are all about right, having fun?

I found this on his drummerworld page A funky groove.. (http://www.drummerworld.com/Sound/kenwooddennard.mp3), starts off a bit dodgy but its not too bad, he definatly doesn't suck. Props to the bass guitarist, those riffs are funky.
and err..
to the video... that was horrible. 90% of that stuff, i was doing the first day i played drums. and the other 10% took me no more than a week to learn.
..slight exagguration...

[Josiah]

On another note, do you know if Vinnie ever played with Chick Corea.

Yes, extensively, however so did many others.


However the fact you "can't tell if it's him" says it all.

You just have no place talking about, or even making statments as to who what and where of those caliber players.

Know why?

Because I, and many others, could tell instantly who was playing from a single bar. They all have a unique style and feel.

If you haven't picked up on that much, then you truly have no idea what's going on with the notes they are playing.

[FockerTheLopper]

Yes, extensively, however so did many others.


However the fact you "can't tell if it's him" says it all.

You just have no place talking about, or even making statments as to who what and where of those caliber players.

Know why?

Because I, and many others, could tell instantly who was playing from a single bar. They all have a unique style and feel.

If you haven't picked up on that much, then you truly have no idea what's going on with the notes they are playing.
Its not really that hard... It didn't sound like him thats why I asked

[Josiah]

But you asked if Vinnie ever played with Chic. And the question is a big yes, that's a pretty known thing.

Vinnie and Chic just are amazing together, some of the most incredible playing. Search for the Live at the Blue Note Tokyo.

[flyguy]

your an idiot ^

Kenwood is a damn good drummer. He's very proficient on his drum set and can play very very well. Hes played with many respectable musicians including Miles Davis, Sting, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Herbie, Dizzy and many more.

You should stop bashing Berklee. Their percussion faculty is one of the best in the world. Theres no doubt.

[Josiah]

your an idiot ^

Kenwood is a damn good drummer. He's very proficient on his drum set and can play very very well. Hes played with many respectable musicians including Miles Davis, Sting, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Herbie, Dizzy and many more.

You should stop bashing Berklee. Their percussion faculty is one of the best in the world. Theres no doubt.

No doubt eh? Lets see...


That video sucks. I'm not the only one to point that out.

And I'm not also the only one to bash Berklee. You might want to research your crap before you try and spew it.

EVERY drummer who has attended berklee and been interview in the alst 5 years or so by Modern Drummer has had nothing but bad things to say about the school.

Go look up Abe Loborial Jr's Cover MD interview. He wasn't exactly praising the school for it's "Cookie cutter mentatlity" "training you to play at holiday inn's"

So kiss my *** punk. If it's the best, then why are famous drummers who weant there putting it down?

[flyguy]

hah....okay.

Yeah. That video wasnt Kenwood at his best. but you might want to look outside that video and maybe you could research your crap before you try and spew it pal. Agh...

Of course alot of people have bad things to say about Berklee. It has quite a high drop out rate for that very reason.

The facts of it are that Berklee is very easy to get into. If you can play drums and have the cash to pay then your in. Staying in is entirely different though. Berklee weeds out very good musicians. Many dropout because they realize how bad they are, or they come there thinking they can just play drums but fail all the music theory coruses, ear training, and so forth. Others get gigs or form a band soon after they start and dont come back. So many guys badmouth it because it isnt what they thought it would be like because they themselves dont know how demanding music schools are.

I attend Berklee so i get first hand experience from the school. I notice many flaws of the school, and the cookie cutter mentality is present in some situations. but the school is very very good in more respects than bad.

There are many musicians that say Berklee is a great school. Professional working musicians, educators, composers, film scorers in fact. Just because a few famous drummers have badmouthed it, doesnt mean a thing.

Many people also badmouth Julliard. Would you consider that a bad school as well? I personally know people studying music at University of North Texas and they dont like it and say that it isnt good. Would you consider UNT a bad music school?

Have you attended Berklee? Do you personally know some of the faculty there?

Who cares who says what about the school, or who graduated or who dropped out. Music schools are all about what you put into it. They will open the door to you, and you will be the one to choose to pursue it or not.
Studying at Berklee wont make you better than the guy studying at the community college, but the connections, experiences, and opportunities that you get there are second to none.

Your speaking too much on opinion pal. I respect you as a drummer. but you really need to stop living in your own world.

[Massik Kretal]

I wanna see Jo's response to this....looks like a tuffie...

[Loyton]

Well, with Jo when the going gets tough he usually makes personal attacks and talks about how much better he is.

[davidseung]

i gotta admit, some of the berklee faculty are very good. ie: Rod Morganstein, Terri Lynn and Mike Mangini!!

i dont think that justifies the price though... boy... from what ive heard its soo expensive!

[Aaron]

Alright give me a link to ONE Virgil video where I don't get bored and I'll agree with you. I'm not being an asshole right now, I just don't get what the big deal about Virgil is. Anyone can sit in a room for hours and hours and practice chops until theres not tommorow. Again, if you tell me what he does I'll like him but I'm not going to listen to him and figure it out for myself because its too boring.
we're not really discussing your specific enjoyment. we're talking about his drumming. your not that special..

i find that disgusting playing to be honest. no emotion, no tension/release, no feel.. whats the point in doing a solo like that? its just musical masterbation.

[Aaron]

Your speaking too much on opinion pal. I respect you as a drummer. but you really need to stop living in your own world.
welcome to internet forums, its where you voice your opinions..

[LittlePound]

that was definetely no solo...just a bunch of noise...i'd almost say it was as bad as jordisons....maybe it was...atleast joey was spinning upside while sucking...anyways..yeah, not very tasteful playing on this guys part

[Josiah]

Your speaking too much on opinion pal.


Hardly. Can't say I know any current staff, but former.. does that count?

Haven't been there to attend, but did go to observe. The facilities at the time were something less then to be desired. hence why I choose not to attend there.

I agree it's true what you put in is what you get out. But for the cost of berklee, and the general structure of their program.. it's very outdated. A degree is absolutely useless for musicians, as is what school you weant to.
That means it comes down to a simple equation - Price + Time/Output

It used to be an amazing school, back in the day. Now it just rides the coat tails of that so to speak. Now the only time I've seen mention of it by various professionals is in a rather bad light.

My point was, that video is bad. It truly is, be it if that wasn't that drummers best work or not is not the point at all.
Berklee made a decision to use that material to represent themsevles. Could they have picked something better? I would assume so. But they didn't. And that alone has to make someone wonder.

Oh not to mention, besides myself, there have been several members here wich have attended various Berklee camps, functions etc.. I think someone in an earlier page made claim.. and over the years I've been on these forums. Not a single person has attended one and been very positive about the results for the price.


I think Berklee is headed down the road towards FullSail status more then anything else.

At the very least, there's no way you could say that Berklee has improved on what it used to be. And it costs twice as much as any other percussion school.

[Whysman]

that was definetely no solo...just a bunch of noise...i'd almost say it was as bad as jordisons....maybe it was...atleast joey was spinning upside while sucking...anyways..yeah, not very tasteful playing on this guys part

So I wasn't wrong on Jordison's solo, when I saw it I wasn't amazed at all just smacking some toms hoping it'd sound good. Same as this video it's pretty poor but if it's not his best I'd like to see/hear him at his best.