184 – Ben Hans: Author, Editor & Performer for Hal Leonard Publishing, Performing Acoustically w/ Kip Winger, Partnering w/ John S. Pratt
Ben Hans is a musician and music instructor who keeps a busy performance schedule performing many genres of music. Ben performs as a freelance artist, who cut his teeth performing under the tutelage of Jazz Guitarist Jack Grassel and the late Swing Clarinetist Chuck Hedges.
Ben has shared the stage with a diverse list of artists such as singer/songwriter/composer and Grammy nominated C. F. Kip Winger. Legendary Rudimentalists John S. Pratt, Mitch Markovich, the great Jazz Pianist Barry Harris, celebrated Saxophonists Eric Morones, Johnny Padilla and Jesse Lee Montijo, Jazz Guitarists Scott DuBois, Jeff Schroedl and Steve Peplin. Guitar virtuosos Reb Beach, John Roth, Jorge Salan and Donnie Wayne Smith as well as rock vocalist Fiona Flanagan. Ben has also performed alongside many great regional jazz artists such as Rick Embach, Berkeley Fudge, Tom McGirr, Pete Billman, Aaron Gardner, John Babbitt, Michael Arnold, Kirk Tatnall, Mark Solveson, Jeannine Rivers, Swing Nouveau, and many more.
As an educator, Ben is currently teaching Music Business at SAE Institute in Nashville, TN. Past teaching positions include Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as the Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Ben is also an author, proofreader, freelance editor and session performer for Hal Leonard Publishing, with published works including: “Workin’ Drums – 50 Solos for Drumset,” “40 Intermediate Snare Drum Solos,” “Rudimental Solos for the Marching Snare Drummer,” “Modern School for Mallet Keyboard Instruments,” “HalLeonard School for Snare Drum,” and transcriptions of Ray Luzier’s “Double Bass Drum Techniques”, as well as performing on and writing for the Hal Leonard DVD “Traditional Rudimental Drumming”by John S. Pratt.
In this episode, Ben talks about:
- Building and developing his private teaching practice
- The importance of being able to read music
- Changes in the recording industry
- Diversifying your work load
- Successfully working through drum books – a strategy
- The history of John S. Pratt
- Ben’s gig with Kip Winger
Ben endorses Yamaha Drums, Aquarian Drumheads, Mike Balter Mallets, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Tycoon Percussion
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Happy New Years, Ben & Dawn
I really enjoyed the podcast. I played drums and percussion in the High School and College Orchestra, Jazz band and Concert Band. My career was in the environmental field eventually working as an environmental attorney. One lawyer I worked with is the niece of Ed Thigpen. I m retired now. I agree learning to read music is essential. There are many books on the various aspects of drumming but they are of no use if you can’t read music. The comment on having four or five drum books set up for practicing is very good. I do that and it keeps my practice time interesting; it eliminates the boredom of only using one book at a time. I agree the Tommy Igoe book Groove Essentials is really helpful not just for the groves but also to practice reading charts. I visit Nashville once in a while since I have a son in Gallatin.
Tom, Thanks so much for your message and listening to the podcast. I agree with you about how essential reading is not only for educational purposes but fun and maintaining your interest. One of my favorite records in college was an Ed Thigpen recording. His brushwork was unmatched. : ). Thanks again and be well – Matthew