Max Liebenberg

Which musician has influenced you the most? 
Thom Yorke (Radiohead) has influenced me the most, because he has never limited himself to one style or approach to music. He is a great musician and singer, but more importantly an artist who is constantly in motion, finding new sounds and new approaches to song creation. He is not afraid to explore, and has nurtured his curiosity and interest in all styles of music while always staying true to himself.

What can you teach me about your instruments different than any other teacher?
I am able to help students not only understand drums and rhythm, but music as a whole. For me it is very important to be able to comprehend what each instrument is playing and how it’s related to drums.

How did you learn to play your instrument?
After having some lessons as a child, I went to many jazz jam sessions and learnt from the older musicians in Johannesburg. I followed around the musicians whose music I loved and learnt from them by watching and playing with them. 

How do you go about writing a song or composing a piece yourself?
The inspiration for a song can come about in any way - jamming around on drums, piano, or guitar, or even sitting down and meditating on a melody, imagining how I can bring the sounds in my head to reality. 

On what equipment do you play today?
I really love finding great cymbals, as this often defines the sound of a drummer. My collection includes a 22” Zildjian Kerope ride, 14” Paiste 20th Anniversary hi-hats, and a 20” Lasse Funch Elvin Jones Tribute ride. I have a little portable Ludwig Breakbeats kit which allows me to bring it on the trams, buses and trains. It’s not fancy, but it’s good enough. A cheap drum kit can go a long way if you know how to tune it right! 

What personal trait has helped you the most when it comes to practicing?
Patience and curiosity! Meditating on a specific rhythm, groove, chord or melody for a while until you really understand it. I like to break ideas down into their simplest form so that I can put it back together in different contexts. 

What does your instrument have that others don't?
Drums make people dance, and dance is a vital form of human expression that allows us to process emotion and form new emotional bonds with others. It is deep in the human psyche, and it is beautiful to be able to tap into this universal experience.

What do you pay special attention to when you teach?
I always make sure that whatever is being studied on the instrument is in relation to a song. Learning new music is the core principle of my lessons- learning to play it on an instrument is one way of approaching it.

How do you build up your music lessons?
After consultation with a student about their interests and wishes, I develop a syllabus based on learning songs and techniques that will help them develop their musicality.

How does your approach differ when teaching children? 
Learning is most effective when it’s fun - I have developed a series of games that gets children to improvise and have fun making music while building their technical foundations and musical understanding at the same time.

What was your greatest experience as a musician so far?
Getting to play with phenomenal Swiss pianist and bandleader, Nik Bärtsch. We had a week of workshops and rehearsals followed by a small tour through Switzerland in 2021. Nik showed us how to understand groove, how to understand the role of your instrument in a band, and how to be mindful when performing.

What was the largest stage that you've performed on?
Playing the Linder Auditorium (Johannesburg)  to 4’000 people.

Which musician would you like to play with?
I would love to play with Marcus Gilmore - he is a drummer too, but I would love to feel what it’s like to play together with someone that has studied the instrument so deeply. The feeling must be incredible! 

Which record would you bring to a desert island?
Thelonious Monk - Live at the Five Spot. This record has it all: the humour, the groove, the attitude, and catharsis.

On which stage do you prefer to perform?
I still enjoy playing in little clubs (50-60 people) the most. The feeling that you can connect with the audience and share in the experience is really beautiful. 

Besides music, what else is important in your life?
Staying active and connecting with nature. I love snowboarding, hiking, football and table tennis.