A Plea for Improvisation | Jojo Mayer | TEDxZurich

Jojo Mayer examines improvisation beyond common notions about artistic performance, but as a curious and hopeful response to a fast approaching future. Jojo Mayer began playing drums as an autodidact, and had his first public performance at age 2 with his father’s band. In the late 90’s he started to explore the area between human performance and robotization in music. He pioneered the reverse engineering of programmed drumbeats on acoustic drums in realtime. The work with his band NERVE further translated the mostly premeditated syntax of electronic music into an impro format and influenced a whole generation of bands and musicians. Besides performing and producing, Jojo is also a speaker and educator. His tutorials on drumming and product design for musical instruments are award winning international bestsellers. Modern drummer Magazine lists him among the “50 greatest drummers of all time”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 187

  • @vergedrums
    @vergedrums4 жыл бұрын

    This video is not about drumming. It's about life. Possibly the most important TED talk I've ever seen. Wonderful.

  • @krioni86sa

    @krioni86sa

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's about flowers and chess.

  • @GeorgVoros
    @GeorgVoros8 ай бұрын

    I'm lucky. I've met Jojo. We played at the same drum event, we ate dinner and talked and talked. He graciously modified my Moeller technique. He spoke about life, drums, his band and it was wonderful. Jojo is not only a masterful drummer, but also a masterful human being. And a highly talented magician... but that's another story. This TED talk is mind blowingly authentic and the most enthralling one I've watched. Wonderful stuff Jojo. Thank you.

  • @louiesimon5292

    @louiesimon5292

    3 ай бұрын

    Great to hear. Is he rocking his forearm to drive the 16ths? I have his instructional videos and have been practicing them for years, but this is next-level stuff. I'm amazed.

  • @mattamponah2597
    @mattamponah25974 жыл бұрын

    He plays 16th notes on the hi hat effortlessly. That’s Some of the best technique in the world.

  • @blackwizards1692

    @blackwizards1692

    4 жыл бұрын

    Facts, he makes it looks effortless

  • @danielclee1

    @danielclee1

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was wondering if they were 16th triplets? Are they actually 16ths straight? That's hard.

  • @jasperjenkins7729

    @jasperjenkins7729

    3 жыл бұрын

    "Best Technique in the World" ?? YES, JOJO would qualify. Top 3 Drummer of ALL time if I can spit my 2 cents.

  • @thomaskleinhans2384

    @thomaskleinhans2384

    3 жыл бұрын

    with one hand!

  • @adams7786

    @adams7786

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@danielclee1 I'm commenting before I finish the video but they are straight 16ths. 1 e + a 2 e + a....etc

  • 4 жыл бұрын

    Simply - WOW! This is a jaw-dropping artistic performance on a master level. I don't think many people actually understood what he pulled off in front of their eyes. And I mean not just instrumentally, but also philosophically. Not to mention the public speaking features of his performance. A) It is very hard to make your voice a part of your drum performance, even when "only" speaking. And the tempo he's playing the 16 notes with one hand in the beginning would wear down an average drummer's hand quickly. Overall technique of his performance is a result of decades of training. B) If you were ever interested in public speaking and attended Toastmasters or something similar, you know that it takes a huge balls to present your message in this way. And notice he haven't made a single mistake (e.g. he didn't drop his drumsticks or lost a track with his speech). C) He delivered a great quality philosophical statement through its simultaneous live creation. He was one with his message on the stage. An exceptional art. This was hands down one of the most powerful TED talks I've ever seen.

  • @karllsauter

    @karllsauter

    2 жыл бұрын

    What's more is English is his second language. Unbelievable!!

  • @umdiscodevinil

    @umdiscodevinil

    Жыл бұрын

    Such a legend.

  • @haydenbarnes5110
    @haydenbarnes51103 жыл бұрын

    This guy is a really good speaker. Like, really good. Speaking in a second language, whilst preoccupied with improvising around the drums. Speaking clearly with a good message and lots to take away. I'm absolutely floored

  • @nicorellius

    @nicorellius

    2 жыл бұрын

    I can hardly do that in my primary language!

  • @jakubwieczorek01
    @jakubwieczorek014 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad i was able to hear the noises he makes during his solos. That's how drumming really works

  • @boarhead5573

    @boarhead5573

    4 жыл бұрын

    Just found myself humming in similar ways when improvising^^

  • @foxxwoodmusicstudio4949

    @foxxwoodmusicstudio4949

    4 жыл бұрын

    I was stoked to hear that too. cuz i do it all the time and have often wondered if i should try and stop it. lol

  • @brandonwalker9245
    @brandonwalker92453 жыл бұрын

    Not only is he a talented musician, he is a philosopher

  • @grandtheftaudio3
    @grandtheftaudio32 жыл бұрын

    This is an unbelievable masterclass of five way independence. Anyone that doesnt play drums and (some that do) have no idea how impossible this is. He is better that you think he is. One of the best.

  • @cliffsmith1305
    @cliffsmith13053 жыл бұрын

    This is, without exaggeration, one of the very best ted "talks" I have ever seen! Talk about the ability to connect mind, body, and spirit... This man has it!

  • @sarahconnor4647

    @sarahconnor4647

    3 жыл бұрын

    💯🎄

  • @_beatslayer_
    @_beatslayer_3 жыл бұрын

    His ability to communicate with words is rising to the level of his drumming! Awesome.

  • @cliffsmith1305

    @cliffsmith1305

    3 жыл бұрын

    So true! Great observation!

  • @werakaczorowska9400
    @werakaczorowska94002 жыл бұрын

    The best TED talk I have ever watched, seriously

  • @vienna0810
    @vienna08103 жыл бұрын

    What's amazing to me (aside from the legendary drumming) is the fact he can also speak so clearly without any stutters, filler words etc. Awesome!!

  • @bobsmith513
    @bobsmith5133 жыл бұрын

    That was deep. I have a whole new respect for this guy. There are a million talented drummers out there with loads of technique and talent. He just took it to another level with this video.

  • @JLozdrummin
    @JLozdrummin3 жыл бұрын

    This man is playing intricate rhythm and speaking intricate words. This man is simply brilliant.

  • @blackwizards1692
    @blackwizards16924 жыл бұрын

    Bernard Purdie vibes!

  • @paulbentley2709

    @paulbentley2709

    4 жыл бұрын

    Bernard would approve.

  • @TheMonk711

    @TheMonk711

    4 жыл бұрын

    I was just thinking, who does this remind me of???? You hit the nail on the head. Legend!

  • @orti1283

    @orti1283

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking the same!

  • @shanjeevreddy5845

    @shanjeevreddy5845

    3 жыл бұрын

    Complete with the occasional audible grunts too! :D

  • @BitterDawn

    @BitterDawn

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ironically I listened to the Purdie shuffle right before I found this.

  • @billsmith1957
    @billsmith1957 Жыл бұрын

    In all the reading and learning I've done about Jojo (which is not near enough as of yet), there is one word that many often use with describing him as a musician and a human being: Astonishing

  • @fabianschreck4393
    @fabianschreck43933 жыл бұрын

    It‘s so sweet how he hums and does other noices while soloing to orchestrate.

  • @johnnhello4913
    @johnnhello49134 жыл бұрын

    I watch JoJo Mayer videos every day and I want to thank you (JoJo) for going back to do another Tedx and doing this.

  • @sarahconnor4647

    @sarahconnor4647

    3 жыл бұрын

    💕💕💯

  • @ericwilhelm2941
    @ericwilhelm2941 Жыл бұрын

    Jojo is SO in tune with Humankind . he knows something is coming at us. and the most important part for all of us is IMPROVISATION he is also correct about the School System that does not encourage to be playful and stay playful , Minimizes Imagination. I am talking your average Public School System. thank you Jojo for this very deep Presentation and beautiful Performance.

  • @tommyaldridge9933
    @tommyaldridge99335 ай бұрын

    His drumming brilliance is only a tip of the proverbial iceberg. Bless you Jojo…

  • @tinobaricic
    @tinobaricic4 жыл бұрын

    Improvisation is fluidity in creativity, as Jojo clearly demonstrated! Getting and looking better and better as he gets (b)older! Thank you.

  • @nicorellius
    @nicorellius2 жыл бұрын

    JoJo often talks about music and drumming in the context of life. His perspective is one of the most enlightened I've ever witnessed.

  • @aidencoxmusicguy5097
    @aidencoxmusicguy50973 жыл бұрын

    His talking is almost like in time with his drumming which is awesome

  • @davidgomersall7185

    @davidgomersall7185

    3 жыл бұрын

    Have a search for Bernard Purdie doing a lesson on the Purdie Shuffle on Drumeo. Not as philosophical but good for the soul in a different way.

  • @albo3music

    @albo3music

    Ай бұрын

    Thats entirely on purpose! Talking and playing is much, MUCH easier if you talk along with the rhythm

  • @kristinkoenig7080
    @kristinkoenig70803 жыл бұрын

    Ich durfte sie, Herr Mayer, gestern in Dresden während des Drum and Bass Festival bewundern. Ich habe noch nie solch einen großartigen Ausnahmekünstler erlebt. Ich war so geflasht und sprachlos. Vielen, vielen Dank!

  • @hameshrai6710
    @hameshrai67104 жыл бұрын

    Philosophy on art after arduous years of hard work and experiences for that perfection. You speak through the core aspects of wisdom of an art, which also relates to way of life. Perfect 👌

  • @ScienceAppliedForGood
    @ScienceAppliedForGood4 жыл бұрын

    Such an incredible way to convey information! Mind boggling.

  • @sarahconnor4647

    @sarahconnor4647

    3 жыл бұрын

    💕

  • @slvshy666
    @slvshy6662 жыл бұрын

    Incredible how intelligent this guy is. Absolutely a talent with a beautiful and very thoughtful provoking message that should be listened to and appreciated.

  • @lootlord
    @lootlord4 жыл бұрын

    Found this man through spotify and it led em to here. Dope.

  • @sarahconnor4647

    @sarahconnor4647

    3 жыл бұрын

    💕

  • @Joesfosterdogs
    @Joesfosterdogs4 жыл бұрын

    this is the PERFECT snare tone for me...i mean perfection!!! if i could get this tone consistently i would be done searching for Ms Right! whatever combo of events made for this, it is complete...the construction of this hall, the snare heads, snare drum, how he hits...game over! i rarely feel this way about a drum sound...

  • @jasperjenkins7729

    @jasperjenkins7729

    3 жыл бұрын

    Buy a thousand dollar Sonor snare!! Problem Solved 🎯

  • @Joesfosterdogs

    @Joesfosterdogs

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@jasperjenkins7729 --much more complicated than that...

  • @jasperjenkins7729

    @jasperjenkins7729

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Joesfosterdogs its JOJO so I understand its MUCH more complicated than that. But I looked up THAT snare. 27 plys of Beech wood!!! Made by Sonor. THAT is a serious snare. And UNDER 1k !!!! That's Great for a Sonor.🤣🤘😯

  • @GT-fx8fd
    @GT-fx8fd3 жыл бұрын

    Gotta just love Jojo. What a brilliant musician and philosopher

  • @calinpetrescu
    @calinpetrescu4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this lesson, mister Mayer!

  • @gttennisandfitness4476
    @gttennisandfitness44763 жыл бұрын

    JO JO Mayer what a speech....absolutely brilliant and such a strong message. Thank you mate

  • @gilbertosilva2935
    @gilbertosilva29353 жыл бұрын

    This video is too good. Drumming while having a speach, like him, Jojo.. it's not a joke.

  • @macumbamusic6332
    @macumbamusic63323 жыл бұрын

    beyond inspiring , what a truly great master you are love you!!

  • @LixinQin
    @LixinQin4 жыл бұрын

    beautiful, reminds me of Bernard Purdie and the birdman movie

  • @hmclake1

    @hmclake1

    3 жыл бұрын

    Birdman movie drummer is Antonio Sanchez...

  • @monstersaint
    @monstersaint3 жыл бұрын

    Yes! Jojo, thanks so much for this, as a drummer you really hit home.

  • 4 жыл бұрын

    always deeply inspiring to listen to Jojo !

  • @ShravanSamsi
    @ShravanSamsi2 жыл бұрын

    Genius !! Thank you for guiding us.. ♥️🙏🏼

  • @StringsOfAndersen
    @StringsOfAndersen3 жыл бұрын

    Very precise on every level of communication. That is inspiring

  • @KONAMAN100
    @KONAMAN1003 жыл бұрын

    What a masterclass, astonishing playing. Seriously he is one of the best in the top echelon of elite drummers.

  • @MrGiorgioud
    @MrGiorgioud3 жыл бұрын

    My favourite drummer of modern times. In the 1990s I was, with my then-band, experimenting a fusion between dissonant Rock a’ la Pixies or Sonic Youth and the exciting Jungle rhythms with Reggae basslines which were coming from inner city London. We knew the scene very well, as we always ended up in Brixton or Kings Cross or the darkest recesses of Soho afterhours in ceaseless search of nefarious chemical pastimes. With such a drummer we could have dispensed with the loops that sometimes we were forced to use in order to replicate the ultra-fast Jungle beats. A giant of a musician, no doubt.....I don’t wanna even go into the didactic aspect of this awesome performance....I’d praise the man from here to eternity...

  • @xXAccessIsDeniedXx
    @xXAccessIsDeniedXx2 жыл бұрын

    To be in the audience… jojo is such a treat!

  • @jeffawake4669
    @jeffawake46692 жыл бұрын

    That 16th shuffle is amazing! He just glides through like it's so easy. Kinda reminds me of a reggae 16th note shuffle a little.

  • @grahazamrud7207
    @grahazamrud72074 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely genius..

  • @joetrollson
    @joetrollson3 жыл бұрын

    That man jumped from genious to hero in 1 phrase. At least in my book. Thank you again!

  • @paigeblack6666
    @paigeblack66664 жыл бұрын

    Outstanding.true session player .truly thoughtful. Ya tht wonderland between1&2. I call it the ( vvoid)

  • @rodrigoaquinoofficial
    @rodrigoaquinoofficial4 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant!

  • @drummerjen
    @drummerjen4 жыл бұрын

    Wow many will not understand his video. I think I found music and my purpose again. And now of to making music and not just hitting things

  • @jacobchavez6039
    @jacobchavez60392 жыл бұрын

    Wow love this!

  • @nayrdrumr
    @nayrdrumr4 ай бұрын

    Jojo is amazing

  • @udomatthiasdrums5322
    @udomatthiasdrums53224 жыл бұрын

    still love your attitude and your musical drumming since Intergalactic maiden ballet band!

  • @TheTouchy1
    @TheTouchy14 жыл бұрын

    Love this guy!!!

  • @kohelet910
    @kohelet9104 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic Jojo

  • @johnnhello4913
    @johnnhello49134 жыл бұрын

    It's great that you're using the ol earth snare again

  • @Joesfosterdogs

    @Joesfosterdogs

    4 жыл бұрын

    what is this snare? it is perfection!!!

  • @johnnhello4913

    @johnnhello4913

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@Joesfosterdogs I mentioned it in my comment

  • @Joesfosterdogs

    @Joesfosterdogs

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@johnnhello4913 kinda...is it Sonor? Size? Easily one of the best tones I ever heard

  • @johnnhello4913

    @johnnhello4913

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@Joesfosterdogs kinda what? You might get some results if you type in the name of snare I mentioned in Google

  • @superjaykramer
    @superjaykramer3 жыл бұрын

    A True Legend!!

  • @PatrickBuzoDrums
    @PatrickBuzoDrums4 жыл бұрын

    I looooove jojo!!!!

  • @stefanbregenzer
    @stefanbregenzer2 жыл бұрын

    Just wow!

  • @wolowolowolo
    @wolowolowolo3 жыл бұрын

    What brilliant human being...

  • @Khmissa
    @Khmissa4 жыл бұрын

    Really really wise words

  • @guillermodelnoche
    @guillermodelnoche3 жыл бұрын

    Phenomenal!

  • @TurgutAlpBekoglu
    @TurgutAlpBekoglu4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing.. again..

  • @Qqqqzzzzznnnt
    @Qqqqzzzzznnnt3 жыл бұрын

    This is so good.........

  • @krabbyd9254
    @krabbyd92544 жыл бұрын

    Incredible

  • @babar69110
    @babar69110 Жыл бұрын

    JOJO again !! Master

  • @paulbentley2709
    @paulbentley27094 жыл бұрын

    So nailed to the floor, fantastic. I love it. Order from chaos 7:56, wow.

  • @paulbentley2709

    @paulbentley2709

    4 жыл бұрын

    That moment is seismic, just astonishing

  • @MrBostonrobb
    @MrBostonrobb2 жыл бұрын

    That's fahkin stunning.

  • @slavestudio
    @slavestudio3 жыл бұрын

    Totally true !

  • @tomk7131
    @tomk71314 жыл бұрын

    The way he was speaking was kind of rhythmic and melodic. I wouldn't be surprised if he remembered his speech by making it into a melody that he could play drums to. I bet he transcribed the whole thing. This wasn't just him talking freely over a drum beat. I dont think

  • @davidezecchi450
    @davidezecchi4504 жыл бұрын

    JOJO NUMBER ONE!!!!

  • @brianmcguire5175
    @brianmcguire5175 Жыл бұрын

    Some linguists had theorised that humans innately improvise language production when uttering responses based on unexpected external stimuli. And so the explanation Mayer offers here is further supported by sciences outside of his expertise of music. He is very much alligned with many of his biology or linguistic field counterparts with his own discoveries he reveals here. One linguist famously argued that any utterance from any human being in correspondence to any external stimuli or prompt is a pure example of improvisation or individual invention. The arguement he gave was that it was the response that person gave in accordance to that situation and as informed by that person's understanding bof the external factor and then how that person felt they could best respond or correspond to it. I'm other words, the theory is that even of one were to take inspiration from another source and then repeat a verbatim response from that source to a certain present scenario they were facing at that time, their response (even if word scripted by another influence outside of themself)would be a real and live improvised situationally appropriate response from the present party as far as anyone else was concerned. Improvisation isn't inventing the invented. Improvisation is the response to immediate circumstance without prior planning. If after the fact one could deconstruct other influences or seemingly mechanical response habitual behaviour, the theory carries that improvisation was still in affect by virtue of lack of planning for the unexpected stimuli and also the quick generated response from the responder. I've heard musicians play the same licks in certain situations but I always knew when that recreated lick was placed choicely and honestly withing a solo performance. Habit isn't something you've done before! Habit is something you don't choose to do! Improvisation then is something you may well have done a million times but now is something you did more organically and not by Mere default as such. Language is the same like Mayer's musical theory. We use the same words everyday and in similar order but our own individual instinct that allows us to calculate our own personal response to certain external stimuli proves beyond doubt our universal ability to improvise!

  • @slimyelow
    @slimyelow3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing is who amazing does.

  • @RolfWamFjell
    @RolfWamFjell3 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful! And NICE tip of the hat to Tower Of Power - Squib Cakes (Drummer: David Garibaldi) at 4:27 : )

  • @johnnhello4913
    @johnnhello49134 жыл бұрын

    For just a second, It sounds like - to listen is to love - at 0:12 and at the end

  • @DougieL
    @DougieL11 күн бұрын

    As somebody who improvises at every given chance, I had to click out in just over 2 mins because I got bored... Jojo is a complete legend. Bye.

  • @user-wy4qp9bm5c
    @user-wy4qp9bm5c8 ай бұрын

    SUPER!❤🎉😮😊

  • @thepillarsofcreation9170
    @thepillarsofcreation9170 Жыл бұрын

    The Master! 🙂

  • @danielefalchetti1732
    @danielefalchetti17322 жыл бұрын

    Jojo hai fatto una grande performance , non è facile tenere sedicesimi così di continuo sul hi hat , hai un grande senso del ritmo con una padronanza perfetta ,mi è piaciuto molto quello che hai suonato e spiegato , bello vederti suonare ,ciao ,da un batterista Italiano che ama il ritmo.

  • @hanbo123
    @hanbo1238 ай бұрын

    I want all the non-drummers out there to appreciate how insanely hard it is to play those 16th notes with one hand, at that speed. It's amazing.

  • @FlowEckurt
    @FlowEckurt Жыл бұрын

    This man is a genius 🤩

  • @shaitesler8751
    @shaitesler87513 жыл бұрын

    Beyond

  • @CeaselessDetritus
    @CeaselessDetritus2 жыл бұрын

    This is the kind of drummer I always wanted to be. I understood this at 15 years old but, was considered kind of crazy and eccentric. I gave up drumming at 26. This world looks upon certain expressions of intelligence like an illness, the irony is that mindset is the illness.

  • @raffaelescarpa1105
    @raffaelescarpa11054 жыл бұрын

    si gruoss!!!! =great

  • @NanoverseProductions
    @NanoverseProductions2 жыл бұрын

    Jo jo Mayer giving off Bob Ross vibes in this video. Fcking love it

  • @InYourDreams-Andia
    @InYourDreams-Andia2 жыл бұрын

    Improv. its the edge that it gives me , too. :)

  • @timfisher5417
    @timfisher54172 жыл бұрын

    Came here for the drums. Got a life lesson. Great day!

  • @daveylong3089
    @daveylong30893 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant

  • @sarahconnor4647

    @sarahconnor4647

    3 жыл бұрын

    💕💕💯

  • @Paintballguru92
    @Paintballguru922 жыл бұрын

    That's the last time I ever practice paradiddles. Hah! Thank you Jojo!

  • @monstersaint
    @monstersaint3 жыл бұрын

    "Technique creates order from chaos."

  • @xXEvangelXx
    @xXEvangelXx Жыл бұрын

    0:23 that little ghosted accent is so cheeky, Jojo is a madman lmao

  • @andreasomenzi5194
    @andreasomenzi519410 ай бұрын

    super super talento

  • @_djegs.time_
    @_djegs.time_2 жыл бұрын

    A free human being

  • @KonstantinDedreux
    @KonstantinDedreux3 жыл бұрын

    🙏

  • @realitykicksin8755
    @realitykicksin87553 жыл бұрын

    Jojo is an artform

  • @m8discovery
    @m8discovery8 ай бұрын

    4:25 - "as a game" *proceeds with a phrase from mario theme* that's a brilliant example of mussical narration

  • @VladyslavKL
    @VladyslavKL3 жыл бұрын

    🕊

  • @houseof192
    @houseof1923 жыл бұрын

    Its a skill in of its self to talk and drum at the same time and he was able to do a Ted talk and drum 😅🤣

  • @Vincent-up6hf
    @Vincent-up6hf3 жыл бұрын

    Ain't nothing but rebounds!

  • @monstersaint
    @monstersaint3 жыл бұрын

    Like water, Jojo's playing is.

  • @yoock4652
    @yoock46524 жыл бұрын

    와우

  • @alexg4284
    @alexg42843 жыл бұрын

    Mans a genius