Ancient Rhythms, Modern Technology | Elijah Aaron | TEDxOhioStateUniversity

In this talk, Elijah is a one-man band. He uses technology such as a looper and a synthetic drum, in addition to a guitar and his voice to create fantastic musical pieces. The looper allows Elijah to add and subtract layers of sound and music as he improvises the song.
Elija Aaron Palnik is a faculty member in the Dance Department at Ohio State who also tours across the country performing as a one-man-band.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@elijahaaron]

Elijah from the video here :) Swing by channel for some new loop videos! Thanks for all the love!

[@mannygotdahits6534]

he's basically a music producer. that drum thing is insane. he has mad drum skills forreal.

[@dreamcyfer7793]

Try it... a couple hundred for that Korg drum, sure,but worth it....It is easier than you think, let your inner monkey go wild and you'll be surprised!

[@gregoryhwin]

Mad percussion skills, indeed!

[@redneczgonewild]

@@gregoryhwin when he got down into that drummer “bobbing” I knew we were in for a treat as far as percussion goes.

[@colinbyne6940]

I play drums and that’s just a machine What mad drumming skills Drummers use four limbs and sit behind a drum kit they have spent 1000’s of hours practicing and perfecting their playing. Percussionist’s have done the same With various percussion instruments And practiced and played till their fingers bled. Both drummer and percussionist have perfected their instruments, learning what sounds they can achieve from stick or hand. All of a sudden drums and percussion become one People started calling percussionist a drummer and drummer being called percussionists Those who played drums would say “I’m not a percussionist, I am a drummer” and the percussionist would say “I am a percussionist, not a drummer” only to be ignored and still labelled as one Then we get replaced by a machine in the 80’s and people start saying about that machine “wow amazing drum skills” As time goes on we know have people impersonating drum sounds with their mouths are they get called “human beat box” and again the “wow amazing drum skills” is used Now a machine with pads and every drum and percussion sound sampled into it Rendering both drum kits and percussion instruments to be pushed even further away And again the term “wow amazing drum skills”? No He is not a drummer He is not a percussionist He is just a guitar strummer using pads on a machine. A sample box and impersonates a drum kit No mad skills in drumming Yes I take bloody offence to the usage of “Mad drumming skills”

[@davidjackson787]

​@@colinbyne6940 lol, waste of energy mate.

[@TheSoloistic]

This made my heart smile. this is a man who found his calling.

[@purplejaneybaby1922]

What a beautiful comment ☺

[@greyfoxeye]

I feel like a lot of people are missing the point of this performance. Its not intended to be a history lesson; rather a physical demonstration of how technology has removed limitations previously insurmountable to individuals, and how inspiration can be drawn from all areas of life, as opposed to our socialized stereotypes.

[@frankoflight1128]

And plus he's a cool guy and he's able to talk about his passion in a hilarious and attractive way. That's what the people are missing.

[@mattasticmattattack8546]

Bro where you get your shrooms?

[@b52_vishwajeetpatil99]

Ian which country broda

[@omnigar9611]

the lesson you take from it is the lesson you need. don't put limitation's on it

[@jamesjones-qs4ol]

Exactly on point bro. Absolutely true.

[@modrammeh2400]

That was amazing! My father is from The Gambia! This is exactly what our country (All countries) NEED!

[@naturalnice]

Why???

[@anujraymajhi812]

he enjoys what he do! see his smiles while he play songs!

[@zz4165]

Vallah?

[@jaingaobo9705]

The man who invented this dude was a genius

[@roycecaraveo9256]

Very underrated but very true you deserve a like sir **tips hat

[@afonsotatiano8239]

God invented him. A reflection of God HIMSELF.

[@robertwintersteen3065]

I imagine a woman was involved in the discussion.

[@dearred2923]

@@afonsotatiano8239 I was about to say exactly what you said but you already said it so I don't have to. Thanks 👍

[@nmikloiche]

I got the Paul Simon album b/c of "You Can Call Me Al' but I have this very clear memory of hearing "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" for the first time. It was like nothing I ever heard before. Mixing a pop song over top of of this very ancient sounding tribal rhythm was like speaking two languages at the same time, but having it make sense. It just below my young mind away. I have a similar memory of "'Darling Nikki' from Prince, "Cult of Snap" by Snap, and 'Rush' by Big Audio Dynamite.

[@bigbore4498]

This is what a guitar, a looper, a Korg wavedrum, a ton of talent, and 2 tons of pot will get you.

[@blackforest2808]

thank you, was looking for the name of the drum looper

[@omnigar9611]

he did say " a big bag of chill" lol

[@jonathanfelso]

...don't forget the beard. Can't do any of it without that facial acoustic treatment.

[@jeffreyparish8393]

Congratulations of winning comment of the year last year

[@darilphillips4949]

Not Wrong on to it Yeah?

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Elijah is talented and he knows how to entertain. Very clever technique warming everyone up with his improv bit and then blowing everyone away with the S & G cover. Bravo

[@13thBear]

Man! All dat music going on his head at da same time! He making it up as he goes. He's a magic man, he is.

[@reecedeyoung6595]

13thBear well technically it's not all going on at once. He just has to come up with a new part that will compliment the underlying parts. Which is not to say it's not impressive.

[@zephirol4638]

13th Bear: Just as Reece stated, it's not nearly as complicated as you're making it out to be and honestly any adept musician should be able to do it. Though his style is very fun and interesting.

[@upplsuckimcool16]

I'm not sure it's that hard though..... but again I even commetned on this video, "i never liked loopers" but I liked this guy.... he was entertaining.

[@EvaluateAssimilate]

Once you're practiced in the instrument, there's a lot of head space left to create since it is not filled with learning and the effort that comes with focus. Once you have that head space, it becomes easier to "vocalise" those melodies that pop in and out of your head. Loopers are great for this as you're then able to record one line of melody whilst complimenting it with many other phrases that you see fit. Music is alchemy, music is remedy, music is the key of life. Whether you're a consumer or creator, like math, it's a language the world understands and, should, appreciate.

[@sokhaktham476]

This guy deserved more recognition!

[@jackik1410]

I have to say though that he does seem a bit like a child, hitting the drum-synth. He also seemed to have misjudged the microphones a bit. His music is otherwise very nice.

[@sabanu899]

@@jackik1410 That's how you hit a drum!

[@jackik1410]

@@sabanu899 99% of it, yeah, posing afterwards? No ^^

[@sabanu899]

@@jackik1410 That's not posing that's the feel you get when you get the tune right!

[@BRedFilms]

He would be more recognized if he wasn't such a dork lol.

[@out9of9Aeo]

50 some years dancing and teaching, OMG how I wish to have had a musician of this level 🙏

[@jamesbowerman5477]

Man he's talented..all that going on in his head at once and improvising it?? Just FLOWING with it..loved it. I'd liked to have heard a LOT more of his improv. I got to look up more about him..amazing talent and he loves it so much.

[@kierancreighton96]

Its not in is head its quite literally looping in projection

[@paulcondren610]

I love what your doing. The world needs to hear you Sir. Love the music . Your brilliant .

[@jakemasters2674]

I like how genuinely he enjoys his career

[@STUDIOPHOENIX-UK]

Another example of how technology has allowed pure raw talent to SHINE ✨

[@naturalnice]

surely you mean how technology has enabled whites to to create some semblance of sophisticated and intricate polyrhythmic music previously only produced by Blacks,

[@STUDIOPHOENIX-UK]

@@naturalnice what a toxic comment, no that is far from what I meant!

[@naturalnice]

Unpalatable truths are often considered toxic, Hence we have the maxim "Bitter Truth".

[@STUDIOPHOENIX-UK]

@@naturalnice who are you to tell me, what i “meant to say”?. You may have your views on how to read my comment and that is fine, however that in know way overrides my own. take your “bitter truth” and troll someone else

[@naturalnice]

@@STUDIOPHOENIX-UK We understand....truth hurts.... But Truth stands irrefutable

[@christophharriso653]

"You're a wizard Harry!"

[@suzukiclaus3028]

Florida Bear im a what ?!

[@thisistinnytrying]

Luc zap a wizard and a really good one

[@franfriel2]

Perfectly said, Christoph!

[@BobbyDsouza]

this is brilliant , loved the seamless conversation with the audience and his on the spot creative music creation

[@semperparatus3685]

If this man stood between a Portland protest and started playing we may get pummeled but I'd stand with him for peace and music! Just one big bag of chill indeed.

[@geemorgan3161]

I used to be in a one man band, but we split up due to musical differences.

[@ThePapjort]

Spot on :) :) :)

[@greywolf271]

Was it a harmonious separation or did you feel flat ?

[@geemorgan3161]

@@greywolf271 Harmonious, unfortunately.

[@dhirajgawande007]

😂😂😂

[@Tomzupp]

Because of schyzophreny

[@xanderzwemstra5950]

You can not be unhappy after watching this

[@choloverde]

Didn’t realize that I was about to watch a looper show when I played this, but now I have another great looper to look for! Awesome!

[@nikrusty]

Wow, super fantastic. So much fun and rhythm!

[@jimmyscott7414]

One big bag of chill ❤️ I’ve watched a lot of loop videos and this is one of the best. Dude has talent.

[@liamcampbellhaha]

Came for an interesting talks on the different rhythms of history, got a guy fascinated by a loop pedal...

[@E2kiwik]

ha ha yes ! i was : "And now that you have finished making fun with this looper, can you tell us more about the relation between these ancient rhythms and that modern technology?" XD

[@liamcampbellhaha]

@@E2kiwik It should have been maybe a minute, explaining his kit, then used it to talk about rhythms of the world, how they differ, where they come from, where their influence pops up in popular music etc. - that's the ted talk I came for!

[@alexsmith8987]

@@liamcampbellhaha AB-SO-LUTELY

[@liamcampbellhaha]

@@thebongwizard. I came to learn about ancient rhythms, his talk was more about the loop pedal, which is nothing interesting or special

[@lisakayreed]

I really don’t think any of you would know an “ancient rhythm” if it came up to you and bit you on the a%%.

[@moroudurmarog8995]

I've seen a lot of people using loop stations but this man got them vibes right

[@meenboli]

Now this is a man who understands music. Constructed back to front somehow. Total admiration. F’in brilliant.

[@swissaroo]

Where has this guy been hiding? A creative force, unique no his understanding of rhythms and musicology, and then his flair and talent for improvising and adding his own layers that touch us all on a deeper primal level. A lot of artists are overrated but this man is underrated! I will follow him hereon!

[@sumsumb778]

Unforgettable talk.

[@tatin3736]

That's the soul of music....i am from india ...our urban music something connected with african music...for that reason i loved very much that type of music..... AND HATS OF TO U WHAT A ARRANGEMENT AND TIMING....SALUTE..

[@uchenwobodo6346]

Music has no boundaries. Thank you for this.

[@noahbeljaars4345]

Paul Simon is like my favorite person ever, and when i heard him say he was gonna play paul simon i got so happy

[@gmichaelprice668]

This was about a fusion of African rhythms and modern folk-pop. Very nicely done. It was not about sequencing for rude those comments below.

[@lisab7798]

I love everything about this guy! Even the beard, it fits his fun, creative personality. Big 👍

[@divinecomedy0]

I am mesmerized by his talent and rhythm. He’s totally in the zone with his creativity. I imagine him in a blissful state as he creates these orchestral pieces. BrAvo!!

[@didcomusic]

Yes , rhythms are so important in music. And most powerfull is the creativity associated. Creativity often comes when you take an idea from its original context and you move it somewhere else; it's amazing. I love the magic moment where things are different and interesting but stay in the same format .

[@dominiquedourneau7425]

Music will bring worlds together always...

[@practice_Chinese_yoga]

Absolutely a stunning inspiration!

[@rockeysingh8841]

Phenomenal is all I can humbly offer. Truly Phenomenally Phenomenal.

[@thomashoyle2997]

I got myself a drum machine/looper pedal earlier this year (Boss RC10R) and, even as a fairly accomplished guitarist and semi-okay drummer, most wouldn't believe how hard what he's doing with that pedal is.

[@steveelam4810]

Best I've heard all day,a positive for you tube this time

[@zacherysellards4275]

Bro you are unbelievably talented! Just your first little song was amazing! Thank you!

[@storycorps1234]

One of my favorites

[@jasonpalgon7141]

I had a bad day today. But this guy got me dancing. Thanks!!

[@Patina.Street]

amazing musician and with a very good mood open a gateway to musical possibilities...I loved your style.Drums from Africa,Beatbox....

[@tsuni-versetiajaellis5709]

Brilliant transference of creative energy!

[@freddieendencio3480]

I like the way he drums. :-)

[@EmmanuelCuny]

An accomplished musician indeed! And a real drummer, I like it!

[@Faus4us]

He is in the zone. Looks like so much fun!

[@MsJocelynC]

You’re an incredibly skilled human and a pleasure to watch.

[@LAVISHING]

Absolutely amazing!

[@mollypinto4666]

You're amazing. Thank you for sharing. Love love loved it 💓

[@lordghast1845]

Music is so amusing

[@jackchevanty]

Glad to see you still doing well and spreading the love, old friend. Be good.

[@greywolf271]

After a lot of music youtube instructional videos, I really learnt something useful here.

[@johncunningham8344]

Beautiful and inspiring.

[@leolightwork]

6 minutes in and that improv was really dope Elijah straight loop master 🤘🏼

[@thabangcucu2649]

Wish I could have that thing never seen something like that in real life, I'm so blown away that's real talent it comes from deep within him it's in his head and his heart, the inventor's of that machine are super intelligent

[@worlds8843]

he's just enjoying life I love it!!!

[@Trendset01]

es ist unglaublich was er da macht

[@rhits2695]

This was so much fun to watch!

[@davidcertain2492]

I’m blown away by the depth of this human. That he is connected to dance academia rather than a “jazz” program it shows us the purpose and where this music wants to go.

[@sargammusicstation1999]

A grand salute to you and your talent sir 💐💐

[@zikermu]

This guy is really great. He breathes and sweats rhythmic music .

[@unishema]

This makes me so happy

[@treborironwolfe978]

"Diamonds on her Shoes" = "Swallow your pride". Thank you, it all makes sense to me now. Greatly enjoyed your Talk :)

[@DavidStockford]

His drumming skills are amazing

[@noone00000]

Loving your style x

[@livemusic1184]

Love this song

[@dcarnielli]

Very impressive and great timing! Congrats! Awesome!

[@Aleredes]

Fantastic music!

[@Jacobcr93]

Beautiful & Pure

[@edenhazanizion7479]

Amazing! Crazy to watch him take apart and recreat this amazing song

[@johngehm9790]

Eden Hazani Zion _

[@mellmorus]

you, are born to entertain!! luv it!

[@norbertb.]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@allwaysman4378]

That Man is Truly Blessed with talent !

[@jonasisrael1359]

Incredible! This will make your heart smile and your mind sing, as the hair on the back of your neck stands at attention.

[@pitch-eebirdie22]

This is inspiring.. simply amazing...

[@sfar024]

I was just thinking of Paul Simon as you were creating your track. Love diamond on the souls of shoes.

[@manokriko7353]

Thanks for the riff on 3:19, already sampled

[@pdecu69]

love this man

[@appleyhead]

That was fun! Thank you!!!!

[@tqoe62]

I really enjoyed that so much.

[@mangayidagoloh2380]

WOOOOY ELIJAH AARON YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR THING

[@kenbaker9738]

What a wonderfully brilliant performance. It seems as tho he has more talent in his little finger than most of have in our whole body.

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Very inspiring! Thanks & God Bless! :)

[@karanjat7633]

Wow Thats amazing I can't describe in words. Heads off for him.

[@NAMADJIRA]

Shalom, very good !

[@kristianpersson7127]

Amazing. 👍🤟👍

[@phillipyin7173]

Well done. Very special !!!

[@cindygailmetz-dowey7997]

That was amazing, thank you for your talent, awesome😍

[@Ajglasspick]

What a phenomenal musician, let alone percussionist! I love when I feel and see music, I hear music all the time, but when I see it and feel it it becomes an experience. I don't mean seeing it being performed either, I mean visualizing the experience. Love you man, great job, your an inspiration.

[@KuffCZ]

Amazing!

[@Gordonseed7]

Bloody fantastic

[@chrismiksworld]

That was so incredible

[@noblekman]

The musical soul of the likes of Vusi Mahlasela and Johnny Clegg. You're definitely top 100 best musicians in the world right now, Trust

[@cannersamson7931]

an extraordinary human over here! you're so good dude..... keep it up high.....

[@onionsknightscanism4643]

Amazing i would love to see a collaberation with him and tom thumb.

[@TebogoMotlhale]

he's UNBELIEVABLE ! he has completely broken free of his cultural limitations to truly explore and understand deeply what lies BEYOND the life of a stereotype :)

[@remington-michael-1969]

This is awesome. I use to go see a band down in Florida (back in the early 90's) called Future Perfect. The were a brother-sister team who used looping like this. They could turn the two of them and their instruments/vocals into a full symphony. This kind of creativity is just amazing to me. Thank you.

[@mechanix1960]

If you're interested in, just have a look at DOVYDAS here on YT. Very similar eqipment and a great musician, too!