TEDxZurich - Jojo Mayer - Exploring the distance between 0 and 1

Jojo Mayer will give a brief synopsis on the emergence of rhythm culture and its relationship to technology and communication in the western world. In regards to this, he shares his thoughts on interacting with digital culture and cross examines the relevance of a human performance in the digital age.
Jojo Mayer, drummer
Growing up in the influence of a musical environment, Jojo picked up the drumsticks at age 2, and learned to play the drums autodidactic.
His pioneering work of reverse engineering programmed electronic music in real time with his band NERVE and his international bestselling drumming tutorial "secret weapons for the modern drummer" established him as one of the leading voices in the drumming world today. Besides his work as a musician, he has also contributed award winning product design for major drum companies. Jojo Mayer lives in New York City and his touring schedule continues to take him to all five continents.
Web: www.jojomayer.com -- Twitter: / jojomayernerve
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@substance1]

Jojo seriously deserves an honorary PhD in music for his research into every aspect of the trap kit. He has literally devoted years to thd study of every drum in the trap kit and has analyzed every method and technique of playing these drums. He has approached the art scientifically and has definately contributed to the advancement of percussion greatly. He is truly a master in the field of percussive arts.

[@lcarthel]

fuck yeah!

[@NerismaStudios]

+seekingtime It's too bad that he actually is somewhat against music in academia... to a degree. He actually did a year at a music school when he was younger in Europe, and he has said that if there was one thing he could change, it was to not have gone there. I mean, he DOES think it is important for drummers to be well-educated about what it is they do. But he also has said that academia killed jazz music... I don't know really.

[@NerismaStudios]

+seekingtime The other thing is that he did all this studying for essentially selfish reasons: to be able to perform better and express easier. That does NOT mean he is a selfish person though. I think everything really is encapsulated in the epilogue of his Foot Technique DVD, and it makes sense from there.

[@donw9858]

+Michael Scott I can see what he means as far as how academic jazz has become these days. Jazz bands and music schools teach all music that is scripted and previously mapped out. He's always said to him that jazz is the spirit of improvisation. I have a rather large issue with academics reliance on sheeted music so I entirely agree with him. As far as selfish acts, yeah absolutely but selfishness is a really demonised concept. Everyone who pushes to be better is essentially being selfish. Not a bad thing, it's progression. For the record I'm agreeing with you and offering further analysis :)

[@NerismaStudios]

I did five years of music school at UNCP, and believe me... I had to use the charts some, just to make sure I was on the same page as everyone else, but I relied more than anything on what I heard and how it should sound more than anything. And when it came to me and being in small combos... Honestly, in my last year or two, I never used the Real Book. I full admit I'm glad I went there because I did indeed learn a lot of what I needed to know, BUT having also learned, outside of the university, what music really IS helped me to analyze only when I needed to, and make music from the heart, spirit, and soul. It is important to analyze what's happening, but more important to keep the big picture in mind. This is always what Jojo stresses when it comes to talking about technique, polyrhythms, what-have-you. He goes into this in the May 2015 Modern Drummer magazine: it's an amazing read for sure.

[@owlcu]

The coolest thing about this is he's providing world class drumming on a generic platform in front of people who might otherwise never go to a drum clinic, so their world just got ten times larger.

[@gggg-ky9lk]

That is NOT world class. He's playing very basic patterns. Amateur at most.

[@stigafan]

@@gggg-ky9lk You would call THAT amateur drumming? I wonder how good you yourself are in the field of drumming.

[@gggg-ky9lk]

​@@stigafan Playing fast does not equal difficult or skilled. He plays VERY basic grooves, just uses a lot of notes to over play them. Really not that talented at all.

[@stigafan]

@@gggg-ky9lk He is playing fast but he's also staying pretty much perfectly on time and his technique is very nice. I really hope you grow up.

[@gggg-ky9lk]

@@stigafan Playing in time and having good technique are not "world class" talents. I really hope you learn to read.

[@mrwassef]

This speech made me cry, so damn beautiful for any musician to hear.

[@fibboobbif]

I was also very impressed when i heard "jungle" and "drums&bass" the first time in the early 90s... it seemed to be impossible to play that live on acoustic drums. But then i saw a concert with Apollo 440, and there were two drummers who really did that hard job. And now i am blown from Jojo Mayer, who can play it all at one drum set.

[@skippyleb]

Remember seeing Red Snapper hammering out D&B live, stripped down trap kit and acoustic bass. Mmm.

[@frasermilne8694]

DnB and jungle are relatively easy to bash out on a kit if you have the right technique and/or stamina! Preferably the former 😅

[@GizzyDillespee]

@@frasermilne8694 if you've got the first, you've probably already gained the 2nd, in the process

[@hadiyaziji5797]

One of my favorite drummers. This guy's a genius. reply if you agree

[@lcarthel]

top 3 for sure

[@dzre2087]

watch some BENNY GREB, and DAMIEN SCHMITT drum videos. GAVIN HARRISON is one of the better new drummers as well. (but all play like scientists. i want to see drummers with mad skill and creativity... who are PASSIONATE and furious!)

[@TMercury480]

what if I reply that I disaggree, would that still count? (just a question, I agree)

[@x4ms]

This makes one hundert!

[@paulbentley2709]

No question. Like Steve Smith a guru.

[@arleco12]

Man... to give that speech, wich is complex and meaningful, without help of papers is really something. Respect.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

brilliant...most have no idea how complicated that second piece was to play and orchestrate. dude got deep...really deep in his speech. guy got sensual with those brushes...

[@bveracka]

The first time I saw or heard of JoJo was in 2005, and he blew my mind. 14 years later, I'm blown away once again. His brush solo was what really floored me in this video; that was amazing! Thank you so much for all of the great inspiration Jojo.

[@stevenabi5095]

A Drummer's drummer. Jojo has technique to do what he does and MAKE it sound easy, only by working for 1000's of hours to accomplish it. one aspect of what he does with his left hand alone, can take months and months to master and play musically. He is ASTOUNDING. great speaker? Hell no. Worldwide innovator and master drummer - Hell yes. Love this guy.

[@Kaerusss]

He actually is a great speaker. Explains his points, connects his concepts and does it without stuttering or murmuring.

[@adityatyagi4009]

Jojo made a lot of sense to me. Maybe you aren't a good listener or comprehender.

[@hardiksharma1428]

*years, and still nowhere close to what his left can do

[@KiwazaCZ]

Right? His playing is incredible but most of his points are totally ludicrous imo

[@BroArmyCommander]

@@KiwazaCZ How come? Everything he said is an explanation of how he came to a conclusion and then explaining the conclusion he got to. When does he say something that's out of place?

[@svenlima]

I just returned from a Jojo Mayer & Nerve concert.

[@xcodychaosx]

Lucky duck

[@darkclaw3000]

damn they got a damn good sound engineer! listen to that kick!

[@casahome9622]

Aliz Matbatu probably triggered

[@aleab3472]

@@casahome9622 Don't think so

[@andreamartelloni9067]

He might just be one of the few drummers on Earth that just sound good however you mic them up. He's done loads of research with Sonor and Vic Firth to have kits that do the exact sounds he wants with no outboard processing at all. When he says "no digital" he literally means "I do everything acoustic".

[@fabianschreck4393]

Watched a kit rundown of JoJo in an Interview where he said it‘s triggered. He even has multible trigger sounds for different Nerve songs

[@teacherfromthejungles6671]

@@casahome9622 drummers like JoJo don't use triggers. it's childish. also, he spent about 20 minutes talking about how he likes acoustic instruments DURING THIS TALK.

[@Suprematista]

To be fair, Jojo is far more than a Master Drummer and Musician, he is some kind of Scientist.

[@frankcastle5756]

its 2019!!! and this video is still an enlightenment to a percussionist like me.

[@hotlanta35]

How old is this video?

[@mathy0u]

@@hotlanta35 uploaded in 2011 so its at least 8 years old

[@rexwave4624]

December 2020 and I’m a bass player trying to understand percussion.

[@Royh224]

on previous interviewing videos he said that he liked to try new musical things, and that he's very inspired by jazz and drum and bass which I really respect. I also like such genres and to me he represents an icon of new drumming tendencies. I also respect the courage to stand in front of hundreds of people to present an unknown style that has many roads to discover yet.

[@Takes680]

The man is a genius when it comes to music and percussion he is so musically smart and so on top of his craft he truly is one of the best drummers of his time

[@JLozdrummin]

His mind is mind blowing like his drumming. Absolutely love his playing.

[@macaranas]

This concept of 'distance between zero and one' fascinates me. It is exactly what separates humans/drummers vs machines. I think this gap widens as you introduce more elements in; emotion and mood, influences, inspiration and purpose. Dont want to get too deep now...

[@araxxisinnovations6544]

Just when I had become complacent with music knowing it can all be replicated within a week of practice time tops I see this dude Bob Ross a drumkit and my mouth hangs open.. I haven't been amazed like this since I was 20 hearing Guthrie Govan for the first time. I got chills with the last drumkit groove. ..how? I just felt music like I used to. I didn't know I was missing that..

[@scottgarvey3253]

Awesome !

[@FabioPoianMusic]

Jojo is such a genius,putting into words the indescribable process of making music...and letting the music speak for him with incredibly masterful solos...TOTAL RESPECT Jojo!!!

[@elmerhomero666]

The Drum Philosopher.. great.

[@millerkc]

He's a badass... and I also want his shirt.

[@ndzapruder]

Blows my mind how at ease he is speaking this hippie non-nonsense up there on that stage. So good. One of my favorite Ted performance. When he played Gene Krupa's beat in Sing, Sing. Sing, I was hooked. YES, GO ON.

[@bobbysands6923]

I studied with a guy who was copping machine beats back in the mid 80s. We were playing Sheila E and others. It can be done, was done, and is being done astoundingly by Jojo. But a good drummer can learn how to do this. Don't be afraid to try.

[@JohnnygSawyer]

Idk who TED is but, thanks for producing this JoJo video!

[@tubehepa]

Technology, Entertainment, Design?

[@thevirusza]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Best TED video comment ever🤣🤣🤣so underrated

[@teacherfromthejungles6671]

@@tubehepa That flew right over your head, didn't it?

[@wmakiling805]

One of my favorite drummers in the UNIVERSE! I have his two instructional videos. Total game changer!

[@HenryFordOfficial]

To this day, the only worthwhile ted talk in history

[@DeanMccormick]

Love this, especially the flow / impro. section - resonated in Steven Kotler's book 'The Rise Of Superman'.

[@himankarchamoli]

one of my all time favourite drummers ... pure genius!!

[@k4v1g35]

I'd take that a step further that when in that intuitive state of improvisation you are channeling through your higher consciousness which is in complete connection to the universe, time, space, dimension.. basically in the realms of the fabricators and shapers of existence... this state of being in the flow is not just in music but exists in all creative forms, art, literature, sculpture, design etc.. and is the universe or Gods expressing itself through us as extensions of itself.

[@gringochucha]

How can they not be moving their heads to that awesome groove at the beginning D :

[@bustarogers9990]

Yeah , such a waste. I'm not sure how they get their audiences but this was wasted on a bunch of generic looking MF's.

[@christchaboomgroove]

he is talking about Sing, Sing Sing (with a swing) as performed by Benny Goodman (Gene Krupa on drums) enjoy :)

[@11superawesomepandas]

Thank you ive literally been trying to find this song forever

[@latneyb]

He's the lighthouse bringing the next generation to shore.

[@jasiu9516]

Jojo recorded some songs in my sisters room which used to be a studio from my uncle when he lived in switzerland which is nice.

[@yugolago]

What a genius drummer!! So much to learn from him at many levels

[@substrate001]

I've been playing drums a long time. My first 'drum video' was the *_HQ Stereo VHS_* of Terry Bozzio's "Melodic Drumming And The Ostinato". I probably have over 50 instructional videos, and JoJo's DVD "Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer" is absolutely in my top 5 favorites. It's well worth the purchase if you like drum DVD's!!! I love seeing him on the Ted Talk. Master drummer in every sense of the word.

[@scottgarvey3253]

Thoughts on Mike mangini ?!

[@Gilstero]

WOW! Just found this having already seen quite a few JJ workshops on here over the years. The man is great anyway, but this improvisation from 12.50 is just awesome!! The control to play like that is unique & very few drummers can do this. Interesting thoughts too.

[@DrummerJacob]

He Bob Rossed that white canvas of a snare drum by the end, by golly.

[@yourmomsdaddy9130]

"and we'll add a few happy little paradiddles right there"

[@Bingbing611]

Reading this In Arlington Virginia Home of WETA and Bob Ross

[@javiceres]

More like Caravaggio in the execution to me, but yeah :)

[@rebusd]

About 18 years ago I saw a clip of a jojo mayer clinic and I’m quite embarrassed to say that I was more focused on the fact that he could do one handed rolls than anything phraseological that he was doing. Only as my tastes have evolved has the magnitude of my folly become clear 🙂

[@94djva]

This guy has 5 brains... one per each body extremity and the mind central controller that gave us that piece of wisdom... Congrats Jojo Mayer, you're AWESOME

[@pramodparanjpe6436]

Wow great ! All the said things already exists in Indian classical music and Abhijat sangeet... of course with information and practice for many years.. best wishes!

[@paulb2683]

Can't judge a book by its cover! Everytime I hear this guy speak I am blown away by his knowledge and intelect. Not to mention how advanced and complicated his playing is. As a fellow percussionist you can appreciate how complex his playing can be! I don't think this audience gets it...lol

[@davidbee8178]

This Ted Talk was great and Jojo is a super accomplished drummer - neat idea but it STILL was analog with NO 1's and 0's in between beats but we are HEARING it THROUGH 1's and 0's on KZbin : ) So I guess mission accomplished : )

[@elvisdumbledore1571]

BEST DRUMMER ON THE PLANET - From a musical standpoint what he is doing there is phaenomenal!

[@peterpiper0815]

That moment when you feel ashamed and happy at the same time. Ashamed because you realized that you were so wrong thinking you have a good knowledge of those musical genius and there seem to be nothing really new. Happy because you realized that there are still genius to discover. I would love to see him live with squarepusher playing the Rustic Raver album. I can imagine that even if AI starts to manage that 'between 0 and 1' thing, he is ready to competewith something new 'out of this world' 'spiritual' whatever you wanna call it.

[@rustyking5321]

I think Jojo found some magic in the space between 0 and 1. Brilliant!

[@KK10155]

Jojo is a beast! digital algorithms are advancing and trying to mimic the randomness/sloppiness/uncertain nature of organic rhythm, it gets very close and both organic and digital perfect timing have their places.

[@kellielaine5011]

One of my favorite Ted Talks. I come back and watch it a couple times a year. 🖤

[@INCridley103]

TED Talks is awsome for having this guy he is so inspiring.

[@Filiforme]

I've enjoyed snare in the past.. but I think I've just experienced a snaregasm.. The chills.. Wow

[@gregorioster]

I loved this talk. Getting away from the academically speach to embrace a spiritual/musical conversation. The idea of the auto changing and the humanization of the tecnology that attacks all the aspects of our humanity. The tecnology that takes away the human part of one thing that´s always was only human: The music. Jojo gat notice of this and fight the machine back. He takes back the music from the machine in his own territory: The electronic music. Only a genius can do such a thing.

[@VoyagerAlex]

I might be high as shit right now, but I'm seeing Jojo Mayer speak with Christopher Walken's voice.

[@project_domination]

lmfao!!!

[@lcarthel]

I'm high too. Now Christopher Walken is stuck!

[@midinerd]

BOOM! JUST realized that's what it is. I love walken's voice so it works. hahahaha

[@VoyagerAlex]

So glad it's not just me! "You see this drum stick? I wore this drum stick up my ass for 5 years." HAHA

[@newspaperlightbulb]

Alex Canion Now I can't unhear it!

[@GearHeadz101]

People seriously don't get his fascinating point? Rhythm, an organical element, was carried over into a mechanial state which, when reversed, contributed with something completely new in an organical form. A form that probably would not have been discovered in an organical way otherwise.

[@Egoblivion]

Erasmus Meshuggah has done this now for polymeters in metal.

[@Egoblivion]

They lay an odd time riff over a 4/4 and match the tempos. The person who comes up with the riff records it and programs a 4/4 drum loop over it. Doing that quickens their ability to get to the resulting modulating, rhythmic-displacement feel.

[@xcodychaosx]

Next step seems to teach computers to flow and improvise perhaps the understanding of these concepts the distance between 0 and 1 are already contributing to the advances in ai

[@highnumber9494]

Erasmus I wonder if mechanical rhythms were created to merely replicate the rhythms of the natural world. In other words, the Piston is akin to footsteps.

[@abrahamiglesias1160]

He has such a unique playing style.

[@sleepyykana]

He's a great person with a great personality and is a great drummer. He is amazing at what he does.

[@chancedisney3705]

btw- jojo is one of the most genius drummers of all time! friendly reminder!

[@keldencowan]

This is similar to the idea of relational programming, which is like an mechanized improvisation. Traditional imperative programming is basically giving a machine a list of instructions to achieve an outcome. Relational programming gives a machine a desired outcome and it figures out how to get there. I.e. 2 + 2=? as opposed to ? + ? = 4. By relational programming I am referring to things like miniKanren.

[@JayDeeDrums]

The thought that drums stretch back until the beginning of existence really resonates with me, it’s an idea that I’ve clung to for a number of years, there was a nod to it in a foo fighters track which gets me excited every time I hear the lyric. Great to hear this idea explained in such good words

[@NicoleKrawczyk]

Which foo track are you referring to with that drum reference? :D

[@SumukhRavishankar]

A man with abundant talent and a true inspiration

[@seighart90]

between 0 and 1, he's talking about quantum drumming

[@RobertTheBruce88]

Choosing to simultaneously hit the cowbell and not hit the cowbell at the same time

[@archibaldikowski3646]

@@RobertTheBruce88 who knows if its even there, when he doesnt look at it?

[@MrFullCake]

@@archibaldikowski3646 Why does Schrodinger's Cowbell sounds like a weird experimental album.

[@tothefieldsmusic4553]

laying down those qubeats.

[@carnivoreclairvoyant6610]

he mentions orangutan at the beginning

[@MartinusHoevenaar]

After seeing a commercial for cymbals by this man, sorry, LEGEND, I went on a search for more music by him. Legend is a true understatement, I found out.

[@RobertArnold_Developer]

wow I have been a fan of jojo for a long time and this performance was one of the best. Truly brilliant and tastefull, that's all I can say.

[@gibraltarify]

philosophy, music....this guy is very knowledgable

[@ianmonahan5101]

Brilliant ! Lived in Bern in the mid 90's worked with Ben Fay his jamming partner whose name I can't remember played drum N bass on a kit I was amazed! It must be in the Swiss blood !!!

[@mandocd]

I have met a lot of people who can truly enjoy music, but we have to be honest with ourselves. Very few people can really relate to what Jojo defines as de auto-body experience since it is what we also call "the zone" I guess only people who REALLY listens to music can achieve that. Being a musician can boost this feeling to a maximum level I think.

[@Atmobreaks]

Wow what a talent this guy is taking 170bpm to a whole new level. RESPECT

[@lifeisai]

The last thing is absolutely magical😀

[@MrRioso-ry1hb]

For sure one of the best drummers of all times !

[@cristianromero7650]

It's amazing how JoJo is here

[@didndido3638]

It's fucking annoying that nobody in the audience is nodding to the beats.

[@thahousecat]

Didn DiDo uhhh no it's not

[@xmiraculix82]

still waiting for a drum'n'bass super group with Jojo Mayer, Squarepusher and Photek.

[@ZachWestI2C2]

The emotion is in the motion, interoception, and micro-discrepancies

[@patrickriggenbach3127]

Easily the best TED Talk ever ?

[@coreyfisher2542]

Effing genius.

[@baptistewxpolpodcast3339]

Seeing him live in Berlin was a milestone in my musical education.

[@sahirultaufiqurrahman3249]

His speech is beautiful

[@radeum1010]

To me his brush work highlights his ability to coalesce his concept of the distance between 1 and 0.

[@drumonzildjian1]

Genius, lives for his music.

[@ninooctorinoable]

12:50 is so amazing. unbelievable skills....

[@Nate_Higgins]

Musical John Henry. Why would anyone thumbs down this?

[@billythekid1993]

Love the countdown next to the monitor in front of him!

[@jacksonwaltersmcdonald1787]

11:10 I think free styling is one of the most impressive ways this phenomenon is expressed. (edit): mostly because spoken language can require many elements of rhythm. Our voice box is the most unique and versatile instrument that every human knows how to play. (edit 2) I wonder how drummers can incorporate their actual voice into their set (in ways other than conventional singing).

[@Orgasmatron_69]

TEDx's excellent initiative to be there this "huge" drummer

[@jakesulley3547]

I would actually listen to asmr of the broomsticks on the snare. That is a fantastic sound.

[@jdstarek]

11:00 - 11:55 Genius !

[@longfade]

This is the guy. Just brilliant.

[@sambrady92]

Sign of a great musician!

[@danicagotis5450]

Every drummer must watch this...

[@ISeeNews]

@machib77 the title refers to the fact that he explains there is a point when you are thinking quickly which allows you to improvise on the fly at such a quick rate that decisions which could have been interpreted as wrong were rather quite right thanks to the improvisation. Looking back over the decisions the are sort of suspended in the "air" between 1 (on=right) and 0(off=wrong). Very good performance Jojo. It reminded me of what i enjoy most about drumming & general improv. Thanks!

[@MultiNowWhat]

I agree with many here, and jojo. Am a electronica artist, but by different idealism than EDM. I use both live and mechanical kits, intermixing. I am a synthist, for the longest time, i sought for a good drum machine to capture real drums, many keyboards and synth workstations had drum hits, but all despite sounding good, they were all synthesized. Almost all of them the sampled drum hit always cut off, not getting the full sound of the hits, you can hear it many electronic songs, I have gathered thousands of drum hits sampled from real drum kits. Now days, I love programming and adding effects to live drums, like ring modulation, bit crushers and delays, panning effects- for those who are exploring with syntheised drums-work strictly with your EQ bring the lows down and make your high shelf sort of tinny, like metallic, if you work those two eq with a live drum sample you can get remarkably real sounding drum riffs, even cymbals, i like to focus on cymbals with electronic and taking rock progression to electronic music. one thing is getting a beater hit on bass drums for electronic, i sampled a beater hit and clipped out the rest of the bass vibration then used that hit sample to the front of all my bass/kick hits, had really good results with that.

[@AnatomyLab]

This guy is a machine,.. hope u get that,..

[@Cloyd1]

18:31 I thought he was gonna start playing Birdland lol

[@robluvsdrums]

The beat at the beginning is SICK!!!

[@musicfan8867]

He is Swiss... That is just epic in this context. Cool dude, fantastick musician (audio scientist)

[@zepplondon]

Out of body experience! Totally agree.

[@Danfromoverthere]

I can watch and listen to him all day

[@Orpheussegeln]

you are so good, thank you, I wish i could play the drums as well..

[@skankhunt-vw8xr]

The only time in history the Ted audience did not feel as if they were the speakers superior.

[@davidpatterson2178]

GOOD STUFF. HE IS UP THEIR WITH SOME OF THE BEST. I THINK.

[@stephenriggs2965]

OMG Wow'ed. As a fan of electronic music and wanna-b artist someday... Thank you for the perfect perspective on direction. "Good Bye 303" "Hello Hexi-Electro-Organic"

[@cg3332]

what an inspiration!

[@KriptoMuhabbet]

I hate you Jojo Mayer because I know that I am never gonna be as good as you. Respect...

[@Skrcsbrt]

his hats are the fierce 13" i think.. i might be wrong. but he also uses groove hats and click hats. his two main "crashes" are the hhx omni. 22 and 18" though there is a possibility that his 18" crash ride is the aax omni which in real life sounds like shit to me. if you want you should also check the freq aax crash. but to be honest half of what you hear comes from his mics and sticks. i find that the omni hhx 22" sounds great with the sd4 vic firth sticks. hope i helped

[@Skrcsbrt]

apparently someone who erased his comment

[@fredrikandersen5112]

Very, very few people ever will...