TEDxJaffa -- Yaron Engler -- How To Approach A Musical Instrument

Yaron Engler is a passionate drummer, composer and a teacher. His talk will focus on the tension between musical prowess as a skill-set and the fun of making sound and enjoying playing for play itself. His playful tone and audience participation question the idea that anyone who plays music must first drill technique.

Yaron worked as a freelance drummer for several years in Israel until he went to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, U.S.A. where he graduated Summa cum Laude in 2003.

His collaboration with the tap artist Sharon Lavi in show Keshev Ketzev before college brought him to Barcelona where he became the Musical Director and Composer of Tapeplas, a company that combined tap dance, music and rhythm.

Since 2004, Yaron has been collaborating with the world acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter. He took part as the lead drummer, arranger and Musical Director in the research and creation of several works of the company including Uprising, In Your Rooms, Political Mother and Survivor and has been touring with the company around the world.

Currently Yaron also plays drums, percussion and vocals in the folk-rock band Kindle Trails. A very important part of Yaron's love for music lies with teaching and he has delivered workshops and master classes for musicians and dancers in the UK, USA, Japan, Spain, Israel, South Korea and New Zealand.

[pustulioification]

A music teacher once told me - A musician is a person who sees himself as one.
It doesn't have a lot to do with your level of technique or knowledge. As long as you are doing it that is what you are.

[CraigCoggle]

In my experience there are plenty of young people who don't think that they can either play an instrument or sing. If I throw you a ball will you kick it back or start a dialogue about technique and being a footballer. Yaron has given a powerful and brave demonstration of what it takes to approach an instrument for the first time. 

[ItisJamesHall]

After working with Yaron in January..I found him empowering and inspiring. This guy is a genius and I recommend everyone take notice and hang on his every word. He literally changed my career...

[kev]

As a musician myself, I currently have the pleasure of working with Yaron and I have to tell you, you couldn't be more wrong. "Fun" doesn't even begin to the experience, he's an amazing teacher, musician and person.

[jennybailey]

about 6 I decided to have ago at playing a musical instrument, got cheap clarinet, off Ebay. I've got no intention of becoming a professional musician, just fancied learning a new skill. last time I attempted an instrument recorder, was when I was a kid (40+ yrs ago)not bothered with having lessons. I've surprised myself in that I can now, blow some fairly recognisable tunes, not perfect. I really enjoy playing & also noticed some really positive side effects, on things improved hand/eye coordination.

[ivanwickum]

I have been struggling to enjoy the viola for a while now, and this REALLY helped me.

[tommyk]

This is great! He is absolutely right. We focus too much on the details while a real artist is just a channel to translate energy intuitively. Skills will only truely work when you don’t have to think about them. So just focus on the feeling first, that’s the basis you will always need at whatever level you play.

[indiasuaujunca]

man, I gotta go to his workshops and classes!!!! one inspiring and motivating dude!

[reg]

I play a few instruments and I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love that I can pick each one up and adequately play. The thing I hate about it, is that I am never satisfied with my level of play. I am more critical of what I can't do, rather what I can do.

[barfy.man]

This can be applied in all dimentions of art

[reg]

I think the more educated musician, would rather impress themselves with the technique they know and feed their own ego, rather than connect with an audience. I've seen many impressive musicians with incredible technique on Youtube, who bore me to no end. At first, a great musician who has mastered technique with their instrument can sound good the first few minutes you hear them play. After a certain time period. music being played by that person can sound long winded. I've heard musicians who can play for example, play a few basic chords on guitar or piano and move me emotionally.

[PUFFEDUPUSS]

HAHA met yaron and saw a side to him that was a joy and pleasure he is what you see a lovley soul a real teacher beyond the music is where he lives and to be honnest he dose not drum breaths in rythm in such a way that ego has no place in his world the man is a genius a realy nice one PAY ATTENTION he dosnt waste his time or yours :)

[meera]

Lovely video ❣️❤️👌....He made my fears fly away👍👍

[oh_rhythm]

what's the problem?
he mentioned there were different levels of playing. that's also quite obvious.
regarding that not everyone would want to be professional, everything's acceptable.

[ukojesita]

I think - people dont learn instrument because of age. I am too old to start - we all C young (6years old) skilled players so in 30 has to be late for us.

[mehdielkhatib]

Everyone who raised they hand know how to play hot cross buns

[reg]

I would rather hear the uneducated musician, than the pompous educated know it all. I think the uneducated musician has more soul and has to rely more on instinct, than the much more educated one. That's just my opinion.

[raysroom]

trying to learn how to play music! hello everyone who's doing the same lol

[shivanimohanty]

I feel so bad because this is such an important talk that has been beautifully delivered but the audience is just so unenthusiastic.