Some more of that pa rum pa pum pum …
When we recorded Little Drummer Boy last month, especially the drumming part, loads of memories came flooding back from our teenage years when we took drum lessons back in Austria. Especially those afternoons of practising press rolls and walking around with a snare strapped to us.
Marching bands can be found in pretty much any village in Austria. We weren’t part of one but we had this little drum ensemble going with some friends and our drum teacher that we occasionally would perform or take part in competitions with. We’d also prepare a little something for the school’s annual concert each year and today would like to share with you our little performance from back in 2010. It’s far from tight and even further from perfect but it might give you a good laugh.
The blond guy (That’s not Mona! ;-)) is Thomas “Fuxi” who has helped us with filming quite a few videos back in Austria, and the tall guy was Michael, our drumming teacher.
We loved doing these performances (there’s some even weirder ones that we might share with you at some point) and will always treasure these memories of the days spent practising with the guys. If any of you have kids or grandkids, we hope you encourage them to make music with others, even if it’s just for fun and silly projects like our drum ensemble. It’ll stay with them forever 🙂
Stay groovy,Mona & Lisa
18 replies on “Old Drumming Performance (Both Of Us!)”
Maybe no one will see this, unless they’re new to the MLT Club like me. I enjoyed seeing young M&L drumming w/the group! Your teacher did a great job with the stick clicking & synchronized exchanges! I looked for Rudi & Michaela in the audience, but didn’t see them.
My question is: Since Mona did such a great drum solo on “Ain’t No Sunshine” in your 2007 — 1st Concert, WHY–Mona haven’t you done any more drum solos? — (Unless I missed one!) Maybe drum solos aren’t as prevalent in Rock as they are in Jazz, but you should still do another! C’mon, just a 16 bar solo. Your fans would LOVE it!
In teaching Music, I taught my high school drummers to do some improvised drum ensemble things at football games, & of course Jazz Band drum solos. Then in Elementary Music, I taught a lot of Drum Circles & Xylophone Music w/Percussion. I took drum lessons at the U of Wash, & played in the Percussion Ensemble, along with my Trumpet Degree. Later, I studied briefly w/4 different African drummers, & did African & Latin Perc. Ensembles for teaching. So I know how much kids AND adults benefit from Drumming! It helps give ANY instrument or vocal person a great Rhythm Foundation. And it’s a wonderful stress reliever too! Here’s a few videos you’ll enjoy!
1.) Highly synchronized Drum Group at Edinburgh Castle, w/florescent sticks! (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc4F9Y6G5fY
2.) African Drummer — Bisi Adeleke from Nigeria, demonstrating the Dun-Dun (Talking Drum,) & Bembe, a large drum played for the King. Bisi was the first African drummer that I studied with at the U of W. If you’ve never seen the talking drum, check these out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4oQJZ2TEVI (About 2007)
3.) Yoruba Talking Drum Ensemble (2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0L2fhqFzKU
(I own 2 Talking Drums & a Djembe; they’re wonderful!
I hope you enjoy these, & thanks SO MUCH for posting your Drum Ensemble Video Mona & Lisa! — Bud
Would have made Ringo proud.
Both Mona and Lisa ALWAYS look as if they are having so much fun with whatever they are doing which makes anyone watching their performances in anything they do have the same fun because not only are both of you great but you bring so much positive energy to your performances. Never thought I would enjoy the drumming so much.
That was really good. Synchronized well and very good rhythm. I played drums (snare, tenor, bass, and other percussion) in the marching band and the orchestra in high school. That was so long ago that girls were only allowed to play crash cymbals in the percussion section. It was a long, long time ago. One improvement I see in the equipment is that the brace is on the torso…..for us the brace was tied around one leg. I remember on time during marching that the tie on the brace came loose and the brace banged against my leg with each marching step. I was left with the prettiest purple bruise on the leg which eventually went away. But, no shorts for awhile. Mike.
Super cool!
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed watching this …
well that brings back fond memories , my youngest son Kris played the bass drum in the school marching band up to the 10th grade , attended many performances similar
I bet he loved it! There is something so satisfying in making a racket in sync with other people 😉 Those bass drums for marching bands are heavy too, it’s like a workout and a performance in one! Merry Christmas to you, Kris, and the rest of your family!
WOW that was really great! As a former drummer (my avatar photo is from the early 80’s) I was smiling ear to ear! Over here we have “drum corps” that kids join although I was never into that particular drumming. I was more of a rock & roll drummer. Great video ladies! How about some videos of Mona recording some drums for your songs?!
I’m with you on the rock & roll drumming! However, I loved the many different, weird things we tried out with that group for the various performances. From using brooms and kitchen equipment to body percussion! It was a big contrast to the MLT projects and anything else that was going on but you never know when these experiences might come in handy down the line … pa rum pa pum pum 😉
Thanks for the kind words. We might film some drums on future recordings. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Being an old drummer, I LOVED that! Mona, it looked like you were the lead drummer. Even back in school. Proud parents of you both, always. I really liked the “sword fighting” and it appeared that all of you did as well. Love these videos. Lots of love to you both, and the entire family and MLT Team!
Drumtastic. Paramparampom… Bang bang boom pshsssstttttding (last one cymbal sound effect).. You let your inner Animal Muppet loose… Love this????????❤️????????????????????
Thank you for this wonderful and heartwarming present on St. Nicholas Day. You both are unparalleled and marvellous!
Wow, this is SO COOL Mona and LIsa; I LOVE THIS!!! This alone was worth a year of the price of admission to the MLT Club!!! The quality of the film and audio is excellent! Was your father shooting this film? Depending on the month and day this was shot, you were either 15 or Sweet 16. When did you both start wearing glasses? Do you both wear contact lenses now most of the time? Sometimes we still see you in glasses. How very precious it is to have home movies such as this. Thank you SO MUCH!
As for ‘there’s some even weirder ones that we might share with you at some point)‘, would you be referring to that concert video of you and two young fellas (including the little guy in this video), sitting at desks playing them with drum sticks. It looks like a similar venue to this one.
That was delightful to watch. Great work twirling the drum sticks in the air too. I saw Thomas over there lose one but dont think anyone noticed much. 🙂 Those school plays and performances are priceless and timeless for sure. I can remember a few school music and plays I was involved as a child and those memories will never leave me. Thanks for this!
Awesome! Great to finally see you both do some serious drumming there! Would love to see more of Mona’s drumming in the videos of your studio recordings.
I really enjoyed this look back. Great job by everyone!
Who knew all the instruments both of you would be playing now back then.
My daughter pays the Bass Clarinet (since 8th grade, and still does, 28 now), Clarinet, Recorder, Fife, Indian Flute.
She plays all the time. I gave her her Bass Clarinet this year for her birthday