Learning John Bonham drum techniques from a (former!) 8 year old Japanese teacher...

[dark water]

as you watch her, first you share in the joy, seeing someone so young, enjoying the classics, enjoying playing and being damn good.
then the being damn good, hangs around in your mind, and the joy turns to misery as you realise, a 10 year old child is already better than you, you have wasted your life


nah, shes great

I know right!

Some of the comments on the YT videos are funny, along the lines of: "I'm a 55 year old drummer, been playing for 40 years... and when I grow up I want to be like Yoyoka!"

But yep, she's a great joy to watch as a performer

[JamminFool]

OMG YYZ

[dark water]

^^ yep!

I should add that she's also been doing some pretty nifty collabs with professional musicians (and dancers) recently. Well worth checking out as well to see how she supports the team rather than just being a great solo drummer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUnYXSGl5kc

[dark water]

Apologies, as I realize that there's only probably a few people interested in this thread, but in all fairness this collaboration with Mr Big bassist (and legend) Billy Sheehan is well worth watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ozwshauRJs

Some people might say that it isn't the most difficult drum part because it lacks the variety / flashiness of other performances. But the timing and the discipline to maintain that rhythm for the benefit of the band as a whole is the essential point here.
Yoyoka is still only 10 years old.

[bftucker]

Thanks for posting this. A little extra joy on a Saturday morning!

[dark water]

Yoyoka is getting lots of amazing praise from high quarters, such as Dave Grohl and Robert Plant, as well as playing live at gigs with professionals such as Cyndi Lauper. And this just happened:

Roger Taylor from Queen sent me a gift （for Yoyoka's 11th birthday)
Lots of original Roger stuff!
I covered this song out of respect for him
‪He messaged me, "You're Amazing"!

It’s a great honor and pleasure!
What a great surprise
I will continue to enjoy playing the drums! I’m looking forward to doing a gig with you, Roger someday‬
Please watch it

A pretty easy cover for Yoyoka, but for highlights check out the snare fills (mid to late song) and toms/bass fill at 2.06:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGYqNJYnYn0

Some commenters / drummers have joked that she's John Bonham re-incarnated, as the natural groove and heavy-hitting comes so easily to her.
But I think there's a good shout for her being Keith Moon instead, given her facial expressions and lunatic joy

[dark water]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv8wQ78em18

Yoyoka has just turned 11.
She is now a professional (sponsored by Roland and other companies).
The fills and bass drum rolls in this polished looking video are astounding.

It's hard to tell what the future might hold for her: the natural talent is definitely there but the music industry is in a strange place at present.
Either way, Yoyoka is a hell of a lot better than I was on the drums at 11 (and I have been playing percussion in concerts around Europe and Asia for the past 24 years).

[dark water]

Some more Deep Purple from this amazing 11 year old girl (who now has an invite from Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice to drum online with him):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SSQE_VZIRg

(Irritatingly, sometimes KVR is blocked from viewing these YouTube videos here at KVR, so if that's the case just click the link to access YT directly)