Tom Thum: The orchestra in my mouth | TED

Summary

Tom Thum, a beatboxer from Brisbane, Australia, delivers a humorous and impressive performance at TEDx, showcasing his vocal talents. He demonstrates beatboxing, imitates instruments like the didgeridoo, sitar, and guzheng, and uses Kaoss Pads to manipulate his voice. Tom's journey through sound takes the audience across continents, culminating in a transformation of the Sydney Opera House into a jazz bar, featuring a virtual double bassist and a tribute to a jazz legend.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Tom Thum is a beatboxer who uses his voice to create a wide variety of sounds.
• 🤑 He earns money by performing beatboxing in unconventional places like bars and street corners.
• 🎭 Tom demonstrated his beatboxing skills by imitating classic songs and sounds during his talk.
• 👏 The audience responded positively to his performance, applauding throughout.
• 🌏 Tom has traveled the world performing his unique talent, which has allowed him to visit many places.
• 🎵 He showcased his ability to mimic different musical instruments and sounds from various cultures.
• 🎧 Tom used Kaoss Pads to enhance his voice with effects and create loops during his performance.
• 🎷 He creatively used technology to add depth to his performance, such as reverb and drum machine effects.
• 🏙️ Tom transformed the Sydney Opera House into a jazz bar through the power of his beatboxing.
• 🎹 He introduced imaginary characters like Mr. Smokey Jefferson and Mr. Peeping Tom to enhance the storytelling of his performance.

Q & A

What does Tom Thum do for a living?

Tom Thum is a beatboxer, meaning he creates various sounds using only his voice.

What is the significance of Tom Thum's performance at TEDx?

Tom's performance at TEDx is significant as it showcases his unique talent of beatboxing and his ability to mimic various sounds and instruments.

How does Tom Thum describe the setting for his usual performances?

Tom Thum typically performs in seedy downtown bars and on street corners, suggesting a more informal and possibly gritty setting.

What classic song does Tom Thum beatbox during his performance?

Tom Thum beatboxes 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson during his performance.

What does Tom Thum say about the microphone he uses during his performance?

Tom Thum assures the audience that there are no effects on the microphone, implying that all the sounds are produced solely by his voice.

Where is Tom Thum originally from?

Tom Thum is from Brisbane, Australia.

What does Tom Thum say about the cultural scene in Brisbane?

Tom Thum humorously notes that while Brisbane is a great city to live in, it is not the cultural hub of the Southern Hemisphere.

What does Tom Thum do with the Kaoss Pads during his performance?

Tom Thum uses Kaoss Pads to add effects to his voice, mimic the effect of a drum machine, and loop his voice.

How does Tom Thum transform the Sydney Opera House into a jazz bar during his performance?

Tom Thum uses his beatboxing skills and the Kaoss Pads to create a jazz bar atmosphere within the Sydney Opera House.

Who are Mr. Smokey Jefferson and Mr. Peeping Tom in the context of Tom Thum's performance?

Mr. Smokey Jefferson and Mr. Peeping Tom are characters or personas created by Tom Thum to add a narrative element to his beatboxing performance.

What does Tom Thum say about the demand for beatboxing in his hometown?

Tom Thum indicates that there is not much work for beatboxers in Brisbane, suggesting that he has to perform outside of his hometown and Australia to pursue his passion.