Mastery of the drum is achieved when the drummer no longer needs the drum
Going beyond mastery is when the drum no longer needs the drummer.

Rowan Atkinson has been credited, perhaps spuriously, with this kōan-esque aphorism, but it’s clearly inspired by his brilliant sketch, c1992—here with a transcription, to boot:

However they managed to synchronise the audio, it must have taken major preparation.

For more on Daoist non-action, see here (Walt Disney!) and here (Castiglione!).

Just as astounding is Fred Astaire (Damsel in distress, 1937), albeit with a real drum-kit:

From air drumming to air writing, how about writing Daoist talismans in the air.

For other posts on drumming, see Doof Doof, Tambourin chinois, the opening of the Beethoven violin concerto, and an anonymous conductor‘s faux pas.

with thanks to Selim!