A young guitarist meets his hero | Usman Riaz and Preston Reed

www.ted.com Usman Riaz is a 21-year-old whiz at the percussive guitar, a style he learned to play by watching his heroes on KZbin. The TED Fellow plays onstage at TEDGlobal 2012 -- followed by a jawdropping solo from the master of percussive guitar, Preston Reed. And watch these two guitarists take on a very spur-of-the-moment improv.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/translate
If you have questions or comments about this or other TED videos, please go to support.ted.com

[@ashleshamy]

Im not concerned whether he is a musical genius or not, but he just gave a very important message, U have all the resources on the internet, it is in your hands to use it wisely and become successful.Thanks Usman your effort has a positive impact on me. Regards, Praneeth Indian

[@lawrencekedz]

Praneeth M Absurd !

[@siddharthsalkar]

Lawrence Kedz To what are you referring to when you say it's absurd? the comment or the performance?

[@anuragkumar2062]

@@siddharthsalkar to India🙏

[@nathanreaperz8229]

Usman is a muslim/pakistani name.. i dont really know anything about him tho..

[@rim5237]

I agree from Morocco 👍

[@ericgendell8874]

A young kid walks up to a violinist playing so beautifully on the street that would have been at home in a grand concert hall and announces:"I would give my life to play as beautifully as you". The old violinist turned to the child and said:"You understand".

[@johnrached2025]

Eric Gendell he's 21 check the description

[@TheNikiex]

Eric Gendell I got it, he gave his life up to be able to play like that 🤔

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@pentagramrahul]

HE is a Music Genius and an inspiration to all Self learners

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support the trailer is out now ❤❤❤

[@13deepangshubarman7]

I can hear the last part whole day .... So satisfying...

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support the trailer is out now❤❤❤

[@WhiteRussianBC]

even though there wasn't much talking, this is now my favorite TED talk ever

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support ❤❤ trailer is out now

[@YoursRandomly]

Am I the only one who sees someone play guitar this way FOR THE FIRST TIME!?!? 🔥🤯

[@christophersleight19]

This is actually a huge genre. Please research Michael Hedges to start. Jon Gomm (Passion Flower)

[@mattejohansson6724]

No

[@Ahmed-hs2qx]

Yess

[@gauravghai3010]

Yes

[@TheCulturalCompass]

No but it is a special treat

[@omi143iqa]

usman raiz.. feeling so proud that you are representing your country worldwide in such a positive way.. i wish more people like usman riaz come out of pakistan and show the world that this is real pakistan.. not the one you heard about on news..hatts of for both of you

[@captpogossian]

+Umair Latif He's a great representative of his country, without doubt. Unfortunately though, Pakistan is and has been a basket case ever since the disaster of the partition of India. Compare with India itself.

[@detlevhagenbeek4362]

in an other video you can hear him talk about pakistan holding him back from making this kind of music

[@nikolassil568]

Umair Latif well every culture has pros and cons don't worry one day everything will be fine

[@contactkeithstack]

Umair Latif we in America feel your pain, most of us wish we had someone other than Trump representing us around the world. It's a disgrace.

[@KatariaGujjar]

Pan oRoya Partition was a disaster for India but a blessing for Pakistan. Pakistani musicians and guitarists are light years ahead of Indians.

[@eyevenear]

One genius + another genius.

[@tanmayyadav7798]

Makes thing awsome

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@mastermatt210]

Preston Reed and Usman Riaz absolutely amazing. This is the kind of thing that drives me to be a better guitarist. You are both insperations!

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@PayamMashrequi]

the boy is so innocent, humble and down to earth :)

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie the glass worker show support the trailer is out now ❤❤❤

[@EnergyFabricator]

As expected, the improv at the end sounded cooler than the rehearsed track! So awesome :)

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@JohnsOnStrings]

That improv bit at the end is just great. So cool to see where this form has gone... I saw Preston live at a hole in the wall in La Crosse, WI in the 90's. He had this entire form already full evolved back then. Others have stretched the limits since... wonderful to see.

[@shovelhead4558]

Great comment

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

Preston Reed both creates and inspires others to create beautiful music - Andy McKee started on the progressive fingerstyle road through watching Reed play live at a workshop and endlessly rewatching his instructional tape. It's great to see progressive fingerstyle at TED!

[@releasethebinky]

Okay, can I have my jaw back, please?

[@julianferguson9212]

NO! Its mine forever hahahahahahhaah!

[@alihijazi4451]

I laughed so much at your comment.. xD

[@shubhashishchowdhury4036]

dayummmm epic comment.

[@parmodsiroha9980]

I'm dead. xD

[@abrahamjacob8876]

Parmod Siroha to 9

[@mufasaIRL]

doc watson, tommy emmanuel and chet atkins are more my style for preference, but this was incredible to watch. great players fer sure

[@MrNyuntshwe]

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, and Amazing!!! I'm so lucky to come across this video to be one of the audiences of this superb performance!! Thanks guys and TED!!!

[@omartanweer3643]

Its beautiful what two minds can create collaboratively! Humans are one amazing creature !

[@marcscordato4385]

There are many fine guitarists I admire. Having said that I have absolutely no idea how to incorporate this technique it absolutely blows my mind.

[@redbeard623]

the improv section was great love to see when musicians take turns setting up percussion or set rhythm for the other to play off of.

[@jxxybxxy2002]

simply beautiful. no egos involved. just the pure joy of creating something beautiful. rock on.

[@againplease1]

Feeling fresh with this natural live professional music!

[@MrKewlhanz]

So incredibly talented,these guys! Just unreal!

[@sonamdetamang8592]

This is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen so far. Great talent.

[@Ollowayn]

Imagining Usman at a party, he sees some guy playing smoke on the water, kindly goes up to him after the guy is finished with the 5th repeat of the riff and about to lay down the guitar. He politely asks him if he could play too, the guy looks at him funny with a little predjustice, then Usman starts playing and not only the guy but the whole room goes quiet. These two people are amazing.

[@BenFalkenstein]

Jamming a song you know is one thing- you go through the motions, try to feel it, and try not to mess up, but impromptu jamming in front of hundreds of people with one of your hero?!?!? That kid had to be shitting his pants. Amazing!

[@profitmarketingandonlineea320]

Everyone should watch this video till end .

[@Avotts]

Really enjoyable. Amazing to see what a kid has been watching.....and what an experienced artist can teach on video.

[@dheerajthapliyal9533]

Every few months I come back to watch this. How truly beautiful. So many different dynamics, old young, teacher mentor, gifted and gifted. This music is amazing, amazing. I'm sorry there couldn't be more collaborations like this. Keep it up TED, lots of love The edit was *few though it could just as well be monthly!

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@Anakinrowe]

I'm, so glad to hear him mention Kaki King, I hear snippets of her in his playing, particularly the arpeggio inventiveness. I heard her as she did the guitar for August Rush, which should've had Uzman in definately.

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker" show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@sanusizulkifli89]

THIS IS SIMPLY MIND-BLOWING!

[@lovelyhoney3190]

hats off for both of you.......

[@webbtrekker534]

Have to admit I have never seen this style of playing before. I'm impressed.

[@syedsammarzaidi9188]

Waooooo, really i stood up from chair, never listened before like this what a live compose music with only two guitars. Really Talented guys. Words finished to praise. Great Work AMAZING

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker" show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@tonyleeward1335]

Just so cool, makes me feel like i never played my guitar! Have to start learning this style!

[@poorvagaikwad5262]

His guitar skills are above and beyond 🙌

[@GEORGE90361]

Brilliant Music...synchronous movement of their hands was a real delight to watch and unprepared jam was icing on cake..a treat that gave me goosebumps! Proud of you Usman Riaz!

[@jasonjackson600]

That was one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen. Wow.

[@lawrencekedz]

Jason Jackson You should try and get out more often. You'll be amazed at what's out there!

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@Dr.Don08]

No matter how much perfect u r ! U still look upon to your idol when you are performing 🙌🏻

[@AtemiRaven]

This is by far one of the most impressive music bits I have seen in a long time. The random jam session at the end was just incredible, I wish I was even 10% as talented as the two of them are :D

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

I always thought I would attend TED for the intellectual exposure but I am finally realizing that you go for the entertainment as well! I think that both performers demonstrate musical brilliance!

[@kristmalacs7299]

Another level of music. they have their own league. Blown away

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@simonsamuel3877]

They are so humble. Always the achievers are so humble. Both are not so good with talking but mahn! Guitar is their language 😍

[@naimhassan17]

Wow! Just WoW! Sometimes in life you see something and you can't find the right words to describe it.. I mean vocabulary falls short to describe something such brilliant.. This is one such moment.. Boy Oh Boy..!! Both Preston Reed and Usman Riaz are brilliance personified..

[@PiraticalFox]

This actually gave me the shivers. Incredible.

[@mahalayananda]

This was a very beautiful musical experience. Music has so many faces and expressions and I love when someone is pushing these borders in a harmonious way. It was very beautiful how Reed in a humble way Gave the young Riaz an opportunity in the last impro to shine taking for himself mostly the rhythm part. This is the brotherhood of really gifted musicians.

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker" show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@syedusamashahzad8448]

He is Proud of our country and my city. Karachi, Pakistan

[@DanielHufford]

I've only just started my exploration into guitar. I've enjoyed reading through the comments to this video. It seems that either you have an ear for this, or you don't; no inbetween. That being said, I will continue to study this technique. And to those who say that Usman was stuck up, that's not what I saw. I saw two respectful and talented artists on stage, performing alchemy and experimenting with a fusion of sound that was unlike anything I've heard in my natural born life. Play on everybody 🤘🏻

[@sarcastoon677]

ohh man its the same feeling i remember back then when i discovered this vid like 7-8 years ago.. i was in college and downloaded audio version and used to listen it while working.. eventually i lost it cuz of corrupted memory.. today i got some similar guitar vid in yt rec.. and i remembered rq.. such a nostalgia..

[@ammarsethwala]

Goosebumps!! This is so much raw but absolutely amazing!! This kid could be one of the finest musicians coming out of Pakistan. Hats off!

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@kaushikbhattacharya597]

I can't stop listening to that piece at 8:00... Its absolutely insane, I wish my guitar could do that...

[@AndreasDevig]

It's an amazing song, and actually not that hard to learn.

[@kaushikbhattacharya597]

@@AndreasDevig fair enough, but I feel even if I can learn this piece, I won't ever make it look as effortless as these wizards

[@AndreasDevig]

@@kaushikbhattacharya597 Just takes a little practice. :)

[@ItzzNoxygen]

Its called Ladies night by Preston Reed

[@varriableattitudes]

Unbelievable talent this young kid has.

[@Akomatikk66]

And i struggle learning to play the guitar how it is mainly played.. These guys are great.

[@Napoleon4778]

Two secrets brothers: 1. Alternate Tuning 2. Low action Optional: No nails. If you're a fingerstylist, you may want to completely chop off your nails.

[@DanielBinkowski123]

+Napoleon4778 Not sure if it's preference, but as far as i know right hand nails are pretty important for fingerstyle guitar. This is not fingerstyle btw

[@Napoleon4778]

Daniel Binkowski That's why I said in case you are a fingerstylist who has long nails, you might want to cut them to do this percussive guitar thing.

[@luchighwalker7524]

+Daniel Binkowski how is this not finger style fool

[@DanielBinkowski123]

In my opinion fingerstyle is plucking your strings with your fingers like tommy emmanuel does. He is tapping most of the time and doing percussive stuff which i would not consider to be fingerstyle. Also no need to insult me

[@luchighwalker7524]

+Daniel Binkowski its fingerstyle

[@Faraz4upk]

magic starts at 13:30

[@ardamibang2169]

hahaha yeah man

[@gamuhana]

Thanks TED Team, Sir Preston for highlight of this lovely guy.

[@shivani1244]

these two are insanely amazing 😱

[@devarshraval4692]

seriously those people who don't like this perscussive style of guitar can go swallow a sword. Jimmy Page approves this performance.

[@ferriliu880]

i dont like this guitar style...but im have respect for him...

[@kornbread5359]

I think its just pushing the limits of whats possible, many can do it, but few can compose good pieces with this style.

[@nevoyu]

Rodrigo Y Gabriella introduced me to this style and they proven it can take a toll on your hands as well.

[@0llegator]

Don't know why but the last part when both of them play together - it's just like pure electricity flowing through my whole body

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤❤

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker" show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@rasha9721]

hats off to them.i can't help myself listening to them

[@TheCulturalCompass]

Still love this so . . .

[@holdmybeer]

I wasted my time becoming very good at street fighter when young :( too bad I didn't pick up an instrument.

[@irfanaziz4558]

Ouch... I feel ya..everyone was like you can become a doctor when you get older, if you study, I was like shoryuken!!! , but I just want to be the best at streetfighter.

[@armaanh5396]

You can now fight for good

[@cosmiclegend4181]

So why don't you become a pro street fighter player in eSports everybody have different skill he is good at guitar and you are good at street fighter so both of you are on the correct place

[@gerogeqwerty883]

Its been 7 years are u married now?? or your kid is married??

[@vk.o3815]

I'm writing this comment after 8 years... Hope now you might have learned some instrument 😊

[@stephanfh2]

Pardon me Mr. Riaz....... What level bard are you? Gods!

[@azoresplayah]

"Stupendous; amazing collaboration!"

[@nishchaykumar6942]

I literally got chills!

[@affanbutt3943]

people who say muslims are radical only should see this video we know to spread love through music .....music has no boundaries no culture....

[@warangproduction9759]

affan butt ya so where did Muslim can there??

[@7Lexmillion]

Fellow musicians will feel that panic of rethinking your improvisation mid-jam...

[@saalarahmad1471]

Im worried

[@jesterruth1238]

You snapped 💯💯💯 I saw it in his face 😭😭😭

[@spyymaster]

My life long wind incontinence has healed. Thank you to ted

[@accordilabo6006]

Just perfect! In our playlist now. Congratulations from Italy!

[@bml249]

This video deserves a million views for the amazing solo

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@jayantchowdhury1123]

It's just amazing!!!

[@tuyentanduonglydaovu3416]

How many people can stand for young and talent

[@fireberrytaco]

a shiver in my spine it's just my god i could never play like that in a many lifetime. more power anyway

[@DrDimonds]

This music would perfectly fit in to Hearthstone!

[@DrDimonds]

Keith Ong Ya man! Im not that good bec i started not long ago but whats you id or email or whatever you need to friend people xD

[@DrDimonds]

Thats awesome! I will add you soon :)!

[@DrDimonds]

Keith Ong ya lol I just didn't play hearthstone that day, ill get on :)

[@roshan.roshan55]

I thought that it was the golden rule that 'You have to play above the sound hole’

[@peterrayner1119]

I think there may be no rules, which is beautiful

[@discoverdb]

i thought i was hearing the late Ali Farka Toure and JJ Cale playing a duet in heaven .. brilliant show guys

[@noahZOMG]

thank god for the subtitles i would of been so lost without them

[@743drummer]

I'm laying in my bed completely alone and I literally almost clapped at the end of this.

[@dhun5971]

Does anybody saw, to where my head blew??? This guy is genius 😎🤘🤘🤘

[@mrzoolmrjaan]

Bone shaker of Usman Riaz in coke studio is really amazing

[@balachandransambamurthy9096]

Superb and unconventional style of playing the guitar.. Could'nt be better .. a new high !! Bravo Usman and Preston .. keep creating magic !!

[@paulschneider7271]

The young boy has talent I hope he will find a sophisticated style.

[@nayab5424]

Paul Schneider he did now he owns an animation productions . And believe me his first animation will come out soon and its trailer is so beautiful

[@dheerajdeore3270]

14:47 !👏

[@callumtyler9699]

They click!!

[@samarthrungta5297]

I got inspired from on of his ted talks and now I am arching him play and trying to learn. Figured out the first and second part

[@deepb4uz]

look at the joy and happiness on ppls face :)

[@smurffreeman2295]

i can't dance but this makes me want to move.

[@ShahidIqbal-bf8we]

Usman Riaz True Pakistani Talent, amazing .

[@aradhana1099]

Talent can't be measured by countries... Understand.

[@darkkiss7247]

This is so awesome. They're both brilliant.

[@viramune9994]

The improv at the end was absolutely sublime. I've seen a LOT of ted talks and this is by far the best. With minimal talking!

[@amnasyed1173]

He also launched his first ever hand drawn animation movie "the glass worker "show support the trailer is out now ❤❤

[@alicealice731]

Wow Lord has gifted you awesome talent

[@secondfirstsecond]

You will never hear a beautiful melody and feeling with this kind of playing style... this is more to the acrobatic fingers than a true musical art.

[@borisabomg1049]

look up Mike Dawes, Luca Stricagnoli, Michael Kobrin or Thomas Leeb

[@shovelhead4558]

You just shot your self in the foot.

[@sirwillll]

Such a talented man. He's also the director of the upcoming movie "The Glassworker" which is the first hand-drawn animation from Pakistan.

[@MayankSingh-si8ue]

Amazing....the best i have heard...both of them are genius...

[@spanny88]

At 2:47 you imagine a clock, "tick tock tick tock"...2:54 are you ready? By 3:00 in awe...3:12 more, more more...by 3:20 your mind is blown...3:30 :) oh, JK Reed isn't even playing yet...

[@AthulRajeevrocker]

.k fine am quitting my guitar class

[@guitarado]

please dont. This is just another way of playing. It is not so hard if you practise it often. Jazz is much more difficult. This is about technique not about notes, feeling and art literally

[@amitbanerjee1472]

Athul Rajeev 😂 lol... do it dude... it seems u dont have guts.... love music dude... nothing will difficult

[@blackie75]

yeah, i've been playing for 32 years, and i just can't get into this percussive tapping thing at all

[@guitarsinger7382]

man find your own way to play,you don´t need percussion at all,it´s just a bonus.

[@Deepaksingh-hy5sf]

William Wilkinson I got the drugs part

[@Kruzfest]

He opens with a tune called "Tractor Pull" It's a stunning piece!

[@artabanaida1544]

It makes me happy to see that heaven at work.

[@pranaytony]

Mind blowing performance!☺️😊👍👌

[@coolv3386]

Superb keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!Stay blessed and keep excelling !!!!!!!!!

[@natarajpissay8786]

just can't explain how it was superb

[@natascharose]

This is unbelievable, I’m speachless!!!😱 Keep going!