The Amazing Life and Abilities of Musical Savant Derek Paravicini

Derek Paravicini is blind, autistic and has severe learning difficulties. Although he finds spoken language and many everyday tasks challenging, he is a fantastically brilliant improvisational pianist who remembers all that he hears. How can such incredible talent co-exist with such severe diability?
In this fascinating talk and demonstration, Derek and his mentor Professor Adam Ockelford of Roehampton University discuss Derek's incredible life and musical abilities and take your questions.
Derek absolutely loves taking requests and hearing the comments from his social media channels so please do feel free to ask for an interpretation of your favourite pieces!
00:00 Derek's premature birth
02:23 Derek Taught Himself Aged 2
03:35 Cockles and Muscles
04:48 Learning with Adam
05:47 Don't Cry for Me Argentina
05:55 Learning with Adam
08:32 Perfect Absolute Pitch
11:23 Top of the World
13:57 Derek Loves Art Tatum
15:18 Tiger Rag
17:15 Chopsticks with a Volunteer
19:53 Impromptu Violin Duet
25:00 Copying and Transposing
30:00 Derek's Recordings
31:02 Derek Corrects Atonal Music
33:52 Air on a G String
37:35 Response to Different Keys
39:56 Derek Loves Playing Differently
42:40 Paganini Caprice No.24
45:03 How Much Practice?
45:39 How Many Pieces Does Derek Know?
46:17 Does Derek Compose?
47:00 Flight of the Bumblebee on Random Note
Support Derek and his music: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
Subscribe: bit.ly/3CKJY3A
More Derek Improv: bit.ly/3FBZCzO
🎵MORE DEREK🎵
📰📽️🎧 / derekparavicini - News + Live Requests on Facebook
📽️🎧 / derekparavicinipiano - More Vids on Instagram
📽️🎧derekparaviciniquartet.co.uk - Derek's Amazing Jazz Quartet
📽️🎧 derekparavicini?l... - Derek on Twitter
📰www.derekparavicini.net/ - Concert Dates + General Info
🧑🤝🧑www.ambertrust.org/ - The Amber Trust Works with Visualy Impaired Children Through Music
#derekparavicini #music #piano #inspiration #motivation #positivevibes #interesting #amazing #awesome #incredible #piano #neurodiversity

[@derekparavicini]

Hi everyone! We hope you enjoy this look at Derek's extraordinary life and abilities. If you have any questions or requests for Derek please do leave us a comment and we'll try to get back to you! Here are some timecodes for the video: 00:00 Derek's premature birth 02:23 Derek Taught Himself Aged 2 03:35 Cockles and Muscles 04:48 Learning with Adam 05:47 Don't Cry for Me Argentina 05:55 Learning with Adam 08:32 Perfect Absolute Pitch 11:23 Top of the World 13:57 Derek Loves Art Tatum 15:18 Tiger Rag 17:15 Chopsticks with a Volunteer 19:53 Impromptu Violin Duet 25:00 Copying and Transposing 30:00 Derek's Recordings 31:02 Derek Corrects Atonal Music 33:52 Air on a G String 37:35 Response to Different Keys 39:56 Derek Loves Playing Differently 42:40 Paganini Caprice No.24 45:03 How Much Practice? 45:39 How Many Pieces Does Derek Know? 46:17 Does Derek Compose? 47:00 Flight of the Bumblebee on Random Note

[@Melissa0774]

Have you ever heard of Leslie Lemke? He's like the other Derek Paravicini. He's another blind, disabled savant who plays the piano. I think he's like 70 years old now. He lives in the United States. He hasn't had nearly as much public attention as Derek has, but he was featured on the ABC show That's Incredible in 1981 and it's on KZbin. There's also another documentary segment on him, on KZbin, that's called May's Miricle. (May was his adoptive mom, who got him to where he was.) Every since I first read about Leslie, in a book that I found in my high school library, years ago, I always thought it was a shame that he didn't get more famous and make a lot of money because so many more people ought to know about him. When I first saw the documentary about Derek on the Discovery Health channel years ago, and I see that he has this KZbin channel now, I'm happy that he at least, (unlike Leslie,) is getting the attention he deserves. It'd be absolutely wonderful if Derek and Leslie could meet and do something together, while they still have the chance. I don't know if Leslie still performs or is in good health, though.

[@daviddiffenderfer3836]

Wonderful!!!!!

[@PinkDiamond-2000]

When you listen Derek improvising or transcribing on the fly, you cannot believe human brain can do something like this. Such immense processing and so fast, it's beyond comprehension what we have in our skulls.

[@derekparavicini]

Don't forget transposing anything to any key instantly.😜

[@PieInTheSky9]

That violin and piano part.. I'm not crying I was just chopping onions..

[@ashykutcher]

I've been following Derek's life for probably a decade or so. Always a great time!

[@ludovictrottier425]

Imagine hearing and remembering the pitch of each hand clap of each person in the room when they applaud. That must be quite an experience for him.

[@dilbertpugh8517]

Hi Derek and Adam, I've just discovered you on KZbin; hearing Derek play simply makes me smile with joy. There is a freedom and freshness in Derek's music which must come from the fact that he's creating it and not just remembering it. I was meant to go to a concert this afternoon but was unable to go, this has been many times more wonderful, thank you.

[@skellious]

I love Derek's unique speech cadence. much like his playing it has a wonderful individual quality that no one else can quite match.

[@MrPlankinton]

Derek and Adam are simply symbiotic. They are such a wonderful team.

[@averageaf4321]

I love how excited Derek gets for doing scales in front of an audience. It shows beautifully how his brain works different from almost everyone else who gets bored practicing scales

[@pollyling8852]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏bravo bravo ❤❤❤ I can't stop crying when Poppy and Derek played together. So amazing so powerful just full of love. We are not only love to see Derek play the piano we also love to hear his voice , he has a very strong voice. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@HalfMonty11]

Derek's videos are always so criminally under-viewed but I so appreciate when I see a new upload

[@Artscardshop]

This is the most interesting thing ever, i’m really glad I’m following this KZbin channel

[@halfkraazy]

Life is so beautiful

[@mariahyman2025]

Wow!!! Derek there is GOD you have proven that. Thank you GOD for creating Derek!!!!

[@Paranormalin416]

Like most of you, I have been following this man’s career since day one, I can watch it every day nonstop, and I’ll never get tired of it, because I am never not completely stunned at the incredible talent this man has. As you can tell from my name I am a doctor, but my field of study is in medical imaging and in laboratory medicine. I have studied patience, just like Derek, I have studied the scans of their brains over and over and over again, and I just cannot believe what I see. The entire full potential of the human brain focussed on one thing only. In derricks case it is music, and some other peoples. It is mathematics, art, literature, singing, but whatever it is, it goes far above, and beyond anything anyone of us could duplicate. I would never ever use the word disabled to describe people like this, I simply say that they are differently abled, but absolute geniuses! I will forever remain in bewildered awe of the gift they have been given, but more than that, one of the reasons I study. This, along with many of my colleagues, is to see if we can figure out the secret to unlocking the full potential of the human mind, and people like Derek are the key to unlocking this mystery. It’s generally assumed they are able to be such geniuses because all other external stimuli are blocked out, but what if we could find a way to allow all of our abilities to function like Derek, with out external stimuli being blocked out? It would be, a huge step forward in human history. But, that is not why I have been following him from the beginning, I follow him, because I am just amazed by him, because I’m also a huge music lover, and a very pathetic pianist that couldn’t come close to what he can do. Some people say, they feel sorry for people like that, I would never say that, if anything, I am in complete envy of him, and those like him. They show all of us the full potential of what the human brain is capable of, we need only figure out how to unlock it?

[@79Jschoedinger]

What an incredible story. The Amazing and talented Derek and his gift to the world.💕💕💕🙏🏻

[@SkiteRight]

Visited UK twice but never managed to catch a Derek performance i hope to hear him live one day

[@ashimo5214]

me toooooo come to la

[@JacobafJelling]

So glad to see Adam and Derek are still friends. Adam seems a lovely person

[@jackcurley1591]

Derek has an incredible life story and an even more awe-inspiring musical ability. He probably has the best ear alive, impressive technique, and a relatable and highly enjoyable sense of harmony to boot. I’m a huge fan!

[@mobus1603]

I love the way that Derek synchronizes his ending of "Top of the World" with the audience beginning to clap. He truly is having a conversation through music.

[@TC-gb2tf]

I think that you are the Greatest Of All Time!!! Thank you for sharing your incredible gift with us!

[@MrMaxKeane]

This deserves more views! I would be very happy to see this channel get the recognition it deserves! - not only for Derek, but for Adam and everyone behind the scenes.

[@dalealards2994]

I absolutely love hearing Derek 13:42 play and I’d love to see him if you ever tour Australia I would love to see you in concert

[@ashykutcher]

Ever since I saw the KZbin video of Vladimir Horowitz performing at Carnegie Hall his interpretation of Bizet's Carmen Fantasie, I always wanted to hear Derek play it! It would make my day/week/month/year/life to watch him play it in one of his request videos!!! Thank you from Dallas, TX!

[@autumnleaves2766]

Great that Adam Ockelford is able to support Derek and travel with him as he performs all over the world. Derek probably couldn't do it by himself. Well done too to the Parker-Bowles family nanny who gave Derek the small keyboard for him to start on. What an amazing gift he has. There's certainly a touch of Art Tatum about his playing, Tatum was a great blind black American jazz pianist who died tragically young in 1956, aged just 47. But as far as I know Art Tatum wasn't a savant, although he had a prodigious memory both for music but also things like baseball statistics. I hope Derek can come and play in Newcastle or Northumberland some time, I would love to hear him live.

[@JacobafJelling]

Adam seems such a gentle and kind man. Humble also All the qualities of a great friend. I was so glad to see that theyre still a duo

[@shoshannafachima1306]

It is always agreat pleasure to watch and listen to derrick🎵❤️🎶 I honestly believe derrick should be awarded an honorary doctorate in music in light of his enormous gift and deep understanding of music

[@mariahyman2025]

He’s so polite. Thank you Nanny

[@Melissa0774]

Have you ever heard of Leslie Lemke? He's like the other Derek Paravicini. He's another blind, disabled savant who plays the piano. I think he's like 70 years old now. He lives in the United States. He hasn't had nearly as much public attention as Derek has, but he was featured on the ABC show That's Incredible in 1981 and it's on KZbin. There's also another documentary segment on him, on KZbin, that's called May's Miricle. (May was his adoptive mom, who got him to where he was.) Every since I first read about Leslie, in a book that I found in my high school library, years ago, I always thought it was a shame that he didn't get more famous and make a lot of money because so many more people ought to know about him. When I first saw the documentary about Derek on the Discovery Health channel years ago, and I see that he has this KZbin channel now, I'm happy that he at least, (unlike Leslie,) is getting the attention he deserves. It'd be absolutely wonderful if Derek and Leslie could meet and do something together, while they still have the chance. I don't know if Leslie still performs or is in good health, though.

[@adamturner8732]

Derek is a 1 of 1 no question

[@MrPlankinton]

20:59 Derek having a heart to heart Conversation with Poppy. 😉 Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla

[@margaretmorissette5365]

thank you so much for sharing this video. This was an absolute pleasure to watch and listen too! Derek is a very talented musician.

[@SturleyArt]

Thank you for sharing this talk with us. Your musicianship is both fascinating and inspiring.

[@beng3345]

Incredible

[@loganb452]

Life will throw you all kinds of ups and downs. Adam thanks for this info on Derek's amazing journey and helping to guide him through it.

[@jasonvaughn3478]

I love that Adam talked about Derek's talents and what he does well, but doesn't focus on or contrast it with his disabilities. And he never speaks about Derek as if he isn't part of the conversation. They seem to have a very special relationship.

[@CBeaumontHIGTFY]

Derek's answer to 'The Hardest Piece' of 'Clare De Lune' may well have some merit, it is clear that Music is Derek's way of expression and freedom - so playing such a strict or specific piece like the Debussy might be more challenging as he can't be free with it.

[@derekparavicini]

Often Derek's answers to questions like this are unreliable, but that said, it is true that something like Clair de Lune is more difficult for Derek to radically change as the character is in the specific harmonic choices.

[@CBeaumontHIGTFY]

@@derekparavicini Well the fact he is responding to more types of question and speech than ever before can only be a good thing, whichever way you look at it. I do believe he is trying to think about his answers. I wonder how long he has been responding to questions with "I'm not quite sure" and "Can you explain it", rather than just repeating the question!

[@torugonza]

A los 21:08 tocan OBLIVION de Astor Piazzolla !

[@davidcottrell1308]

Wow.....amazing!

[@eneedham789]

I love how he likes Jacob collier! Awesome

[@bevivins4806]

Like many others watching Derek one can only marvel. I marvel at our Creator that has made such a beautiful human being. He brings such joy to all who watch him.

[@codyyates6427]

Attributing his talent to some deity takes too much away from his accomplishments, which are his own.

[@bevivins4806]

@@codyyates6427 he didn't make himself. He was created like all of us and he was created differently and its a gift. Of course we all accomplish things and some more than most....that certainly doesn't rule out a Creator.

[@PieInTheSky9]

He accomplished this himself, this is his achievement and he deserves the credit, not God

[@jennyyj1933]

This is super interesting! I’m wondering how Adam initially taught Derek when he was a child, and how he approached teaching musical concepts when he was blind and developmentally delayed? Does Adam still ‘teach’ Derek in any way these days as an adult?

[@dewboy910]

Outstanding!

[@PiotrBarcz]

I love how you did the fairly slow scale and then Derek goes friggin Liszt on you hahahhaa, that was hilarious xD

[@planespeaking]

Have been watching a few of Derek's videos. Really intrigued how he'd get on with a Rhodes piano, Hammond organ or even a synthesizer

[@metheme4606]

I’ve got the book right now and I’m reading it and it it so interesting I’ve always been interested in biography’s this is the best one yet

[@gnamp]

Classic moment at 14:00. What a rascal.

[@spoot]

If you can play it slow, you can play it fast!

[@mevetimajusaurneplu]

Hi, may we know what is the name of the song on the Impromptu Violin Duet segment? Thank you!

[@derekparavicini]

Absolutely! The piece is called 'Oblivion' by Astor Piazzolla.

[@ashleighpiccinino1849]

Hey Derek, it’s Ashleigh Piccinino again. I wonder if you could play bog down in the valley oh for me? The song, of course, is Irish. There is a certain band, and they play it and it goes really really fast. I would actually like to hear you play that song, as it’s originally played by this certain band. Please look it up on KZbin whenever you can. I know you, and you only have to listen to it just once. However, to be sure, you might want to listen to it a few more times. Thank you, and I look forward to it. The part of the song, in the introduction, goes whole row the rattling bog bog down in the valley oh. Whole row of the rattling bog, the bog down in the valley oh.

[@adamturner8732]

There was a Jacob collier mentioned. Have these two got together.

[@mobus1603]

We're warned that Derek has a knack for spoiling punchlines, and Derek doesn't disappoint @14:59--hilarious

[@ashleighpiccinino1849]

This might be a stretch for you, but if you’re willing to deal with large crowds, I think it would work. Someday, I really wish that you would play at an amusement park near my current location. That current location isLampe, Missouri, in the United States of America. The amusement park, Silver Dollar city, is located in Branson Missouri, still in the United States. You can have your helper help you locate this location, of course Silverdollar city, and try setting something up so that you can play someday at the street fest. I think people would enjoy it.

[@dansumi]

Thank you for posting this. Some of the audience questions were a bit hard to hear. Is there any chance subtitles could be added at some point?

[@derekparavicini]

Hi, we did upload it with subtitles - Check for "English (United Kingdom)" in the captions menu.🙂

[@ashimo5214]

play best part by Daniel Cesar much love

[@papapowley560]

35:24

[@JenniferFerne-lb8xc]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😂

[@miyagi1775]

What if, savants is a way of God, nature, universe or whatever higher order you believe in, showing us what our potential is, as a human race. What if they’re the perfect ones and we’re the ones with “flaws”.

[@Boppersgames]

Derek and who?