The Legendary Violinist Who Hasn't Practiced in Years (ft. Nikocado Avocado plays Classical Music)

[@ViolinMechanic]

This video started blowing up again ever since he's lost weight. Im stunned as everyone else. Pls subscribe, not a big channel, but making the small grind 💪

[@chilitofu3512]

nahh bro i'm already subscribed 💀

[@ayushrudra8600]

I'm already subscribed and I don't have it bruhhhhh

[@9sunsjuddleponk]

omg it worked.

[@m4rcus988]

ok done u better not scam me

[@quest-cequecesttonvisage]

jokes on you, already have it

[@alliu6562]

The thing is he’s still *really* good at violin. Unfortunately, the professional violin scene really doesn’t pay nearly as well as KZbin. There are probably even fewer success stories in the classical world than the KZbin world, and success pays much less.

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

It may pay less, but what is money compared to health and a longer, more fulfilling life? Money corrupts, you can see that here.

[@srcze]

@@ankavoskuilen1725money itself is neutral and does not corrupt on its own. Some people are corruptable or corrupted if they let money corrupt them. Also people do mistakes. If a person is talented it doesn't mean he's perfect and safe from it. Often, it's the opposite - bright and talented people can get more naive than regular people and let bad things happen to them. And it's not money to blame. It's either their own infantility and mistakes or bad people who manipulated them for money. Money etiquette and discipline is a skill on its own to learn, it does not come with violin or anything else automatically. Same is true for reading people. All of that requires practice on its own.

[@nickcarroll8565]

The shear number of virtuosos around today is astounding. And the compensation for the shear amount of work it takes to be a decent violinist is not great. I see why people get discouraged.

[@pooppee8146]

Twoset violin

[@Hervinbalfour]

The only way to really make it big in the classical music world is to win a major international competion (exceptions that come to mind Yuja Wang and Lang Lang) Preferably more than one. Talent alone is not enough. It requires a certain mental drive and passion to make it as a proffessional artist.

[@rosasanders5548]

Fun fact you should know: Nikocado was ALL OVER the Menuhin Violin Competition's live stream video a few years ago. Everybody was freaking out seeing his account keep popping up. You might find a copy of it. He was VERY critical of many of the participants and harshly commenting on some of their playing skills. I remember he called some people boring and sloppy or something like that. He also kept predicting over and over that Maria Dueñas would win, and then she ACTUALLY ended up winning. I think he's very involved more-so than people realize.

[@bowlsofberries847]

holy crap I remember that live stream hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣 he was brutal hahaha idk if it's still online but I do recall him comment under all the Maria videos on Menuhin's yt channel

[@pumkinpatchwork]

what?? do you have a link or video title??

[@escuchachopin2856]

Wuaw 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@Absbor]

I can't find it. Please tell me the specific year bc search system is being a ho ho hi

[@WilliamLiang-z8c]

send link

[@alannacarlson6715]

This is so so fucking sad it breaks my heart!! Image the alternate universe where he stayed as a violin youtuber...healthy, playing with twoset. Ugggh JULLIARD WHY

[@ayushrudra8600]

if i dont get into julliard, I'll just say i didn't want to go so I don't end up like him

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

He wasn't healty. He had ED

[@alannacarlson6715]

@vickjill6158 I didn't say he was I said he could be

[@annav2722]

What is ED???

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

@@annav2722 meet my friend, google 😁

[@odzergaming]

He is two steps ahead of you

[@ICEroblx]

Nah he is 2 step behind

[@richard-mai]

Nah eight equals D

[@kseumshubertclassic6835]

*For anybody reading this, you NEED to search "Nikocado Plays Pirates of the Caribbean" - it gave me goosebumps.... His sense of musicality is top notch. He can take the simplest tunes and make them sound out of this world - which is a sign of a very advanced musician.*

[@tanyamoberly4321]

Have you seen him play Britney Spears oops I did it again? He made it into a symphony, it was jaw dropping 😮😮😮

[@faby_baby]

well, Jesus will fulfill you more than anything in this world, I speak from experience (from when i did Romans 10:9-13), he loves you and wants to be in a meaningful (not romantic) relationship with you. :) “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬ If you want proof that Jesus and the Bible are true look a documentary called “Ron Wyatt discoveries 2022” on KZbin and a KZbin channel called Expedition Bible. They both examine archeological sites and discoveries that prove the Bible, and even reference secular sources. (Just don’t convert to 7th day Adventism after watching the documentary) And lastly if you don’t know the gospel and want to be saved search up “abc’s of Salvation Teenmissions” on Google and it should be the first or second result. When you click on it read the whole thing, and do what it says and have faith in Jesus while you are doing it, do not doubt, and if it is hard for you to do what it says, ask Jesus to help you, have faith that he will, and he will. God Bless :)

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

I was looking at his resume and was absolutely blown away at his list of achievements and experiences as a violinist. He obviously had what it takes to be a professional violinist, but the main problem was where he was based (NYC) he was a small fish in a big pond where who you know matters more than your skills and talent. He has a long history of mental disorders including ED’s, anxiety and perfectionism which aren’t uncommon amongst classical musicians. He was reportedly an attention addict since childhood and thought becoming a Broadway violinist with his skills would be a good path to fame. Unfortunately making it big in the classical music these days is the equivalent of winning the lottery. He obviously never got the big career break that he craved and figured he could get even more money and fame from gaining lots of weight and being an internet mukbanger instead.

[@dariusgoh5314]

Do you know where I could find this resume you mention

[@aaronliu5560]

Erectile dysfunction?

[@onyx5895]

​@@aaronliu5560eating disorder

[@BKNeifert]

He's a byproduct of capitalism. Talent like that, he should have been noticed. Not eating Mayonnaise out of a jar, and monster piles of snap peas.

[@annasolovyeva1013]

​​@@BKNeifert there are two Russian celebs, the same as him. Abandoning academical music for fame and money. Anastasia Volochkova, ex ballerina to gold-digger and socialite. And Nikolay Baskov, abandoned opera for (very tasteless) pop singing. Both shifted their careers in the late 90s facing wild capitalism.

[@lilnibba2905]

He could have been Staccato Avocado😢

[@lavi93]

YESSS OMGG

[@dennisddt1146]

Nikocado Staccato?

[@lilnibba2905]

@@dennisddt1146 maybe

[@nodrvgs]

nikocado pizzicato

[@cyan1280]

LMAO

[@GMDthememechild986]

HE'S BACK NOW!!!!!!!!! seriously tho, the transformation is insane. plus that only in 2 years?! nick's back to the way he was before and i hope he goes back to violin, seriously.

[@Blula]

I don’t think he ever stopped

[@RuiRuiRuiRoueefromyou]

I absolutely looking forward for nick to play the violin again

[@PhantomIsOdd]

Nah, that ain’t him…he looks unhealthy.

[@Heyght]

Two steps ahead

[@unubun]

​@@PhantomIsOddoh my god he lost 250 pounds in 2 YEARS. not 7 months, not 4 days, 2 YEARS. thats approximately 10.4 pounds lost every month.

[@malioperez6372]

I've been following him for ages. Nick can play really advanced pieces but only plays the easier tunes on KZbin because he's a perfectionist. He's mentioned this a few times in the past. Basically that he can do lots of technical stuff but will stress over 1 note not being perfect enough, so he just plays really easy stuff for KZbin so he doesn't have to worry about it.

[@christmaskitty5891]

He plays easier music on KZbin because it happens to be more popular. Squid game is exponentially more popular than La Campanella and Caprice 24.

[@devyysk]

@@christmaskitty5891 i dont think he said this.

[@shutupMaji]

​@@devyysk Eh, he proved it by dropping his violin dreams for the easy mukbang money anyways

[@anlingitalia]

I took 17 years off, so he definitely can still play after 8 years. Granted I never was at his level. But all is not lost. He definitely could get all his skills and more back if he wanted. Something tells me him abandoning violin was an act of rebellion and trying to own his individuality. Lots of issues to deal with… Mental health is more important than violin skills, but if he’s playing in his room surrounded by McDonalds, maybe he needs the violin to reclaim his mental health.

[@Vastaway]

According to @sacrilegiousboi978 , "He was reportedly an attention addict since childhood and thought becoming a Broadway violinist with his skills would be a good path to fame. Unfortunately making it big in the classical music these days is the equivalent of winning the lottery. He obviously never got the big career break that he craved and figured he could get even more money and fame from gaining lots of weight and being an internet mukbanger instead." I think this explanation makes more sense. Along with his struggles with veganism and food, and his EDs, it makes sense why he goes down such a path. It's so sad to see him seeking attention in such an unhealthy way after he couldn't get attention with the violin. Hopefully he realizes he will gain popularity by making positive change and goes down that route. After all, being a violin youtuber with the amount of fame he has right now isn't far fetched.

[@medviation]

I don't think it was a mental health decision, I think it was a logical financial decision.

[@nickbarrow2805]

I agree somewhat with your statement about using the violin to reclaim his mental health. As a saxophonist, I love coming home after a long, stressful day and just laying it out on my horn for an hour or so. The ability to make music is so freeing.

[@dennisddt1146]

Yeah, I barely know Nikocado (only watched a sunnyv2 video on him), purely with what I know from there, it's quite obvious he's being dramatically bad on purpose. It gives him more content right now and later he can complain about how much he hates x,y,z and he'll turn that into content as well. (Not me pausing the video right before ViolinMechanic says pretty much the exact same thing)

[@GoGoGadgetBasketballBand]

@@nickbarrow2805100%! I was a music major in college, then stopped playing because life + work was “more important”. Then I learned the significance of taking just 30 minutes a day to play some long tones before or after a long hard day. It’s mentally soothing.

[@jonnyjt_st1506]

This is kinda a sad reflection of the world we live in to be honest..

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

He looks like he’d do better as a sumo wrestler.

[@DinoNuggies4665]

It's all in perspective

[@adonai4906]

Nah he still got it

[@jonnyjt_st1506]

@@adonai4906 In terms of his talent as a musician was more difficult to monetise than just eating ridiculous amounts of food.

[@Nazi-yr7rl]

"Two step ahead"

[@UnrealFAN-fan]

nah 2 fingers

[@AM-6030]

Hopefully all of the comments from people who like his violin playing might motivate him to consider going back to the violin. He really is a natural when it comes to playing it..

[@friezzerwilhelm]

i agree this guy should definitely keep playing

[@AM-6030]

@@friezzerwilhelm Yes indeed. It would be great to see!

[@surajdatta713]

Well...

[@igorjee]

He became Shostakovich. I feel his contemporary style much more. It has suffering, aggression, and power in it.

[@jessicawong3081]

Dang, it's true...

[@Overlycomplicatedswede]

From a trombonist perspective. Seeing a once incredibly talented violinist just fall into a pit of depression and rage is so sad as this dude still has a lot of his skill set in him. Sure his tone and tension are problem but for not practicing he still has his it in him. His staccatos are gorgeous. They are so consistent!!!!

[@matthewhale2531]

I used to be a semi-professional violinst, passed my grade 8 violin and grade 8 music theory with distinction (ABRSM) and I actually completed over half of a music degree. However, the pandemic hit so I decided to retrain as a lingusit. I was posted abroad for a year and was not able to take my violin with me, and when I came back home I cried because I couldn't play a G major 3 octave scale, I couldn't play any of my Bach sonatas or fugues, and my double/triple stops sounded super scratchy. HOWEVER, it all came back after a few months. I am so worried to think what a 10-year break would have done. There's a chance that when you reach a certain level, no matter how long you don't play for, you'll be able to get back to it after a few months or a year. There's also a chance that you'll never be able to play like that again. I'd never want to be in that situation, so I won't want to take that risk again :D

[@dennisddt1146]

If it helps you relax at all, Nikocado basically thrives on mukbang and dramatic content. I'd be willing to bet money that he isn't actually this bad, but instead he's playing this bad because it gets him more views and he can rant about it on a tiktok. (Not me pausing the video right before ViolinMechanic says pretty much the exact same thing)

[@deaseretaylor5931]

Violinist here. I've been playing violin for 14 years and I still can't draw sound like that. 😭His intonation is nearly perfect. He's definitely more professional sounding than me. And then he throws it all away for food????? 😥 Life isn't fair.

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

It must be frustrating, but this happens in all realms of life. There is aviolinist who is missing an arm, the bowing arm, and uses a device attached to her shoulder in order to play. Her name is Manani ito. You see that and it truly humbles you because she can still play well. Some people have gifts and don't cherish it, and some people are born with disabilities but still do not allow it to stop them. Life is truly unfair, we have to embrace that. As for this clown who does mukbang, he should look in the mirror because some people are starving in some parts of the world, they struggle to find food and meanwhile this dude is out here abusing food, it's a huge disrespect to those who are suffering without food. He can still rehabilitate himself and seek a healthy lifestyle and embrace his art of playing once again, this is possible but that is up to him to decide.

[@ongogablogian1876]

git gud

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

@@ongogablogian1876 🥶🥶🥶

[@meta5175]

He can’t even play badly😂 he intentionally make it sound bad but the intonations are still good🥲

[@FMeister94]

@@hopesonmakokha5217people will stop starving only when the infrastructure is made in those countries by someone who cares about their people expecting people to stop gorging and countries with no real government or corrupt government surviving off of excess food is stupid

[@travo6805]

Imagine if he disappeared off of KZbin for a year or two, lost all the weight and built muscle, became an absolute chad and returned to KZbin as a violin KZbinr The respect he would receive would be insane

[@goolgepl2112]

Making use of that comeback story and preexisting fame might give him more success as a youtube musician than he ever could have as a regular violinist

[@Ysrrrrrrr]

Your comment appeared in a youtube video

[@travo6805]

@@Ysrrrrrrr Yeah lol the SunnyV2 vid

[@danielli3288]

@@travo6805 sooooooooo?

[@saitama5576]

No way u predicted it

[@coby.t]

i do not think he ever stops practicing, he just earns more money to be a clown than a violinist

[@ahhhsothisishowyouchangean162]

Ngl it’s sad to see the state of world be like this. One earning probably much much more by being who he is rn then being an actual skilled violinist.

[@vVearon]

@@ahhhsothisishowyouchangean162 what’s even sadder is that he even got a full scholarship into the best music schools in the world.

[@AlejandroMeri]

​@@ahhhsothisishowyouchangean162 Why is that "sad"? Him being who he wants to be is x1000 better than stressing about society's expectations, making good money at the same time is the gravy on top, and he LOVES gravy! Just to clarify, I do not watch his content nor any muckbang content, and I do follow quite a few violinist, but even so I can't say him following is passion, and making money at the same time, could make me sad.

[@marllram]

​​@@AlejandroMeri You got two options to get paid: A) be a classical artist (lower pay, stressful work, unless lucky you'll be generally unknown). B) do what Niko does today (higher pay, same stress, well known, serious health risk). Don't tell me being a mukbang youtuber isn't stressful. Ask any youtuber even only those who read reddit stories, to keep up with the algorithm and schedule, is stressful. Even moreso Niko, who is constantly under scrutiny from society. As someone who's sickly with compromised mobility sometimes, I can tell you for you to choose option B where even your ability to move easily around the house is compromised, you got to be in an unhealthy headspace. That's why it's sad. The money, the fame, the clownery image, that ain't sad. But actively and constantly, choosing to be impaired in life is a decision that won't ever be made if you're actually truly content in life.

[@TheZombieGAGA]

Hé is a YT mukbang violinist clowning around😂🎉

[@recordedanemone6399]

But, we merely failed to consider the fact, that he was indeed, 2 steps ahead...

[@luculia1655]

So he was a major third ahead?

[@recordedanemone6399]

@@luculia1655 i dont speak in music lol, sorry, although, he did seem to be f# minor flat diminished 5 octaves higher than us

[@thesilvershining]

I mourn his mental health, he is SO SO GOOD at violin and he wasted it on toxic attention for his eating disorder. I wish someone in his family would have stepped in early on, but it’s not too late!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

He’s training to be a sumo wrestler. Pays better than violinist.

[@ling2186]

I played piano for about 6-7 years. I stopped playing for 4 years just because life got a little busy. I came back to playing, and the number of pieces my hands still remember is unreal. There's just so much tension in my hands that it's almost impossible for me to hit anything above a fifth without actively thinking about finger placement. It feels strange that I am now struggling, but my hands still remember how to play.

[@SatanLiterally]

Imagine if he had gone the Lindsey Stirling route and just used KZbin to do pop music covers and original music stuff. He may not be as big a KZbinr as he is now(oof, I mean as many subscribers) or as popular as she is, but he could have made a name for himself that way without doing what he's done to himself.

[@julz7753]

I used to be this good. in the 80s-90s. how i wish there was social media back then!! but, unfortunately I can no longer play due to nerve damage, etc in left hand

[@am_Nein]

​@@julz7753aww, hugs

[@Mathemusician3141]

@@julz7753Reminds me of my piano teacher. I don't take lessons anymore, but she was the only piano teacher I had. After just two years, I could play better than her. Not because I'm all that good, but because of what arthritis does to you. That poor woman. Dedicated her life to piano, only for it to be ruined prematurely. She's an amazing teacher, so I wish I could've seen her play when her hands weren't so damaged. But, life is just sad like that. I wish you the best, and hope that you have many other things equally important in your life. I know I'd hate to lose playing music, but then again, I am very young. Always nice to hear a story like yours though; it's comforting seeing other people talking about something I love. Good luck with life!!

[@henrykwieniawski7233]

Had to do a double take when you said “A butter cutting through knife” at 3:48 loll

[@AM-6030]

LOL! "A butter cutting through knife." I love it 😂😂

[@Ellison991]

Haha! I did the same thing.

[@reactivelemur846]

KZbin recommended me this at exactly the right time

[@Violin_Viola_Music_Box]

Playing while sitting on a bed will cause a lot of the shoulder tension. I am always sad when someone passionate about music gives it up so completely.

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

He probably earned more money being a clown than a violinist

[@Violin_Viola_Music_Box]

@@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube Oh of course! There is very little money in being a musician, compared to being a KZbinr. But I am sad to see training and passion be set aside. I never claimed he would make money following his passion for music. But I like passion is what makes life worth living

[@goolgepl2112]

​@@Hahshdhbcbcyoutubenow with the story of being a clown behind him, he could be a very successful youtube musician using all his past fame

[@pastiches.malibu.rehab.center]

you'll never guess what happened

[@josephdadey]

I'm happy to see you didn't make the easy jokes, and stuck to a great technical assessment of his violin playing. You're a class act. I'm glad I'm a subscriber.

[@subversiveasset]

Watching after seeing his "two steps ahead for violin" revisited

[@jalapenoandbanana]

I have good news...

[@rahabintemotiul]

I've been waiting for a video like this for YEARS, ever since I heard his old violin playing

[@DHM91]

As someone who's been out of practice for years because life seemed to get in the way, it's an immense comfort to hear what you said in the closing of this video. It really has made an impact on me tonight. Thank you! Subscribed.

[@veson231]

He doesn't play the violin now, he plays his audience. Like a fiddle. Respect.

[@StephASMR]

Very sad. I played as a kid, and stopped at 19. Took 20 years off and have been back for 3.5 years. It was bloody hard work but consistency has helped me get better. I wish I had never stopped

[@bobdagranny7431]

This is a seriously well edited video - your editing skills have gotten much, much better!!

[@ViolinMechanic]

Thank you:)

[@hremiko]

Appreciated 🙌

[@theodorekish8606]

I honestly don’t think he ever stopped practicing, I’m pretty sure everything about the way he has been acting in recent years is all for content, he doesn’t actually act like this, he just does it on KZbin because it makes him famous and that gets him money.This whole new act was just a way for him to make money.

[@victorjun2421]

He said this entire thing was all a big experiment and that he's "always two steps ahead", maybe that's true. But was it worth it? From mukbang to OF content, he ruined his career, relationship, honor and dignity all for the sake of this act, for the sake of money. Pretty sure everyone would be cheering for him if he ever went back to being a musician. He clearly didn't lose much of his skill, he just needs to drop his act.

[@dalepatten5612]

He probably can't ever walk away from it completely. That violin be sitting in the corner talking to him like green goblins helmet

[@MissTwoSetEncyclopedia]

I remember watching an interview of him a couple of years ago. He was *nothing* like what he appears in his channel. Well spoken, funny, smiling, you could see it was the real him, not his persona. I'm sure he has both mental and physical health issues, but he still definitely knows what he's doing.

[@lalakuma9]

I'm actually relieved to know that Nikocado still cares about playing music. He's not completely reduced to being a two-dimensional internet drama caricature.

[@DanleyBae]

His recent violin playing probably isn't a callback to his past but rather another grab for more attention/views. . . I'm sad to see him think that whatever this is is his only path to success.

[@gansama2299]

I'm a professional violinist. As a violinist, I can say he's very good. He has a very rich resonance and tone production, "like butter", as you say. It comes across effortlessly, yet you and I both know darn well that he's strategizing each and every articulation and the overall shape of the phrase. Is he the next Hilary Hahn? No. Can he play the Paganini Concerto like Ray Chen? Probably not. Who knows. But just from the little bit shown in the video, I think he's probably better than most people who pick up the violin. He's certainly "better" than Lindsay Stirling (ugh) and she's out there making millions of $ from her violin tours. Anybody with classical training can tell you that. She's awful. It wouldn't surprise me if Nikocado went to a top school. His playing reflects that, even if the pieces are "easy."

[@ansondorrance5709]

Wait, do classical musicians really say Lindsey Stirling is bad????

[@gansama2299]

@@ansondorrance5709 100% yes they do. I'll give her credit for exciting people about an instrument they otherwise might not have cared to appreciate. But she's not "incredible" or anything like that. You could play 60 seconds of Lindsey and then 60 seconds of Nikocado and most classical musicians would say Nikocado is better. Trained folks can often get the idea of somebody's level of playing in less than 1 minute.

[@racheld.6799]

I'm a violinist as well. I echo everything you said. I would kill to hear him play a difficult concerto to see what he's capable of.

[@ramenjd6239]

There’s a video of her playing classical music outdoor in winter. It was ok (in terms of professional musicians level) but might because of the weather. I also don’t think it’s fair to compare her to classical violinist tho because it’s like comparing a pop singer to opera singer. Her style isn’t copy-able and there aren’t many pop violinists to be as influential as she is

[@gansama2299]

​@@ramenjd6239 Eh, I disagree. I think it is fair to compare the two and make a statement on who's better at the instrument. Nothing wrong with that, that's the way the world operates. And I also think her style *IS* very copy-able because it requires less skill to achieve it. For example, more High Schoolers can play Lindsay's Irish Jig music before they can play Ysaÿe. That is non-debatable. Now, that doesn't mean there isn't beauty in Irish Jig music (because of course there is), that just means you can master one before you can master the other. But my point was also how one can determine somebody's level of playing very quickly - even in just a few seconds. Have Lindsay and Nikocado each play "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and most classically-trained folks can tell you who's "better" just from that alone. Despite it being "easy" we look for resonance, tone production, intonation, bow control, bow speed, relationship between the intervals, overall rhythmic precision, musicality, lyrical phrasing, etc,.

[@KyrieFortune]

HE IS ALWAYS TWO STEPS AHEAD

[@Marklar3]

"Some of you might say 'he has no idea what he's doing'. No. He knows exactly what he's doing."

[@ChiefHerzensCoach]

so sad that this guy ruins himself. he could bring so much real joy to the world by playing the violin.

[@ocinprofession]

He does bring real joy to the world way more than with violin too.

[@ChiefHerzensCoach]

@@ocinprofession REAL joy or a kind of release of many bad feelings by making a satire of himself. and getting morbidly obese and dying young? this is not a healthy happy light joy that is spread there. i still wish him a lot of blessings, to get back on track and spread the real talent he has.

[@parasharkchari]

I took 28 years off from the violin, and for me, the result was like going back to square one, albeit with a few thousand times the knowledge and understanding of music than when I originally started. Now, in fairness, I not only gained about 150 lbs between now and then, I also grew about 10 inches taller. When I tried to pick it up again, my first feeling was ... "Was a violin always this small?"... I literally felt cramped trying to hold it -- FYI, I was a Carnatic violinist, so the hold involves resting the scroll on your ankle -- and doing that made it hard to find a comfortable posture, and that made hard just to do scale exercises. Much worse than that, the coordination involved in timing between fingering and bowing and maintaining smoothness of bow strokes while also making very large rapid left-hand wrist movements... that faded considerably to the point that I felt like I did when I was only 5 or 6 months into learning the instrument.

[@jimmelton5846]

This is the most interesting Nikocado reaction video I've ever seen, and I have seen many. Good upload 👏

[@baconhairbacana1964]

He's always two steps ahead...

[@Blazeylikesf1]

6:29 i feel like this is a look into his headspace, im sure losing so much of something you love all for money would destroy him. And this is him expressing his thoughts and complex emotions

[@iggswanna1248]

my jaw has dropped to the floor on this one. This guy not only destroyed his health but stopped giving his true talents to the world, over gettinglikes for food. damn

[@emmachen1885]

Wow I didn’t know he played the violin he’s actually so talented omg it actually sounds so good!!

[@alanc593]

3:47 butter cutting through knife

[@gringochucha]

If you started learning as a kid and reached a level like that, it doesn't matter if you take 10 or 20 years off. A few months of solid practice will get you back into shape really quickly. The movements are ingrained in your brain.

[@genericdisplayname8297]

He could really turn his life around. Yeah, hes successful with what hes doing, but with his health i dont expect him to live too long. His violin career could be jumpstarted by his fame on youtube, too.

[@zarolikse2372]

If he turns his life completely around, becomes healthy and plays music again that would probably make him way more famous than he is now.

[@tacitozetticci9308]

@zarolikse2372 definitely more famous than he would have been if he went for the regular pro violinist route

[@cheeseman4828]

Update: he has.

[@6754bettkitty]

I would have never thought that guy was a professional violinist. Man, he still sounds great after years of presumably not playing regularly! Great analysis video, btw.

[@nnyhm6551]

He was always... two steps ahead

[@sherrylewis6932]

I'm glad to see/hear you be so appreciative and honoring of him, his talent and skill. I would hope he sees it and is inspired to follow his higher callings in life.

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

Bro his double stops are impeccable he's playing "bad" on purpose, like I want his intonation

[@antonallen8972]

I would absolutely love to see a conversation with him where his brains get picked on classical music and beyond, and not the weight and food aspect as much. Maybe he has valuable knowledge he could bestow on us classical players/admirers.

[@kalicro]

two steps ahead….

[@SentaratorOfficial]

Two steps ahead....

[@FredericChopin-if5rn]

Two steps ahead 🥶🥶🥶🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😐👂👈🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊📣📣📣📣

[@CorneliusHusker]

✌👣👉

[@LaPaisiblePetiteGnomette]

Since he lost weights he started to play violin again. He's a legend.

[@charlesduhigg445]

This is about to become your most-viewed video 🤣 The editing was really good. I'm def sharing on my Facebook. So many of my friends are obsessed with Nikocado. His story is crazy.

[@ViolinMechanic]

Haha appreciate it! Yeah I definitely put a lot of work into it.

[@brynvanrooyen5264]

I just wanted to share that the piece playing in the background around 0:30 is Bach violin concerto in a minor and that’s the piece I’m gonna perform for an upcoming audition.

[@violin1158]

I am a conservatory trained violinist but switched to medicine (currently an anesthesiologist). I stopped playing cold turkey once medical school started and picked it back up last year after a 10 year hiatus. Yes, i suck compared to where I was, but surprisingly was able to power through some pieces i would have on the ready for competitons (paganini caprices 24, ysaye sonata and 3). Definitely still can't play any of the polyphonic pieces i played during my last year at the conservatory (Paganinis God Save the King, Ernst Last Rose of Summer and Erlkonig). Bottom line, yes i lost a lot of skills, but surprisingly not as much as i thought i would. Really the worst part was the first week i picked it back up. Everything was out of tune and things felt foreign. But two weeks to a month of scales and kreutzer etudes and it felt like I was back on a bike again.

[@ViolinMechanic]

Wow congrats on picking it back up again! Hope you can scale up to your former level eventually!

[@rossmurray6849]

His dystopian relationship with food started long before the binge eating on YT. Before that he was extremely underweight; you could clearly see every rib if he took his shirt off. I imagine that a fight between good and bad urges has been going on inside his head for a very long time, but the bad side started winning a few years ago.

[@schewts]

He actually commented on some videos about violin, like Ray Chen's tier list and Kerson Leong's Erlkonig

[@Liiiliiiannn]

How do you even know when Nik comments on someone?

[@schewts]

@@Liiiliiiannn I stumbled upon them once

[@chasephia]

Yeah, and a few on Hilary Hahn's channel. He is defo still admire classical music, despite the fact that he gave up to build a career from it.

[@clark7840]

Does anyone know where one can see Nik's comments on violin/ classical music Edit: i just saw them, they're on the videos themselves, i thought it was on videos/shorts that nik made

[@alejandronarvaez9806]

Yeah, I have come across as well with some comments he has made in violin videos like Kerson's Erlkönig (I think his was the top comment with most likes), I also remember encountering some comments from him in some Hahn's, Chen's and I think Midori's videos as well... besides the dumb character he plays on yt, passion for the art and the instrument is never lost, he definitely still practices every now and then behind the cameras

[@imjustaguy1721]

The stunt this guy pulled out will be talked throughout history as one of the greates plot twists ever. I always had an impression from him like this annoying manchild that yells, screams and is just a pain to be around. But when he pulled out "two steps ahead" that image of him shattered into pieces. The amount of respect for him grew unbelivably high. The shock i felt was there for a solid hour after that video thinking of what he did. Huge respect

[@Mat-qo3hh]

Love the algorithm pushing me this video now 🙏what a change dude is insane

[@paradoxic1888]

Perhaps this is the ultimate form of self expression. He's giving us all a mirror to stare back at ourselves, to see what we've become, how we value self-indulgence and immediate gratification over meticulous effort and inward reflection. He is Yin and Yang

[@Kikicat_Plays]

Never knew he was/is a violinist.. Guess you learn something new everyday.

[@foxthroat3410]

The fact that he just played recently

[@OverLimit_]

Played us all like a violin

[@monistefmontesdeleon5238]

This is absolutely true. I stopped playing the piano for 15 years. When I got back to it, it took me only a few weeks to be playing Chopin etudes again. It truly is like riding a bike. I had to regain the flexibilty and muscle strenght through practice and that was a bit frustrating in the beginning but I kept practicing and I got it. But to be able to do that you must have been proficient in your playing. If you only play an instrument for, lets say, a year and then quit playing, you will not be able to regain it because the muscle memory must be very well embedded into your brain to be able to take such a long break. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go back to that instrument you only played for a short time in your childhood! Playing an instrument is ALWAYS worth it, regardless of you level of playing. So go for it! It will be very rewarding.

[@RuchiinChina]

Loved the video

[@BandanaBoi]

wsg verified youtuber

[@Jacknoham]

@@BandanaBoihi

[@Berdeh-r4m]

ayo

[@BandanaBoi]

@@Berdeh-r4m wdym ayo

[@paigeharms1991]

Anyone here after he has supposedly lost 250lbs? I hope he starts to play again...

[@orlandoanora5533]

this vid aged like fine wine.

[@medviation]

No one wanted to pay him to do anything wholesome and it's our fault.

[@YumsGa]

He's always 2 steps..........................ahead

[@uranus-h-]

HE WAS TWO STEPS AHEAD

[@T-BoneBeatbox]

Who's here after he became skinny again? 👇🏻

[@andybaldman]

I am!!!’

[@samuelkrewinghaus1702]

i feel like (of course this does not include some people) but if someone has a bad reputation, seeing them do something so lively like playing an instrument can make them seem so much more better as a person.

[@Shirafune161]

"Seem" is the key word. I don't know much about NA, but from what I've heard and seen about him, he's been on pretty bad behaviour a few times and some people seem to forget that.

[@LG-dq7lg]

Aghh I really wish for him inner peace and recovery 🙏🏻

[@tanyamoberly4321]

React to him playing other songs!!! PART 2!!! 🎻I have a Playlist of his violin: 1) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnu3qGyibpaWq9k 2) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6mUiKiHnJ6tjas 3) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3i5p6CYqbmaitk 4) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGnIf6mfrcpogZI 5) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJXRmn6FnKynras 6) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYnUlGqbZrJneq8 7) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHebnol_a9-rns0 I've been following him for years and he rarely pulls it out, but when he does it's epic!!!! I would've emailed this to you but I can't find your email. New sub!!!

[@ViolinMechanic]

Oooo i really like this list! Im really thinking of making a part2! Thanks for the list!!!! My email is [e-mail]

[@phillipr.2468]

I play violin and I randomly clicked on the last link. I loooooooove how he goes from C to C again on the same upbow, by switching fingers on the D string like that, like it's sooooo seamless and satisfying. I've been playing about 7 years and I'm still trying to improve my shifts. Grrrrr. I practice almost everyday but there are other kids in my class who are much better than me. Sometimes I think some people just have a gift for it and others don't. I'm a senior and won't be doing orchestra in college

[@NEXUS.ANIME-EDITS]

Two steps ahead

[@nazishahsan9950]

Ofc this video was recommended to us after Nik's villain speech.

[@UrAvgGuitarist]

Who is here after his transformation

[@Hank.Will.I.Ams.]

This part of bach's concerto was the last thing I was proficient at on violin. Thank you for giving me a reason to practice again

[@skeletonplayz7149]

Now he is back to normal

[@Doggo_Bork]

It was all a dream 😴

[@Berdeh-r4m]

​@Doggo_Bork he was always 2 steps ahead

[@M4X1MILIAN]

This aged well

[@manzarelahi1812]

Did anyone see the new Nikocado Avocado video? I really hope he gets back to playing violin, if he hasn't already. He could make a living for himself on KZbin and off with his skills. The thing that strikes me the most is how well in tune he plays the violin. It's not only the tuning of each note, it's the maintaining of the relative tuning note to note and even through large skips and interval jumps. I can tell he has a really great ear.

[@MattisonWarren]

This is a man who had trauma of some kind in childhood, suppressed it for many years, and then couldn’t bear the weight of it any longer. That’s why he stopped playing and let himself go-it caught up with him. That’s why he’s so very strange now, and I’m not referring to his weight. The turning to food is another symptom. Something horrible happened to him, likely repeatedly, in childhood. He needs emotional healing, and badly. That aside, well done and fascinating video!

[@Strokrw]

HE’S ALWAYS TWO STEPS AHEAD

[@dojosi]

Delicious Chocolate Cake :) 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 cups granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup boiling water For the frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix well until smooth. Gradually add the boiling water to the batter, mixing continuously. The batter will be thin, but that's okay. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing well between each addition. Add the milk and vanilla extract to the frosting, and beat until smooth and fluffy. Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Enjoy the cake :)

[@saikrishna-ff7bs]

So he is the John Wick of violin

[@NonEuclideanTacoCannon]

If anything, I think he's even better now. Before, he was just regurgitating other people's pieces that he probably learned in school. On the rare occasion that he plays these days, it's so real and raw and full of feeling. So full of pain and rage. What a tragic figure.

[@Liiiliiiannn]

Nik, bring back the violin magic, pleeease! 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️🎻

[@swarleystinson4143]

9:45 This was so heavenly and beautiful I'm in tears 😢

[@Annikalovetokeepmesafe]

This needs an update

[@Andrea-64]

Just because he says he hasn't played doesn't mean he hasn't.

[@GoldBox_MSM]

Two steps ahead,. he is always, two steps ahead.

[@Matt_IsaBird]

3:46 just like a butter cutting through knife 😂

[@ayushrudra8600]

3:47 I love when my butter cuts my knife

[@Pach.]

💀