What if you could make one instrument sound like an entire band? | Alexandr Misko | TEDxMannheim

Alexandr Misko has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the world’s best fingerstyle guitarists. At the young age of 20, when most of his peers just start college, Alexandr is already pursuing a successful career as a musician. His KZbin channel already has more than 15 million views. He gives a fascinating insight into his conception of music and how he composes his own songs. By utilizing every part of his guitar, he makes one instrument sound like a whole band.
Alexandr believes his success has derived from his sheer desire to deliver great music and produce videos that people will like and share. He delves into each and every music genre to find new sounds and rhythms that inspire his compositions. His passion for writing original music motivates Alexandr to write authentic songs that trigger emotions and vivid images in his listeners’ minds.
Alexandr Misko has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the world’s best fingerstyle guitarists. At the young age of 20, when most of his peers just start college, Alexandr is already pursuing a successful career as a musician. His KZbin channel already has more than 15 million views.In January 2018 the video-cover of “Careless Whisper” from his second album was viewed more than 50 million times within a month on Facebook. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@nickleonardthomas]

Guitar teacher: "Alex, that's not how you hold the gui... oh"

[@stefanobellucci4537]

Actually yes, LoL

[@obie_kenobi]

Lol

[@bradlybellant3975]

Facts idk why this was recommended to me but this comment wins

[@adfitz4483]

“...oh” is right...

[@nabilnadzib2926]

Guitar teacher: time to resign

[@AlexandrMisko]

Hey guys, thank you so much for your words of support regarding my performance at TEDxMannheim! I haven't expected such a kind response because I'm totally not satisfied with that video. That was my first big lecture in such a large hall, so I was quite nervous, as you can see haha! Unfortunately the sound was recorded terribly here. My guitar sounds like a bad cheap electric guitar, also the signal is buzzing in the first song and I don't know why. Please don't judge my live sound by this video! There was some kind of a recording problem, so there is no one to blame... If you are interested, please check my KZbin channel or other live recordings to see how my music should sound. Thank you for your time and care, Alex

[@Hedonismdoc]

Alexandr Misko Александр, великолепно сыграли ! Спасибо за чудесную музыку и успехов! Никогда такого не видел...

[@teguhwilian6341]

Alexandr Misko good performance. I like your action.. 👍👍👍

[@cubert22]

The sound doesn't actually meter. The whole performance in general is very impressive!

[@Ben-311]

You were very nervous but your talent outshines all of that. Im blown away every time I see you play!

[@yasoulowner1728]

Alexandr Misko спасибо за твой талант. Respect from all over my ♥)

[@alecrisser12]

I love how he's clearly really nervous, but plays like he's completely calm.

[@kblessedmuch5385]

He is really gifted. Most people do not know how difficult it is to play like that.

[@MovingFoward-e9h]

Really how'd you figure that

[@MrKockabilly]

A general audience (non-musicians) would not have full idea how difficult what you just did. And no idea that only a handful of people in the world could that.

[@XLBiker13]

If you think the true purpose of music is to demonstrate a technical challenge you're totally missing the point. I am a guitar player and I recognize that what he's doing is remarkably difficult. But I also recognize that while his playing is technically and sonically impressive it is not necessarily musically beautiful. I find it really annoying to listen to after a very short while. I've heard guitar playing that is relatively simple that is truly beautiful. And that is all that matters. The music. Not what the musician's hands are doing. And I don't think you have to be a musician to grasp that what he's doing is incredibly difficult. Its pretty obvious.

[@MrKockabilly]

Whoa, I never said the purpose of music is just demonstrating technical ability. And of course it's obvious to all that what he's doing was difficult, but a non-musician would have no real grasp as to the level of mastery, and hours of practice required to achieve that feat. And if he can do that, it's safe to assume that he can do those "relatively simple and truly beautiful" stuff as well. You miss the point, he stood there not to deliver sweet guitar music - which by the way can be performed by millions of people by now - but to show how far he can go with his guitar.

[@jakewishart9946]

Yeah it's incredibly difficult but it doesn't even sound that great to me. Just because something is hard to do doesn't make it good. Don't get me wrong he is a great guitarist and I love his covers.

[@nuberiffic]

If you think only a handful of people could play this you have vastly underestimated the abilities of guitarists. Ffs, I personally know at least 30 guitarists who could play this

[@MrKockabilly]

Come on, a "handful" is relative. If you're into the world of music, esp a guitarist, chances are you know a lot.

[@GarrettMusic1]

Wicked, this guy's a true wizard on the guitar

[@stevenrosner3730]

ChromeZone unfortunately the listeners are looking for a guitarist, not a wizard.

[@nyomanartana5255]

yeah he is wizard on the guitar

[@gio1135]

@@stevenrosner3730 Yeah, doesn't sound like a song to me.

[@FinnTheHuman4D]

Wicked is good

[@briandizano5858]

haha jared dines pls

[@larrylund2682]

I enjoy when musicians think outside of the box. Not only do you play very well you take the time to look up from your instrument and look out at the crowd. It was those several moments which told a lot about you. This form is very natural to you. But, of course you are able to think in whole musical score format is very special. I look forward to watching you play again.

[@steveelam4810]

No loop station makes that really incredible

[@silopante]

He uses dark magick

[@TheTrainSideGraffiti-x5n]

Steve Elam I was thinking the same.

[@jennesaldo]

if you love guitar player, go see "tommy emmanuel". He is incredible guitarist like this one

[@joguipo]

You are either deaf or this guy's mum. Seriously? Seriously this guy and Tommy Emmanuel are the same? Seriously?

[@1ch0r41]

@Dipak Roy I agree, though you can see his inspiration from Tommy and Mike Dawes, I say he’s on track to become one of the greats and is already being looked up to by younger people

[@songandstrings8125]

Everything about you is great.... including the sense of humor. Incredible performance.

[@JTTechie]

So, this is what it looks like to have 4 musicians possess one's hands. Great performance!

[@evilcanofdrpepper]

I wonder if he has multiple personality disorder with all those musicians in his head?

[@nicololamparelli9520]

Then you should see also Luca Stricagnoli. Check it out

[@afifthofthemyth]

I haven't had my mind blown in a while. Wow! I've seen other guitar geniuses who play this kind of multitasking/multi melody finger style like Michael Hedges, Andy Mckee(spelling?), Stanley Jordan, etc. This guy also made my jaw hit the floor. He makes it look like you could do what he does if you just practiced for a couple months. This is beyond expert level. Count me in as yet another fan in your fanbase. I will spread the word in my little corner of the world. Amazing!

[@ergonyte7000]

Look up Estas Tonne-The song of the golden dragon. He might blow your mind with his music.

[@guitaudie]

Wow this piece is extremely technically demanding. When he’s tapping and then flicks his hand over to tune it just blows my mind🤯👏🙌

[@gretawilliams8799]

Guitaudie It requires splitting your brain into four parts. Then controlling individually He has a quad core processor

[@osamabinladen824]

@@gretawilliams8799 More like, phones these days. Octacore.

[@amitthakur8162]

Such mastery can come only through years of dedicated practice.

[@aster4405]

Amit Thakur *decades

[@markdelgado7130]

Steroids probably

[@rajat0610]

I heard his voice for the first time! And he speaks really well!

[@dhanang]

Wow.. congratz dude, you totally deserve this recognition.

[@joseaveiga2271]

The audience is so dead; I would be so exited to hear him play

[@phatmanxxxl]

Jose Aveiga You can enjoy the music without making a scene in the auditorium.

[@NovaSMHeilmann]

I would have gone "wwoooohhh" 🤗

[@dickdickson2581]

Its tedx not a concert

[@ridiculousrascal2919]

They are trying to be quite so they can hear every note.

[@XxKidnoffxX]

@@ridiculousrascal2919, exactly, I hate so much when people screams during a performance.

[@MichaelBurnsGuitar]

Love your work Alex can't wait to hear what you sound like in 20 years

[@Boucher702]

when he mentioned about he didn't want his audience to fall asleep. I've got no problem falling asleep to this kind of guitar style!

[@iamhippo9679]

I don't know what all of these comments saying its not a full band are talking about. You can distinctly hear a bass, a guitar, drums and a vocal melody all on the same instrument. Truly incredible. Not only the performance but also the composition. Impressive!

[@benjischober7273]

You're right, he does an incredible performance!! However, this will never replace an entire band, because you're always limited to 1 instrument/2 hands... So I guess people are taking the title literally

[@BethanyMcS]

I think the people who make those comments probably aren't in music

[@kevinrosch6856]

One only knows how hard this is to do when one has attempted for hours on end.

[@TheTFSstudios]

He is by far my favorite guitarist at the moment

[@alieser7770]

J Mitchmore ever heard of hendrix?

[@TheTFSstudios]

I was referring to current guitarists

[@Jeremy_PD]

Ali Eser He did not say this guy is better than Hendrix. All he said was this guy is his favourite at the moment. Read before you comment. Cheers.

[@ジョンマーティン]

Ever heard of Tommy Emmanuel?

[@TheTFSstudios]

I will check him out now. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@ritikjain4256]

The one guy in the group project who does everything by himself.

[@Tsolitsol]

This has just totally blown my mind... Your skill is phenomenal!

[@MartsEntertainment]

“We wish to express our joy and happiness using the full capacity of the musical instrument.”, that’s what I’m attempting to do everyday but with my mind.

[@melissacordova3395]

This was amazing! I love Guitarist like this too. Jarl Bernhoft, Newton Faulkner... man so much talent in one person... that is a beautiful thing. Will have to now add Alexandr Misko to this list. Loved it!

[@MossBravado]

Glad to see the Preston Reed style still alive and kicking. Fabulous implementation. He has a very refreshing sound for this genre as well. Very vivid.

[@rosanglura]

Ooo la la somebody's gonna get the girl's attention with all that fingerwork...

[@matteoxavier1205]

rosanglura best comment here hahaha

[@caloreen1992]

lol not really, and the 2 techniques are not even that relatable. He is playing on acoustic and Eddie plays electric and that is just the tip of the ice berg. I'm not sure why people like you feel the need to comment something like this, do you feel threatened that he might be better than your favourite guitar player or something? Just so so weird.

[@caloreen1992]

BTW when I looked up how to play spanish fly it was a bunch of randoms doing it, kinda proving that it's not some unobtainable god level of guitar playing. I also think you would have a much harder time finding people who are skilled enough to do 2 melodies at once as apposed to just playing really fast.

[@FuzzyElf]

You did a great job in all aspects!

[@GoatyHerps]

I don't get it.

[@ralph7503]

Alexandr taking this Guitar play to a level of unknown boundaries and I love it! He is just very very Good!

[@emilschildt5020]

Incredible, the ammount of practice to achive this level

[@mikehansen7103]

Alexandr Misko is the 21st century Hendrix - shows us how to play guitar as never before! Genius!

[@cannastartover1720]

Gonna wear the strings out quickly like that. Seriously he worked his hands to the bone to play like this.

[@djsubliminalreeve]

not many views for such a talent but gucci gang gets millions of views. i have been following his guitar for a while now and his skill is always perfect.

[@jokeyboy1450]

BroToPro well people loves junk foods

[@SneakyDSP]

BroToPro it's very weird music without natural tempo... it's like masturbation for music... It's all about skills without soul

[@NutchanonC]

ikr. been following him for a while. he's too good on the guitar lol

[@princejhesmargondraneos5103]

BroToPro only few people can appreciate what is true talent

[@SneakyDSP]

Pj Gondraneos yeah like composing good music. It has nothing to do with speed or technique lol

[@roosetetanus2769]

Audience: How many guitars can you play, Alexandr? Alexandr: Yes.

[@warmoth68]

Alex’s thinking is so far outta the box,it’s crazy! An amazing guitarist!

[@m-fusion]

Alexander - you are the best guitarist in the world! Genius!

[@userfratedits]

One of the best* I personally think Lucas stricagnoli is

[@yeahhyouvish]

11:51 I saw a glimpse of Stevie T.

[@jaxxhill4032]

Hahahahah 😂😂 idk why but that got me in the funny bone ... I guess when u said that I pictured Steve weird faces that he makes

[@rpd5126]

Hahah🤣

[@Yash-zc3rh]

LMAO YES😭

[@Breathtakingbeats]

The real talent here is telling jokes in front of a mostly German Audience, where we all know Germans go into the cellar to laugh

[@suryanarayanan5158]

Jaa

[@alexisamtosta]

I worked in Austria and gosh, I never met people with almost no sense of humor like them. I believe germans with be the same.

[@totokdenmase5051]

maybe they remember a memory of Stalingrad at the WW-II

[@Handz4NatureProject]

Probably the world's best

[@MrSaaart]

Ooh my.... This is amazing! I play guitar myself pretty well but what this guy does is just way beyond anything that any normal human would be capable of. Real magic! Thanks man :)

[@vineetgaur]

dude you are among a few handfull in the world who can do this ! watching in 2019 and still amazed

[@jacobaranda195]

I love how he said, “well that was pretty simple” LUH MOO

[@CarlosMartinezPereira]

Wonderful presentation, wonderful and funny words. The only weird thing? The coldness of the public in front of an artist of your level. Bravo, Alexandr.!!! Good luck in your career.

[@adamwilson301]

He's got more talent in one hand than my entire family lineage lol

[@rogerdodger8415]

To anyone that plays guitar, this is Moses at the mount. We love Hendrix, Van Halen, Segovia, SRV, Blind Blake, and Wes Montgomery, but Misko is at the top of the food chain. The technical skills are beyond belief.

[@josephinelee9270]

This video is very under viewed. Alexandr has to be one of the best fingerstyle guitarists in the world.

[@MrDmadness]

Guys awesome. Check out Mike dawes and Sam wastphalen too. ;)

[@wei446]

Roger didit yngwie malmsteem boii! Lol

[@rogerdodger8415]

BBGaming&Tutorials He's a flat pick player. And trust me... NO ONE plays like Misko. Malmsteen doesn't even get in the same ballpark. Eddie Van Halen can't play like him. Wes Montgomery, not Django Reinhart, not Segovia. Not Stevie Ray Vaughn.. None of them can play like Misko. I know because I have every one of their recordings.

[@mickm8028]

+Roger didit and misco can't play the same as those other players you mentioned.

[@NikitaTsimbaliuk]

Я очень люблю музыку, и это исполнение 2 песни просто накатывает слезы. Не от печали, а от восхищения. Саш, спасибо тебе огромное!

[@samwright5653]

I play lead in a band (29 yrs)..and I gotta admit, this is probably the best I seen, acoustically

[@jaysonbunnell8097]

I laughed at home at the *drumming intensifies*

[@TheHij9]

Thanks for telling

[@АнтонЖуков-г9н]

И так мало руссоязычных комментариев... Честно говоря, очень противоречиво отношусь к творчеству Александра Мисько, всегда считал его музыку перегруженной, потому что попадались в основном каверы. Но все встало на свои места, когда услышал авторские мелодии. Просто этой чудо-голове скучно барахтаться в простых гармониях, и вот в своих уже собственных мелодиях он показал, что на самом деле хочет передать. Очень красиво, отличное голосоведение, как будто в космосе полетал (попарил). И, конечно, прекрасное чувство юмора, жаль аудитория еле живая. Спасибо! Просто браво!

[@m45o68]

i felt bad when he was obviously trying to be funny and nobody laughed:( i thought it was funny man, i did XD

[@stardust-reverie]

that was pretty sad. i totally felt him at those parts. at least he pulled through it anyway and still gave an amazing performance.

[@m45o68]

yea i forgot to mention it was still an amazing performance:)

[@Abby_Liu]

the audience isn't recorded, or else they would hear themselves from the speakers

[@m45o68]

ahh you guys are too smart for me:)

[@shacoclone3299]

Abby Liu Recording and playing it back through the speakers are two seperate things. They record everything, and have specific channels playing to the speakers, and they can put it together however they want afterwards with all the recorded audio.

[@johancahyadi6905]

What a good presentation of music instrument in your own personal style.. even in nervous situation

[@groovethestrings]

Nice explanation Alexandr Misko!

[@webspiritualism]

It's a privilege to perform on Ted.X. Awesome Alexander! Keep up the Good Vibes.

[@SlashMC08]

Саша красавец :DD nice playing))

[@spinnito]

golden buzzer for you!!

[@KarkySphere]

omg this guy is good but the sound system of tedx sucks balls so bad you can hear the breaks in the body taps and there's so many dangling wires

[@lukesebastien3435]

KrakolChips BOBO

[@cxlyy]

@@lukesebastien3435 share mo lang bobo ka?

[@jamesjamesacejamesjabdk8876]

bobo nyo

[@jacobaranda195]

And you can’t even hear his scratches on his guitar at all

[@tonuahmed4227]

Ikr

[@eakmadashma]

It’s absolutely incredible how he can do all that at the same time while keeping it in rhythm

[@akamontazysta8104]

Me: tries to impress the girls at the party with my guitar skills This one guy:

[@noahdotson9842]

I think all any of us can say to this is wow. This man has come to the point of near superhuman abilities in multitasking and finger picking. I can’t imagine how many years have gone into reaching this level of perfection, and I know that he will go extremely far with his skills.

[@cristiancastillo2978]

"AND DRUMMING INTENSIFIES"

[@IvanKhramov]

Саша, классное выступление! Знаю, что это - изъясняться на иностранном языке в стрессовой ситуации. Несмотря ни на что, вы отлично показали возможности гитары и исполнителя)

[@amy14helen]

This man is a wizard

[@johnnelsestuen5793]

But hes not 30

[@denniskefalas6823]

Alexander ; When an artist such as yourself plays the way you do, it will never be boring. I love your expressions and style phenominal

[@niki4rov]

не первый раз его слушаю и все равно впечатляет, просто нереально

[@vicmorrison8128]

Sounds great!! Keep striving for more sounds dude !! Its so cool to see how this stuff has all evolved!

[@Kleban64]

Awesome Alexander!!!!

[@simplengtugtuginatawitin5265]

The greatest acoustic fingerstyle guitarist ive ever seen.......unique style

[@Sam-de8tc]

11:15 🤣🤣🤣🤣😂 this part killed me

[@cryovaced]

9:24 that groove is freaking amazing!

[@sebastianp.7208]

Musical genius

[@punkybeats8563]

One of a kind fingerstyle guitarist

[@ysparrow1]

Fire!!!

[@ИванПриходько-ю3у]

Браво!!! Молодец Саш!!! Очень достойно играешь!!!!! Не с чем даже сравнивать!!!!

[@meghnamoyra]

it is absolute magic

[@BRazquin]

Impressive, yes. Expressive, yes. As awe inspiring and touching as a simpler and more honest composition, no. Less is more. This does nothing for me other than to admire someone's dexterity and technical prowess, and inspire me to listen to music that evokes a far more emotional response.

[@kawananakmuda]

If only he has 4 hands, imagine the possibilities

[@KnowThyself619]

Woe to this man for I had watched John Mayer's neon just before coming here.

[@TheTrainSideGraffiti-x5n]

Blob lol I immediately thought that. Neon is hands down one of the most amazingly creative and difficult guitar pieces I’ve ever heard. I have no clue how he sings while playing it.

[@KnowThyself619]

Eric McGarrh exactly!! He inspires me but makes me wana throw away my guitar at the same time.

[@sanchous17031994]

Александр, ты - большой молодец! Поборол волнение и сделал выступление очень интересным!

[@fakeaccount9877]

Expert Master Alien Witch God Alexandr misko

[@dontjudgehateme3421]

FAKE ACCOUNT tried but copied idea somewhere in one of the comments in Alexandr misko's fan comment base

[@LOLDGAMER]

EMAWGA

[@Sami-v4q]

John Masisi thanos

[@infrastructure5015]

How is a witch better than an alien?

[@johnfd]

@@infrastructure5015 because alien don`t want to visit us

[@dariusdodd]

What a great talent you have, i bet when you aren’t playing there’s a part of your brain which is still thinking of playing and you see life though sound and notes. Awesome

[@TheRightAngleGamer]

Didn't even know he got on ted

[@luigidimagnaong1141]

TheRightAngleGamer same!

[@Hugeandhandsomeman]

Tedx is a whole lot easier to get on than Ted

[@eiji__s]

same

[@fjrfree]

The song at the beginning is called Thunderstorm originally composed by Alexandr Misko

[@borisspektor742]

Wow. Your original song is incredible. Truly your musicians are not lazy at all you write quite the complex parts for all of them-to be able to execute that with such technical precision and look comfortable doing it is amazing. Твоя мелодия мне особенно понравилась. Вся композиция упоминает blues но одновременно имеет столько нюансов и деталей что мне лично слышен русский характер очень чётко (and I mean that in the best way). (Sorry about the mixed languages in my comment haha- я родом из России (Казань) но переехал в США когда мне было 6... 23 года назад. По этому если у меня русский хилый не суди меня пожалуйста 😭 я старался)

[@abufhairuzmustafa7686]

only alexander do this at this century..the legend is born..from..russian.. keep up dude..greetings from philippines....excelent.bro

[@Habboproductionsful]

Wao. I wait it For a long

[@cytavares]

This guy is just brilliant, if you, by any chance, don't acknowledge that maybe you want to see something else. Great musician, great to have someone like him nowadays.

[@cryss5824]

That's it, am throwing my guitar away..!

[@zacgsr8253]

never give up !

[@tmmpurple]

Awww NEVER quit!

[@c0unterac342]

Actually use this as inspiration

[@livintolearn7053]

LMAO

[@markatag2680]

You're a soul healer my friend .

[@shellielharrisjr9371]

HE HAS LEARNED THE SAME STYLE SIMILAR TO MR. STANELY JORDAN......THIS GUYS STYLE IS GREAT ASWELL☑💯😃🙌😱🎭😍📡🌍💜🏪🙏.

[@kenfuller7374]

This Guy Amazes me more every time I watch him play.

[@jameshill2450]

I didn't fully realize that he was playing left-handed until he started playing the bass part and I noticed it was the opposite way around. But am I wrong, or is that a right-hand guitar just with the strings on backwards?

[@bluespupil414]

I'm trying to tell if he is a southpaw also.

[@gustavolee9682]

That's a left handed guitar

[@ethanmayberry4103]

Hes the only guitarist like me that is left handed and uselly its hard to find a left and us who play left handed uselly have to flip a right

[@RoeeNegbyDaHot]

@@ethanmayberry4103 Zacky Vangence, the lead guitar from Avenged Sevenfold is left handed

[@ethanmayberry4103]

@@RoeeNegbyDaHot well he was the only one I knew of except Jimmy Hendricks but cool

[@sargentg07]

I could listen to this all day. this young man is a musical genius

[@christopherleblanc3687]

This Alexandr Misko is really good. I don't understand all the hate from you keyboard warrior trolls? Bugger off somewhere with your negativity. Go find another bridge to crawl under and call home, you're not wanted here.

[@akshayrajput6831]

Your were excellent broo

[@joguipo]

I have to say, mate. I haven't seen or read any hate or trolling here. Just diverse opinions. Mine, for example. I like what this guy does. But I would never regard him as a great guitarist. Because he doesn't actually play music. Just a (brilliant) collection of sounds. It's technically very food and complex... But music is feelings. And he doesn't transmit any. This guy's act isn't music just like the Harlem Globetrotters' ain't proper basketball. Understand? PS. Once you buy KZbin you will be in a position to tell who is and isn't wanted. Greetings.

[@blowyerfaceoffmodstroylist3688]

So tired of this. I almost don't want to be here anymore .

[@c0unterac342]

@@joguipo lemme guess Your a hardcore distortion shredder? Scream vocalist who is immune to feeling what the rest of us felt I FELT his music thank you very. Much You prolly don't even know how to feel properly You prolly just listen to the same exact genre Idek where to start with "he's not a great gui---" Like BRUH Are you. Kidding me?

[@c0unterac342]

Why don't you do it then

[@douglassilva4371]

Bravo !!!!!!!!

[@epoche1]

amazing!

[@Kafloogy]

We all just witnessed another evolution of music. Incredible

[@FortGhoppy]

He is a human ESXi host running several virtual musician (VM) guests!

[@prlucasbarbosa]

A big clustered brain. Perfect IT metaphor my friend.

[@stevenmiller268]

A witch

[@stevenmiller268]

Magic

[@stephenprescott4441]

Technically brilliant. So creative. Thank you for being you. Why are there any dislikes to this performance

[@Herehear49]

Obviously his folks couldn't afford to buy him a piano when he was a kid! Wow!

[@VinnyG_Music]

?

[@Mcguy215]

^ I second this comment

[@clasx8415]

Best of the best..misko

[@raoufmorsi5304]

genius !