The Guitar Prodigy from Karachi

in Music | May 29th, 2011 14 Comments

Usman Riaz began playing classical piano at 6, then took up the guitar at 16. Fast forward four years, and you have this — the 20-year old Riaz playing his song “Firefly” in a music video that’s more like a mini indie arts film than anything else. At times, Riaz plays his Martin XC1t like a piano keyboard, but, all along, you can hear his acknowledged influences – Kaki King, Michael Hedges, Don Ross and, of course, Jimmy Page. (Don’t miss these related videos.) You can learn more about the Karachi musician in this two-part interview here and here, and also find his short album, Flashes and Sparks, on Amazon here.

via 3 Quarks Daily


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Comments (14)
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  1. MIchael says . . . | May 30, 2011 / 10:40 pm

    Why bother posting Tweets here? Almost all are just a link to this site with no commentary other than “wow” …

  2. Arina says . . . | May 31, 2011 / 6:02 am

    This is awesome. Hard to believe he has only been playin guitar for four years. What do you call this style of playing the guitar?

  3. William Wylde says . . . | May 31, 2011 / 7:26 pm

    Awesome!  Love it!  :-)

  4. William Wylde says . . . | May 31, 2011 / 7:26 pm

    Awesome!  Love it!  :-)

  5. William Wylde says . . . | May 31, 2011 / 7:38 pm

    Love to jam with ya sometime.. http://snd.sc/iTVNEQ

  6. William Wylde says . . . | May 31, 2011 / 7:38 pm

    Love to jam with ya sometime.. http://snd.sc/iTVNEQ

  7. Christi Hilgenberg says . . . | June 1, 2011 / 1:25 pm

    the young man has  a natural Princely bow
    he has MORE than mastered this musical instrument …

  8. John says . . . | June 7, 2011 / 12:43 am

    lots of notes but very little music, the techniques are done well but not stellar like some other players, his licks are very bedroom.  Folks go look at some other artists in this case even the smoke and mirrors are good at best not much more.  Theres many more exciting players that can play faster, better, more innovative and they write great stuff with a melody this composition is patchwork.

  9. Stan Getz says . . . | June 7, 2011 / 12:46 am

    Very cool, check this out
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq454vah0-Q

  10. hamza says . . . | June 16, 2011 / 8:48 am

    check out more of his work!!!!

  11. hamza says . . . | June 16, 2011 / 8:51 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMRfwIt3oAg&feature=related

  12. hamza says . . . | June 16, 2011 / 8:51 am

    http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150498798685010

  13. hamza says . . . | June 16, 2011 / 8:51 am

    check out more of his work!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMRfwIt3oAg&feature=related

    http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150498798685010

  14. Cliff says . . . | June 19, 2011 / 11:55 pm

    amazing!!! Slightly similar to Erik Mongrain, but he has some uniqueness. :-)Awesome stuff!!!

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