Ideas worth spreading

In the key of genius

1,643,920 views | Derek Paravicini and Adam Ockelford • TEDxWarwick

Born three and a half months prematurely, Derek Paravicini is blind and has severe autism. But with perfect pitch, innate talent and a lot of practice, he became a concert pianist by the age of 10. Here, his longtime piano teacher, Adam Ockelford, explains his student's unique relationship to music, while Paravicini shows how he has ripped up the "Chopsticks" rulebook.

Born three and a half months prematurely, Derek Paravicini is blind and has severe autism. But with perfect pitch, innate talent and a lot of practice, he became a concert pianist by the age of 10. Here, his longtime piano teacher, Adam Ockelford, explains his student's unique relationship to music, while Paravicini shows how he has ripped up the "Chopsticks" rulebook.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxWarwick, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speakers

Derek Paravicini

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Pianist Derek Paravicini understands music systematically. Once a child prodigy, he’s matured into a creative musician, able to reimagine songs in ways few can.

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A composer and music teacher who has long worked with children with special needs, Adam Ockelford is interested in the psychology of music.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxWarwick, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.