Ideas worth spreading

A young guitarist meets his hero

5,445,247 views |

Usman Riaz + Preston Reed |

TEDGlobal 2012

• June 2012

Usman Riaz is a 21-year-old whiz at the percussive guitar, a style he learned to play by watching his heroes on YouTube. The TED Fellow plays onstage at TEDGlobal 2012 -- followed by a jawdropping solo from the master of percussive guitar, Preston Reed. And watch these two guitarists take on a very spur-of-the-moment improv.

Usman Riaz is a 21-year-old whiz at the percussive guitar, a style he learned to play by watching his heroes on YouTube. The TED Fellow plays onstage at TEDGlobal 2012 -- followed by a jawdropping solo from the master of percussive guitar, Preston Reed. And watch these two guitarists take on a very spur-of-the-moment improv.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speakers

Preston Reed

Revolutionary Guitarist

See speaker profile

Preston Reed’s hands have an otherworldly coordination. The fingers, nails, thumbs, and palms of both left and right dance, pluck, strum, and slap his guitar, which bursts with a full sound.

Usman Riaz

Artist, composer

See speaker profile

TED Senior Fellow Usman Riaz is an artist and composer.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.