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A young guitarist meets his hero

5,431,768 views | Usman Riaz + Preston Reed • TEDGlobal 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

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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

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TED Senior Fellow Usman Riaz is an artist and composer.

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