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  • I saw/heard Ethan play to night at the Beacon Theater, as the opening act for Il Volo. OMG, Ethan is phenomenal. So very talented and just adorable. I will be watching to see where he plays next.

  • Why can't god make all kids gifted instead of a selected few??? Imagine the world we live in if that was a possibility??

  • @samuraiyao then nothing would be special...

  • Каждый родитель любит своего ребенка, но тут я не увидел ничего особенного...

  • 63 absolutely insane people. What isn't to like here? Shame on you.

  • Dr. Irena: Well there's a difference between a song and a piece, what's the difference?

    Ethan: A piece is classical

    Dr. Irena: LOLNO

    lol'd so bad

  • Wow Hannah.

  • Many of us have an interest in music and play regularly. But few of us think of ourselves as a virtuoso. 2 weeks ago saw an interview on TV with Sarah Chang (the Korean-American violinist) who auditioned successfully to Juilliard School at a young age and now a goodwill ambassador for the US gov't performing music in places like N. Korea.

    Does a child at that age have aspirations that he/she would eventually make a career out of music? Like Akim Camara who performs live with Andre Rieu?

  • wish i was that good ahhahah for now i just make stuff up... i posted some of my improv but i guess it sucks, but this guy is the complete opposite.

  • reencarnation?

  • As a Jew, I believe in Keriat ha'Metim (resurrection of the dead) for sure... But I have necer believed in Gil Gul (reincarnation), as many Jewish people do... This little wonderful boy makes me resize my own concepts about reincarnation -:)

  • I expect tons of hate messages coming to my email box after this, but if any of these grown-ups(including that Dr.Kofman woman) had any sense of nurturing and guiding this young child for a meaningful and long lasting musical future, they wouldn't have allowed him to be going around and performing at all these "functions" and playing these trashy songs like a show monkey

  • @PK292TSM what do you mean trashy song he can play mazart by memory

  • @the12dedra

    MAZART? "By" MEMORY? I wouldn't even waste my breath to explain what is real music and what is trash.

  • Dr. Kofman, yeah, sure. With some questionable doctorate degree and an exotic accent, teachers like this just are such hot commodity.

    YOU HAVE A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY WITH ANY STUDENT, NOT JUST SOME KID ENTERTAINER WHO WOULD PROMOTE YOUR STUDIO BUSINESS

  • Remarkable talent! Dr. Kofman is an incredible teacher and nurturing individual he is in good hands.

  • Comment removed

  • A neighbor's young son, while I was growing up, was doing this at age 3!! He would compose his own songs!! I understand that he, now in his early 50's, is a conductor!! 

  • Probly the worst quality camera Ive ever seen

  • you forgot to mention one thing .. he LOOKS way different from his other "friends". he looks sorta mutated.. his body arm length and face

  • I am sorry. It makes me sad to watch this.

  • @jonedelleman

    dido

  • This is awesome. When I was just a little older than him I begged my parents to get me a guitar and they refused. I guess they assumed I wouldn't pursue it. Most likely at that age I wouldn't have. Still if they had bought me a guitar and I did pick it up it I would probably be a very different person today.

  • I think what sets this kid apart is his perception on music. How he pulls out a piece from that big pile of music, can actually REMEMBER what it sounds like and say, 'that's a beautiful piece' astounds me. I can barely remember what I played 3 or 4 months ago sounds like, and I'm 14! And I don't think I started really thinking of pieces as beautiful until I was 11 or 12 on flute and I'd been playing piano for 5 years before that. His perception is just mindbogglingly mature for his age.

  • I'm sorry, but someone has to say it, there's a huge mismatch in physical attractiveness between ethan's dad and ethan's mom. Ethan's dad basically looks like he has downs syndrome (so does ethan, by the way), and his mom looks like a supermodel or something. Weird.

  • @angela1894 Why does that matter?

  • hm...wow "80 trapped in a 6 year old body" now that's something to think about.

  • wow amazing finnally a little kid with a brain bravissimo

  • what I love most about this is that his parents seem very down to earth about the whole thing. They will hold on to the child in him for as long as is normal :) which is very important.

  • I've just uploaded a clip of my son in my studio at 14 months playing my synth keyboards. He may be another incredible child prodigy. Have a look. Rate and comment. It's ver funny too as he is only 14 months old.

    Peace,

    4tkStudios

  • Hi has a great teacher.

  • Thats why proper parenting can be great future for every child, I will say his parents are gifted as well. We all have brain, but its all about how much accomplishment we can have with it.

  • I way agree, ckChardrocka! Everyone can play, but the difference is in the perspective, attitude and effort. Do you think playing is a chore for that guy?

  • im not impressed by prodigys so much. its great that they can play and all but im more impressed by the young kids that worked their asses off to get to there talent

  • It's not like they are automatically born with the ability to do the things they do. They have to work at it just like the rest of us. The difference is between "normal" people and "prodigies" is simply in the way we focus and learn and dedicate ourselves to our work. We all have the ability then to do as much as we our willing to set our minds to in reality.

  • no a prodigy picks it up right away. they have to work alot less to get good. there was a guitar prodigy in my guitar class in sixth grade. they moved him up to the advanced class the first week and he only practiced 15 minutes a day

  • Your missing what I'm saying I think. I mean that yes it seems like it is less effort for them and it probably is but it is just in the manner how they learn. Their minds are on different levels if you will of learning than most people.

  • exactly. its easier for them. There are also kids slightly older that are just as good but had to work much harder and thats the thing that impresses me.

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  • agreed

  • rofl rofl rofl ...

  • I'd like to hear him play in a decade. Wow! He's going to be amazing! I mean, he's already amazing for his age, but in a decade, he's going to kick butt. lol

  • i like Emily brown better becuese im a fan of emily brown!

  • 0..0 dont u mean emily bear?

  • @ember5411

    lol

  • for once a prodigys parent looks normal haha

  • wow

  • very inspiring! =D

  • damn

  • Invest in some mittens.

    That is all.

  • it is...get updated and don't post stupid comments

  • I find it so funny how people just comment on the stupid things. Did you purposely click on this video just to point that out? It's reallly stupid how some people are like that. Enjoy the video for once.

  • He's very talented, but not a prodigy

  • I think you are right

  • ima have to agree most of the kids on you tube are super talented but i dont think there prodigy's i think prodigy's pick up an instrument and can just hear it out and play they dont really need lessons

  • he could, and he requested the lessons -which was a smart move on his part because he got to where he is now faster

  • LOL at 3:11 look at the fathers eyes until 3:20 and look at his face as his face when hes down looking into those hypnotic boobs.

  • child prodigy means children with exceptional talent considering their ages.

  • @tonyhawk2235870 actually a child prodigy is someone who at an early age masters any thing at an adult level

  • @meaganxy9 duh? ur talking shit man, that's just the same thing.

  • @tonyhawk2235870 actually its not and ur acting like a child i wasnt even gonna bring cousing in it but watever we can act a little more matue

  • @tonyhawk2235870 regardless of his age though, his playing is incredible. ethan bortnick is more than just a prodigy.

  • wut is that? how do you know she is?

  • definitely, sp

  • I´m So happy for him.

    You can realy see his talent in his eyes..

    He really feals the music in him, this is what more kids should do music and not violence because music is the answer to anything. It can connect people and get people off their worries

    Peace, Love Music and Harmony

  • I totally agree. I wish I could play like that, but I can't read music, and I play by ear. I wish him good luck.

  • Dr. Kofman is a wonderful teacher. I studied with her for a short period at FAU. Not sure if she still teaches there but she was one of the best piano teachers in Florida IMO. Also a really beautiful person.

  • They Russian !!!!!!His parents may be moved to U.S long time ago!

  • persistance + intelligence

  • why is it in america if there is a child who plays piano gets called a Prodigy

  • mabey because he can play 200 songs BY MEMORY. And has composed 20 of his own?

    hmm I wonder why?

    dumbass...

  • I wish they would present his performance and I mean full performance of the piece. It's very hard to judge this way. The child is definitely interested in music which is not very common among 6 year olds especially in USA where classical music is not popular. The fact that parents supported their son's interest is very commendable. And I think hiring russian piano teacher is also a wise decision.

  • Comment removed

  • its not the point if there is some one better there always is but he is still a prodigie

  • this boy is a piano prodigy too but Emily Bear is +++++++++ what this boy

    emily mejor pero este chaval es cojonudo buenisimo tambien

  • i dont think they're in competition.

  • Search for Emily Bear, a true piano prodigy!

  • There is a video here of STEVEN WILTSHIRE titled "Beautiful Mind". He is a SAVANT and is known as the HUMAN CAMERA. Please check out this beautiful human being who is so talented. He is considered to be Autistic. I believe that was the same part that Dustin Hoffman played in a movie, forgot the talent. This little boy is beautiful.

  • wikipedia is the best resource for anything available

  • i started playing piano since i was about six. i played for about 3 years and then i quit for about a year and now i am playing again

  • This entire "discussion" is pathetic. This child is extremely talented. Thank you! to the person who posted this video.

  • Ok now for a nice comment, the kid is not the BEST piano player ever, but as a future music educator, I think it's great to see a kid into music and into learning. As he gets older, I hope he keeps progressing and keeps his love for the craft.

  • And just for clarification, my last comment is to....Alexander365911

  • he looks like a mini grownup

  • Yes, that's exactly what I thought when I saw this video. I'm like...um, is it just me or...

  • he's only 6 years old. give him a break.

  • i'm not trying to be mean. i just think he looks retarded.

  • he looks like his dad... haha.

  • Yes, sqazsquat, and your supposition may be correct. Exceptional musical abilities are not uncommon in cases with idiot-savants having neurological disorders. Their notable ability to mimic and compose rude melodies is drastically distinguished from the ability of actual prodigies, such as Mozart, who were able to compose with articulation and sophistication worthy of considerably older and more experienced contemporaries.

  • so i was right. he's retarded.

  • LOL!!! SO TRUE. And not in a bad way, but to other people it's pretty bad and funny. THIS KID HAS A FRIKKIN UNIBROW!!! LMFAO!!!

  • It said he likes playing with his friends, but he was playing with his mom.

  • ROFL!

  • youtube keeps saying my pics are too adult style

  • he's no prodigy.

  • lol this kid is amazing!

  • I really enjoyed how this video was made, unpretentious and genuuine on the part of the parents and piano teacher, and understand the comments about how certain children are adults at times and children at times. You are doing a great job in allowing him be who he is, which is pretty much all you can do with profoundly gifted children.

  • cantplaygtar? what? just shut up

  • Hey mario fuck you he is better than you and he is almost better than me and my little brother

  • Dude he's no prodigy he's so sloppy and who cares if he plays 200 pieces memorizes. They're probably short and crappy. Check out Nic C. He only has one video, but I've seen him perform at Lutkin Hall, Northwestern University many times. He has played the heroic polonaise, chopin nocturne in e flat minor, rondo capriccioso, and much more fabulous pieces...

  • i agree rocknap23!!!

    amazing stuff.... amazing brains...

  • I love it!! This reminds me of my childhood...

  • You played with your mom instead of other children!?!?!? That's sad. Seriously...

  • And what do you do??

  • Hang out with acutal friends... You're jealous aren't you?

  • That's all?

    FYI: I have good friends but that's not all.

    Just a Q: And why are you doing this??

  • I think the problem is the definition of the word "Prodigy." Everyone seems to have their own idea of what that means. The kids not average, there are lots of little kids who want to play piano at his age, and there are lots of them that can't play well (plenty of examples on YouTube). I thought it was good of the parents to feel a need to protect him. The comments made here are probably the types of things to protect him from. He's 6, why would any adult want to pick at a 6 year old?

  • His mom's a milf.

  • oh..shut the fuck up, you idiot!

  • You need to chill... and it's the truth... at least I aint a pervert unlike you.

  • you're so few human and so much of a beast..and vulgar as well

  • vulgur? you're the one who swore at me you hypocrite.

  • These parents are totally misguided! Rather than wasting time making videos like this and ptting him on TV in every possible show, they need to help this talented kid continue to make progress in piano. He started with immense talent, but is now way behind some other kids on YT like Aimi (klingsor93) or Abhik (abhikmazumder), who also started at 4. There is a big difference between playing a few lines of Rondo Ala Turca and full sonata movements!

  • Yes he's amazing but remember not everone can afford to buy a piano or afford to have music lessons, or afford to pay a 'doctor', there may be many children that had the potential to be as great as him just not in the same circumstances. He was discovered early but lots of other people may not be discovered or discovered that they could have been amazing too late because they were in the wrong circumstances. but yes again - he's good!

  • SO CUTE!!!!!!!!

  • I'm a 23 year old Music Major...piano minor, and that kid plays better than me...maybe i should take lessons from him LOL...he's a prodigy!

  • Dude you really must suck because that kid is so sloppy. People must call you sloppy joe. It's kinda embarrasing for you.

  • First off, your the ass who's up here with like a billion post dedicated to hating on a 6 YEAR OLD...and you apparently can't read because my comment clearly says I'm a piano minor. I'm a vocalist... a DAMN GOOD vocalist. So no, my piano skills aren't strong. Are you really trying to go on me when I wasn't addressing you in the first place? My comment was a compliment to the fact that a little kid actually has enough attention span to sit and do something like that. GET A LIFE.

  • mario can you shut up? no one is perfect dumbass every one makes mistakes when playing piano even beethoven did try playing piano without making a mistake see how hard it is.

  • you people are just jealous that your not half as good as this kid stop hating on a child

  • Ethan is very talented, but definitely not a prodigy. He's very gifted for someone his age, but is not quite at the adult level yet. See some of the other videos of actual prodigys and you'll know what I'm talking about.

  • il est bon, mais ce n'est pas un enfant prodige ! il n'y a pas de quoi s'extasier !

  • He is talented but the video is misleading.

    "Ethan Bortnick is a normal..."

    Your flaw lies there. Does his behaviour differ from the average? Well presumably he practices a lot. He was given piano lessons by his piano oriented relative at an early age (4 and 1/2). His talent is seemingly different from average too. I wouldn't call him a prodigy as a child prodigy refers to a child who plays at a very skilled adult level whereas he plays at a very skilled child level.

  • If you read more about him, you'll see why hes a prodigy... And he goes to my school. =]

  • I agree with mario, he is not a prodigy. he is good, but not a prodigy. although you don't need perfect pitch to be one.

  • okay i personally don't think he's a prodigy but the kid has a ton of talent for being six years old. but for Mario's defense, i do study music, and a prodigy is naturally able to play almost flawlessly and able to play by ear instantly. this boy is definately good but not prodigy status but still will probably, if he keeps as devoted as it seems he is, become an amazing piano performer. bravo Ethan you're great :)

  • Wow Mario's got quite the negative opinion.. I'd say that the kid is a prodigy!!! I mean heck if Mario can't play any better I'd say he should shut up. This boy is wonderful and cute. I mean I can't play like that and I'm older than him, sooo I think that the He's very very special. :)

  • well mario...were you that good when you were 6? If you weren't...then I'm sure I'm speaking for all of us youtubers when I say, who the heck cares if he's a prodigy in your book, a freeking 6 year old that good...why can't you just be happy for him. Wow so many haters in the world.

  • =/ yea..

  • hah, i like how I got huge thumbs down because I'm not sucking the kid's dick...look honestly, my piano teacher saw this and said he was bad..because even SHE knows what a real prodigy is! he is VERRY VERY sloppy..he's 6..but I've seen 4 year old's play better than that..THOSE are the real prodigy's...this is just another example of why Americans really don't know what talent is, and I live in America, so don't think I'm being racist or something..that's why American Idol is shit..

  • you are right. Painfull but so fucking true!

  • Yeh. Espeically Oprah's most talented kids competition. Who cares about a frikkin hula hoop girl!!!! IT'S NOT TALENT!!!

  • Ethan is doing great. Keep up the good work!

  • he was on oprah dude!

  • They should really get that unibrow cut.

  • is he the guy thats going to be on oprah?.. but if he's not, does any1 know who that kid who is going to play the piano on oprah?

  • yes May 12th

  • The whole idea of "musical prodigy" doesn't make sense to me. The only real gift you could have for music would be a good sense of pitch. Otherwise, it's going to be sheer motivation that gets someone mastering an insturment.

  • It just comes naturally to them. They don't need motivation; once they touch the piano, they...learn on their own. That's how I see it.

  • nice.

  • You know, I could care less if this kid is a prodigy or not. What DOES concern me is the way his parents approach the situation. His mother claimed that he is a "child sometimes, but an adult sometimes." NO.... he is a CHILD, ALL THE TIME. The father said that he had a "great responsibility" by having a child like this. Aren't all children a great responsibility? This poor child, and his misguided parents!

  • by the way, the video is very well done!

    !!

    !

    !!!

    congrats to the movie director

    :))

  • amustard6,

    Thanks for the compliments. It's refreshing to hear something about the video and not some bashing about Ethan.

    - 'The Director'

  • I like his teacher - she is so articulate.

    the little guys is so cute!! he could become a good actor he loves it, he's good

    hey people, do not go crazy w conflicting opinions here- you are all too involved and against each other like one says one thing and another gets mad and says something worse... relax...

  • With my two comments below i was trying to explain to greekcidippe that promoting your child comes naturally, especially when the child is so talented. Looking forward to hear more from Ethan on youtube!

  • Ethan has the formidable luck of having a manager in his parents but this whole commercial thing might put pressure on him - the expectations will go higher and higher. Like with Mozart - his father was taking him everywhere so his childhood was not easy. This might become tough on a young child. But this is just an opinion - it is their kid after all. Indeed he is talented.

  • Well, I kept looking at older comments on this video which stirred such a passionate argument about Ethan being a prodigy or not, and some accusations/explanations that I do not believe can be true. I guess the effect is that Ethan's obvious talent is overlooked in this dispute. He is just a talented child, but the comments are directed at his parents mostly. Which spoiled the pleasure of listening to little Ethan. Can you please post some more of Ethan's works for everybody's enjoyment?

  • The parents are overdoing it, obviously. There are more kids more talented on youtube - and their parents do not say they are prodigies... poor kid... why would they do this?

  • Quoting an expert opinion: "There is a whole issue with parents elevating their children to "unreachable" levels etc. First of all, it is of course one of the most natural things in the world, as a parent, being proud of your child." His parents see him as a prodigy and have the money to promote him,which is an enjoyable mission for them.They pave the road for him to become a career pianist, by exposing him to audiences. For some reason his ratings are not exceptional, but the kid is talented.

  • lol, .. shit !

  • this kid is awesome he could probably teach me a thing or two

  • The way he plays is just a mess (when he plays)... (Is he Ethan the prodigy whose parents paraded him for no reason on TV?) Youtubers, please see my 7-year old gifted student Hailey for comparison (type "hailey pianist" and pick W.F. Bach Air video or go directly to my channel). And I DO DOT label Hailey as prodigy or bring her on TV. Maybe I should?... I would be interested to hear others' opinions about Hailey, as I think she is so gifted comparing to this boy.

  • nehh... question, why do you compare ur STUDENT w/ him? So what if ethan is a genius and your student is a genius.. then both of them are geniuses. Damn, i hate comparing KIDS. Just promote her the other way so he could also be like Ethan and besides, your student is a year older than him. a year cud mean something Dude.

  • this kid plays by ear. if he hears a song he gets on the piano and plays it; no sheet music! who cares if he stumbles over his fingers, you should not put him down especially since your student was taught everything that she knows and he was not! dude get a grip.

  • It is not true he plays by the year. He has had a piano teacher since he was 4, who taught him notes and music theory. He is very well schooled. Please see his other videos with his piano teacher(look for "Ethan") before making a comment.

  • if you ever read about him and not only listened to everything you have heard, then you would know that he got a piano teacher after he started playing by ear.

  • hey death93adder... watch this video... the kid has a very good teacher who has a Ph.D. in music... lol - you are so young and furious. this is why Ethan is so good, besides his natural talent.

  • You sound like a frustrated person.

  • Good point... (btw she is soo cute and musical). hats off to you for not labeling her as prodigy. But people will always exagerate about their kids and only true musicians like yourself would spot it... I guess the commercial side of this story frustrated you but you cannot fix that... relax...

    googonx is again a bad tempered kid with a zest for foul language - you man relax too, at 14 life is beautiful (or you are older than you say?! :0 )