Anyone who favors technique over expression understands absolutely nothing about the function that music is supposed to play on this planet, and roundly ignoring them is the way to go.
Anyone who favors technique over expression understand absolutely nothing about what music is supposed to be about on this planet, and roundly ignoring them is the way to go.
@basicallyimfamous Seems likely. That pianist is a good and generous soul. Such an easy and natural musical interaction -- all the room he needs. A round of applause for her too.
how can somebody criticize this man for doing the one thing that he feel's gives him purpose in life???!! sure, the technical stuff isnt up to skill but come on! the man went to julliard! how many of you can say that you went to effing julliard! this is why i stopped taking music classes & desided to teach my self..so i wont listen to music with a critical mind but with an eager heart & ear :)
Fiquei encantado com a historia , que coisa maravilhosa . Parabens pelo o filme,. escutar musica classica ja e divino , agora escutar e lembrar de Nathaniel Ayers e transcendental ! Bravo, Bravissimo!!!!!!!
cuando el hombre realmente ama algo, entonces no hay nada que lo haga más plenamente feliz que ese algo. Nathaniel pese a su esquizofrenia siempre amo la música y nunca nada lo hizo olvidarse de ella ni de lo que le provocaba... realmente impresionante y un ejemplo vivo del amor por el arte
the trumpet piece is beautiful. it makes me cry. i love when music gets into your heart like that. i think thats what happens to mr ayers when he plays.
those who criticize this man are just stupid people. After 30 years living as a homeless, with schizophrenia, how could you do it. This man truly feels the music, its a real musician, and is amazing btw.
While his technique may be flawed, he is communicating from the depths of his soul ... to we who would put our criticisms aside and listen. May music continue to be a soothing touch in his life.
Guys, stop criticizing him.... You're looking a little too far into it.... He's not the best, but that's not the point. The point is he still has the ability to play and he does it because that is what he loves.
I have been teaching music for 1,000,000,000,000 years and I play every instrument known to man and monkey so I can tell you how good someone is....see how stupid that looks? Have I made my point? If so congrats you have the ability to think, if not grow some brains.
all the studying in the world can't get you the natural feel of music flowing in your soul. They can teach you progressions etc and shit, but it all takes you away from from the real stuff. Its pretty unprofessional to judge negatively, just coz you ain't got no music flowin in ya. So Fuck you and go back to school. Those who judge.... great Music!
I feel really angry when i read the comments of those so called "music expert" or "professionals" who keep critisizing his lack of technique.What this dude is doing is just amazing,music helps him against his illness,that's the point.And "normal" people (those who aren't professional assholes) enjoy listenning to this brave guy.
For those of us who teach and perform music everyday, what he's doing just doesn't seem so magical.
Sure, he has a drive to play music that he never lost. It's amazing that he's still able to play at all in spite of his illness. It's probably therapeutic. He's inspiring for these reasons.
But none of that means he's actually a good player. Words like "genius" and "amazing" mean something. He's not that good. Not even close. I have young students who could play circles around him.
I agree with you. I find his music really hard to listen to. It is out of tune, no timing, ramdom plucking. If you watch the audience when he plays you can tell by their faces that they are quite unsure of how to react because it sounds so awful. I think it is cruel to make him think he is fantastic when he is so obviously not.
im not trying to be mean but do u play any instruments cause maybe if u listend to it more u would realize that he is obviously playing a major or minor scale with flats
No I don't play but love to listen. My son plays flute,picolo,clarinet and Sax. He is doing a bachelor of music at Uni. I'm sorry but I still think Nathanials music is not very good to listen to. This is my personal opinion. I don't want to offend you, but when you go public with performance not everyone agrees on whether its good or bad. That's life and part of the learning process.
whatever. this man plays from the heart and thats the best kind of music. your stupid little students are like trained monkeys they dont know how to play from the heart
First, his main instrument was double bass, and NOT the trumpet or the smaller string instrument. He taught himself these instruments, and he didn't even have the means to get them, so the fact that he even can play these is already amazing.
Plus, it has been 30+ years since he left Julliard due to his illness, in which case it is a miracle that he can play any of these. Although his tone is not the best, it is clear that he is not a beginner, which also means a lot.
@casishul He is quite talented, his illness isn't the balancing factor. In spite of all challenges he's risen above the anguish. His barriers only prove his abilities more blessed. He plays to quiet the noise/calm his mind, and for the intense love & yearning for his craft. Just b/c you have a gift doesn't mean you have a passion, or can play in the face of adversity and strife, like this man has. Whatever label you choose to describe his abilities, his character is something to esteem to.
mentall illness or not i find his ability very beautiful granted thec ollege kids can out play hmim so to speak but rember his age and lost time beign with othrs to blend and have the intonation and techniques all that lost,, hes still damn good, ( when he plays a peice complete and not just loops them as he did in the film based on the real guy he does get stuck and loop stuff ) hes a beautiful unique person
Sometimes when given a gift, there is a price. Mr. Ayers is seriously gifted, beyond what we can comprehend. But with his gift, he is paying price. We take sanity for granted, but this reminds us sanity can be the most fragile of all.
You are wrong on two fronts. First, there are oodles of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists in the world who never "pay a price". Places like Julliard are literally filled to the brim with talent. Before his mental illness set in, Mr. Ayers evidently once had the potential to be another of these players, but he wasn't an unfathomable genius. Just another talented kid. Music isn't magic and schizophrenia isn't "a price"--most people with it never have particular talents.
Second, he's not really very good anymore. He plays with feeling, and that counts for something, but his intonation and technique are both quite bad. Most collegiate music students could play circles around him. It's really only in spite of his mental illness that you could consider him good--kind of like "you don't sweat much for a fat kid."
The movie portrayal of an incredible street musician is Hollywood bluff. His playing is not pleasing to a professional musician's ears.
I agree with you. I keep reading genius, beautiful,amazing etc, but I find his music very hard to listen to. It is disjointed and hard on the ears. Also very random with his string plucking, often out of tune and squeaky.
@JumpShotDude I know he is not rich, but his talet is not as suggested in the Soloist. If he continues to play how he is at the moment his comeback will be very short lived and he will suffer. Many talented musicians play on inexpensive instruments.
The reason why it sounds squeaky and out of tune is because of the crappy instruments. Even excellent will sound like crap on crappy instruments. And yes he is very talented, his master of dynamics on both cello and trumpet are impressive!
i could be wrong but i dont think he has had any training on any instrument except the cello. pretty strange that he just knows how to play those other instruments and on top of that he has a severe mental illness, i think thats pretty incredible.
I've been teaching and performing piano, brass, and fretted instruments for 20 years. Many things that are learned in order to play a first instrument (notes, rhythms, etc.) are fundamental to nearly all modern instruments. Once one instrument is learned, the basics of another become pretty obvious.
The devil is in the details -- refining one's skill on an instrument is what takes so much work, and often requires "training" with a teacher. Mr. Ayers is not a refined player though.
@casishul i hear that (no pun intended).. people tend to think because they have a msical ear they are geniuses. a lot of people have the musical ear. i do.. and i work at a fucking 7-11.. what makes people like mozart and beethoven who they were was that they were students of music not arbitrarily gifted people.. maybe their intelligence helped them exceed with more ease than others (and apparently mr ayers is has a high iq) which could potentially allow him to succeed at high levels.. but
@casishul but i totally agree with you.. this man has a terrible illness which has crippled him but genius and mental illness are in no ways related.. people just watch movies like a beautiful mind and the solist and think that if you have a mental illness you are some gifted prophet from god. i myself suffer from the same problems mr ayers does paranoid schizophrenia.. and it has done nothing but make my life a living hell.. and i also have an iq of 103 which certainly doesnt make me a genius.
It was so beautiful! It made me cry. Thank you so much M. Lopez to give M. aYERS back to the music and the musician. So great to see that there is still some people with such a big heart.
they were jamming. there is no music or song they were playing to or by. when you reach a certain level of musical talent and understanding you can improvise and turn anything into a beautiful peice.
I like his style i bet his style hasnt changed since his youth very soothing i bet slow rythmic and deep. I dont think he is rusty i think he is spot on maybe a technical mess up who knows sounds great like nothing i have ever heard.
alot of bad information on mr. ayers on these comments. Mr. Ayers is no longer homeless. He and Mr. Lopez are still best friends and do everything together. Mr. Ayers practices with members of the Philharmonic orchestra, all who are wowed by his ability and they are committed to getting him back to an elite playing level. He started recently playing with other band members again. Mr. Ayers also is going to have a CD of his music coming out soon. Info courtesy of the Nathaniel Ayers foundation
I don't blame him for not seeking medication. We treat mental ilness as a badge of shame in this country- I wish people could look past their unease of those afflicted and just accept their uniqueness. Do the mentally ill commit violent crimes? Absolutely they do. But so do those of us with 'normal' psyches. I applaud him for looking his schizophrenia in the face and calling it his own with dignity.
@kodiakfred140 I believe (from what I've read and seen) that he avoids medication because of the pain he endured when he underwent electroconvulsive therapy
Nathaniel Ayers is a remarkable person and Los Angeles Philharmonic members like Joanne Pearce-Martin are to be commended for their sincere support of his musical interests.
He was trained as a double bass player, a fact that was changed in the movie to make it more accessible to audiences, so perhaps judging him on a second instrument is not fair.
Alright, so I play other musical instruments but I don't play cello. Is there anyone out there that is an accomplished cello player who has a real opinion on this guys playing? Is he good or just average?
I watched the Soloist recently. Although the movie is very good... just that three minutes of him playing. It's amazing what one person is capable of. The ability to make someone feel what they are feeling no matter what language they speak. Robert Downey Jr. said the line "I've never loved anything the way he loves music." Jamie Foxx is an amazing actor, but you can really see what they're talking about when he plays.
To drown out his schizophrenia I think right? But, still they should get him a really nice apartment by the tunnels. So he could clean himself up a bit, then play in the tunnels right? Better than on the streets.
Well he doesn't need audiences, Can't they just buy him a nice apartment? I remember in the movie Foxx said "I've been mugged 14 times already." That's not very safe. He DID make some money before Steve found him though. People just dropped some change
I would also like to applaude Steve and Nathaniel and The whole cast and crew for taking part in a movie like this. It really helps people understand an underrated illness. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Ghandi
We can all see what some people want to bring to this world...
When I seen the movie I took away a more insightful perspective that living for what you love is what brings peace. I didnt form an ignorant, bitter opinion on the subject. I thought positively instead of responding negatively. I also didnt say its bad to be condescending to people who dont share your opinion. (which I agree with) Then insult the people who dont think the way you do. Sounds contradictory to me. Someone who has no discipline in what theyre talking about might say that.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This isn't fun anymore, trying to explain to you Brownshirt Nazi Youths how wasting money on a homeless Bum instead of making him NOT a Homeless Bum is the better thing.
Do you wear a helmet?? I imagine you fall down a lot dont ya. Ayers now sleeps with a roof over his head amongst friends and has people taking care of him and is obviously quite happy. He has a mental illness, they arent just gonna "NOT make him a homeless bum" Quit tryin to be the hero on here with ur totally ignorant and flat out DUMB comments. Your laughed at kid, its pathetic. Grow up. Dont hurt yourself.
Canada has frozen your brain! He still lives in the street and not amongst friends and those who care for him. If you knew an inkling oif what it's like to live near someone with this problem you would know what I am talking about. I know exactly the things of which I speak. You can not convince a guy like that to live indoors. Not without medication and even then your're not gonna get what you want no matter how much you wish it would happen.How much do you donate to end this mental problem? Ah
Ignorant people like yourself who go to the Movies and see firsthand what it's like for a person to pretend to have a mental illness won't help. Enriching the lives of millionaire actors and the production companies who exploit your desire to "feel sorry for those less fortunate than yourself" doesn't help either. Donate money to the research centers who are actually trying to find cures for mental illness. Oh, wait a minute. Your donations come right from your Gubment, right? Got Spare change?
4qbud what an asshole you are you actually took time to send me an email. I obviously don't know you don't want to know you and could care less if you will judge if I am a musician . Way back when I commented that you missed the point guess what?.........................you missed the fucking point. And then you send me a fucking email GET A LIFE
the brilliance really does shine through at times,
like a glimpse into what might have been...
if only..... if only.
RoShamBohhh 1 day ago
Why can i see him doing this under a bridge.................with tears fallin down......then getting up and walkin off into a fog......
highman58 1 month ago
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Anyone who favors technique over expression understands absolutely nothing about the function that music is supposed to play on this planet, and roundly ignoring them is the way to go.
DarkeningSkies1 1 month ago
Anyone who favors technique over expression understand absolutely nothing about what music is supposed to be about on this planet, and roundly ignoring them is the way to go.
DarkeningSkies1 1 month ago
I love this piece! Deep....
lemondropz7 2 months ago
The best Brother Beijocas du Duka
emvarandas 2 months ago
amazing musician.period
c15art 3 months ago
its so original and beautiful. u can hear the pain in the cello piece.
marceltion 4 months ago
black people have such great talents. god gave them a life time supply of cool.
alexurdo007 5 months ago
mm momento!!! se supone que sigue el ritmo a oido???
doapz 7 months ago
was that all improvised?
basicallyimfamous 8 months ago
@basicallyimfamous it sure sounds like it wa improvisied
apzlw5 7 months ago
@basicallyimfamous Seems likely. That pianist is a good and generous soul. Such an easy and natural musical interaction -- all the room he needs. A round of applause for her too.
manthasagittarius1 2 months ago
(Oops!...'scuse my misspelling of "quintessential")
Mickagume 8 months ago
Want the quintissential definition of "Soul"?...just listen to this man play.
Mickagume 8 months ago
I could mute the video, and still hear the music in mr. ayers facial expressions.
TheMagicBolt 8 months ago 2
this session makes me cry
marceltion 9 months ago
don't hate youtube m8, hate CBS!
fotozeus 9 months ago
What song is this?
PhunB 1 year ago
I fucking hate youtube for the advertisement now
JohnnyDeppigX 1 year ago 30
@JohnnyDeppigX AMEN TO THAT! Sometimes you have a watch a freaking advertisement that's longer than the damn video...
darksith77 1 year ago
@JohnnyDeppigX the ads are what pay for your free video streaming..
guitarguy159 1 month ago
That was awesome, and to think that was only a small insight into the mind of a musical genius
3melkor 1 year ago
He's someone special wish should cherish.
TheZooniee2 1 year ago
beautiful . . . .
ari1baby 1 year ago
God they so blend into one soul, moving like one... beautiful song, wonderful heart and playing.
anitakristiana 1 year ago
the 3 people that dislike this hate apple pie and furry little puppies.
robinsoncano2472 1 year ago 4
brought a tear to my eye.
Phibes87 1 year ago 4
Oi! man i swear that was effing beautiful!
how can somebody criticize this man for doing the one thing that he feel's gives him purpose in life???!! sure, the technical stuff isnt up to skill but come on! the man went to julliard! how many of you can say that you went to effing julliard! this is why i stopped taking music classes & desided to teach my self..so i wont listen to music with a critical mind but with an eager heart & ear :)
Bflat11 1 year ago 4
The accoustics are phenomenal, the trumpet haunting, piano soooo sweet, cello bittersweet... This type of music is just too MOVING and powerful.
cdinsky 1 year ago
<3 <3 <3
huneyhunters 1 year ago
Sorry, but what is the song in this clip? It was so moving...
TJL086 1 year ago
good artist...
evil CBS network governed by the all-seeing eye
intactGB 1 year ago
he learned at Julliard on the double bass and cello. cant believe he taught himself the trumpet!!!
carpentercorn 1 year ago
@carpentercorn only the double base. He learned the cello on his own :P
I did my english ISu on him O:
xXbeIieverXx 1 year ago
breathtaking
metalsides 1 year ago
It is the people like this that remind me why i am an artist. What an amazingggg person. <3
empaige011 1 year ago 4
Fiquei encantado com a historia , que coisa maravilhosa . Parabens pelo o filme,. escutar musica classica ja e divino , agora escutar e lembrar de Nathaniel Ayers e transcendental ! Bravo, Bravissimo!!!!!!!
andaquara 1 year ago
What a passion. I´m sitting here crying my eyes to his music. Not one note is idle in the music each tells a story
sarahquist 1 year ago
Feeling... this guy have it! His life is so sad, but music still givin' happiness for him. For people like Nathaniel Ayers that I love music....
JGbarney 1 year ago 3
cuando el hombre realmente ama algo, entonces no hay nada que lo haga más plenamente feliz que ese algo. Nathaniel pese a su esquizofrenia siempre amo la música y nunca nada lo hizo olvidarse de ella ni de lo que le provocaba... realmente impresionante y un ejemplo vivo del amor por el arte
catavd 1 year ago
the trumpet piece is beautiful. it makes me cry. i love when music gets into your heart like that. i think thats what happens to mr ayers when he plays.
marceltion 1 year ago 4
A man who is that much into the music should get a monunemt and a price for his life as musician on his social and cultural backround!
I adore his way of playing the trumpet and the cello as well!!
Wow!!!
muehler 1 year ago 4
As he's playing this I'm thinking about his incredible story. Now, if this doesn't get you all misty, there ain't no hope for you nohow.
ericsomething57 1 year ago
hello, what's the name of this piece?
bleh9999 1 year ago
Absolutely Beautiful
whittierstoner 1 year ago
That's passion etched onto his face .
Ando000 1 year ago 3
those who criticize this man are just stupid people. After 30 years living as a homeless, with schizophrenia, how could you do it. This man truly feels the music, its a real musician, and is amazing btw.
thatg98y6 1 year ago 81
While his technique may be flawed, he is communicating from the depths of his soul ... to we who would put our criticisms aside and listen. May music continue to be a soothing touch in his life.
MontanaNanaToo 1 year ago
some have to be taught, some just have it in em. Peeps with negative thoughts don't listen. Great gift this guys has
Solomonwantok 1 year ago 2
how great but sad at athe same time
jackmma123 1 year ago
Guys, stop criticizing him.... You're looking a little too far into it.... He's not the best, but that's not the point. The point is he still has the ability to play and he does it because that is what he loves.
tollie123321 1 year ago
Hey sorry, you're right. I wish Nathanial well, and hope he continues to love music and play forever. The joy music brings to all is amazing.
julesmiles 1 year ago 3
God thats beautiful. that brought me to tears
Mrsmallorypattinson 1 year ago
I have been teaching music for 1,000,000,000,000 years and I play every instrument known to man and monkey so I can tell you how good someone is....see how stupid that looks? Have I made my point? If so congrats you have the ability to think, if not grow some brains.
SynysterE18 1 year ago
@SynysterE18 wow, you are so full of pride
jibailublabla 1 year ago
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all the studying in the world can't get you the natural feel of music flowing in your soul. They can teach you progressions etc and shit, but it all takes you away from from the real stuff. Its pretty unprofessional to judge negatively, just coz you ain't got no music flowin in ya. So Fuck you and go back to school. Those who judge.... great Music!
Solomonwantok 1 year ago
Comment removed
Solomonwantok 1 year ago
I feel really angry when i read the comments of those so called "music expert" or "professionals" who keep critisizing his lack of technique.What this dude is doing is just amazing,music helps him against his illness,that's the point.And "normal" people (those who aren't professional assholes) enjoy listenning to this brave guy.
seriousbe 1 year ago 5
For those of us who teach and perform music everyday, what he's doing just doesn't seem so magical.
Sure, he has a drive to play music that he never lost. It's amazing that he's still able to play at all in spite of his illness. It's probably therapeutic. He's inspiring for these reasons.
But none of that means he's actually a good player. Words like "genius" and "amazing" mean something. He's not that good. Not even close. I have young students who could play circles around him.
casishul 1 year ago
I agree with you. I find his music really hard to listen to. It is out of tune, no timing, ramdom plucking. If you watch the audience when he plays you can tell by their faces that they are quite unsure of how to react because it sounds so awful. I think it is cruel to make him think he is fantastic when he is so obviously not.
julesmiles 1 year ago
yea lets just tell him he fucking sucks. that sounds like a good idea. haha
cooldaddy6567 1 year ago
im not trying to be mean but do u play any instruments cause maybe if u listend to it more u would realize that he is obviously playing a major or minor scale with flats
Mrsmallorypattinson 1 year ago
No I don't play but love to listen. My son plays flute,picolo,clarinet and Sax. He is doing a bachelor of music at Uni. I'm sorry but I still think Nathanials music is not very good to listen to. This is my personal opinion. I don't want to offend you, but when you go public with performance not everyone agrees on whether its good or bad. That's life and part of the learning process.
julesmiles 1 year ago
@julesmiles your fucking jealous bitch shut the fuck up you sound so stupid
09superronaldo 5 months ago
whatever. this man plays from the heart and thats the best kind of music. your stupid little students are like trained monkeys they dont know how to play from the heart
Mrsmallorypattinson 1 year ago
Couldn't have said it better myself. Music represents emotion so it only makes sense that it should come from the heart.
jiggrgermy 1 year ago
thanku finally someone agrees :)
Mrsmallorypattinson 1 year ago
First, his main instrument was double bass, and NOT the trumpet or the smaller string instrument. He taught himself these instruments, and he didn't even have the means to get them, so the fact that he even can play these is already amazing.
Plus, it has been 30+ years since he left Julliard due to his illness, in which case it is a miracle that he can play any of these. Although his tone is not the best, it is clear that he is not a beginner, which also means a lot.
freshpinescents 1 year ago 4
music heals.tom
jazzbox50 2 years ago
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I Am The Soloist
majesty76 2 years ago
@casishul He is quite talented, his illness isn't the balancing factor. In spite of all challenges he's risen above the anguish. His barriers only prove his abilities more blessed. He plays to quiet the noise/calm his mind, and for the intense love & yearning for his craft. Just b/c you have a gift doesn't mean you have a passion, or can play in the face of adversity and strife, like this man has. Whatever label you choose to describe his abilities, his character is something to esteem to.
Redfrog30 2 years ago 3
WOW!! What an awesome gift!!
ShenaMae 2 years ago
mentall illness or not i find his ability very beautiful granted thec ollege kids can out play hmim so to speak but rember his age and lost time beign with othrs to blend and have the intonation and techniques all that lost,, hes still damn good, ( when he plays a peice complete and not just loops them as he did in the film based on the real guy he does get stuck and loop stuff ) hes a beautiful unique person
Shannonbarnesdr1 2 years ago
He's rocking a Miami Dolphins Hat! HOLLA! LMAO
cr8zylegs81 2 years ago
You're damn right!
jezmundberserker 2 years ago
Sometimes when given a gift, there is a price. Mr. Ayers is seriously gifted, beyond what we can comprehend. But with his gift, he is paying price. We take sanity for granted, but this reminds us sanity can be the most fragile of all.
Cabocoleman 2 years ago 3
@Cabocoleman
You are wrong on two fronts. First, there are oodles of incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists in the world who never "pay a price". Places like Julliard are literally filled to the brim with talent. Before his mental illness set in, Mr. Ayers evidently once had the potential to be another of these players, but he wasn't an unfathomable genius. Just another talented kid. Music isn't magic and schizophrenia isn't "a price"--most people with it never have particular talents.
casishul 2 years ago
@Cabocoleman
Second, he's not really very good anymore. He plays with feeling, and that counts for something, but his intonation and technique are both quite bad. Most collegiate music students could play circles around him. It's really only in spite of his mental illness that you could consider him good--kind of like "you don't sweat much for a fat kid."
The movie portrayal of an incredible street musician is Hollywood bluff. His playing is not pleasing to a professional musician's ears.
casishul 2 years ago
I agree with you. I keep reading genius, beautiful,amazing etc, but I find his music very hard to listen to. It is disjointed and hard on the ears. Also very random with his string plucking, often out of tune and squeaky.
julesmiles 2 years ago
It is squeaky and out of tune because of the instrument. Remember he is not rich
JumpShotDude 2 years ago
@JumpShotDude I know he is not rich, but his talet is not as suggested in the Soloist. If he continues to play how he is at the moment his comeback will be very short lived and he will suffer. Many talented musicians play on inexpensive instruments.
julesmiles 1 year ago
The reason why it sounds squeaky and out of tune is because of the crappy instruments. Even excellent will sound like crap on crappy instruments. And yes he is very talented, his master of dynamics on both cello and trumpet are impressive!
JumpShotDude 1 year ago
OK we will just have our own opinions as to his degree of talent.
julesmiles 1 year ago
i could be wrong but i dont think he has had any training on any instrument except the cello. pretty strange that he just knows how to play those other instruments and on top of that he has a severe mental illness, i think thats pretty incredible.
cooldaddy6567 1 year ago
I've been teaching and performing piano, brass, and fretted instruments for 20 years. Many things that are learned in order to play a first instrument (notes, rhythms, etc.) are fundamental to nearly all modern instruments. Once one instrument is learned, the basics of another become pretty obvious.
The devil is in the details -- refining one's skill on an instrument is what takes so much work, and often requires "training" with a teacher. Mr. Ayers is not a refined player though.
casishul 1 year ago
wonderful.
cooldaddy6567 1 year ago
@casishul i hear that (no pun intended).. people tend to think because they have a msical ear they are geniuses. a lot of people have the musical ear. i do.. and i work at a fucking 7-11.. what makes people like mozart and beethoven who they were was that they were students of music not arbitrarily gifted people.. maybe their intelligence helped them exceed with more ease than others (and apparently mr ayers is has a high iq) which could potentially allow him to succeed at high levels.. but
pgagolf25 1 year ago
@casishul but i totally agree with you.. this man has a terrible illness which has crippled him but genius and mental illness are in no ways related.. people just watch movies like a beautiful mind and the solist and think that if you have a mental illness you are some gifted prophet from god. i myself suffer from the same problems mr ayers does paranoid schizophrenia.. and it has done nothing but make my life a living hell.. and i also have an iq of 103 which certainly doesnt make me a genius.
pgagolf25 1 year ago
I can not find words to describe how I feel after hearing him play. wow.
100xBob 2 years ago
I really would like to know wich music it is ? I would like to find the partition. That is too beautiful.
sapristi01 2 years ago
It was so beautiful! It made me cry. Thank you so much M. Lopez to give M. aYERS back to the music and the musician. So great to see that there is still some people with such a big heart.
THANKS SO MUCH.
sapristi01 2 years ago
Its been awhile since a piece really put chills down my spine. This guy is radiating with passion, its really hard not to feel something.
kpak2puc 2 years ago
so sad. heres a guy who had everything goind for him, and then suddenly became schizophrenic at age 18 and it ruined his life. damn.
dmacyoman8795 2 years ago
he was actually 21 i believe. I read the book a while ago and im pretty sure he was 21 and attending Julliard when it happened.
RockstarEnergy777 2 years ago
gorgeous!
Aemyh 2 years ago
he plays with so much passion! lovely
superaweosome91 2 years ago
the way he loves the cello..is amazing
lapafrent 2 years ago
that was really beautiful.. it almost made me cry when i watched this right after i watched the movie about his amazing story.
awesumchildHRS 2 years ago
bravo!!!!
verdad44 2 years ago
i could watch this for hours and it still brings tears to my eyes
partyboyrocks69 2 years ago 2
i swear it's like he can pick up an instrument and within 10 seconds know everything about it and be a master at it
partyboyrocks69 2 years ago
what song was that?
bluesdance 2 years ago
they were jamming. there is no music or song they were playing to or by. when you reach a certain level of musical talent and understanding you can improvise and turn anything into a beautiful peice.
mrmoe18 2 years ago
Wow
annurahmad 2 years ago 7
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boogaloo80 2 years ago
Man, I can feel that music! He may not be playing these technically demanding passages, but what a feel!
arroyomusic 2 years ago 3
It's amazing to see how absorbed he is in his music, it proves how much he loves it. You could actually feel what he played, such talent. :)
Sing4ever9 2 years ago 3
I can only imagine what his music was like when he was at Julliard...when this is quite amazing...
huneyhunters 2 years ago 3
i would love to here him on violin, his original instrument
he just taught himself cello and hes that amazing
acidrainstorms 2 years ago
whoops i meant bass ,not violin was his original instrument
acidrainstorms 2 years ago
It was bass...
GassyMaskz 2 years ago
thats weird in the movie it was acello
101violinguitar 2 years ago
I like his style i bet his style hasnt changed since his youth very soothing i bet slow rythmic and deep. I dont think he is rusty i think he is spot on maybe a technical mess up who knows sounds great like nothing i have ever heard.
auburn722 2 years ago
A man blessed with a cure for his curse.
auburn722 2 years ago 3
very well put
philboy521 2 years ago
Very Poetic and True !
VEGA747 2 years ago
wow...this was very moving on so many levels for me...
huneyhunters 2 years ago 2
alot of bad information on mr. ayers on these comments. Mr. Ayers is no longer homeless. He and Mr. Lopez are still best friends and do everything together. Mr. Ayers practices with members of the Philharmonic orchestra, all who are wowed by his ability and they are committed to getting him back to an elite playing level. He started recently playing with other band members again. Mr. Ayers also is going to have a CD of his music coming out soon. Info courtesy of the Nathaniel Ayers foundation
ironmark 2 years ago 7
So amazing. So fluid, yet on it's own vibe. He is jazz on Jazz. On, but off. In between, yet engulfed. He's amazing.
TripTraveler 2 years ago
you can tell he puts all of his heart and soul into his music making it magical
catalata123 2 years ago
truly inspirational
btini89 2 years ago
omg this was amazing truly a gift from our father in heaven
hotmama31 2 years ago
man, why is it that crazy people are usually the best musicians/artist
visforvendetta 2 years ago
propably because they feel more and they think less
garrett156 2 years ago 2
There is no great genius without some touch of madness.
CRAIG9LEWIS 2 years ago 30
@CRAIG9LEWIS just look at Johnny Depp or Heath Ledger :)
godluven44 1 year ago
a soloist no more.. ♫♪♫♪♫♪
rapata69 2 years ago
luved the movie and love the music...keep doing what u are doing Mr. Ayers!!!!!
sexy2lvrn 2 years ago
I don't blame him for not seeking medication. We treat mental ilness as a badge of shame in this country- I wish people could look past their unease of those afflicted and just accept their uniqueness. Do the mentally ill commit violent crimes? Absolutely they do. But so do those of us with 'normal' psyches. I applaud him for looking his schizophrenia in the face and calling it his own with dignity.
kodiakfred140 2 years ago 16
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You cant function in society with that kinda personality!!! hes a gr8 musuician, but the guys a fuckn wackjob!!!! he needs sum help stupid!
CHIckENandSoda 2 years ago
Go fuck yourself you heartless, brainless, dickless, cocksucker.
kodiakfred140 2 years ago 6
seriously dude, he had a mental breakdown when he was a kid and was given shock treatment, you would act like that if you were put through that.
TheBeatlesFan1100 2 years ago
that was beautifully said
catalata123 2 years ago
@kodiakfred140 I believe (from what I've read and seen) that he avoids medication because of the pain he endured when he underwent electroconvulsive therapy
basshred 1 year ago
Nathaniel Ayers is a remarkable person and Los Angeles Philharmonic members like Joanne Pearce-Martin are to be commended for their sincere support of his musical interests.
2007kckc2008 2 years ago
Well, his cello skills haven't peaked, but thats really not fair to say because he was originally a double bassist.
For playing multiple different instruments so purely is truly remarkable and awe-inspiring.
The talent is certainly there
Fred28Taylor 2 years ago
what song is this? he's very talented and inspiration.
starforcedragon9 2 years ago
he is soooo inspiring...omg...like its crazy how talented he is and its saddening....
LILLEXYBOO 2 years ago
i wish i had this song its soo beautiful
5556661678 2 years ago
he definitely can play! trust me.
jacobgodsend 2 years ago
Yes it does. I want to know if he's good by cello standards, or if he's just being made famous because of his story.
bobevans26025 2 years ago
He was trained as a double bass player, a fact that was changed in the movie to make it more accessible to audiences, so perhaps judging him on a second instrument is not fair.
dreverends 2 years ago 2
i can't quite make it out... any know the name of the song?
pianoblack13 2 years ago
Alright, so I play other musical instruments but I don't play cello. Is there anyone out there that is an accomplished cello player who has a real opinion on this guys playing? Is he good or just average?
bobevans26025 2 years ago
he had a scholarship to Juliard, that should clear thinks up.
pablosalaco 2 years ago 2
madness or not he has a honorable talent ,..him and a lot of people who we ignore them everyday.....
salvadoraugustus 2 years ago
play on nathaniel.....
wayek 2 years ago
pure talent
WhiteKnighT161 2 years ago
cool.. ^^
huiyou 2 years ago
I watched the Soloist recently. Although the movie is very good... just that three minutes of him playing. It's amazing what one person is capable of. The ability to make someone feel what they are feeling no matter what language they speak. Robert Downey Jr. said the line "I've never loved anything the way he loves music." Jamie Foxx is an amazing actor, but you can really see what they're talking about when he plays.
Sicarious 2 years ago
Mr. Ayers, God Bless you!
cvgashenoud 2 years ago
icyrazor hes mentally ill....i think thats the reason he didnt succeed
Edgar3492 2 years ago
I don't get it. He's this good but, yet He's still homeless. He can play these instruments so beautifully.
icyrazor 2 years ago
Also, he wasn't a busker or anything, he wouldn't play for money, he'd just play in tunnels for himself.
jenyouwhine 2 years ago
To drown out his schizophrenia I think right? But, still they should get him a really nice apartment by the tunnels. So he could clean himself up a bit, then play in the tunnels right? Better than on the streets.
icyrazor 2 years ago
He refuses to play in front of audiences, because of his illness.
Therefore he doesnt make money from playing, and he feels safe on the streets.
rixis123123 2 years ago
Well he doesn't need audiences, Can't they just buy him a nice apartment? I remember in the movie Foxx said "I've been mugged 14 times already." That's not very safe. He DID make some money before Steve found him though. People just dropped some change
icyrazor 2 years ago
Maybe they could give him new shiny instruments to play with.
icyrazor 2 years ago
damn.. he lives music, he just feels it
Fiss11 2 years ago
Nice!
As a surprisingly unusual homeless violinist (with a laptop), I've got to point out:
Very few journalists are interested in helping homeless musicians (that's not their job.)
The flick, though quite entertaining, "enhanced" many truths in order to be more...entertaining. (Okay. I liked it anyway.)
The music "profession" has become more dubious than ever before.
If my own apt video response to this post is not accepted, feel free to examine my own youtube page. Viva Bach!
unusualmusician 2 years ago
I would also like to applaude Steve and Nathaniel and The whole cast and crew for taking part in a movie like this. It really helps people understand an underrated illness. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Ghandi
We can all see what some people want to bring to this world...
crystalstarr66 2 years ago
It's Gandhi, and not Ghandi
nick4xxx 2 years ago
When I seen the movie I took away a more insightful perspective that living for what you love is what brings peace. I didnt form an ignorant, bitter opinion on the subject. I thought positively instead of responding negatively. I also didnt say its bad to be condescending to people who dont share your opinion. (which I agree with) Then insult the people who dont think the way you do. Sounds contradictory to me. Someone who has no discipline in what theyre talking about might say that.
crystalstarr66 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This isn't fun anymore, trying to explain to you Brownshirt Nazi Youths how wasting money on a homeless Bum instead of making him NOT a Homeless Bum is the better thing.
Keep on Truckin ya Bastards.
4QBUD 2 years ago
Do you wear a helmet?? I imagine you fall down a lot dont ya. Ayers now sleeps with a roof over his head amongst friends and has people taking care of him and is obviously quite happy. He has a mental illness, they arent just gonna "NOT make him a homeless bum" Quit tryin to be the hero on here with ur totally ignorant and flat out DUMB comments. Your laughed at kid, its pathetic. Grow up. Dont hurt yourself.
makemyaday 2 years ago
that was for 4QBUD by the way.. the loser we all feel sorry for.
makemyaday 2 years ago
Canada has frozen your brain! He still lives in the street and not amongst friends and those who care for him. If you knew an inkling oif what it's like to live near someone with this problem you would know what I am talking about. I know exactly the things of which I speak. You can not convince a guy like that to live indoors. Not without medication and even then your're not gonna get what you want no matter how much you wish it would happen.How much do you donate to end this mental problem? Ah
4QBUD 2 years ago
Ignorant people like yourself who go to the Movies and see firsthand what it's like for a person to pretend to have a mental illness won't help. Enriching the lives of millionaire actors and the production companies who exploit your desire to "feel sorry for those less fortunate than yourself" doesn't help either. Donate money to the research centers who are actually trying to find cures for mental illness. Oh, wait a minute. Your donations come right from your Gubment, right? Got Spare change?
4QBUD 2 years ago
4qbud what an asshole you are you actually took time to send me an email. I obviously don't know you don't want to know you and could care less if you will judge if I am a musician . Way back when I commented that you missed the point guess what?.........................you missed the fucking point. And then you send me a fucking email GET A LIFE
ziggyselbin 2 years ago
No you idiot! I did not send your tired ignorant ass an email. You Tube sent you one because I replied to a post you made.
What a Dolt! Fuck off Cocksmoker
4QBUD 2 years ago
Wow.
plaidman42 2 years ago
i like the trumpet part betther but both are hella nice its so relaxing.....
manuelito1559 2 years ago
anyone know what piece he is playing?
ac737 2 years ago
OMG...made me CRY!!!!
dope240sx 2 years ago
Amazing, this shows that not everyone has forgotten the power of music and the emotions it invokes
parkercr 2 years ago
look at miley cyrus on top of the world and this guy who was homeless. something's not right with that picture.
williestratton 2 years ago 9
i know its messed up. beautiful struggle of Mr. Ayers
NathanDowd 2 years ago