He makes a good brother too!

"But with language, even as a baby, you're jamming with professionals." What a powerful statement!

"A kid playing air guitar will play with a smile on their face. Give 'em your first lesson, and that smile goes away" - As a music teacher, that was so deep.

Not only is he a genius musician, but an articulate and concise speaker.

That reminded me of a Tim Burton interview I saw once. He said "All young children know how to make art - then school teaches them that they can't."

"To be a good musician, you have to be a good listener."

"Who cares about the instrument you talk with? It's about what you have to say." This man is a real legend!

well, he already changed me as a musician, now he changed me as a human.

His usage of rests during this talk is amazing!

"When we see something bad or awful or horrible in life, maybe we're just viewing it in the wrong octave" This is the best freaking analogy I've ever heard in my entire life. Period. This is pure gold.

“Cool, a Ted talk about music” 2 minutes in: crying my eyes out and rethinking my entire musical journey Thank you for so much wisdom and truth, you are truly a great🙌🏻

I met Victor after a show once, I'd just lost the use of my hands and was having trouble regaining it, literally ten minutes of discussion with him lifted my spirits and erased any concerns I had about never being able to play again. He is an unbelievably special person, I'm glad he's on Earth the same time I am

15:11 "When people put you up on a pedestal, don't come off the pedestal acting like you're humble... Stay up on that pedestal, because if they put you there, that's showing you how high they can see. Stay there and then pull them up...! And they'll grow faster than if you come down."

Even when he speaks he's musical...

_"A kid playing air guitar will play with a smile on their face. Give them the first lesson, the smile goes away."_ Ouch, I felt that quote so hard. Really loved this talk-very inspiring.

“People will forget what you said, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.” As a high school teacher, I try to put that into practice every day (although it’s not always easy). So many pearls of wisdom in this talk, I can’t imagine why anyone would give it a thumbs down.

Imagine how much cooler the world would be if just a few people like Vic were in positions of power in large countries. Empathy, compassion, intelligence, well thought out reasoning, straightforward yet very illustrative way of explaining things. No more wars, just killer international jam sessions 24/7

I ALMOST CRIED WATCHING THIS... GOING TO PLAY MY BASS... LOVE THIS GUY... I WILL JOIN YOU ON THE BATTLE FIELD

This man must be protected at all costs.

If you are really into this, check his book: The Music Lesson, it goes into further detail.

Some of the greatest musicians, are philosophers as well.

This man is an embodiment of the perfect musician. I idolize him and look up to him.

I could listen to Vic talk all day. Such a talented guy with so much knowledge.

This speech is one of the single most beautiful things I have ever heard in my life. Thanks TEDx for uploading and thanks Victor for sharing it.

TED talks have good intentions but 1 out of 50 videos is worth it, this one was definitely the exception!

*Yes, it takes effort (let's call it **_work_**, shall we?) to obtain a high skill-level, but it's music. So let's **_play._* Have fun and play. It's ART, not a contest. And _everyone_ is invited. You want to play music? You can probably already do it, and you may not even realize it. Ready? Let's go.

I already watch this few times, but as a music teacher myself whenever i fell down or stress, i sit down and watch this all over again and it will help me to smile and relieve my stress, Bravo Victor you literally change the standard rules to greatness.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I think about this video all the time. “Even as a baby you are jamming with professionals.”

That was a fantastic talk. His last few statements reduced me to tears. Thank you.

As someone who teaches singing and deals with speech impediments and issues, I would say most people are robbed of their true voice. They are told to speak quieter, or not so openly, or directly. And so most people I teach, don't even know what their real voice sounds like anymore.

I knew Victor as a first class bassist. Never knew he was a first class teacher too!! It's unbelievable how good he explains the simple thing in life! Thanks Victor..

He's not only an extraordinary musician but first an extraordinary personality! The calmness, wisdom and influence in his words are very phenomenal. Thanks maestro

"If I use my greatness in the right way, it can help others rise up quickly." Thank you Victor for helping us see how teachers are able to share their true gifts with the rest of us. What an amazing TED conversation!!!

He's a rarity of talent; an amazing musician. Many of the musical geniuses (not talking about lyricists), current and past, share a common sentiment: they find it more natural to 'speak' through music rather than speech.

Probably the BEST musical TED Talk I've ever seen. Wow. This was deeply enlightening.

Victor, I don't know if you remember me from Stanford, but I remember you. So good to hear what you had to say here. I grew up in a musical family, too, but we were all taught to read and play classical music. I loved the cello, but I grew to hate it because it would take 6 months of practicing for hours every day to get the perfect tone and sound I wanted. I finally let it go. I was studying the Bach Cello Suites at the time. I love them. YoYo Ma does a marvelous job on them. I've seen him play them. I still dream about playing the cello. I had a beautiful instrument, and I lent it to a friend who played jazz on an electrified cello. Not too long later, my cello was stolen, and I just knew it was God telling me if you're not going to use the talent I gave you as a gift, I'm going to take it away. Today, I still love classical, but I love jazz more. And I write about music. Words are the music I play now. It's not possible to reach the same levels of heaven with words, as it is with music, but I try.

I've loved Victor for many years but have never heard him speak like this. I suddenly love him more.

Thank You Victor!!!!! You are more inspiring than I can ever express.

Resonance is when a guitar across the room wants to play along. The girl at Stanford with the bass resonates with the band and the band echoes that back. That make his point how music isn't taught but is a natural part of you.

"Who cares about the instrument you talk with? It's about what you have to say. I've always had something to say, and I've learned how to speak through my instrument." That's just, wow. An eye opener.

THE MAJOR 7 WOW THAT JUST BLEW MY MIND

that was just so great. I've Never seen music tought that way though. It would be so cool to be born in such a family I guess.

For me, theres no greater joy than using 'that greatness' to break down other peoples mental barriers and watch they bask in something they once fantasized of. I once had a close friend buy an ukulele and was very timid about playing, too focused on strumming correctly or messing up. Hed always asked the strumming pattern and Id say "you know it, think about it, feel it" One day, soon after I started teaching him, I said were taking a walk down the street. Grab your uke and I grabbed an acoustic, before heading to the neighborhood pub on a busy Friday. I gave him 4 simple chords to remember during that walk and as we drew closer he began to get nervous, realizing what I had in mind. It's been 3 years since that night and he still regards then as something very special to him. You see, using those 4 simple chords to follow my lead, a crowd of about 20-30 people gathered around us in a circle and were singing along with me at top of their lungs. I remember looking at him and he was playing him heart out, worried about nothing and in a state of bliss. As of today, he plays guitar too and is singing as well. He trusts me fully and when I ask him to sing on demand (to teach others) he belts out vocals whether it sounds good or not. He sees other people who were too nervous/doubtful, as he was and tells them of the night I dragged him to the pub and how all the sudden a crowd of people were gathered around enjoying the music. As someone who's spent much time teaching for free, moments like that, the value it had on someone else and the barrier it broke down make me feel like a millionaire. I'm proud as heck for the times I've spontaneously given away a guitar, that ended up opening doors of joy for other people. I've been playing for 16 years and I'm certain that anyone can and should too

After watching this,I started playing the guitar infront of my 6 months old baby girl.She's smile and staring at me.❤️ Thank you for the inspirational life lesson victor❤️

This speaks to me so much. When I started playing percussion two years ago, I knew nothing. Didn't even know what sheet music was, but I had a couple older friends in the drumline and they taught me to read notes and rhythms, and beyond that I'm self taught. This year (I'm 16) I was accepted into the OMEA District II Honors Band as the 6th of 8 percussionists taken from a 7 county area, and I'm just baffled and humbled that I made it. First percussionist from my school in 6 years to make it, the last being Matthiesen Nisch-Quan a rising professional drummer.Music just make sense to me, it is in the air that I breathe and the blood in my veins

Amazing....bravo Victor.. Powerful

Incredible. I’ve been playing guitar for 6 years. But this speech alone made me buy a bass today. No rules. Just playing. “You are already successful, the world just doesn’t know it yet”

This talk nearly brought me to tears ! Because I forget what it meant to be a musician. I'm more conscious now of my role in the world. "Music is a lifestyle".

I've heard many explanations of music and singing and how some just adapt to it naturally. This is about the best I've heard.

Thanks Victor. I'll never look at music the same again. What profound insight you've given us. When we hear the truth it rings like a bell.

When he said that the Major 7th is almost too beautiful that hit me. I use the chord soooo frequently and want to incorporate more jazzy dominant and diminished chords. There's a difference between playing beautiful phrases and magical phrases. Sometimes those magical phrases can seem alittle off color. Just gotta change the octave like he said I guess. Fascinating stuff.

THIS IS BRILLIANT!!! I gave a TED Talk a couple of years ago called The Right Amount of Wrong and the Art of Innovation, I also coach TED Talkers and this is one of the BEST talks I've EVER seen. I'm also a bassist and a disciple of yours. Thank you for ALWAYS paying your LOVE forward. You continue to CHANGE THE WORLD!!! I'M PROUD to be 1 degree of separation away from you my brotha!!!

Every time I hear Victor speak, I want to unlearn everything I thought I knew about music. For all I have ever seen of him, he is a gifted man, not only in music.

"Is anyone working on a bomb that makes people love you? Maybe a 'cupid bomb.' I believe we already have it. It's called music. And every country has their own version of it. And it works. It brings people together; you don't have to know a thing about it to get it. It's a language, it's a lifestyle, and it can save the world. My name is Victor Wooten and I hope you will join me on the battlefield." Trust the bassist to keep it deep

This is my favorite TEDx talk...period. All of the Wootens are such positive and encouraging people. Their Wednesday nights at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley and now at Rudy's Jazz Club are a great way to spend an evening (not to mentioned seeing a world class show that's very entertaining on many levels).

God Bless You....... You Spoke my heart out without your Bass Guitar

This brought tears to my eyes and really encouraged me. Thank you so much for this great post. :)

I already loved Victor Wooten. I love his music, I love his personality, I love his style, I love his attitude. But I had no idea how much I really loved what he's all about until I watched this.

Victor, great talk! I have been a musician for 45 yrs although i haven't performed for 20yrs due to health concerns. Even though i'm not playing - my love for music and desire to pick up my instrument to hear it never goes away! One gaffe he walked into was not inculdin the singer into the group of musicians.

There are among us natural teachers. Victor Wooten is one of these wonderful people. I cannot recommend his audiobook, "The Music Lesson" highly enough. It is a true audiobook, as it is his delivery and bass interludes bring it to life. I hold it as my most inspirational book in my library in any area of discovery. You will learn why you play music, and why you stop with simply "playing" music, instead of living and breathing it as so many of the masters demonstrate.

I wish more musicians thought like this. I've always contended that musicians are WAY too much into instruments, rather than music.

One of the most important and beautiful things I've ever heard in my life. Not just as a musician, but as a human being... Vic, I'm reporting for duty! :-D ;-)

Wow...Victor is not only an amazing musician but this guy is brilliant too. What a great message. Every kid should watch this.

Bravo and I totally agree (but never heard it put this way before) and thank you, Victor Wooten. Anybody can benefit from these insights. This vid deserves much more attention.

Victor Wooten is one of de biggest musicians in all of time 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇧🇷

great speech. it reminds me of something the great john peel said once about hearing music. and this was a guy who listened to literally hundreds of records a week for decades. he said that no one would ever send him a tape or record submission if they thought it was bad. he said he felt it wasn't bad, it was only himself that didn't "get it". i thought that was an incredibly humble thing to say considering his position as a giant in the industry. victor here reflects that viewpoint as well. join him on the battlefield.

I just discovered Victor Wooten and I shed tears every time I hear him speak. Everything he says about music I realise I knew already, only I never thought to put it in words. It's just so great to hear it in words though. Thank you, Victor

Just saw Victor Wooten and got to meet him last November but first watched this TED Talk today. He impressed me as a very genuine individual. What a great humanitarian.

When I saw Mr Wooten play live I thought it was two bass players playing at once. Truly a great man who knows the truth of music and its power. Sinister Minister!!

Oh everyone who loves to sing or play or who was ever told that they couldn't. please watch this! It is the most inspiring, easy to listen to, and wise speech that I have ever heard!

Probably the best description of music I’ve heard in my life. Traditional music education kills creativity

Victor Wooten spoke the truth we always turned a deaf ear too. He didn't say something new. He didn't say something we've never heard of. But what he did was he changed our octave! He made us see music in a different 'octave'.

This man is a Music Ninja. (That C C# analysis was a life changer for me.)

His book, The Music Lesson, is the most inspiring book available for a music lover.

His voice is soothing, but not condescending. His speech is clear, but not dull. He displays his emotions but does not overwhelm with them neither himself nor others. Great talk to me

This is what we have been doing as a band learning to speak together in music for the past 5 years and now we are recording our first album ❤. So glad to see our way of doing thinks is so powerful and pure

Vic's book changed my Life. Gratitude.

What a talk, Victor. Surely we can make the world a better place to live, through music

He is not just talking about music. He is sharing life wisdom. There are so many gems all packed in one jam session. You are a beautiful human being, Victor Wooton.

I think it's the only TEDxTalk I've enjoyed and watched all the way through. Hail to music, the one true goddess.

What an exceptional, organic presentation! Lots of correlation to the Montessori approach to educating the child. Thank you Victor.

I started clapping when he finished his speech

We do need people like him. And the stage shouldn't be limited to TED - Talks. Hope our institutions teach us like the way he does.

As both a musician and a linguist, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.

zen master of life through music, so impressive a human being.

His Book "The Music Lesson" is fantastic. Highly recommended.

I saw him 20 years ago at a guitar center in Chicago. I was not a bass player at that time , I think I brought my first base shortly after that, and been playing every sense thank you Victor.

I love that the people in the audience begin standing up. Just as a solidification of helping the people rise with you and rise together. Once they listened to the talk, they rose in understanding.

Damn he is such an eloquent speaker.

This man clearly dropped an inspiration bomb on the the audience with this one! Then they uploaded this to KZfaq and once I clicked it... BOOM!!!

I've always felt this way. Music is something done with other people. Musicians of all skill levels should play with each other. That's one way to get better for one thing. You pick up tricks from others. I've had such a hard time getting people to play music. It doesn't matter how good you are. You gotta play.

Victor Wooten様が格好良すぎて昇天しました。final approachとcupidの真意を知り、益々Victor様と音楽が好きになりました。Love each other.

Damn, I've god those shivers again. Been a while since I saw such a good TED talk

I always knew vic was a sick bassist but never knew how deep and philosophical he was.

I come here at least once a year and at the end of the talk it always gives me chills. This deserves a Nobel Price or something, idk. Thank you so much for this.

I was searching videos on theroy talk and came across this. I know I'm 7 years late here but so glad I came across this. Amazing speech.

so many parallels between this and sir ken robinson's ted talk. awesome stuff mr. wooten.

"To be a good musician you have to be a great listener..."

He's so beautiful. So Kind, such a nice man ,! What the world needs now is like mind people just like him. Admire this man ! Lov you Mr Woot Woot Wooten!

Ever since I can remember, My Father has been an amazing guitar player. I never to much interest in learning. but I love music, and my children. It amazes me everyday what my toddlers pick up on and learn, manipulate, and Jam. My father once gave me a guitar. I tried playing it once. Its time I start Jamming with it instead.