Incredible Video of a 6-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Playing ‘Piano Man’ Will Make Your Jaw Drop
- Posted on April 27, 2012 at 10:44am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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If you need a video pick-me-up this Friday, look no further than this story and Ethan Walmark.
Ethan, from Connecticut, is 6-years-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and he’s a piano prodigy to say the least. How so? He learns and plays by ear.
“He‘s a great kid and it’s some kind of a miracle,” his piano instructor, Chris Robison, explains. “I tell people but you can‘t really see unless you’re there.”
She’s not kidding. Here he is playing Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” a couple days ago:
So who is he? The local Patch site gives a little background on Ethan, who’s been capturing hearts and ears over the past year:
Ethan Walmark’s dad sang The Beatles’ “I Will” to his child every night. It’s the gentle type of song that a proud father would sing to his son, with lyrics like, “Love you forever and forever/Love you with all my heart.”
When Ethan was four, he played the song by ear. At five years old, he knows The Doors, the tunes from Glee and just about anything else he hears. For Ethan, who has autism, music is medicine, therapy and a rare gift
“When people see our son and all the attributes he has, it takes a little of the pain away because I’m in pain 24/7,” said his mother, Allison Ziering Walmark.
While Ethan can belt out a bevy of tunes despite being too short to reach the piano pedals, his disorder makes social interactions difficult. When Mike, his dad, played The Beatles over an iPhone, Ethan started hysterically shouting to turn it off. He often shouts and has problems focusing.
And Ethan’s local news station covered his amazing ability last year:
Can’t get enough of the little guy? You’re in luck. Here are some of his best “hits”:
In case you’re wondering, Ethan’s parents, Michael and Allison, are raising money for autism here.
(H/T: Gawker)
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Comments (124)
JinOH
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:41pmJust wait for the nanny state ‘do gooders’ hear that he‘s playing a song that has smoking and drinking and getting ’stoned’ in the lyrics. LOL
Great job, little dude – that put a smile on MY face!
Report Post »Independent4233
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:08pmDr. Ian Stevenson has done case studies on chidhood prodigies who are adept at some skill or talent and says it is suggestive of reincarnation, without sigining on to the theory. And for those who are unfamiliar with his work, he is regarded highly.
What do I think?
I just don’t know, but Stevenson has some pretty convincing cases that can be explained ONLY as reincarnation.
Personally, I’d hate to think we have to keep coming back to this plane of existence in one dreary life after another until we get it right.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:25pmGod really does work in mysterious ways. I loved this!
Report Post »blair152
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 3:03pmSign him up for America’s Got Talent!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 3:44pm@Independent4233
Report Post »I’m not convinced, since Billy Joel is still very much alive :-)
guntotinsquaw
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 4:36pm@independent… Every child is a prodigy, but we never take the time to find what that childs gift is. Today we base all children as standardized.
Report Post »“Everybody is a genius, but if we judged a fish by it’s ability to climbed a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Einstein
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 5:25pmas a musician myself, i quickly noticed his ability to separate the playing from everything else. Notice how he turns and talks to dad without missing a beat. Thats tough, its multitasking to the extreme. Its like the part of the brain thats playing is independant from the rest of the brain. Hard to explain, but I see it very clearly when I watch him. He’ll be even better in a few short years. Amazing.
Report Post »Independent4233
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:45pmAnonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 3:44pm
@Independent4233
“I’m not convinced, since Billy Joel is still very much alive :-)”
This kid has a piano talent which has nothing to do with Billy Joel. As I understand it, he can play many tunes.
“While Ethan can belt out a bevy of tunes despite being too short to reach the piano pedals, his disorder makes social interactions difficult. ”
Even if he could only play the Billy Joel song….according to Dr. Stevenson…..that doesn‘t mean he’s the reincarnation of Billy Joel who is still kicking. It just means he has a talent for the piano, and, if we assume reincarnation is true, it would mean he was adept at playing the piano in a prior life, and possibly that particular song was one of his favorites.
Stevenson’s theory has some interesting examples. I’d suggest you read them and make up your own mind. All his case studies are well referenced with supporting information and photos.
As I said, I’m impressed with the evidence, but I‘m not sure it’s proof of reincarnation. What is so baffling is that there doesn’t seem to be another logical reason for the incidents, but I’m still looking into it.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 8:34pm@INDEPENDENT4233
No, God bestows talent on some people, even at birth. He then waits to see if we give the credit to him (GOD) or accredits it to a freak of nature or some other phenomenon.
Report Post »Cesium
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:59am@RULER4U You‘re proud you convinced yourself of that aren’t ya?!
Report Post »jlcook
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:56am@ LIBSALWAYSLIE
Report Post »No doubt!, I too am a muscian, I played this video to the first finger run stopped and called my wife to come see this, I knew as soon as he started this was going to be speacial, His two hand work is amazing, folks if you don‘t play I’m telling you this kid has some serious talent, that is not easy to do, I too loved how he talks to his Dad while playing, I think really what impressed me the most is that he is reading the music, I can’t even do that I play by ear, I know many people can read music, but the way he has grasped it at age 6 is, well, wow.
harmonyart
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 6:07pmThis is just Awesome!
My Matthew doesn’t read music either.. Has been playing for two years, just turned 14..Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement http://www.youtube.com/user/angelwork88 Hoping someday to get him his own piano..now he plays on borrowed ones at church and friends…
Lucky boy to have a Dad who is a muscian and has a piano!
Report Post »Liberty2011
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:33pmI hope someone out there shows this to Billy Joel. I would love to see him perform this with Ethan. Just beautiful.
Report Post »jagape
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 1:27pmWouldn’t that be awsome???
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:49pmMaybe Billy is a poster here, and has already seen this?
Just kidding.
That would be cool though.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:31pmA Savant with a Special Talent… alike a Hockey Player… must be Condemned by Liberals… because it idolizes InEquality!
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:48pmHe may dominate the other musicians.
He must be stopped.
Report Post »cmonnow
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:27pmyou people are so reactionary… please cite me one instance of a progressive wanting to undercut somebody’s artistic talent in the name of equality. one good example. you live in such a radicalized fantasy world. it isn’t the left who has systematically undercut the education of the arts btw.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 1:20amYou must have missed the story about the soccer player who was too good ..and now they won’t let him play .. it was on the Blaze yesterday.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:26pmThis child has God Given talent, and with time, hard work and determination he can be part of the 1%. The government must do all it can to stop him before he makes others feel deprived.
Report Post »cmonnow
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:32pmridiculous. please cite me one progressive initiative that would act to hinder an artist from excelling and profiting from his/her talent. it is the right that has cut funding to the arts and arts education since the 80s.
Report Post »UpAboveItAll
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 9:34pmBeing aborted would hinder ones ability to profit from their talents. Why does it have to be an “artistic” talent? People are talented in many more ways than just the arts.
Report Post »DenisK
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:15pmInteresting technique. He doesn’t use his right thumb.
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:32pmBig deal! Obama doesn’t use his brain.
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 1:07pmIt would seem that he has no need to use his right thumb.
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 1:27pmI think he does.. look at Take on Me at about 2:19 on… if you watch closely he throws it out there a few times. Love this kid.. God’s precious gifts. I wish I had this interesting technique.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:25pm@DenisK
Report Post »He’s only 6 and saves his right thumb for sucking on. : )
Machead84
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:06pmCool kid! He reminds me a tiny Dave Matthews!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:51amSweet child of God… you may never know the world like we do.. but that makes you even more special! God has given you a gift.. one the whole world needs, one the whole world could be healed with and that is music! The lessons we can learn from these kids is important.. we all are worth something in the eyes of God!
Report Post »nomorpc4me
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:47amGod Bless this child. This is one that Planned Parenthood didn’t get their bloody hands on.
Report Post »wyldibrouse
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:25pmThe majesty of God in one small boy. It defies words.
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 5:07pmnomorpc4me,
That is so true.
Too bad some of these ‘bio-ethicists‘ believe it’s not too late.
Report Post »brandonvphoto
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:45amAmazing kid! Stupid MOM! PLEASE PLEASE TURN THE CAMERA SIDEWAYS! Video is not vertical!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:55amYou are a idiot! Do you enjoy always finding fault it littl stupid things?? If so I pity you!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:59amEthan is not always playing by ear, he is reading either words or music. The vertical videos don’t show this. I wonder if that is intentional. The boy is gifted, as I could not play piano chords at 5, but I could still play by ear. I cannot read music, but play most anything by ear on guitar, piano, or harmonica.
Report Post »I don’t know if, or why they are trying to hide the music he is reading, he still has a gift.
COFemale
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:42amPretty amazing. It makes you wonder how is some areas they excel beyond belief and other areas they appear not able to learn. Autism has many facets, many areas doctors are still trying to figure out.
I am not a doctor, but sometimes I get the feeling that these children function at a higher degree of intelligence, way above what we call genius, that their coping skills almost make them seem mentally and behavioral challenged. The average person operates at a lower level of intelligence and the brain does not get overwhelmed with information that it can process it in easier chunks. When you observe individuals with an extremely high IQ, they generally lack common sense and social skills.
Could you imagine operating at the level of God where you know everything; can you imagine the sensory overload he experiences?
Report Post »NeoKong
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:41amWow….
Report Post »Small World
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:35amSpecial needs Very special gift.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 3:44pmI am so grateful to the Blaze for posting this. I am also dealing with a “twice exceptional” child.
He could read at 24 months, was doing second and third grade math in his head at three and we only JUST found out he can also play music by ear……BUT……. he has “unspecified” behavioral issues and isn’t potty-trained yet at 4 1/2. It‘s nice to know I’m not alone and there are bright days ahead.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:31amHuh, is music therapy for Ethan, or is Ethan and his ability therapy for the people who know of him?
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:55amIt’s both, and the fact that you can’t see that confirms you’re crazy.
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:30amWhat a wonderful story! Autistic children are so very special and these parents have done a wonderful job or raising their little boy. God bless them as finding somethng these kids can focus on gives them a chance to lead more normal lives. Pray for this family as this little guy grows up—I’ll bet he is going to be a very smart kid as well as talented!
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:37amMaybe you are the one not leading a ‘Normal’ life, and Ethan is trying to point that out to you.
Whatsizface
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:23amAmazing. I smiled the entire time.
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:22amIf I had a son, he would look like Ethan.
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:34pmHe only plays one tune. Obama has many tunes depending where he is.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 3:46pmCould have fooled me, I thought Obama only knew “The Blame Game.”
Report Post »cmonnow
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:30pmRamonPreston – You voting for etch-a-sketch ?? Obama remains fairly consistent with his tunes.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:22amW O W ——just, wow!
Report Post »ferggie
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:21amWhat a Gift to all.
Report Post »Uncurable wound
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:17amThanks litlltle man,
Report Post »That helps…
lynnissmart
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:15amI thought that was beautiful……..just beautiful!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:06amEthan, you make GOD smile.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:02amOK, I’m impressed. Had to be borne with it, hasn’t had time to learn that.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:00amIdiot Savant
lynnissmart
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:30amHey Buck – who is the idiot?
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:45amHey Lynn do you know what a Idiot Savant is? Perhaps you are the Idiot?
An idiot savant is a person with autism that has extraordinary skills in certain domains in spite of cognitive deficiencies in most others.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 11:55am@ lynnissmart
That was not meant to be disparaging. It used to be an actual diagnosis. We all have a range of talents, but in the case of some, their talents are all concentrated into one small area. This is such a case. He has already exceeded what most quality musicians can do by ear, and he will do far better as he grows into his ability.
Report Post »Dustin Hoffman’s “Rain Man” was one of these people.
RamonPreston
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:31pmWatch “Rainman.”
Report Post »GeorgeWashingtonslept here
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 10:53amI’m speechless………
Report Post »Murkman
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 10:52amJust wait until his hands get a little bigger!
Report Post »