For most people playing a musical instrument can be a challenge. Especially in this era where you do not need to know how to play a musical instrument to produce a song- people mainly rely on computer-generated beats and rhythms to create a song. Neil Nayyar has taken a different route, at a very young age; he can play more than 107 instruments and counting. Given his achievements in the music scene and his abilities, one would be forgiven for thinking that Neil is approaching his mid-life but would be surprised to learn that he has just entered his teenage life. While some musicians have mastered a few instruments Neil has broken all the records. At the age of twelve years, he broke the record that had been set by a twenty-seven year old instrumentalist to play 44 instruments. One year later, he almost tripled the number of instruments that he could play when the number moved to 107 settings, a record which most people think would be hard to beat by anybody who dares challenge the prowess of this young artist.
How did the thirteen year old learn to play all these instruments? This is a question that has lingered in most people's mind. His parents say they realized he was good on the instrument and had the talent at the age of five. At this age, most of the kids can only sing along to the tunes they hear from the media; and they are way off the tune. But for this super kid, it was a walkover, being able to play instruments in a way that most people would not do. Upon discovering the talent, they registered him for summer camps where he learned how to play several instruments. He has music teachers spanning different parts of the world; China, India, Italy among other places where he works through Skype.
It is not just playing music instruments, the homeschooled boy is talented in other different ways, he can paint, is good in martial arts and Bollywood dance among other activities. The multi-talented teenage sensation has also ventured into acting, he recently signed a contract with Conquest Management and has already auditioned to perform at Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center, an indoor arena in downtown California on October 28th, 7 P.M at the opening of the game.
When asked about his favorite performance so far, Nayyar was quick to point out the California State Fair, an event where he sang and played four instruments among other Saxophone, Sitar as well as Sheng and Sauna- both of which are Chinese instruments.
To Nayyar, music is not just a feel-good moment but also a way that he connects with the people where he shares his music and draws inspiration. He says that through learning to play instruments he has learned different cultures. This is his favorite part, where he meets new people and cultures, seeing how they play the instruments. For him instruments represent people and cultures providing a perfect avenue to promote unity and cohesion around the world.
Recognition has been flowing; the Elk grove sensational teenager has been named the youngest person to play musical instruments by Assist World. The talented boy is now looking to get recognition by the Guinness World Records for his extraordinary talent. Recently, he appeared on the CBS owned Good Day Sacramento talk show where he was interviewed about his music accomplishments.
Nayyar says music is his passion; he lives, dreams and thinks music all the time. He reveals that passion started at a very young age with a hundred dollar drum. He is not done yet, he says the sky is not the limit and he will add more instruments. He revealed that he is currently working on his 108th musical instrument. The young talent has many plans for his future. He recently signed with a talent agency and has his sights set on adding acting and singing to his growing repertoire. Neil has also been working with vocal coach Raquela Burt of Elk Groves Sings as he completes his upcoming World Music album.
Nayyar believes that the future is bright and he will keep going hoping to achieve even greater things. The sky is not the limit for a boy who is soon set to assigned parts in a movie that suits his super talent.