In this illuminating interview, we speak with Neil Nayyar , an extraordinary musician, TV star, prodigy, and author who has mastered over 100 instruments while still in high school. Known for his appearances on high-profile platforms like the Jennifer Hudson Show and Good Morning America, Neil shares insights from his new book, “Passion to Exploration of 107 Sound Machines.
He delves into his musical journey, the balancing act of continuous learning and public life, and how his explorations in global music can teach us about our modern-day world. Neil’s dedication to preserving and promoting global musical heritage through both his book and his creative career is a testament to his passion for music and cultural education.
Neil has also been featured in three Honda car commercials and is an accomplished film composer, co-producing music for a song in the popular South Indian movie “Dada.” Introduced by singer Palak Muchhal and sharing the stage with actor Govinda, Neil’s diverse talents extend to dance as well.
He is set to make waves as the Music Director for the upcoming film “Lottery,” directed by the sister of Bollywood actor Abhay Deol. His multifaceted skills and burgeoning success solidify his status as a rising star to watch. Neil Nayyer was one of the winner at Bay Area’s Got Talent where Govinda was invited as a Guest.
Neil Nayyar started his journey
In nutshell, Neil’s music journey started in the womb. When Neil was in the womb, One day I went to Library, I found a book and start reading and it mentioned one interesting line “If you give Mozart Music to baby in the womb, he or she will become Musician and if you give scissor sound, he or she will become Surgeon. somehow I got interested and experimented with music for a month.
We used to showed him lots for Mozart related music videos in which there were lots of Mozart music. When he was two years old, we bought him small drum set and he was not taking interest. When he reached to age 5 and half, we took him to free drum lesson, where he started to play like pro. All people sitting over there were shocked. That is where his Music journey started. No one in our whole family play any music Instrument till now.
Thanks for joining us today Neil. First up, I’d like to ask: Given your remarkable achievement of mastering 117 instruments at such a young age, and your experiences on high-profile platforms like the Jennifer Hudson Show and Good Morning America, how do you balance the demands of continuous learning, public appearances, and maintaining a personal life while ensuring each of your instruments receives adequate practice and attention?
The main way to find balance amidst all the many demands that I face in my life is to simply have patience with myself and my creative process. Even though I have worked hard to master over 100 instruments, a big element of my learning process was realizing that you won’t master a new instrument every day – you need time, and you need dedication.
For me, this means practicing 6-8 hours every day, rigorously. It also means trusting in my mentors, teachers, tutors, producers, and fellow musicians – all of whom are instrumental (pardon the pun!) in helping me unlock the kind of creativity that I desire.
In terms of balancing my work life, my rise in the music industry, and my education (which is particularly important to me, considering I’m just starting college), it can be difficult to do everything at once – but I am constantly reassured by the fact that my family and friends have always been very supportive of the choices I’ve made in my life and career.
In your book “Passion to Exploration of 107 Sound Machines,” you provide educational insights into various instruments from around the world. How do you believe your social media presence and educational initiatives, like your book, contribute to preserving and promoting global musical heritage, especially in an age where traditional instruments might be overshadowed by modern technology?
I think my book, and my creative career in general, have gone a long way to contributing to preserving global music – if I may be allowed to say so! I am very proud of how my book illuminates instruments and cultures that have been slightly forgotten about or overlooked in the global music canon.
While modern technology has been great for making music accessible to the public, It is very true to say that technology has overshadowed actual instruments – especially traditional instruments or those from more remote cultures. My book seeks to highlight how every instrument throughout human history has a connection with the place and culture from which it came. Part of the reason why I love finding new instruments is because it helps me unlock an electrifying element of a unique culture.
In my book, I take all these instruments and write about their history, with images included, so that readers can discover something new when they pick it up!
How do you perceive the evolution of music over the years, particularly in terms of technological advancements, cultural exchanges, and the fusion of different genres, and how do you think these changes have influenced the way musicians create and audiences experience music today?
As I hinted at in the previous question, modern technology has done a lot of work in terms of making music more accessible to the general public. If a musician is interested in production, all they need nowadays is a laptop and the right software – and they can become the next Rick Rubin just by putting their mind to it! This is clearly a positive thing.
But, at the same time, I truly believe a synthesized sound will never be a replacement for a unique instrument itself – it will only be a complement. Each musical instrument I play has a history, a tone, a weight, and a unique sound; none of this can be captured by modern technology, it can only be captured by learning to play the instrument itself.
Similarly, modern technology can only go so far in teaching us about the cultural story behind individual musical instruments – meaning it can never tell us everything we need to know about a culture. For example, if an instrument is associated with a certain music genre that is related to the culture it originated from, then it is important to learn about this in order to fully appreciate the instrument itself.
By doing this, you can get the desired sound from the instrument you’re wielding – rather than simply plucking, strumming, tapping, or drumming and hoping for the best!
Readers of “Passion to Exploration of 107 Sound Machines” – and listeners who hear my music in my debut album, Breaking Barriers – will quickly understand that I am not just focused on playing pleasing sounds, I’m also trying to illuminate an entire world of music within the choice of instruments I play!
The talent show, presented by Zee TV
The talent show, presented by Zee TV, not only featured impressive performances but also offered food, shopping, and an opportunity to meet Govinda up close and personal. The event also highlighted the presence of Bhavini Joshi from Instant Karma and Kavi from Kash Production and Radio Zindagi, which added even more to the cultural experience provided by the Indian Community Center.
Neil Nayyar Debut album
Neil Nayyar debut album, Breaking Barriers, is set to be released on vinyls, CDs, and via digital formats. Find out full details at http://www.NeilNayyar.com.
