Taj Farrant 'At 14 The Making of A Rock 'n Roll Prodigy!'
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2024
- Taj Farrant was just hanging out at home in the backyard around the fire when a live version of “Comfortably Numb” started playing.
He declared he wanted to learn to play that guitar solo.
He’d only just gotten his first guitar for his birthday, but he set about mastering the solo.
And he did.
He was 7 years old.
His father, Brandin Farrant, wanted to share it with his family, so he put a UA-cam video of it up on Facebook.
The image of a 7-year-old, with a smile that revealed a gap where he’d lost a baby tooth, wielding a guitar like a pint-size David Gilmour was irresistible. It went viral.
What followed was an appearance on “Ellen” and a gig with Michael Jackson’s guitarist and fellow Australian Orianthi. Through her, he met Carlos Santana, who as her mentor. And as he’d done for a teenaged Orianthi, the guitar legend invited Taj on stage to perform with him.

Taj Farrant on stage with Rob Thomas in 2019. (Photo provided)
Now 13, Taj, and his family, split their time between Australia and the United States.
On Saturday, March 11, Taj will perform at Howard’s Club H. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. Admission is $35. Click for tickets.
This North American swing, the Nothing But the Blues tour, will move on from Ohio through Missouri and into the heartland of the blues with shows in Arkansas ending up at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention in California.
Taj will be performing with the Missouri blues band Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice.
Brandin Farrant said early on in Australia they tried to put together bands of other musical prodigies, but they couldn’t find youngsters who could keep pace with Taj.
On this tour, Taj will be joined for a half-dozen songs by his 12-year-old sister Jazel on drums. “She can keep up with him because they live together and play together all the time,” their father said, so she’s in synch with his virtuosity.

Taj Farrant plays chess with his 12-year-old sister Jazel . She’ll play drums on several numbers during the show at Howard’s.
Taj’s musical journey started on his father’s shoulders. They were at an AC/DC concert, and Taj was perched on his father, so he got a good look at frontman Angus Young emerging from the ground.
That right there made an impression on him, Taj said. Then Young started playing guitar.
“It must be pretty hard to play like that and I just wanted to try to learn,” Taj said. “I want to do this for the rest of my life.”
For his next birthday his parents and grandparents pitched in to get him a good quality Ibanez Prestige. He now has upgraded his instrument, but that guitar still goes on tour with him. He has all the stars he plays sign it. Other artists including Santana have also contributed to his growing guitar collection. The proceeds from this tour will go to buying a Gibson Custom 355 - the same model as B.B. King’s “Lucille.”
At first , Taj took a few lessons, but his father then assumed the role of instructor. Brandin Farrant is a drummer, but he started learning guitar so he could teach his son. What he learned in the afternoon, he’d pass on to his son when he got home from school.
Now Taj picks up tips from some of the greats.
His father has made videos of his playing all along as part of Taj’s instruction. This way he could listen back and analyze what he needed to improve on.
Those videos though became the conduit for sharing Taj’s talents with the world.
While COVID put a crimp into live performances, Taj said it was good for him.
He holed up at home in Australia and practiced and started to hone his singing chops.
He continued to post a weekly video.
He’s now working on the demos for his first album at their family’s home studio.
He’s back on the road. After this American swing, there’s a European tour planned.
Brandin Farrant said they hope to get buy their own tour bus soon for traveling around the United States.
His parents are both highly regarded tattoo artists who can schedule their work around Taj’s touring schedule.
Brandin Farrant has as high praise for his wife’s artistry as for his son’s. Opening his shirt, he displays the photographic tattoo she made for him of Taj in full swing on stage.
Taj said he doesn’t suffer from stage fright. He admitted the one time he had a touch of nerves was when he joined Rob Thomas on stage in front of an audience of 40,000. But that’s the size crowd he wants to attract. “Moving on from here,” he said. “I want to be able to play to as many people as I can. The goal is just to make people happy with what I do.”
I am a Grama of 5 from BC Canada and I have been watching this family for about 6 yrs. I'm so amazed by Taj talent. The whole family are raising their kids with dedication and love. I am so proud for the Farrant Family. Maybe one day, they will touchdown in Vancouver BC Canada.
Taj is Phenominal beyond explaination !
I love that Taj has stayed the same kid he was! Soooooo Talented and so down to earth! AMAZING!!
Taj is a guitar genius! 🤘😝🎸🎶⚡🎶
It doesn’t matter anymore. dickie Betts was a great guitar player, but I didn’t even know who he was. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. There’s so so many great guitar players out there and it doesn’t matter anymore. How good you are. The days of rock ‘n’ roll are over thanks to digital rip offs. No more iconic bands. No Beatles no stones. Deep purple. Van halen. It’s over. Steve Vai is one of the greatest guitar players ever. I don’t know one song that he plays go figure but there you go. Taj grew up 30 years too late.
I love this! It was a pleasure to meet Taj & his parents this year at NAMM.
I too discovered Taj on social media during covid. He and his family really helped me get through that difficult time in history. His story gave such hope and inspiration. Then to meet him and see what a good foundation God and his parents provide him was just so inspiring.
I spoke mainly with Taj and his dad and was just so impressed by them as people. Kind loving people.
We are bluegrass singers (as Terry knows) but music transcends all genres.
Terrific interview!
TAJ = TOTALLY AWESOME JAMMER. 💐🏆👑
That young guy is awesome, Iv been watching him for a bit
I love the guitar!! Wish you would play it at concerts!!!
What an amazing young man, so talented and incredibly lovely. His family must be so proud of him. Great job Mum & Dad!.❤
Great interview, and an amazing young Star!!! I can't wait to get his new album! Maybe it's out by now!! 😊
every time i watch and listen i become more of a fan taj you are awesome
Taj is an amazing guitarist and an exceptional human being!!
Thank you Taj, for showing us your talent.
Another wonderful interview Rick! Taj is amazing!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this interview!! I'm currently getting ready to see Taj in Buffalo. I'm so excited to meet him & as well, am excited for Taj & his family!! He is our NEWEST BIG GUITAR STAR who I hope my grandkids listen to when they start liking music!!
Keep Rockin'!!
Taj is the Best 🎸 and he most definitely IS a child prodigy. I'm one of his biggest fans, & will be for Life
You're in line behind me!
@@chriskelly6559Hi Chris, we actually know each other from "Music Unlimited"
Already got our tickets to see Taj in Buda, Texas on Sept 9th.
Genius prodigy!
Great interview, I've followed Taj for last 5 years or so and HE is SERIOUSLY going to be one of the very best of all time, he is already a phenomenal player..
Best of luck to you with your Podcast aswell!
Cheers from London 👍🎸🏴🇬🇧
Have he made some kind of deal with someone in ske sky?
Because that is absolutely mindblowing how he play that quitarr, and only played about 3-4 years!!!!!!
Wow! So impressive! Love it!
❤❤❤🎉❤❤❤
why didnt carlos and clapton ask Taj to come on the recently finished crossroads guitar festival ?
There's no making of a prodigy. They either are or aren't and this kid certainly is.
Do you have any inspiration from Stevie Ray Vaughan?
ua-cam.com/users/shortsyt5sOHkpVlA
Loud noise
Just FYI to the woman, or anyone else: NO ONE is “born knowing how to play”! 🙄.
Taj in his naive youth, answered: No it wasn’t easy, it was really really hard to play in the beginning…. Had I been there, I would have set her straight.
Yes, it’s very hard for ANYONE & EVERYONE to LEARN to play the guitar. When a person like her continually suggests that “You were born knowing how to play”, OR asking , “Did you have a grandma or grandpa that played the jug, because you must have inherited your playing from them”, either one is essentially saying YOU didn’t do a damn thing to gain all the skills you now have. It’s a very insulting thing for her to say. Taj practiced until his fingers were almost worn off!! And he’s still practicing/playing ALL the time! He worked hard to get where he is! What crude ignorance for her to not only imply such things but then to even ask him multiple times.
FYI: The ONLY way anyone can learn to play the guitar, including Taj, is to practice, practice, practice. NO ONE “is born” knowing how to play! And NO, you don’t inherit the ability to play either! Even if grandpa played an awesome jug! EVERYONE MUST LEARN FROM SCRATCH !!!
Not born to play, born to interpret how to play and he's as good as it comes. Find somebody better in your opinion, I'll listen.
Actually some people are gifted with a procllveity for certain areas of expression, be it music, math, art, etc. Taj is gifted with an intuitive knowhow for the guitar.and an undeniable passion for it. But the greatness comes from total engagement and hours upon hours of practice. In that you are correct. But I don't think anyone was " insulting" him and I don't think most artists would interpret it other than a praise and an accolade . Tajs response was very on point. Anybody who is great at most anything puts in a ton of hard work. The wonderful thing is most of the time it doesn't seem like hard work if you love it. But I guarantee if you had a few people work their fingers to bone as he has he would still rise to the top in his innate interpretation. Therein lies the gift.
SHE NEEDS TO QUIT TRYING TO ADVICE TAJ SHE DID THAT STUFF AT HER NAMM INTERVIEW LEAVE THIS BOY ALONE TERI HE'S GREAT I KNOW YOU MEAN WELL BUT LEAVE HIM ALONE
Making of a rock prodigy? He already was one seven or eight years ago.