Kids have an amazing ability to absorb and learn at a speed that’s nearly unheard of for adults. Some kids are just pure naturals at playing guitar and at a young age they can make seasoned guitarists’ jaws drop against the floor. In this article we look at some kids who had exceptional playing ability well beyond their years.

Joe Bonamassa

Born to a family with deep musical heritage, Joe picked up his first guitar at age four and was playing “Little Wing” and “Hey Joe” by the time he was seven. Within years his talent was so noticeable that legendary Telemaster Danny Gatton took him under his wing and taught him the ways of the guitar force. By the age of 12 Joe was opening for the legendary B.B. King, and has gone on to lead a distinguished career as an amazing guitarist and a soulful player of the blues.

Here is Joe with Danny Gatton at the age of 12:

Alex Shaw

At 11 years old Alex Shaw prefers playing Eddie Van Halen riffs on his guitar to spending all his time playing video games. His fingers slide along the frets with ease. Hammers, taps – he plays so effortlessly that it seems as if he’s played the guitar for over a decade. Check out this tour de force:

Michael Lima

This kid was 14 years old when this video immediately gained him notoriety for his amazingly fast and accurate slap bass style that had many bass players putting palm to face. The video was said to have been taken in a park in Brazil, and the crowd’s reaction is hardly appropriate for the level of musicianship before them.

Here is a short sample of some famous guitar players and at what age they picked up the guitar:

Jimmy Page (Age 12)

Jimi Hendrix (Age 15)

Stevie Ray Vaughan (Age 7)

Can you think of any other artists that played exceptionally well and started exceptionally young?