Genre Hopping with Chris Thile 

Chris Thile has gotta be one of the most talented and likeable people in modern music.

This man is one of the most talented musicians/composers of our lifetime. If history does not remember him as such then I will lose faith in humanity.

Every once in a while I get encouraged to pick up my mando and jump on youtube to learn a few licks. Inevitably a Thile video will come up at some point. I'll click to see what he's been up to, I punch myself in the face, put my mando back in the case, weep like a child, and go get some Taco Bell.

I like that he's a little kooky, there's a real spark to him and he looks so happy when playing

I love seeing how the music completely takes him over.

I would give anything to be able to "see" music the way musician's like Chris Thile do. Him nerding out give me music life goals!

What an amazing musician. I love his enthusiasm, and I love that Radiohead was the first thing that came to his mind there.

He looks like his mandolin.

I've seen so many people say they think he's talented but strange. So many of the world's amazingly talented people are "odd" and misunderstood. I think he's a genius in his music and a beautiful free spirit in life. The spark you see in him when he's talking about music is a joy to watch. I've been lucky enough to see him perform and I feel blessed to have been in the presence of such a person. He's fantastic.

This man is waiting for Mozart's next album

Genre hopping, the end of genre. AMEN, BROTHER! There are two forms of music for all intents and purposes: Good Music done with care to and between musicians and the audience and Bad Music where the people playing music don't care about each other or the audience at all. There you have it folks. Welcome to the future. It is groooovy :)

Its like he went in my head & pulled out all the words I've been thinking for so long....there is such a fine line between each genre of music; & confining yourself to just only certain types of music is crazy....I love this guy!

i headbang on bach's sonata

When Chris plays mandolin, not only does he feel every single note, he lives it. There is absolutely no beginning or end to his mandolin and his body. When he plays they are cojoined, they are as one, and then when he sings, oh my sweet bliss

I guess I took the front door... I only know Chris from his involvement with Vulfpeck. His reference to classical audiences being reserved just put me on the floor. Not to mention who on earth has 2+2=5 waiting completely idle in their mind like that? Dude is brilliant.

Chris & his tiny little musical instrument of awesome gives me smiles every time =)

He is truly gifted and genuinely see the connection and love for all genre . Just love what he embodies . Thank you for sharing your gift with us all .

Where does one buy/acquire a Chris thile?

I love to hear Chris call out stale audiences. I feel that and am reluctant to speak on it.

Chris Thile!!! So much love and appreciation for you and your love and appreciation of music!

I had the great fortune to see Chris with Punch Brothers two nights just recently in San Francisco. I was also fortunate enough to be standing right in front of him both nights. Far beyond his musicianship, he and his band mates offer a refreshing brand of original songwriting, defying any genre label. Even more, he brings a stage presence and a connection to the audience that many try to do, while his connection seems without effort.

God, I love watching him play. He is, unabashedly playing the music, and not focusing on anything but that. he is one of the greatest musicians I've ever seen or met.

Im a New Fan of Chris Thile...But a very old fan of bluegrass... Chris Thile, talks about his passion for his music!... I enjoy that more artist's should tell us where the music comes from....

There is a group of 5 string musicians in Covent Garden who play classical music but are jumping around and shouting 'Hay!' every now and then and wow does it improve the experience 10 fold.

This guy is just absolutely amazing! By happenstance I was watching a Fearless Flyers video featuring Chris and I was floored! I can only hope that when live music resumes I will be able to catch one of his shows.

What an awesome Mandolin player. I could listen to his playing for hours.

Simply amazing. His Mandolin is merely an extension of his body. I think he was born with it! I could listen to him for hours. So much respect and adoration!!!

Incredibly brilliant musician. I've had the privilege of seeing him perform live several times, in different genres, and he's always amazing.

That is some beautiful tone coming out of a gorgeous old mandolin played beautifully. I'm reminded of some of Béla Fleck's classical excursions. This is just great stuff.

Very interesting...I agree Chris' voice needs to be heard by the masses...his passion for music is very inspiring.

if I can ever play Temperance Reel 1/5th as good as Chris Thile does, my life will be complete 2:20

I love this guy. Nickel Creek is one of my favorite bands. He makes me want a mandolin, again. Very very talented.

I've seen this like 5 times, yet I always come back to it when I see it suggested down the side.

Oh my, so VERY TRUE! found it always strange when people stay still listening to music. hugs kris

Chris Thile is so great because in his playing every note is inspired. He can make his instrument talk: It sounds more dynamic (or almost) than his own voice.

So agree with this! Violinist Pekka Kuusisto said in an interview (here on RU-vid) that "crossover" is something people talked about 20 years ago!! He too is working with 'music' , not 'genres'. I think that's where music is moving these years, and I'm excited about it!

You can like a Chris Thile video before you watch it

I remember playing Brandenburg concert no 3 in my orchestra. That piece blows my mind

Totally agree! Very nicely said Chris!

I've been blessed to study the colors of Music Mozart and many other greats and learn the studies and techniques from many many other greats that will always be better than myself! And I've also been blessed to meet Chris many many times and speak with him and watch him with others and almost see the musical color as lame as that sounds kind of spinning around his head metaphorically! I know if I commented like this on most videos I'd get crucified for it and probably will here or anywhere else. but I truly believe that Chris is right now one of two of the greatest musicians, composers and creators that have actually ever walked this Earth so far!

I think I've met him four times now and he's just the freakin' nicest person to his fans.

I’ve been to a lot of Symphony concerts where I wanted to stand and cheer. Chris Is Amazing. Saw him and Nickel Creek at the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Phil.

Thank God I found you Chris. I bought one of your first CDs, (that's how long ago it was) and always wondered what happened to them. Found!!

So happy to have found you!, Thank you CBS!

Really great! Much Thanks, Truly💚

You're right! It's all beautiful. I am about to buy a mandolin and start my journey at the age of 63... thank you for further inspiring me.

Chris Thile is amazing!!! Simply Brilliant!

Also, home-schooled, so more time to practice. But no denying, his natural talent. 20 years ago, he was already one of the best.

I find this man to be mesmerizing

This is an approach to music that we deeply respect and share. We wish everyone would think this way, not only a few educated musicians.

Awesome playing, great musicianship, and so well explained!

I was front center for Punch Brothers, at UT's Performing Arts Center concert. Whether it's Mr. Thile feeling his heels while playing Bach unplugged, or listening to Jonah Nilsson, Henrik Linder and Aron Mellergård, In any capacity, I feel overwhelmed. Overwhelmed in such a good way that I tend to shed a tear. The first time I saw or heard of Richard Bona was a Pat Metheny performance at the same venue. 8th row center. Bona blew me away. Mr. Thile, please connect with Dirty loops.

I feel like Chris's playing inspires AWE. That's why we might not jump up and yell, because we want to listen intently and hear every breath, note and inflection of what he plays and sings. And in rock it's the kind of energy where you just want to jump in and sing out with everyone!Thank you, Chris Thile! You're awesome. :-)

Oh I love this so, so much.

Cherish this man. To say that musicians like him are few and far between would be an almost satirical understatement.

I have the same reaction to music! I LOVE CHRIS THILE! LOL

"I don't think it's the classical musician that is more reserved, but the audience that is more reserved." Good quote! I think it's because they're there to see you play! Not for the "party" aspect that some other venues/artists draw.

I’ve been saying this forever about genre hoping. When writing originals I’ve always hated groups trying to put things in a box. Saying things like “we have to play this style”. I’ve always replied along the lines of “play what you like and let what comes out define us instead of us defining the music”. And every song I’ve wrote with this idea has always sounded better. You remove the limits

Love this guy!

When Tarantino meets mando. Brilliant and unique talent.

Yes! Just yes. he gets it. Love Chris Thile :D

love this guy.

So brilliant.

Going to see Nickel Creek in Asheville NC in a few weeks, first time I'll see Chris Thile live. One of the most bad ass musicians around today, no question.

Thile is the greatest virtuoso of the instrument that I've ever come across

He is my idol.......please come to bali island

He just made it look flawless

This topic keeps popping back up. Which I love. Conversation about music is nearly as enjoyable as some concerts. I think my fear is that there are so many egocentric audience members who I can envision "one-upmanshiping" or competing with each other over a favorite moment by hooting and howling. Just as we see in these youtube comments. It could get outrageously intrusive pretty quickly. For the record, Chris Thile is one of the sweetest geniuses you could meet. He wrote a song called "Doubting Thomas" which shows the most sensitive way of dealing with what could be seen as contentious. He's disarming, brilliant, prolific and generous. Who am I to disagree with him? I have tried to use his manner and style. It comes from passion and compassion. As most of these comments here have. Very encouraging.

I remember seeing an interview where he said that he got his first mandolin around the age of three. Something crazy like that. You can find old vids of him around the age of 8 ripping into crazy riffs.

I loved it and I really didn't know him till the Goat Rodeo Sessions but now I listen to everything I find with him playing. I agree with him that if you love music , expose your self in all genres of music..and now with the internet omg..there is so much out there that I am listening to now. I grew up hearing Benny Goodman from my parents and the sent to a small private school that introduced me to synphonic and ballet...and then the 60s and all that wonderful music. I don't play an instrument unless you can count on slapping your thighs while sitting in your chair lol. And his remark about being shushed at a classical concert...grow the hell up he was just as enthusiastic as me and my friends were when we went and heard the Detroit Symphony with L. Bernstein conducting his Prelude for Fugue and Riffs when that was over we all shouted and got the looks from the people around us..my friends were all musicians.

Yes, one of the most talented musicians/songwriters(composers), singers of ALL time... genre does not matter. A fantastic and funny human being

Truly a Giant.

I love how he was just playing Bach while talking very casually

Honestly a musical genius.

3:56 love this about Chris' version of rebecca... would love to hear a full one ...

Chris Thile is amazing. Have to admit I liked the Bluegrass at the end.

Good thinking, mr. Thile!

Brilliant musician

so much badassedness here

Tiene ritmo, tiene música..Who could ask for anything more?

Love this guy

YES! Love it.

oh I soo totally agree with what he's saying. Japanese vocaloid has the same ability to make me cry the way Brahms can. Beethoven's symphony 5 just make u want to head bang. My favourite thing is when I get to laugh at a piece of music, especially instrumental music, because I know it's the music itself that's elicting that sort of elated feeling. also chris thile's songs are like A+++ so fabulous and his mandolin playing is phenomenal.

Such a good musician x

I love how Chris connects the feeling of "oh yeah, they nailed it" at a rock concert to the same feeling of excitement when listening to a beautiful piece like Bach's III Allegro. Am I the only one who has cranked up something like Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Moonlight Sonata, or Bach suite in G, BWV Prelude? :)

That last tune just kicks it outta the park! How can learn that?

It's true, there is a musical renaissance going on all around us and it's hopping genre, no doubt about that.

Not that it ever would, or could happen, but I would absolutely love to see Chris Thile and Jake Shimabakuro get together and jam. It would be absolutely crazy.

He is the man! :)

Молодец, у меня тоже такая мандолина, племянник подарил, с детства играли -самоучки, очень красивое звучание!!!

Ahhhh I love him.

A true, and certified, genius

He is so cool!

This guy is nuts... and I love it!

Well said!

Behold people there may be no greater virtuoso instrumentalist alive today. Thile's artistry is perhaps without peer.

Genre hopping! I love it! One of my very favorite musicians forever. I've said a number of times that I think he might be the best musician alive at the moment, and I stand by that...

This dude is gnarly.

OK!! this Mo Fo is so out there i can't comprehend where he began.

Kudos!