Entertainment
Pre-teens take Guns N Roses song to another level with flawless cover
I was already impressed by the set up these kids have, but when they started to play something serious changed!
Severin Lai
09.11.20

Have you ever fantasized about playing a live show for a massive audience? The thrill of hearing everyone screaming for the music you’re playing? I’m willing to bet you at least fantasized about it as a twelve-year-old right?

Well these twelve-year-olds got to live that dream!

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, a pre-teen Stratton James can be seen

with his band mates in an open garage, kitted out with amps and lights!

Stratton is the lead guitarist in the video, and man does he ever SHRED that guitar!

It’s really amazing to see kids so young absolutely rocking! Beyond how cool it is that they’re so talented with their instruments,

they also handle themsleves so well in front of such a large crowd!

We get a couple shots in the video to see just how many people have gathered in front of the garage, and it is a LOT to say the least!

Stratton can be seen below on the right, wearing the Godfather shirt and playing a beautiful sunburst guitar!

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

Since the video, Stratton has grown up quite a bit! He’s seventeen now, but still rocking out and playing guitar all the time!

Seriously, he’s a rising star waiting to happen!

Honestly Stratton puts it best himself in his about page on his channel:

“I have been incredibly lucky to share the stage with so many incredibly talented people. Some of my heroes, in fact. It all seems surreal. I have played shows all over the country from small singer/songwriter venues like Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta to historically iconic venues like The Whisky A Go Go on the famous Sunset Strip in LA.

“It has been quite a ride and I am just getting started!”

It’s a kind of poetry that this guy’s name is Stratton considering one of the most famous guitar makes in the world is the Fender STRATocastor.

He was meant to play guitar!

Seriously, he and his bandmates obviously had a lot of support from their parents! They have Marshall amp stacks in the garage in the video, and those things ain’t cheap!

The whole setup is practically my dream as a twelve-year-old! The moment Stratton opens up with the riff for Sweet Child O’ Mine, the whole crowd goes nuts!

And honestly that is NOT an easy song to play. I’m twice Stratton’s age in the video, I’ve been playing guitar for over a decade but that’s still a song I will not touch!

It takes immense talent and a lot of practice as a band to nail that song!

Moreover,

these kids are getting some massive benefits from playing music as a band,

especially in front of massive crowds!

The Peterson Family Foundation lists ten big benefits to children learning to play a musical instrument, here’s a couple of them:

“Teaches Perseverance and Creates a Sense of Achievement

“Learning to play an instrument takes a lot of time, patience and practice. During music lessons and music therapy, a teacher or therapist will set short term and long term goals. As the child reaches their goals, they will feel a sense of achievement and pride”

“Nurtures Self-Expressions

“Children learning to play an instrument are able to find themselves creatively. In fact, one of the amazing benefits of music therapy is the ability for children to express themselves. By learning how to express themselves and their complex feelings about their illness through music, they are able to find a way to show or play what they are feeling”

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Never lonely.. . . 📷: @careyhood

A post shared by Stratton James (@strattonjamesmusic) on

“Improves Reading and Comprehension Skills

“Learning and playing music requires constant reading and understanding. Children and teens need to identify a note on the page and recognize which note (pitch) to play on their instrument, how long to hold it, what finger to use and how loudly to play it. They also need to identify if the note should be played short and crisp, or smooth and connected to the next note. Learning to read and comprehend music can even help in reading and understanding literature in school classes.”

Do I even need to mention how confident you have to be to stand in front of a massive crowd of adults? These kids have learned to hold their heads high!

It’s really something you need to see for yourself, I highly recommend giving the video a watch just below!

Seeing kids as talented as this really puts a smile on your face, and if nothing else, you’ll be listening to an amazing classic from the rock era!

Stratton is definitely going places, so if you want to follow his musical journey you can follow his Instagram or his Facebook page!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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