YouTube is filled to the brim with talent and one of the site’s biggest accomplishments is that it is a breeding ground for musical genius. One of the coolest things about video is that it lets musicians create multi-track recordings and actually show themselves playing music with…themselves. YouTube has taken the one man band to the next level in this respect, as talented musicians have uploaded masterpiece after masterpiece in which they play not one, not two, but all of the musical parts. Check out some of the coolest one man band videos that YouTube has to offer after the jump.
One Man Band
YouTuber TheConnerBerge claims to be the inventor of the YouTube one man band genre, having uploaded this ‘One Man Band’ clip on Valentines Day 2007. Connor created this video on his own, at home, and plays all parts of the song. Kudos to Conner for starting and amazing one man band trend and for getting nearly 1.5 million views on this video.
“Product of DK” – ONE MAN BAND – Andrew Kesler
This video was uploaded to YouTube just over a month ago and has 4,627 views so far. In my opinion, this is one of the best one man band clips on YouTube. Andrew plays everything on the track, from guitar, bass, drums and keyboards to vocals and tambourine.
Video Book – Mystery Guitar Man
Mystery Guitar Man is one of YouTube’s most viewed and loved musicians. He consistently gets over 1 million views on his videos, in which he creates and displays his music in totally unique and creative ways (i.e. lots of stop motion, video effects and more). In this new clip, Mystery Guitar Man shows himself playing the various instruments on the track in a photo album.
Enter Kazoo Man
Ever wondered what Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ would sound like on kazoo? In this video, Mister Tim serenades YouTubers with a four-part harmony of Enter Sandman on kazoo and, with over 1.4 million views, it’s nothing short of awesome.
Wind Waker Unplugged
This medley of music from the Legend of Zelda is awesome. This guy plays guitar, flute, drums, accordion and even glass cups.
Legend of Zelda medley
Apparently a lot of one man bands like the Legend of Zelda. This one gets a spot in the top 10 simply because this guy is awesome. Especially his hats.
Foreplay/Long Time (Jon’s One Man Band Boston Cover)
Get ready for some crazy musical talent. In the video below, Jon Baglo plays all the instruments (keyboard, guitar, bass and drums). This isn’t a one man band in the true sense of the word, because Jon doesn’t sing the vocals, but his talent is enough to get him on the list as a one man back up band.
Carlo Del Monte – Phuru Runas – One Man Band Orchestra
This guy plays all sorts of instruments, including my favorite – the glockenspiel. I really love the way that this video is edited together and I love the fact that one of the tags he has added to his video is “awesome.” This certainly is awesome, Carlo, it certainly is.
Michael Jackson Tribute – You Rock My World
This is an impressive cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘You Rock My World’ that is made up of 38 voice tracks.
David MeShow – Beatbox (One man band improvisation)
Who doesn’t love the human beatbox? And what’s better than one guy beatboxing? One guy beatboxing with himself on four different tracks, of course!
