I think the problem with these child prodigies is that they kick ass at technique.... thats why they're noticed. But as we all know, technique means nothing if it's on it's own. I figure that by the time they're old enough to start selling records, they can't write anything musically decent, and by that age their technique isn't so amazing, because they arn't the only ones who can play that good for their age.

Just a note on the post saying Michael Romeo started when he was 12 , he says he started when he was 14, but said he didn't start playing properly until he was about 18. In other words he started concentrating on the technical side. But yeah, I started when I was 10 on the classical, and now im 19, hope I can play like Romeo when im his age. I have the advantage of having normal sized fingers too, so he puts me to shame even more :)

- J