Paul Barton became an internet sensation when he serenaded blind sanctuary-bound elephants with his emotional piano music. But when the Yorkshire-born pianist and YouTuber welcomed his baby girl Emilie into the world, he made sure she’d get a viral video of her own, crafting a heartwarming music video that took a full seven years to complete!
Titled, “Daddy Daughter Music… Baby to 7 Years Old,” Paul shows off his epic parenting skills as he teaches his homeschooled daughter not only how to play the piano, but how to appreciate the joys of music from her very first year on Earth. With over 202,000 views to date, prepare to have your heart melted by this duo’s special bond, and watch Emilie’s own talent gradually emerge like a butterfly from its cocoon. Music Man readers can watch the magic unfold in the video below.
This viral vid begins with baby Emilie sitting on Paul’s lap, watching with awe as his fingers move across the piano, feeling his hands and hearing the timeless sound of “Moon River” spill from the keys.
Then, the vid transitions to a slightly older Emilie, sitting identically on her dad’s lap, moving her hands to her dad’s music to express every note he plays. You can see her wanting to grace the keys herself, curious and spellbound by the music.
Before long, Paul has taught Emilie the lead melody of the song. As Paul arpeggiates the chords, a young but growing Emilie sits beside him, cutely picking out the lead melody on the same piano. But clearly, Paul has more in mind for his daughter than simply being a pianist. As the video progresses, Emilie begins experimenting with more instruments, perfectly playing the “Moon River” melody on a melodica while her dad accompanies her. It’s astounding to see Emilie’s progression as the years roll by, but just wait until she starts singing!
Soon, Paul rolls out the full piece on his grand piano, letting his daughter perch atop the instrument, singing the lyrics in her tiny, beautiful voice. It’s bound to melt any parent’s heart, especially once Paul and Emilie step things up another notch.
By the end of the clip, 7-year-old Emilie has mastered the entire song, playing it completely by herself, both piano chords and voice combined. Her viewers have been left utterly spellbound.
One top commenter on this YouTube clip saw the true meaning of this performance when they wrote, “Real, human education. I was a teacher for 41 years and slowly became disillusioned with our way of imparting enthusiasm and knowledge to the next generation. You have showed us a beautiful version of how it can be done. Thank you.”
Other viewers have found vivid inspiration in Paul and Emilie’s bond, commenting, “Fed my soul, nourished my fatherly aspirations,” and, “Great parenting. A true gift to a beautiful and capable little girl. I wish I had passed on more to my children.”