Colorado Man Gains Musical Skills after Accident

Many artistic talents take years of training to fine tune, but one Colorado man claims he owes his musical skills to an accident.

Derek Amato told KDVR FOX 31's Kim Posey that he acquired his talent after suffering a concussion.

"I'm considered an acquired savant from a brain trauma or brain injury," he said.

He dove into the shallow end of a swimming pool and hit the bottom, Amato explained. A short time later, he sat at a friend's piano and discovered he was able to play.

"It was immediate, so there wasn't a transition," said Amato. "It was just I could play suddenly."

According to Amato, he had never played to piano prior to his accident. He claims he was suddenly able to compose on the spot, which is something he continues to do.

A Discovery Channel special had Amato making a trip recently to the Mayo Clinic.

"(To) be able to sit down and have some of the most educated people in the world tell me what's going on with my brain, it was extremely humbling," he said.

Amato told the Denver FOX affiliate that doctors confirmed he is the only documented case of Acquired Sudden Musical Savant Syndrome in the entire world. He has also been diagnosed with the rare condition synesthesia due to his ability to see the music.

"I just see these little squares that move left to right," he said.

Amato hopes to release his new album in early 2011.

You can read more about Savant Syndrome by visiting this link.

Click on the video player above to watch Kim Posey's video report.