When it comes to listening to music, I’ve never been one to really listen to the beats. Until I met someone who works with music and is constantly thinking in terms of beats. He will talk to me and try to explain how he puts together some of his pieces. I have found that he has influenced me in how I listen to music. I used to listen and try to read the lyrics, but now I actually do find myself disregarding the lyrics, and paying more attention to how the instruments sound. I don’t think I’ll ever get to the point of where I will fully understand how everything works with one another.
If there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do and that is to learn how to play the keyboard. When I was a kid, my parents did get me a keyboard. I only got as far as being able to learn a few notes (No, I don’t remember them anymore.) Now I do see an opportunity that lies directly in front of me when I can take a childhood dream of mine and learn to play the keyboard.
As I was speaking with him about taking the time to learn how to play the keyboard. He explained to me that most people learn how to play the keyboard first over any other instrument because it is one of the most intrincate instruments that you can deal with. Once you’ve mastered the keyboard, you’re able to pick up any other instrument and learn how to play those without any difficulty.
This brought me to an interesting point, it seems like most people play their instruments by ear once they’ve learned how to play the instrument. I was wondering how exactly do deaf people do this? Granted, there are deaf musicians out there that have been trained to play any song they want.
Do they just learn all the notes they need to know, and keep at it? Do they memorize every single song? How do they know if something sounds off key? I know it can’t be easy, but if it’s a dream of someone to be able to be a master in music, then I’m sure the efforts they put forth is incredible. I’m just really curious as to how a profoundly deaf person (from birth) who has never been able to really grasp how things sound, and translate that to music.
Sooner rather than later, I’ll start sitting down at the keyboard and learning the basics. and hopefully, a year from now, I’ll be able to play a couple songs. I think it’d be a lot of fun, and an amazing learning experience. Do you have any tips for how a deaf person might start learning how to play instruments? How did you start learning? What was the easiest way you found to learn how to play your instrument?
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If I remember right, someone told me that basically you need to memorize the keys. After that, you may need to be coached by a hearing person for timing and etc. There was a famous deaf piano player, I don’t remember his name. Granted he was deafened late in his life but it was total, if I recall correctly.
Feel free to correct me here, people, as I am very superficial in knowledge about musical field :).
I believe you refer to the famous Beethoven :)
I thought he was referring to me.
*whistles*
See, Beethoven wasn’t born deaf, he gradually became deaf as he became older. I was wondering if there was anyone that was born deaf & played any instruments and how they went about doing that.
There is only ONE musician like that, and that’s Evelyn Glennie.
I don’t know much about how she does her thing, but she plays piano and is famous for playing barefooted. Apparently she depends on her feet to feel the piano.
I *think* she was born deaf and I know she was raised orally in Scotland. Not sure how she learned to play the piano…but I suspect she memorized the piano keys and learned to read notes.
But I could be wrong.
Hey, Michele! I hope morning sickness has gone away by now! ;)
Evelyn Glennie became deaf at 12…and she was already a musician before that age and she never gave up the music when she lost her hearing.
I was truly bummed out that I had just missed her play in New York. Arggh. Not that I could afford to travel there, but I think I could have found a way…
But what I’d LIKE to see is those who were born deaf and become successful musicians!
That is what I would have liked to know when I was a child because I had been made fun of for wanting to be in a band ever since I was a weenie. lol.
But it is MY fault for never pursuing that dream - I was always afraid I’d get rejected or made fun of.
Oh well - life comes with regrets! ;)
I didn’t know Glennie became deaf that late…that changes things, obviously!
I agree that I’d like to see a born-Deaf person become successful in music. But realistically…that might never happen because too much understanding of nuances of musical notes, sounds, etc is required to master it.
As for morning sickness…am not throwing up as much, but I am still forced to eat like a bird. Can’t eat normal-sized portions! I can only eat a couple of bites before I feel horribly FULL. Ugh.
Ugh - those crackers only helped a little. But they get tiring, don’t they? Like you, I never liked to eat big meals but little by little throughout the day!
Went through that four times! Heh. But you’re going to hate me… I didn’t really experience morning sicknesses too bad. Never threw up. I NEVER even knew I was pregnant till about 3 months!
*ducks from you*
I just remembered some details about Glennie - I talked to someone who had met her and worked in the music industry.
He said that she had a pager on her to help with the timing on some instruments.
I thought that was interesting - but it made sense to me because she would play with more than one instrument and the timing is VERY important for that.
She relied on the pager, feeling the vibrations and I’d imagine memorizing all the keys as well as by heart.
I wish I could meet her so I can ask her more questions - she does not seem to like to talk about it in public.
Funny how pregnancies can be so different.
This is my second pregnancy…with my first pregnancy, I didn’t have morning sickness at all. I had a wonderful pregnancy, until 8th month. Then I was overwhelmed by back pain, restless legs (which made it very hard to sleep!), constant heartburn, etc etc. Ugh.
With the first pregnancy, I knew I was pregnant after first month.
But with this second one, I realized I was pregnant after 2nd month (I knew after the first month but I kept thinking my missed period was an one-time thing).
And of course this second pregnancy is totally unlike my first pregnancy. ugh.
:-)
Evelyn is a percussionist, she plays drums, chimes, and you are right, i’ve seen her play barefoot each time, which I don’t quite get, but that’s her thing.
I am a musician myself a drummer since 3, guitarist since 10, and I’ve picked up a little bass and keys, but I classify myself as an artist/songwriter.
My feeling on this is that music isn’t about “hearing” it…. it’s about FEELING it, the emotions, the ride that the music itself takes you on is a journey….. not so much about hearing it, which in my opinion hearing people take that for granted and forget the real purpose that music stands for, it’s a forum of expression.
True it’s a “given” that music is to be heard, but I never once looked at it like that. When I create songs, I create by feel, the guitar and keyboards are the hardest to feel given that they are “higher frequencies” which go straight through my ears! The low frequencies shake my body and those are the ones I love and connect with!
I look forward to finishing my album and sharing it with everyone, it’s gonna be nuts!!!!!
-Sean
Sean,
Wow, you described it beautifully! I wish I had known you as a kid; you would have been a great deaf music friend to collaborate with! Although, I would have been an older kid who might have bullied on you at times… ;)
But, you are getting yourself out there and being known to deaf adults and children who desire to pursue their dreams musically and they will find you as an inspiration! :)
I am very excited about your organization and its growth to offer opportunities for many deaf performers and artists to get together and supporting each other! Awesome! I can say with PRIDE that it started in Detroit, my home state! It’s like saying you were around when Motown started! :D
I also look forward to your upcoming album with great anticipation!!
Keep rocking in the free world!
-Melissa
Sean, were you born Deaf? Or did you lose your hearing later in life?
You may “feel” your music, but the fact is, you have to be on key to succeed in music industry.
Evelyn goes barefeet to “feel” her music.
American Idol shows that very clearly…anyone who sings off-key is rejected immediately.
My son David LOVES music… he recently auditioned for 5th grade choir and got in. Of course, no music instruments, just singing voice only… but he is severe to profoundly deaf (was born hearing.) He has been experiencing several instruments in his music class at school and so far he has not found his “instrument” that could click with him yet…
iammine… it is never too late :o)
Heh. I don’t know…I’m too old for that now. It’s better when you are younger where you have more room and time to practice to get better! Not to mention the flexibility of your body! I, uh…have…flexibility…well, in my mind.
I don’t want to be better at age 70! :P
Probably would cost me too many fake teeth for the lessons to keep up with! ;)
I hope David will find something he can click with - he’s still young! :)
I was born profoundly deaf. I learned to play the piano in 1990 and have been playing ever since, both solo and as part of an ensemble. I did use hearing aids when I was learning but, over the years, developed both knowledge and instinct for what “works”. Now, I mostly practice without hearing aids and go by feeling since a large part of it is sense memory (you learn and remember how to touch the keys to produce the dynamics and effects you want). I’m glad you blogged about this because I don’t know of too many D/deaf musicians and wonder how others learned to play or sing. I’ll be checking back to see if anyone else comments on their experiences. Meanwhile, good luck to you and I hope the learning process is rewarding for you.