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A feel for musicIn last week's VEE-VOTE, 55% of you said that deafness prevents you from enjoying music. So what's in it for the rest of you? VEE-TV investigates. Last summer, Ruth Montgomery, a 22-year-old music student, took her practical flute exam at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. Nothing unusual about that? Except that Ruth is profoundly deaf. After the test, the examiner was told and couldn't believe it. But Ruth believes music should be a part of standard education for deaf children. 'Music provides a medium for self-expression and communication that should not be excluded because we are deaf,' she says. Coming from a musical family, it has always been Ruth's dream to become a performer, playing the flute in concerts around the world. And why not? After all, Beethoven was deaf when he composed much of his great work. And the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who was profoundly deaf by the age of 12, has taken the world of classical music by storm. So how is it done? Dr Dean Shibata, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Washington, found that deaf people sense vibrations in the same part of their brain that is normally used for hearing sounds. So, deaf people 'feel' music in a manner similar to the way others hear it. 'It's a matter of training your ears,' Ruth explains. 'I have been playing the flute for 10 years now and I know what I'm hearing. I can feel the vibrations on my lips and fingers. When I go to an orchestra, I like to sit with a score – a music manuscript – and follow where the music is going. It's like watching TV with subtitles.' Ruth has even opened up a new world for her hearing music teacher. 'I explained that I find music very visual, with all colours of sounds in my head. It has changed the way he sees music himself.' Inspiration Steven McMahon, 20, is a deaf songwriter, guitarist and drummer who studies contemporary music in Preston. He used to hate music, but when his family got a new TV with teletext, Steven realised he could follow Top of the Pops and that music was about lyrics too. But what really got him hooked was when he first saw his school's drum-kit. Music isn't just a pastime or course of study for Steven. 'I feel that music has inspired me to look at life differently,' he says. 'Sometimes when I write a song, I end up finding a solution to my problems. I wrote a song called "Face to Faith", about my position as a music student. I had started getting panicked about whether the music industry would accept me as a deaf musician, and I boosted my faith in myself through this song.' Playing in a band isn't always straightforward, though. 'I performed once in the student union with my band, Eye of the Storm. I was seated behind the drum-kit, which was behind the PA system, and this meant that the sound levels were not quite right. I got through the whole set relying on a very active member of the audience dancing in time to the song. I played along with her! She was amazed to learn that after the gig.' What about the reactions of hearing music students? 'There were some surprises,' Ruth says. 'But I think things have calmed down at college now.' Steven was concerned that the Deaf community would feel betrayed by his music course, but in fact people's reaction has been positive. 'They were very supportive and interested in how I hear music and what it was like on the course, working and interacting with hearing people,' he says. Steven also points out that sound is only part of the package in today's music industry. 'Deaf people are quick to dismiss music from their lives because they can't hear. But the visual aspects are fundamental too. I would like to see a trained professional BSL interpreter on TV to interpret the lyrics for deaf people, though, because subtitles don't portray the emotions of the music, the rhythm and the speed.' Discordant note But music isn't important to everyone who is deaf, as last week's VEE-VOTE proved. 'If deafies are genuinely interested in music, then I don't have problem with this, as they have choices,' says Stephen Draper, 31, a businessman. 'But sometimes I don't understand why they take it so seriously. I don't doubt some deaf people enjoy music, but I feel sorry for those who like music just because everybody else does, although most won't admit it. In some nightclubs, I've seen deafies still dancing when the DJ is in the middle of changing the record!' But Stephen does believe that there are ways of making music accessible. 'I think sign-song is a great idea, because it is unique to deaf culture,' he says. 'I went to Deaf Idol [karaoke] last Saturday and enjoyed the night. Some deaf people use their imagination to create songs in BSL, which is very visual and interesting, whereas if SSE was used, it wouldn't have the same interpretation of the song. I think hearing people should be encouraged to take part in our Deaf culture by performing sign-song like the new karaoke.' But generally, music isn't what gets Stephen going. 'I have other hobbies to help me relax, for example the internet, gym, pub, socialising with friends and watching TV and films. I don't think reading subtitles on music programmes gives me an emotional association.' But if you are moved by music – and you like to move to it – things may be looking up. Last weekend, the first ever Deaf Rave took place, and more events are planned. So how important is music to your life? Let us know on the message board. Find out moreMusic and the Deaf Links Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third-party sites. BBC news: 'Brain helps deaf enjoy music' BBC news: 'Implants to help deaf hear music' Beethoven on deafness Common Ground Sign Dance Theatre Enabling through Sound and Music Evelyn Glennie Gallaudet Dance Company Music in Motion Nasser Bouzida, Big Boss Man Nature: 'Feel the music' Shawn Barnett University of Central Lancashire: BA (Hons) Contemporary Music |
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