Category: Crafts and Hobbies
Threw my adventures on the zone I have found many blind musicians. It has inspired me to keep doing what I do like rap and play my instruments. I believe that blind musicians have and can make a differents in this cold world today. Just because we are blind doesn't mean we can't pick up and play a mean guitar. We can do anything that sighted people can do if not better. We don't need sight for music. Blind musicians that I know when they play it is like making love to the instrument. Not literally but you catch my point. Anways I did not come hear to preach but to make a speach. Music can drawl people. I love music and it is what I injoy. Blind musicians have soul just like sighted musicians no differents. That is all I have for you right now.
That's very true. I think it's a stereotype that all blind people are good musicians though. I'm not saying you said that, but that's the mentality of some sighted people. They think just because Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder are great musicians means that we all are. Anyways though, yeah, I play guitar too, and I totally agree with you that blind people can play instruments just as well as sighted people can!
Yes I have heard that stereotype, however, I do believe that us being blind does give us an advantage over sited people, which is that we seem to have a better ear for music! It's not that our hearing is in any way better by any means, but because we have to pay more attention to our hearing on a daily basis, we tend to be able to use that because it is a much stronger point than for most sited people. Now I'm not saying sited people make bad musicians either, but you know how it goes! Anyway, as for me, I play piano, want to learn guitar, and sing.
Agree with all the points raised so far. Sighted musicians do have some advantages, however. If they have a van, they can get more gigs provided they don't mind driving and hauling. They can make eye contact and get dates easier at gigs. Seriously though, the ability to sightread can't be understated. If I cold sightread, I'd probably have never gotten a regular job. I have a good ear, and I believe myself to be a good keyboard player. My reputation is also good in this area. If I could sightread, it would have increased my chances, because I could read charts and manuals much easier for synthesizers. I'm not regretting my situation in the least, because I've a nice day job that let's me play when I want. I'm just stating what I see as a plus that sighted musicians have.Great topic!
Lou
oh I know about how the site reading thing is! I could have been in a higher choir than I was back in high school had I been able to sightread! But I guess there are ups and downs either way! As far as the van thing, well that is true, but anyone that's high up to get gigs may have some kind of transportation. i personally dont mind having to be driven to something like this because most likely the person who takes me will be there for support as well.
I agree with the posts about transportation. I was just trying to be cute, funny, or whatever. I do most of my own roadwork when I play out nowadays. Most people don't like lifting my stuff, and I'm a little paranoid about it as well.
I agree with the above posts. I sing, play flute, piano, and I used to play violin. I probably should pick it up sometime and play something on it, lol.
I hear that one-legged folks are all really really good jumpers, can jump like damn frogs! After all, they have to rely on that one leg so much every one of them must really shoot the moon with their hops from here to there.
I love robo's post; btw, why does this have to strictly be about blind musicians? why not just musicians, period?
I've been in a band for 4 years. I play both guitar and keys, and I also sing. I've played the keys ever since the age of 2. hents why the tag says extreme killer of the keys. I met jerry lee lewis at the age of 12. I'm not the best at guitar, although, i'm progressing every day it seems. however, you get me on an 88 keyboard and believe me my fingers will be the one that does the workin, that's for sure. I have had the oppertunity to play at sun studios in memphis before. I've played at the p body hotel in memphis when i was around the age of 10. Yes, i've hurd the same sterriotype, but I don't let it obther me at all. was a solo artist for 12 years before the band was formed. reputation has been well known about me here for years. I always love to jam out with people. I don't just play rock and stuff, I play whatever the hell I want. Yes it's hard for someone like me to get things done as far as gigs go, because around where I'm from you aint got no public transportation what soever. But anyway, enough rambling from me for now. wasn't trying to boast or brag, but if I have I'm sorry. lol
You haven't bragged, you've just proven our points:
You're good because you've been at it for years.
I was mediocre at best, to be honest, though I'd never have admitted it then. Sure i could do a lot of the riffs and fast stuff, played dual keyboards and the like, but so could everybody in the 1980s ... so.
Take someone like you, or my sister who can see and performs in Germany as a classical pianist, you guys are really good but have worked at it and sacrificed a lot of your childhood and the like, while the rest of us couldn't get enough of goofing off outside.
I was also the first at the mississippi school for the blind to have first place at a musical contest that was sponcered in willmington NC. got first place check for 650. I wanna say I got it in like 2003
I wasn't trying to say that stereotype should hold us back at all, but I do hate it when people think I'm a good singer or guitar player just because I'm blind. No, it's because I work damn hard at what I do, and I put my heart into it. I'm not in a band or anything like that, but I probably could be if I wanted to. Also agree with Fighter, being a musician has nothing to do with being blind. I know plenty of blind people who are tone deaf, just as I know plenty of sighted people who are talented musicians.
As someone who's a musician I'e heard that stereotype as well. I've played keyboards since I was 2 by ear ad people seem to think it's so amazing. To me it's just something I've allways naturally done so it's no big deal too me. I just enjoy playing no matter what people may think. I could see how sight reading may be an advantage but there's no reason why I may not be able to play songs with anyone.
It really drives me crazy when people say "Oh, you're so good... and you can't see! That's so amazing!"
First off, I'm not that great.
Second, who cares if I can see or not? My talents are what they are
I know what you mean. smile.
agree with post fifteen.
I agree with some of the points raised here, I've certainly met more blind people with perfect pitch. However, I refuse to listen to a musician just because he or she is blind. I don't work that way, because I happen to think that being blind isn't what will make the difference, it's the quality of your music and the integrity with which you present it to the world. It's what you stand for that counts, not your vision problem, so when people ask me have I heard of such and such a blind musician, I usually sayno, and I don't really carre, are they any good at music? that's what matters to me the most.
I'm a drummer and have recently joined a metal band(yay!) I like doing a lot of blast beats and breakdowns and stuff, but do some slow stuff as well. and am not afraid to get the double bass going. absolutely love it!
Sometimes out at gigs I get wow your really good for a blind drummer. I often laugh to myself and wonder what that means? Would it be that if I could see I wouldn't be as good? people also seem vary impressed that I can set up tune and take down a drum kit. I've been playin in bands for 13 years, and i never think about playing blind unless someone sighted brings it up. Its just what I do.