Deaf tuba players

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:16 pm

I was listening to a story about a double bass player on BBC4 just now and the comment was made that there are deaf professional bass players. Does anyone know of any deaf tuba players--is this possible?

Here's the link to the program, if you're interested:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rp ... string.ram

funkcicle · Post by **funkcicle** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:22 pm

I used to play in a community band with a tuba player who was almost completely deaf...he was a retired band director, and very adept at reading lips. He had a good instinct for volume, but intonation was something perhaps beyond his control. He also underestimated the volume of his voice, and his comments between playing created many awkward situations to which he was completely oblivious!

For an amazing musician who makes no issue of her inability to hear(and doesn't even consider it a disability!) check out Evelyn Glenny. She's completely deaf AND she has perfect pitch..figure that one out!

TonyTuba · Post by **TonyTuba** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:36 pm

Phil Dawson · Post by **Phil Dawson** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:09 pm

I've played with many people over the years that I thought must have been deaf - I've evan played for a few conductors that seemed like they must be deaf. Sounds the same as a blind person creating paintings. Some people will go for anything. Can we get an all deaf band together?.....
Phil

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:39 pm

euphenstien wrote:i was working at a band camp one summer and there was a percussionist in the band i was assigned that was almost completely deaf. i felt bad for her. it was a junior high camp and i think the other kids made fun of her or picked on her when i wasn't looking. she didn't play too well but tried twice as hard as anyone else.

-euphenstien-

Gotta admire her determination and persistence!

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:29 pm

tubaboy wrote:i'd rather deal with 10 kids who were honestly trying and failing than just 1 kid who wasn't trying at all

Absolutely!

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:32 pm

tubaboy wrote:i'd rather deal with 10 kids who were honestly trying and failing than just 1 kid who wasn't trying at all

Oh, I dunno--I've experienced a few kids who were really trying--very trying...

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:32 pm

knuxie wrote:There is a tuba gal formerly from Appalachian State who is legally deaf. For two years she went to ASU with a declared major in music therapy. This last semester the MT program kicked her out saying her handicap disqualified her. She was a four year all-stater with this handicap. She told me she can hear vibrations and that's how she's able to play.

Ken F.

It appears to me that she wasn't letting it be a handicap -- it's a pity that they made it one.

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:34 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:... I've experienced a few kids who were really trying--very trying...

There is that too, isn't there?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:28 am

schlepporello wrote:
Chuck(G) wrote:
tubaboy wrote:i'd rather deal with 10 kids who were honestly trying and failing than just 1 kid who wasn't trying at all
Oh, I dunno--I've experienced a few kids who were really trying--very trying...
A problem that can be easily solved in two words,"Cattle Prod".
You'll feel much better afterwards too!

I sort of like the "teeny bopper" approach myself:

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:57 am

How about Jon Seiger. He sings and plays trumpet, and he's deaf. He also sounds "exactly like Louis Armstrong," as quoted from his band's site. Check out the audio on his site. He does a pretty good job.

http://www.jonseigerallstars.net/

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:07 pm

Thanks for the link,Mellow Smoke Man. That was fun.

Tim Olt · Post by **Tim Olt** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:14 pm

Greetings all,

One of the best dixieland/traditional jazz tubists I have ever known is deaf for all practical purposes. He has recorded numerous cds with his group and continues to perform regularly. He "hears" by bone induction and feel. Wonderful person too.

Tim

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:18 pm

Harold,

I'm not so sure the American Blind Skiing Foundation would agree with you on that one.

www.absf.org

scottw · Post by **scottw** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:23 pm

This is a topic of which I have some personal knowledge! I wear hearing aids for the purpose of distinguishing the spoken words (think conductor giving directions) but they are not needed for hearing the music and playing dynamically. Louds are not the issue, nor are the softs, but simply the spoken word. So, I,too, often bother others near me trying to figure out what the mumbling conductor just said! It's a pain, but I still hear the music very well, so that's a blessing. Too many years of playing in super-loud bands and then running super-loud power tools in my off hours! I really do recommend that folks wear hearing protection whenever possible!

TubeNet

Deaf tuba players

Deaf tuba players

Handicap?