I’m pretty sure one of the most common misconceptions about us deaf is that we don’t like music. Or rather, that we have no concept of what music is, and so can’t appreciate it. That’s almost hysterically funny to me, because I’m not sure I’ve ever actually met a deaf person who didn’t love music.
So how can a deaf person love music? Well, first thing you have to remember is that deafness isn’t a one-size-fits-all sorta thing. It’s exactly like eyes – some people are near sighted, some are far sighted. Some people see shades of light, or see as if through a pinhole, without peripheral vision. Others have peripheral vision but can’t see straight ahead of them. There are a million variations of sight and hearing and deafness are exactly the same.
People who hear not at all can still thoroughly enjoy music, and also produce music. Dame Evelyn Glennie, the famous drummer who led the opening ceremony of the London Olympics? She’s deaf. She explains all of this well in some of her YouTube videos: it’s about FEELING the music, it’s about the vibrations of the music and the total-body experience.
I understand what she talks about… When I was a kid I would wrap myself around our old-school stereo speakers. Literally. I would curl my entire body around our speakers and I’d have Donna Summer’s Live and More record on repeat. I could feel every vibration, every curl and turn of the music and Donna Summer’s fabulous voice go through my marrow. Whether or not my doing that made me even deafer than I already was, I’ll never know but hey! I had a good time!
Feel the Music
No campaign has ever had a more appropriate name, I think, than ATT’s new one, Feel the Music. It’s aimed squarely at the deaf community, celebrating the love that our community has for music. Boy, do I ever love that. They are nixxing some big time stereotypes and promoting some truly awesome work that D-PAN (Deaf Professional Arts Network) has done by way of ASL music videos, all in one glorious swoop.
Did you watch it? It’s called “Subway Serenade”, made to the song, “Different Colors” by the group, WALK THE MOON.
I was inspired by the video (and hey, all of D-Pan’s work; I’m a huge fan of theirs, as anyone who follows my Facebook page knows) to create my own.
Here’s MY Video!
We had a lot of fun making it. And it was easy! We just shot some 8mm app videos on the iPhone, then meshed it all together with iMovie and added the song (which I purchased on iTunes for $1.29). Uploaded to YouTube via the Capture app, and there ya go.
My video was for fun, but if you want to enter the contest, read the rules and details in the links at the end of this post (they are really important, involving no more than 2 people in the video and the participants must be at least 18 years of age).
GIVEAWAY
ENTER TO WIN AN IPAD MINI 4!
ATT is giving away a sweet tech bag to a reader of A Little Moxie, because they know how important access is to the deaf (and disabled) community. The iPad Mini 4 has accessible built-in features, just as all of the smartphones and tablets they carry do, including adjustable font, and closed captioning. They also have the Text Accessibility Plan for the deaf community (check out att.com/accessibility for more info – and also more links at the end of this post).
The sweet tech bag being given away here includes one Apple iPad Mini 4 Wi-Fi 16GB in Space Gray, one Incipio Black Lexington Folio with retina display for an iPad mini, plus an AT&T t-shirt (value: $451.95).
To enter, leave a comment below answering this question: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC?
Or, what’s your favorite song? Any stories behind the song? That’s always fun to read!
This giveaway is open from today through 11:59 pm (PT) October 31 2015, to legal residents of the US who are 18 years and older.
Winner will be announced here.
UPDATE: CORBETT O’TOOLE WON THE IPAD MINI 4. Congratulations, Corbett!
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** NOTE: You do not have to participate in the ASL Video Contest to enter the iPad Mini 4 Giveaway. They are two separate opportunities **
FULL FEEL THE MUSIC + WALK THE MOON ASL VIDEO CONTEST DETAILS:
- AT&T Contest: Make your own ASL video of “Different Colors”, upload to the Feel The Music website, and share the link socially with your friends for a chance to win a trip to a WALK THE MOON concert in December. At the concert, winners will also enjoy a VIP experience with the band. Upload your video here and official contest rules can be found here.
- Based on the official rules, prize consists of: Round-trip coach air transportation for Winner and one (1) guest between major airport in U.S. nearest Winner’s residence and music event city; hotel accommodations (1 room/double occupancy/room & tax only) for three (3) nights; ground transfers to/from airport and hotel; two (2) tickets to the WALK THE MOON music event experience; and transfers to/from hotel and music event location (approx. retail value: $2,560, actual value may vary depending on departure city). Total ARV of all prizes: $2,560.
How AT&T helps and supports the deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community:
- AT&T is committed to creating innovative, accessible solutions. You can learn more about this here.
- One of AT&T’s solutions includes built-in features on our wide range of smartphones and tablets. Those range from adjustable font and magnification to closed captioning on video playback and more. These advancements help support people with hearing, vision, mobility, speech and cognitive disabilities.
- AT&T offers the Text Accessibility Plan, called TAP, for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and/or hearing loss.
- For more information on AT&T’s commitment to help improve the lives of people with disabilities, visit att.com/accessibility
Feel The Music Campaign: Feel The Music campaign, a social project designed to expand musical access to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community – helping them celebrate, participate and share in their love of music. Additional background on the campaign can be found here: http://feelthemusic.att.com/ Also here is a link to the AT&T top story on Feel the Music.
This post is sponsored by AT&T; we will be receiving an iPad mini, Incipio case and AT&T t-shirt.
Meriah Nichols is a counselor. Solo mom to 3 (one with Down syndrome, one on the spectrum). Deaf, and neurodiverse herself, she’s a gardening nerd who loves cats, Star Trek, and takes her coffee hot and black.
I love music in general so it’s hard to pick a favorite song or genre. Some of the most memorable in my life are “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” (because I used to sing it with my Grandfather), “At Last” (because my husband and I walked down the aisle to it together at our wedding) and “Call Me Maybe” (because it was a song my daughter loved to sing and dance to when she was a toddler.)
My twins love the Happy song by Pharrell.
Oh god, trying to pick a favorite song is like trying to pick a favorite book! I’m a giant Taylor Swift fan (as anyone who follows me on Facebook knows). I think my favorite (or one of my favorite) Taylor songs is “Long Live”, because it’s really all about being together with friends and being with each other through thick and thin. From the very first time I heard it, it reminded me of me and my 3 best friends. We’re all disabled and we’ve all been through a lot of challenges, but we’ve stuck by each other through it all. “I had the time of my life, fighting dragons with you”!
What a great opportunity! Well, The music that moves me really depends on my mood at that given time or season. I just love music, especially live music events. Right now, I’m really into “The Wiggles”, or at least that’s what Wes (3.5yrs) tells me. ??
I love to have music playing in the background at all times. Streaming from my computer at work during the day, and usually have a music channel playing on the tv in the evenings. I love how a song can set (and capture) a mood!
My favorite kind of music is ’90’s alternative…I know I know….tragic ?
Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly” because it pretty much sums up my life! Miss you Meriah and love reading your blog.
Ok no one would ever know this about me because I don’t just turn it on in the car or at home, but I think my favorite type of music is house. For the exact reason you’re talking about – the really intense, visceral feeling. Saying this, of course, makes me feel old because I’m pretty sure I’m officially past the appropriate age for going to clubs and raves. Sigh.
Hmm. Can’t pick either. But when it comes to feeling it, probably beautiful acapella chorale music. I’m thinking Sing me to Heaven. In high school I traveled with a choir to Europe, where we sang in sine cathedrals. Saint Marks in Venice was probably the most beautiful ever. I couldn’t sing I was crying so much. And love your video too.
I love the mindless bubbly fun of regular pop music. 🙂 What can I say? I’m a child of the 80s. Yes, I know the words to every Madonna song. I can sing along to most songs on the radio and I AM the one people make fun of for my lack of sophistication in my musical taste. But hey, I just “turn the dial to the right” and keep on enjoying.
Music has always been so important in my life. My favorite type is 80s because it brings a lot of great memories growing up, but also as I watched my 18-year-old nephew grow up, we always listened to 80s together and sang along. It’s one of his favorite types of music, and whenever a Hall & Oates song comes on the radio, or wherever we’re at, we call the other up and say the song reminds me of you.
I love the song Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked. The song reminds us that we are only limited by our desire (need?) to fit into some arbitrary idea of “normal”. But we are all extaordinary beings and defying gravity is always an option if we dare to try.
I’m a mom to a four-year-old girl, and at this moment in my life, my favorite music is anything that she and I can sing together. I teach music to preschoolers, so she and I sing a lot of Music Together songs, but she also likes Taylor Swift and traditional Irish music. I love that I get to explore music that I might never have heard without having a four-year-old around. 🙂
I’m into classic rock.
I love all kinds of music! From the old-school rock and roll which is great for summer days and bbqs, to 90s hip hop that helps me clean the house, or keep my stride while running. Music brings back memories to me like nothing else, it really transports me back to the moment, no matter how long ago it was. 🙂 great post, Meriah!
The last few days I’ve been having dance parties with the girls. I pick either 90s hip hop or needtobreathe on my iTunes radio, but Ellie’s love for Bruno Mars (and her sweet dance moves) has me changing to a new favorite.
I love new age music for relaxing. Thank you for your wonderful blog!
Nothing can change my mood quite like music can. My favorite genre is quirky, moody singer/songwriter.
My favorite music is metal. I do listen to most genres though. All music has its time to be listened to I believe.
My favorite music is country and classical. Thanks for the chance 🙂
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
My favorite kind of music is alternative. I’m really into Panic! At the Disco and Tove Lo right now.
Since I named one of my kids after a Nickel Creek song…I guess I will pick them as my favorite. 🙂
But really, it is too hard to choose. There are exquisite moments in songs spanning all genres and songs that are entirely gorgeous. There are times when a harmony hits just right and my whole body just vibrates. That is what keeps me listening to music and always looking for new artists to try – that one exquisite moment that makes my soul sing.
Love the 80’s music. Duran Duran still rock.
Since I’m entering for my child I’ll tell you his favorite music is country. Nothing else will do. The rest of us are pretty flexible and enjoy different genres but he won’t allow it. His all time favorite song is “Country girl shake it for me”. Oh yes- highly inappropriate (don’t judge me 😀 ) . Was really impressed (maybe embarressed, lol) at his 3rd grade IEP when the inclusive teacher revealed she downloaded it to her phone and played it as a reward when he actually did his work. (she also bribed him with oatmeal cream pies, but that has nothing to do with the contest 😉 )
I have a variety of favorite songs… “Into the Mystic” by VanMorrison, Starfish & Coffee by Prince, Gin & Juice by the Gords (my late brothers favorite group, makes me feel connected to him) and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme song ( my son lights up and dances whenever it plays).
Can I choose a whole album as my favorite? I love Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water album. I listened to it a ton when I was in junior high, and it’s stuck with me. Beautiful stuff.
We love our country music!!! My daughter just loves to dance.
It’s hard to pick just one song – it depends on the time, my mood, what has happened, etc.; but one of my favorites is “I Believe.”
Everything. I mean it. Everything. Why? Because in 2011 I hit my head in a car accident and I could not do music for years. I couldn’t multitask so I couldn’t listen to it when I was trying to do anything else – eat, talk, drive, parent, cook, think, breathe, live, be. I shut it out. I had to. I even quit playing guitar because I was giving myself a headache. And then somewhere along the line enough neuroplasticity happened and I got it back. At first music no longer detracted from my life and then it even added to it. I know the pop songs my kids like in the car and I know when to change the channel. I know what to put on at home after dinner that gets everyone dancing. I can put on my favorite album from college AND make dinner- at the same time! Since it was once lost, I will never take it for granted again. So when I say everything I mean everything. Actually, except Steely Dan. Turns out I still hate Steely Dan.
My favorite music is jam band music – dave matthews band, grateful dead, phish, umphrey’s mcgee, yonder mountain, sts9… the list goes on and on.. awesome giveaway- I’d be blown away if I won!
Nice video! I love 80s songs that bring back memories. I’m an 80s child.
I love the song God’s not Dead and lots of other Christian Contemporary music. I love to dance and sing to it.
Right now, we’re all about the “Itsy, Bitsy Spider.” 🙂
My favorite genre and song vary a lot depending on my mood. Lately I have my radio in the car set to pop, but the majority of music that I own is classical. My favorite song is Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”.
My favorite song is June & Johnny by Jon Foreman. My husband and I were singing June & Johnny songs while I gave birth to our daughter And this song just reminds me of how special that time was. I love blues, folk and Christian music.
My favorite is Mumford and Sons. I like Bob Dylan too. Among others! 🙂
One of my all time favorite songs is Blessings by Laura Story. My life did not turn out quite like I had imagined with having a stillborn son and a pixie daughter who sports an extra chromosome. They may be two of my greatest blessings, but they did not come without their share of tears. My pixie sweet pea with the extra chromosome LOVES any music she can dance to!!
My best song right now is Not The Only One from Hit Record, Joe. It’s so uplifting!
i love “I’ll be seeing you” by Billie Holiday. My grandfather played a huge part in my life and he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when I was about 9 years old. I just remember him slowly starting to forget things and then he would just seem so confused at times. I remember him always telling me that he’ll be seeing me even when it might not like seem like it and then he would play Billie’s song. I think about him whenever this song is played and know that he’s with me every day.
I love playing music by the spice girls. I’m a 90’s kid and their music is fun and upbeat and it just makes me feel great and young.
My favorite song is ” Hello” by Adele. The second I heard that song, I knew it would forever be my favorite. I love classical and pop music.
Our house loves every kind of music imaginable.From country to hip hop and everything in between! My baby with Ds loves to whip whip and nae nae!!
I love all music but my genre of choice is classical.
I do love a variety of music but 80s and modern pop with a little classic country are my faves. Oh and for my quiet moments I love violin heavy classical.
I like so many kinds of music but lately it’s been Adele and Sam Smith. I love the depth and the colors and designs the music creates for me in my head.
I like a wide variety of music. Lately I’ve been into British rap. Bloody good stuff mate.
I love anything by taylor swift! Her songs really ring true!
You know what is “music to my ears”? It’s that rare moment when I realize all four of my children are happily engaged in an activity together! Usually they’re making a fort or all playing restaurant together–ages 12, 10, 7, and 4. The older ones are so great with Bub and he learns so much from them when this “music” happens. 🙂
Definitely country music……..”I was country when country wasn’t cool” ?
I’ve always loved music from Donny Osmond to Shaun Cassidy when I was little. As a teenager and young adult I got more into Classic Rock…..Bob Dylan, the Stones, Neil Young. Now I still like Classic Rock but also enjoy watching my son fall in love with music and listen to what he enjoys.
until I’ll write my fav song it will be another lol but currently confident 🙂