If you’ve been reading my blog, you know of my deep love and connection to music from my past. Well, this is one way I can still enjoy some of my favorite songs as a late-deaf person. I love how Mike signs the piano and guitar instrumental in the middle of the song. I can just almost hear it! Rock on, Mike! Thanks for sharing! (Captions included)
Mike rocks!
I, too, love music!!
I’m a Pearl Jam freak.
Mike was kind enough to treat me some Pearl Jam songs in ASL!
Woot!
Left by IamMine on March 2nd, 2007
Hi LaRonda - you might know me in Gallaudet times between 1976 to 1981. Your blog with song looks awesome cool that helps me understand sound background what Lennon did… hope you will do more later thanks for your cool vblog…
Left by mark windham on March 2nd, 2007
I simply adore it, Thank you and hope to see if he can do I am the walrus, im sure Deaf culture would get a kick out of how confusing it is
Left by Nyed on March 2nd, 2007
I’m sending this off to my daughter’s friend who is a HUGE Beatle fan.
Left by Karen on March 2nd, 2007
Hi Everyone. Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you all enjoy the signed music as much as I did.
I want to give credit where credit is due. This vlog is from MikeSZZ (http://www.youtube.com/user/MikeSZZ).
I wanted to give his video clip a boost on my blog because I love Mikes courage and comfort level when signing music. He’s making his statement in life as a deaf person and I honor that. He seems so comfortable in his own skin.
Other deaf people who enjoy signing or listening to or watching signed music should take heart. Be brave. Rock out! Enjoy life! BE YOURSELF!
Go Mike!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 2nd, 2007
Hello LaRonda, I’m quite honored that you posted this. Like my late father, my hearing loss is progressive. I am ok with it. “Deafness” or “hearing loss” does not determine who I should be. Nowadays, I use headphones mainly to listen to music. Music is a big part of my life and so is ASL and Deaf Culture. I learned about records at Gallaudet from deaf peers who came from hearing families. I came from a line of deaf families and there were no records at my house, just some cassette tapes from corny TV shows like The Partridge Family and The Osmonds and a tape of Elvis live at MSG in 1972. Very corny beginnings before I progressed to my favorite brand of music, the British wave rock groups of ’60s. Their music still lives today. I’ve seen some of the artists in concerts.
Upon rehearsal (many takes) I was trying to figure what should I do with the piano and guitar instrumental bit in the middle of the song. Should I twidle my thumbs or snap my fingers? One thing I learned from seeing many deaf performers in absence of any sounds is to visualize playing a musical instrument. That alone will give the audience an idea what musical isntrument the performer is playing. The wonder of ASL is to make the instruments come alive with “sound.” That’s the powerful aspect of ASL to convey this interpreted meaning of sound instruments to the audience and they can “hear” it by seeing. Truly remarkble. Anyway, my idea was to play the piano bit that everyone can easily identity with. At first I wanted to play guitar with the other hand, but I decided to use it as a sound level indicator. From that classifier (if I called that correctly) was used to interpret the range of the flucuating sound in the song before it reaches its climax. Not perfect, but I thought it would do to kill time during that instrumental space. I’m pleased to learn that it was effective for you to follow this. If that indices anyone to be motivated to learn ASL through music or whatever, so be it. Thanks again (and to those who commented) and like you, I’m inspired by you, too.
Left by MikeS on March 2nd, 2007
LaRonda, d’oh.
Left by MikeS on March 2nd, 2007
Nyed, I did consider “I’m The Walrus” in ASL. Right, this is a very complicated and challenging bit to master. Probably will take weeks of rehearsal to master this Lennon’s masterpiece. Goo goo g’joob.
I Am Mine, thanks for bring me back into PJ. Now it’s all I’m listening to these days.
Left by MikeS on March 2nd, 2007
Hi Mike.
Thanks for your detailed comments on my blog. I’ve enjoyed reading. Feel free to give my blog a boost if it inspires you to do so. Sharing blog sites is a wonderful way to spread the word and connections among people.
I look forward to your next posts.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 2nd, 2007
I love your song!! Please do other song more for me! umm……
Left by sondra on March 2nd, 2007
Mike, they love you! They’re asking for more! Will you entertain us with more signed music?
I throw down the gauntlet and invite other deaf people who love music to take up the challenge and rock out in ASL! Be yourself. Have fun!
Who will take up the challenge?
By the way, readers, take note: When you boost someone else’s vlog on your site, it brings more people to your own.
You can highlight the good or controversial works of others, thus participating in the connection and consciousness raising of all.
Enjoy!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 2nd, 2007
They can check this LINK for a couple more songs to whet their appetites. There should be some out there who can do this too and perhaps, better.
Left by MikeS on March 2nd, 2007