This online discussion is open for comments October 28-November 4 The assignment description and grading requirements are available here.

 

Leonardo da Vinci - Vitruvian Man 1490
Leonardo da Vinci, “Vitruvian Man” (1490)

Our bodies carry us through the world. Sometimes we’re proud of our bodies; sometimes they fail us. Others react to our bodies: with pleasure, attraction, seeking comfort, recoiling in fear, or—before humans climbed to the top of the food chain—viewing us as prey. Each of our bodies is different, and that means we experience the world in slightly different ways: a space that feels claustrophobic to one person may feel cozy to another, or a distance that is easy to cross for one may be intimidatingly far for another. Weather that seems pleasant to you may be too hot, too cold, too sunny, or too windy for another person’s skin color, body fat percentage, or hair length. Your body is one of the first determinants in how you come to know the world physically and socially—how it feels, how it treats you, and your place in it.

One of the things that comes with living in a society is a sense of what is “normal.” We build doorways, cars, stairways, airplane seats, and clothing to fit the “average” body. Even the language we use implies that there is a baseline of normal, since we refer to some people as having disabilities or being disabled, but we don’t refer to other people as “living with abilities” or “being abled.”

Really, “normal” just average, the middle of the pack. And that means that almost no one is “normal.” We’re all above average in some aspects of our physicality and below average in others.

Bell-Curve

We’ve been talking a lot in class about our listening experiences and all the things that influence them: our past experiences, how we listen, where we listen… The same array of possible factors affects what music a musician makes, too!

Music can be seen as a musician’s interpretation of the world, and their interpretation partly comes from moving through the world in their bodies—each person has a unique array of physical attributes as well as all the sensations, experiences, attitudes, and assumptions that come along with his or her body. A musician’s unique musical perspective comes from how they walk, the rhythm of their heart and lungs, the physical capabilities or limitations of their music making, how people treat them based on their appearance, and what they notice from their physical vantage point.

Let’s look at some musicians whose abnormalities—including physical and mental disabilities—shape the sounds they make.

Physical disabilities

Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

There are numerous examples of blind musicians throughout music history: Ray Charles (1930-2004) and Stevie Wonder (b. 1950) readily come to mind. And there are others, all of whom are imbued with a degree of reverence or magical awe by others, that somehow the loss of sight makes these musicians seem even more musically insightful—

  • Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832), a German pianist-flutist-composer who lost his sight as a child when he tripped going down a set of stairs while hold glass containers, which shattered in his eyes
  • Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945), a blues and gospel guitarist from Texas
  • Andrea Bocelli (b. 1958), an Italian pop-opera singer-composer
shakuhachi
Meditating shakuhachi players would wear a basket called a tengai to hide their faces while playing

The eyes are so important that 19th-century meditating shakuhachi players adopted a reversed version of this blindness, covering their faces so passersby would be “blind” to the identity of the person playing the flute, allowing the sounds they made to seem even more timeless and powerful.

Although the ability to see is crucial for much human interaction, it clearly isn’t an impediment to participating in music, which is a sonic medium. Deafness would be impossible for a musician, right?

That’s what Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) thought when he started going deaf at the end of the 18th century as a result of an infection, just as his career as a virtuoso pianist and composer was taking off. Suddenly, it was all gone: his livelihood, his life-long honed skills (he had been trained by his father from a very young age—remember this online discussion?), and the joy he

beethoven standing
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

took in listening to the birds and rustling grasses on his walks through the countryside. He already felt isolated and lonely—he wasn’t a particularly attractive man, and he didn’t have the patience to always mind his manners when speaking, to dress neatly, or to, basically, kiss ass to the wealthy aristocrats of Vienna. So he’s a loner, someone who feels like an outsider in society, and he’s losing his one consolation: his exceptional musical talent.

In 1802, Beethoven went to Heiligenstadt, a country town where he would spend vacations. He was distraught—what point was there to living if he couldn’t be “BEETHOVEN THE SUPER AWESOME TALENTED MUSICIAN”? And he decided to kill himself.

Beethoven house Heiligenstadt
The house where Beethoven would stay while in Heiligenstadt

 

Spoiler alert: he didn’t.

Instead, he doubled down on being the best musician he could be, on committing himself to creating music for the rest of his life, and did so because he believed the world would be worse off if he did not. Think about the gravity, egoism, and confidence of that position: that Beethoven was so sure of his talent, his creativity, and his role in the world that he believed depriving others of his music would make him feel worse than the physical pain, social discomfort, and frustration of going deaf.

He penned a document now known as the Heiligenstadt Testament, in which he states that it was “only his art that held [him] back.” You can read the full text here: Beethoven – Heiligenstadt Testament

Beethoven’s decision not to kill himself—and to base that decision on the necessity of continuing to make music—plays an enormous role in his legacy, making him a revered, admired, intimidating, and inspiring figure for musicians and non-musicians alike from the 19th century onwards (there’s more about the influential role Beethoven plays in music history here).

Deafness is less of an isolating trait today than it was in Beethoven’s time; sign language hadn’t yet been developed, doctors didn’t understand what caused deafness, and the idea of finding “empowerment” through overcoming challenges wasn’t anywhere near as popular of a narrative then as it is today (stoic resignation was a much more common reaction or attitude). Antoine Hunter, in contrast, is a deaf dancer-choreographer who runs a studio for other deaf dancers in San Francisco, and his life’s work is devoted to the empowerment of deaf people:

 

Just as with Hunter, being attuned to vibrations, even without being able to hear all of them, is part of how Evelyn Glennie (b. 1965), a deaf percussionist from Scotland, is able to perform—she’s typically seen onstage barefoot so she can feel what her instruments are doing, and her 2003 Ted Talk describes how she learned to better understand the world by using her whole body:

 

Mental health

Amy Winehouse. Jimi Hendrix. Jim Morrison. Kurt Cobain. Chris Cornell. Chester Bennington.

Musicians who’ve suffered from mental illness and died from suicide and/or drug and alcohol overdoses seem commonplace. Mental health issues are common among musicians who are still alive and seemingly functional, as well, including anxiety disorders (Adele, Zayn Malik, Britney Spears, Barbra Streisand), eating disorders (Elton John, Paula Abdul Demi Lovato), depression (Lady Gaga, Sia, Bruce Springsteen, Kid Cudi), and performance anxiety (extremely common in the classical music world).

Mental illness can be debilitating, particularly because it often doesn’t seem as obvious to observers as, say, a broken leg or a runny nose. There’s also a long-standing myth that creativity and mental illness go together—that abnormality and freakish talent go hand-in-hand—and it’s untrue, but for people whose identities are inextricably linked to being creative on demand, doing anything that might jeopardize that “gift” (like seeking professional help) can often unthinkable.

We partly have Beethoven and other 19th-century musicians to blame—Beethoven likely suffered from bipolar disorder (his letters, conversation books, and descriptions by contemporaries suggest this diagnosis, even though contemporary medicine did not contain that vocabulary yet). People found the idea of a tortured artist to be quite compelling in the 19th century, and this carried over into the 20th and 21st centuries. There are other examples of 19th-century classical musicians with diagnosed mental illness as well, and these reinforce the crazy-creative myth:

  • Hector Berlioz (1803-69), who self-medicated with opium and other drugs
  • Robert Schumann (1810-56), who walked himself into a river in his bathrobe to drown himself but failed and was committed to a mental institution
  • Anton Bruckner (1824-96), obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93), whose depression was compounded by his shame over his sexual orientation and led to his suicide

When your body fails you

Then there are examples of musicians who don’t persevere—like Beethoven—and don’t spectacularly flame out at a young age—like Amy Winehouse—but whose bodies deteriorate and get the best of them over time, slowly changing or eliminating their ability to work: Lil Wayne and Prince, who both suffer from epilepsy; Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), whose compositional style changed as his brain deteriorated due to dementia; or Aaron Copland (1900-90), who simply could no longer come up with a single musical idea once Alzheimer’s set in (he lived for another 20 years after he last composed music in 1970).

Matisse - The Fall of Icarus 1943
The French artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954) turned to paper cutouts when his body would no longer let him paint after being diagnosed with cancer. The Fall of Icarus (1943)

“It was exactly as if someone had simply turned off a faucet.”

—Aaron Copland, describing his inability to come up with any musical ideas after his Alzheimer’s progressed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avoidable injuries that musicians give themselves

There are also disabilities caused by music making. Overuse and excessive practice habits can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and focal dystonia for instrumentalists. These injuries are common and often career-ending physical. There’s no cure for carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness and tingling in the hands and arms due to a compressed nerve) other than ceasing the activity that caused it—meaning, no more playing music. Focal dystonia, which causes involuntary spasms that contract muscles in the body, on the other hand, is neurological—it’s a problem in the brain caused by a “mismapping” of physical motions in the brain (the brain mixes up which muscles are activated by different parts of the brain, resulting in mixed signals). For musicians, this most often happens in the muscles they use to do the most precise work of playing their instruments: embouchures of wind and brass players, fingers of pianists. It’s possible to re-train one’s body and learn to play without triggering these spasms, as Chicago-based oboist Alex Klein was able to do.

The most common injury for singers is ruining of the vocal folds—Adele may never sing again because of her poor vocal technique, in which she creates a big sound by straining and tearing her vocal folds. Those kinds of vocal injuries are rarer in the classical world because operatic singers work with vocal coaches non-stop while in school and their professional careers to develop and maintain healthy technique. Melissa Cross is a vocal coach who works with metal and hardcore singers to be able to scream for hours on end, night after night on tour:

 

Music therapy

Music can also be used as a therapeutic tool to help people with all of the disabilities discussed above create a sense of home, belonging, and well-being. Making music is fun, motivating, social, and doesn’t rely on language skills—it’s an avenue for all kinds of people to find themselves.

When I’m not in class with you guys, one of the things I do is work at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, which has the largest clinical music therapy program in Brooklyn and provides music therapy in schools, senior centers, and community centers at 34 sites across New York City. (I’m not a music therapist; I do other work for the Conservatory.) The Conservatory works with 1,500 children, teens, adults, and seniors to help them reach their developmental, physical, social, and emotional goals through music therapy, including people with developmental, cognitive, and neurological delays; Autism spectrum disorders; Alzheimer’s and dementia; and emotional and psycho-social trauma.

Below is a quick but touching introduction to the work the Brooklyn Conservatory does in its music therapy program:

 

Final thoughts

Disability studies is an emerging area of inquiry in the musicological world, with publications only appearing in the last 8 years or so. In his 2011 book, Extraordinary Measures: Disabilities in Music, music theorist Joe Straus frames the concept of “disability” as a social construct, not a medical condition: our societal needs decide and define what is “disabling” based on what activities we collectively expect, need, or value. There are aspects of music making that thrive due to traits that might otherwise be disabling—social anxiety, narcissism, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder—but these traits can be crippling in musical contexts, too. We don’t typically tell the stories of musicians whose physical, mental, or neurological traits completely prevented them from achieving fame, accolades, or success*—just the ones who were “normal” enough to use their abnormalities to their advantage.

*But what is success, really?

-Dr. J.

 

103 thoughts on “Music and disability, Oct 29-Nov 4”

  1. After reading this I feel as if musicians use music to compensate for their disabilities. They’re using their disadvantages to open more of their creative side. Being a musician myself, I use music as an escape from my problems so I can empathize with those who use music to deal with their disabilities.

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    1. After reading this, I do feel that most musicians that’s has a disability are very talented like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. I also agree with the Joe Strauss defining the the word disability is a social construct and not a medical condition. After ready this, I have a better understanding on music and disability and I didn’t know so many these artists had disorders.

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    2. I’m definitely on your side, no one is perfect and music opens up a door for some people. Music gives individuals a voice, and like you said it helps individual’s escape their problems. Everyone’s unique and creative in their ways but at the end of the day, we are the same. A human being.

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      1. I agree with you no one is perfect and physical and mental disabilities shouldn’t hold back any artist from not trying for sucess. Many of the greatest musicians amd arist in history had disabilities like the famous Beethoven who composed even after being deaf! I feel that disabilities shouldn’t be viewed as a threats to a musicians career, but as a small obstacle to cross with a little effort and push to work around.

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      2. I agree with what you are saying “sbilyk13” music does open new doors for people because its a powerful thing. You don’t have to be a musician for music to help you. Some people just want to get out of reality and they use music to do it

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      1. music can heal both the musician and the listener. In this, we can see that the music that the musician makes helps them heal the injury they have. At the same time, music can also, unfortunately, injury an artist as well

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    4. I agree with you, many people do different things to escape from their problems, such as excersize or listening to or maybe creating music. I never thought disabled musicians used music to compensate for that until reading this article.

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    5. I completely agree with you, artist with disabilities have shown people with out disabilities that it is possible to still do great things in the music world. Playing music and creating it is a satisfaction people feel so they tempt to get it out the way they feel about it to express the way they feel about themselves.

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  2. Do you think people that are disabled should be labeled as an disabled person or a person with a disability?

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    1. The word a “person” should always lead, as this puts things into perspective to people, that anyone who is living with a disability is a person before their disability. A label should not limit the person who is living with any disability. It shouldn’t define them or what they accomplish.

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    2. I believe people that are disabled should be labeled as a person with a disability because calling a person who is disabled an disabled person I feel is highly disrespectful and offensive to that individual. At the end of the day, a person with a disability is still a person no questions asked so personally calling someone a disabled person I feel is belittling that person and can rub off as being rude.

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      1. I agree with you as well. Actually sometimes what a person considers a “disablitiy” others may not. So who are we to label people based off bias & opinions?

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        1. I agree with you, it is extremely disrespectful, you’re right, others might see someone who they consider have a disability while others may not agree.

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      2. i agree with you calling someone disabled person can be rude and disrespectful and the bottom line is that we need to be sensitive to the feelings of others. Having an handicap doesn’t make you less than a human being or your capacity to accomplish something

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    3. I feel that calling someone a “disabled person” is completely disrespectful. Labeling someone “disabled person “is measuring someones mental capacity by their physically or mental disabilities. I feel that a “person with a disability” is more appropriate verbal use so it doesn’t come off as offensive.

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    4. @leshaunda27 One of the institutions I’ve worked at in the past (elementary school), there were a few kids who had ‘disabilities’ as we would say. And our headmistress always made it the culture of the school to refer to those kids as our “special children” as opposed to disabled. That was a very thoughtful and caring thing to do because I feel like ‘disabled’ is too harsh of a label, for kids especially, and it can damage one’s self esteem, worth and confidence. There are physical limitations to what they could and couldn’t do, but this part of what makes them different and even more unique, so it’s something we had to be willing and able to embrace.

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    5. I don’t like the word “disabled” idk. I feel like they should just be labeled as a human. I feel like calling someone disabled is a bit rude. Idk to me

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    6. The word “disabled” to me sounds like its telling a person that they’re not capable of doing something that someone else would be able to do. Someone with a disability may seem like they can’t do something, it seems that way but as this whole article tells us, they are very capable of doing much more than a non disabled person would due to the encouragemnet they feel of trying to prove people they can do things too.

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    7. Definitely a person with disability, because calling a person with a disability a “disabled person” is very demeaning to who they are as a person. They’re still a person no matter the circumstance.

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    8. i think they should be labeled as a person with disability because to me a disabled person sounds disrespectful to me as if “I can be normal or do things that everybody else does because I was born different”. It came makes them feel limited to doings things and can push them away from following their dreams.

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    9. i personally believe it should be what thy prefer. One might not want to be called either. But person with a disability seems more appropriate

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    10. I think people that are labeled “disabled” shouldn’t be called disabled at at all. It’s putting humans in this little box that makes them feel like they aren’t capable of doing certain activities.

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  3. I work with people who have a variety of disabilities and one thing I can say is they LOVE music. Regardless of how much they understand or don’t, music is something that reaches their mind to levels beyond what they even understand, it’s more of a feeling for them, something magical.
    That is why to me music seems to be such a powerful thing it transcends what words can describe.

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    1. I agree with you and also music is one thing everyone can connect with. Whether you’re normal or special because music is all about the rythem and lyrics. Music has nothing to do with religion, a person’s color or anything. Music unites people from everywhere in the world and even special people connect to it whether they can’t see or talk.

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    1. It is most definitely a medical condition. People do not get to pick and choose if they have a medical condition each day. I do not think that it even remotely close to a social construct. As a person who suffers from multiple mental illnesses, the idea that it is socially constructed is almost blasphemous.

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    2. Great question! I feel like someone who is disable has a medical condition, but what the term “disabled” entails is definitely socially constructed.

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    3. I feel like the concept of a disablitiy can be both a medical condition & a social construct. It depends on how one views it.

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      1. I totally agree with you disability is not just a physical thing it’s also mental and these is a lot of people who has mental disabilities

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  5. Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the road for you. Like the comments listed above, people like Stevie wonder have made it so far in life and have left behind such a legacy. Anybody can be creative, don’t let barriers such as a disability stop you and your dreams. There are so many people with disabilities who have had a huge impact on today’s society. For some people, activities such as playing the piano and singing can benefit you in the long run as they can be stress relievers and can boost your confidence for you to take that next step in life. Never ever let anything label you or put you in your spot, fight for what you believe in.

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    1. Right! Music is not only intended to for those who can hear and see. It is for everyone. Music is something everyone can experience.

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      1. I agree with your comment because music is not something just for specific people it’s for everyone. Music does not discriminate against anyone it actually unites people from different religions and countries.

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    2. That’s so true even though you have a disability you still have a long life weather it’s less than 20 years or more. Like Stevie wonder he’s blind but she still here

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    3. most definitely, like you mention Stevie wonder is a great example that a disability should never be an obstacle to a person. many great musicians, like Stevie wonder and those mention in the top, never let have a disability both them.

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  6. I just love how music is a universal attraction and skill for everybody to do and learn; in previous online discussion it talks about different races and their music and another on women being an inferior gender in men’s eyes in the past and how they are also capable and reading this even a person with disabilities. It shows no one is left out in the world of music and through it we communicate also how music doesn’t discriminate. As it written in the text Beethoven even when we couldn’t hear was still able to compose and conduct his own music and his disability gave his music a unique dark and cold touch which we have noticed listening to it even after his time.Ray Charles is another talented man even though blind was able to sing his heart away and make music like any other ordinary regular man.

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  7. After reading this, I have grown sympathy towards the obstacles that musicians suffer with and are not always recognized for. For example, Aaron Copland’s music was criticized and people said many hurtful things about his music. They compared it to being a ruckus in a jungle and said that he would ruin jazz music. However, I’m pretty sure if his listeners knew that he was sick and tried his hardest to compose the pieces he did, they would probably have been more supportive of him instead of making him feel the way they did. I think that as playing the role of a listener in society, listeners can try to be more supportive and sympathetic towards their artists. After all, artists spend so much time making music that we can relate to, so why not try to understand the struggles they face while making it.

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    1. Agreed! As listeners and consumers, we must always keep an open mind towards the art being made. It doesn’t deserve to be put off just because it’s not something we like. Also, we should consider the source and try to understand the artists perspective before we throw our own biases at it.

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  8. I just love how music is able to life you up when your having bad days, which makes you able to escape your problems. Music is so powerful that its able to connect to everyone but in different ways, which is pretty amazing.

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  9. After reading the article, it reminded me of year of 2017 when I joined the 5-borough marathon in NYC. I saw a man who overcame with the disabilities, he couldn’t walk like “normal” people. Similar examples were displayed in article where blind musicians played instrument and Beethoven was still able to carry out his career after he became deaf. I strongly agree with quotation that said “normal” is just an average of large population and article denied if that is what normal is then no one is normal. Everyone in the world is different in many ways. Prominent difference among people is physical appearance and everyone have different point of view on the beauty. I show the respects to people who pushes themselves to their limits even though there are many obstacles and it motivates me so much.

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  10. I truly have never thought about how singers in metal bands go night after night screaming! I think that this was so interesting. As a fan of metal/screamo, that was truly an enjoyable video to watch.

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  11. This discussion on Music and Disability helped me to see and piece together the relationships between music and disability. Music is created by persons with disabilities; and while it can cause persons to develop disabilities, it is also used to help to treat disabilities. What a relationship!! From this reading, I was surprised to see that so many of these well known artists and musicians have disabilities. But this proves that music is so diverse and it is an avenue for a lot of things to be expressed, even beyond what society classifies as “normal.” Music represents disability in variety of ways and affirms the idea that disability is a performance, something you do rather than something you are. After learning in class about different techniques and styles used in music, I think persons with disabilities who are involved with music adds new features and interests to the art because musicians/artists/dancers/etc get to master their works in different ways. The way a deaf composer may compose will be different to one who can hear. They all use different techniques, which in turn can express different things in the music.

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    1. I agree with you on this, I believe they really put enough energy and effort into what they do that the thought of them having disabilities is shocking. But hearing them overcoming or trying to while still doing what they love is inspiring. They are role models to fans who shouldn’t have an excuse to chase something

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    2. its just so interesting thinking about how artists such as ray charles or stevie wonder managed to be such great artists whilst being completely. Just the thought alone is so intriguing because if they ever struggled to learn music it definitely did not show in the works they composed. I agree that their has to be some unconventional flair that they developed when learning music and they just continued to add their own style that was never heard before.

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  12. This lady has Osteogenesis Imperfecta but she plays music so well. She talks about how people with disabilities experience the world in different ways (something that was raised in the discussion), and how people try to get rid of their disability but she embraces hers because it is apart of who she is. The video is only 3 minutes long. https://youtu.be/xd-d5IuS9Mk

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  13. I like how music can be used as an Therapeutic tool to help people with their disabilities and sort of make a home for them whereas they feel isolated in the real world. Music gives people a voice and helps individual’s escape their problems.

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    1. Do you think that music is always successful in helping someone escape their problems? Because their have been numerous talented and successful musicians who have still committed suicide.

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  14. I am fond of the way these performers and composers value music to the point they would rather not hear it while still perform with it than to completely stop being in touch with it. It is almost like reaching a different dimension, where, for example, like deaf people, it’s like dancing without music. Not only does music aid in calming the mind through music therapy, it also makes everyone feel included, as a part of something bigger. It helps people, with or without disabilities, realize that there’s no boundaries to doing what you love and that, to me, is the greatest kind of success one can achieve in a lifetime.

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  15. This post was very inspiring to read. Personally, I don’t like using the term “disabled” because I feel like someone who does have a “disability”, is still capable of doing many things like everyone else including participating in music. It is amazing to see someone who has a disadvantage on a mental or physical level and see them overcome and still achieve their goals. As the musicians that are deaf mentioned above, they didn’t let their loss of hearing stop them. If anything, to be able to feel the music and work with the sensation of vibrations music produces, it probably makes a better musical experience. Once you can feel the music, the experience is complete in my opinion. My favorite part was watching the video on Antoine Hunter. Despite his loss of hearing, he can still feel the music, enjoy it, dance beautifully and teach his skill to others, which is such a wonderful thing. This proves that he is far from disabled, probably more able than most people! Similarly, mental health illnesses carry stigmas that makes society see people with mental disorders as “crazy”. Someone with a disorder like the artists mentioned above are just like everyone else. Sure, they react emotionally different, but so does everyone else. I agree that this does influence creativity, but it’s not like they’re more or less creative than others. With the burden that society places over them because of their mental health, I think this is what really influences their craft, just like whatever I go through influences my own life. I appreciate when artists are open about their mental health, because it makes me appreciate their craft that much more. It is sad when a mental health disorder does get the best of someone whether it is suicide or Alzheimer’s, and sometimes there’s not much that can be done afterwards, but I’m glad that there are artists that promote mental health awareness through their own experiences. I believe everyone should try music therapy. Even if it changes ones mood, I think it benefits all of us. How else do you all think music therapy can benefit others? How can we as a society, change the stigmas attached to mental health disorders and “disabled” people?

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  16. I feel like both are the same. Someone with a disability doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not able to do something. Take Antoine Hunter. He’s deaf but that doesn’t make him disabled. He may have a disadvantage, but we shouldn’t see him as disabled.

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    2. I totally agree people think that they are disabled but they are not in reality you can say that by just seeing their work. I have seen and listened to a lot of music from disabled people but I don’t even feel like they are disabled they seem perfect their disability never affects the work they put in

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  17. After reading this article I admire people with disabilites even more. Plenty of times I have witnessed people with disabilities achieve so many things. I feel like they are more determined and focused on reaching their goals.

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  18. Music is a privileged way to express oneself through a gesture, an emotion, a vocalization, a personal expression. Reading this post, I remembered a singer of my country Senegal “Thione seck” he has one of the most beautiful voice that i ever i heard, he is so talented and while i was watching one of his interview i was surprised to know that he stutter and that people were making fun of him when he was a child but it didn’t stop him to be one of the best singer of my country, he says that when he sings he completely forget his disability.

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  19. People like ray charles, stevie wonder and even beethoven put out great body of work. When i was younger i knew even known that Ray Charles was blind untill i saw the biopic of him lol. The music spoke louder!

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  20. It’s great to see people truly understand how someone with a disablity can manage to surpass any limitation or obstacle that comes across. Anybody can reach their goals and with music there is no exception. Music travels through society like a wonderful breeze and its beautiful knowing that anybody can find their passion with it no matter where they come from or their abilities. This post was very inspirational and made me look into the artists even further. Its remarkable reading about how they have shaped their disabilites and made it something that people should look past. Music allows us to cope and provides an outlet to escape towards. This was my favorite post so far it was very uplifting and full of inspiration.

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      1. Wow!! I didn’t even know that making one-handed instruments was a thing! Such an insightful and uplifting read! Thank you for sharing!!!

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  22. I’m sure it’s easy for celebrities to feel anxious or depressed about every decision they make especially when everything they do is publicized. It’s especially hard to feel like you’re doing something right if you constantly have people commenting on your life. Mental health is extremely important and unfortunately drugs can be easily accessed by celebrities which can cause celebrities to begin addiction very easily. I saw a movie around 6 years ago about a man that had Alzheimer’s. They used music therapy to help him recall memories and it turned out he could only remember details in his life when listening to a song. I think music therapy is a creative way to help people to help an individual’s disability.

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  23. While a disability can be a tragic thing we shouldn’t have to jump around trying to redefine this. The idea that disability is a social construct is kind of a joke to me. We shouldn’t have to jump to another thing and blame it for our problems, rather we should just admire these people for their courage and tenacity. Furthermore, I feel like having to blame disability on “social construct” belittles the effort that these individuals have put into their work.

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    1. I agree I think most of them did good work but if some of them didn’t get that good work but still can be appreciated because they are finding their happiness in music. They are also human and have the right to live happily and I think people should also help them or support them by giving a good trainer to them or anything that can help.

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  24. Music and disability
    People with Special Needs autism or learning disabilities may find themselves easily distracted. I have personally witness the change in someone especially autism the effect music have on that person. It tends to calm that individual just like a normal person, for instance most times when we are going through an emotion or any sort of problems one of the first thing we do is play music because just like a special need person it reduces our stress levels and calm us.
    There are many celebrity who has some form of disability weather it be visible or not but they are very great performers and entertainers.
    Music and Disability:
    ⦁ Support mental wellbeing. Children with psychological disorders can benefit greatly from music therapy, according to a study published in 2004 in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
    ⦁ Also, the Psychiatric Times reported in 2017 that music therapy has been successful in treating children with emotional disturbances, helping to reduce anxiety, treating impairments in affective functioning, and improving emotional responsiveness.
    ⦁ The Journal of Music Therapy has published multiple studies on how music influences attention span. In a 2006 study with children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the findings suggested music could reduce ADHD symptoms in the classroom.
    For more information http://www.joniandfriends.org/kids-corner/

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  25. So I decided to read this article with my fiancé who is percussionist. He also has disability that causes him to lose his focus quickly so his way of learning takes a little bit longer, he will find a different way to figure it out but he still figures it out. After reading the different aspects of the disabilities listed, it made me think about musicians with disabilities like my fiancé. Music is like the serum of what makes them feel normal. We are in a society where you are being judged for who you are but one thing that will never be downplayed and disrespected is ones capability to make art in their own way. Some may not understand another person process to create but that is their solace. Music is a healing for those who are out of the norm.

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  26. I believe that being disable pushing people to really go after their dreams to show everybody that despite their disadvantage they’re extremely talented. This article showed me how many talented people had disabilities and how determined they were. To me they make better because they really feel the music when they make it and when they preform it. I love how music is their voice and makes them feel just like everybody else, they show us that there is no boundaries when it comes to doing somethings you enjoy and love. People like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder opened up a lot of opportunities for people with disabilities and show them that the music business is for everybody.

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  27. So after reading the article I am also intrigued in a medical sense. When people that have disabilities like autism or Down syndrome listens or plays music, do you think that the brain releases more endorphins “happy chemicals” than the average person ?

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  28. I actually find it very interesting how many people with disabilities such as the ones named above have such a talent and ability to do something such as play music and other things better than some people with no disabilities . Listening is definitely important to music because how else would to hear it and be able to point out certain instruments in songs and also for example the melody or tempo of a piece of music .

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  29. Interesting article! I think those people who are mentally or physically disabled according to people who just see their disabilities are not really disabled I think they are more creative than people who are healthy and also when we see their work, they not even make us feel that they are disabled so this is a wrong concept for me we can’t give their abilities the home of disabilities because they have proven their selves that they are not weak. I think people are said to be disabled are not really disabled may be in any point in their life they may be think of their disabilities but they were strong enough that they have proven their self and are the reason of thousands of people happiness by making great music.

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  30. Music has always been the reason behind why people push through, no matter if you have a disability or not the way music works it simply doesn’t matter, because it comes within. Music therapy is definitely something I would want to try one day, sounds like regular therapy but a little more moving.

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  31. I’m glad to read how music are one of the few things that help people emotionally and physically. Reading that people still do what they love either it to be music or something else is inspirational. Reading that there’s people who still make music even with a few challenges they face shows the amount of passion they have for music. I think them sharing their story and struggles really inspire the people who listen to them. There actually are a few people on the media who make music even though they face something in their life everyday. I know theres programs where people actually visit hospitals and facilities to teach people music to help them and see if they recieve any positive out come. I believe anyway you can connect to something stick with it, thats what I believe these artists did they stuck with it no matter what

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  32. I do agree too that music could be used as a therapy to people cause just as studies show that music helps kids learn things better that have no knowledge yet. Music could help people gain memory, personalities and many other things, I do believe one of those reasons is because of the feeling music beings to brain enjoyable or pleasurable music to the persons ear. Maybe that song that sounds like and feels like your favorite song when you were a kid, even the song your mom use to play around the house brings a feeling to you, in my opinion.

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  33. When it comes to disability and a certain person everyone should be treated equal yes they might be different because they might can’t see or hear, but They are human beings. And most of them are very talented in their own ways whether it’s with or without music .

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  34. I agree that people can compensate through music, people can release sadness and inside pain by listening and singing music, but it is not cured once and for all. I never thought this problem in a musicians sides, the musicians with disable or mental problem, can they cure by creating or singing music?

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  35. this reading makes me think a lot about those little kids that got disabilities and give up because they feel that they are different, and see how this people with disabilities can do something that helps them to pull their emotions up is awesome. when I read about Antoine hunter I got so impressed, at the beginning I was wondering how come he dance without listened to music until i saw the video and he said that it was the vibration of the music that makes him feel the rhythm, but I still have questions. what vibration those he feel? are the ones that the speakers does?, I ask this questions because when I listen to music I feel that all the vibrations are the same or may be I don’t pay to much attention to it.

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  36. After reading this I feel that musicians with disabilities turn to music to help cope with their struggles with their disabilities. athough Musicians who had lost a sense such as Ray Charles who was blind and Beethoven who was deaf, they prove many people wrong and managed to become very successful musicians.

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  37. Someone can have a disability but that disability does not define who they are as a person ! Music can be a get away/therapy for anyone and this is just another example of how that can be possible.

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    1. I totally agree with you a disability doesn’t define who someone is because we are all children of God. Music is a way that helps people forget things and escape from certain things.

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  38. I find it incredible how music can help those with cope with their disabilities and who knows, maybe one of them will grow up to be an incredible musician. There have been plenty of outstanding musicians who had some form of disability in the past and they will certainly not be the last.

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  40. It is very interesting to see how some musicians work so hard and actually cause themselves injuries, for example like Adele might never be able to sing again due to overworking her voice. Having a disability or an injury is actually very moving, because people will do anything and everything to become more and you see the drive that other people may not have. People that have challenges still are able to show their love for music and how it moves them, just like when we’re feeling down or may be upset about something, people with needs also use music as a way to push them forward and make them better. it is amazing what people with disability manage to overcome and embrace due to the music, there are blind people who dance and sing and are successful. One example of an extraordinary character would be Beethoven, he was deaf most of the end of his life and still composed music and was one of the greatest composers of all time. Disabilities cause people to do amazing things.

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  41. I agree with the Joe straus ” disability is a social construct not a medical condition”. We always label physical , mental , social disabilities people because most people believe they are different, abnormal from us. We cannot charge people who are deaf, blind cannot learn music. I believe when God closes a door, he opens a window for these people. Many physical disabilities musicians or artists they also play professional music. A few years ago, I saw a TV show (China’s Got Talent) online;one video was unforgettable. one young man (liu wei) lost both of his arms, and he plays piano with his both feet. (he plays at 3:04) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u453W3kZi6w Also, I don’t know music therapy can cure mental, development delay disease. After watching the video, I feel music is power, magic because one patient’s mother (Connor’s mom) says her son cannot speak, walk, but after music therapy the patient can speak!

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  42. The mere fact of stating someone is disabled is inappropriate the impact this has on a particular category been deemed unfairly. Moreover, thoughtfulness of educating the entire world of recognizing equality, no one is exempt. Words should not define how, why, less anyone has not possess normal senses. Motivation is paramount. We are all unique and have an important part to perform is this beautiful worldwide society.

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  44. I feel that just because someone has a disability it should not stop them from pursuing their dream. As we all know Stevie Wonder was born blind and it didn’t stop him from becoming a child-prodigy. Besides being a singer, he is also a songwriter and can play multiple instruments. So, I feel that just because someone is disabled, doesn’t mean that they are excluded from certain things.

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    1. This is is so true, there are so many amazing talented musicians that didn’t let their disability get in the way of that/let people define them as only a disabled person, they broke free from that.

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  45. Music is a universal language , and it is used worldwide by both “ normal” people and people with challenges. It creates harmony such as relaxing and soothing and destructive because musician are affected mentally as a result some of them commit suicide.

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  46. This article hit home for because I know of a few people who use music to substitute for what they lack. Music leads to so much gateways. It has its pros and cons. Music can be your biggest success or your worst enemy. It all determines on how you interpret it.

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  47. Anyone can create music and anyone can listen to and enjoy music. If you have a disability you can still use music as a tool in your everyday life. A disability isn’t something to define someone, it’s a medical condition they have but they are more than that so I do think it’s demeaning to call someone disabled because that’s putting this label on them to just box them in as that and that only when they are so much more than a disability.

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  48. This article is very interesting, as it shows that disabilities can’t stop an artist from creating their music. There are several Famous artists with disabilities such as Stevie Wonder (who was blind) and even beethoven who went deaf during their career. Mental health issues also don’t stop artists from making music, Kid Cudi is one of the most inspirational artists of all time and even he battled depression.

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  49. this article is interesting because thinking about some artists with mental disabilities, music has always been a way for them to channel their thoughts. Like a call for help such as Biggie Smalls with “suicidal thoughts”, future with “codeine crazy” where he confesses his addiction to promethazine, or any example of an artist who has committed suicide. often times you may look at their lyrics after their passing and see so many clues, and its easy to tell that they were using their music to express their inner demons in the only way they may have known how.

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  50. Being disabled is just another way of society saying a person is different. Society is always trying to find titles for people who are out of the ordinary. We have all had to deal with an obstacle whether you can visibly see it or not. As of all of us we find a way to do what we love no matter what obstacles we got going through us.

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  51. reading this article helped me expand my thoughts when it comes to disabilities and how it can relate to the music industry. even thou having one ability taken away from you doesn’t mean you cant contribute or leave a impact in this world. just like Ludwig van Beethoven going deaf and able to create beautiful pieces. i remembered and had to find the video on you tube and also played on Americas got talent of how a girl who also lost her hearing but able to sing in tone with the instruments playing in the background by using her feet, sensing the vibrations. i was also able to recall on how a little girl with no arms still be able to play the piano with her feet. both of these girls also have an amazing story to share and we can learn from them by going by a motto i was able to gather from reading this article…. everyone has a gift to share, and no physicals limitations can stop you. any thoughts ??

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  52. I think anyone is able to express their artistic views on life and show the world what their minds is capable of to prove not only to themselves but to others too. I find it very interesting that those who are impaired have the same capability of those who aren’t. in order to make my thought clear i would like to share some personal experience like i was able to witness an artitic ability in Times square where i see a guy playing the flute not using his mouth ut his nose because i noticed he had a big scar on his lips. he was not able to open it like anyone else.

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