Research

American Sign Language and music are two topics that are very interesting. There are a couple of deaf musicians that became famous for their talent in music. One major musician that I know is Ludwig Van Beethoven. He was not born deaf but became deaf later in his life. Some other musicians are Evelyn Glennie, which is one of the best percussionist known internationally, and Shawn Dale Barnett, who was born deaf and was a deaf drummer that used to own his own record company. Evelyn Glennie has albums and websites and even scholarships for aspiring deaf musicians. One of her Glennie scholarship winners was a cochlear implant recipient, Caitlin Parton. Glennie offers her music and her concert dates on her website. Shawn Dale Barnett wrote a song for a Gallaudet University student that was murdered in 2000. Barnett was the first deaf drummer do have a top hit on MTV. Barnett taught music at schools to help deaf students understand rhythm and vibrations. He talked about his life style and his career experiences in the hearing world. He passed away in 2003 because of cancer. Beethoven talked about his hearing loss and some things he did while he was going through his hearing loss stage. One thing he said was that he would put leafs of paper and tablets out for guest and for anyone who would want to ask him something or tell him something. One thing with the papers or tablets was that he never responded or replied to the questions that people left him. No one ever new the answers to any of the questions, these were called the “Conversation Books” A doctor that studied Beethoven’s letters said that buzzing noises started in 1796, his deafness got worse in 1798, in 1801 he had lost 60 percent of his hearing, and in 1816 Beethoven was entirely deaf. Beethoven stated, "... For two years I have avoided almost all social gatherings because it is impossible for me to say to people "I am deaf". If I belonged to any other profession it would be easier, but in my profession it is a frightful state.." (Berke) He passed away March 26, 1827. It seems to me that most hearing people don’t understand music the way deaf people do. Steve Kokette believes that parents should teach their children sign language as a baby by using music and its rhythm because it makes them comprehend better as they grow up. In the 1800’s educators that worked with students saw that those students with a deaf sibling had a better understanding, in reading, writing, and spelling then those students who don’t have a deaf sibling. The educators use music because it is easier for students to learn with the rhythms of different music. Some believe that if a hearing person knew sign language then they would understand the English language a lot easier. Kokette is trying to convince people to teach their children sign language when they are babies by using music rhythms.