Beethoven Syndrome!

[Gabu]

Here is something I thought of today, and I am curious how people will respond to it... If you woke up deaf tomorrow, but still able to play... would you?

[clef360]

I voted no. I dont think i would play bass anymore if i couldn't hear. To me, bass is mostly about grooving and meshing with others. Something that would put a lot of burden on others if I couldn't hear. The first thing I would do is learn how to read lips well (i would probably cry first, but yeah). Then I would probably start piano again, and maybe take up classical guitar. I would probably be too scared to play anything original, at least for a while, and there's no shortage of other people's music to play, so that's probably what I would do.

[By-Tor]

I think I would.

My theory is, while I would be deaf, other senses would be enhanced.
Possibly feel the difference in vibrations of various notes and be able to play by that.

[puttz buster]

I would die trying to play! If you knew the songs already it would be eaisier, all you would need is a set list, then watch the drummers hats for the quarters, then wait for the evil eyes when you screw something up

[Josh Ryan]

i have no idea. I hope I never find out.

[Tom Crofts]

That's a grim, grim thought.

I put no, otherwise I might be tempting fate...

[Gabu]

I decided no also... I hate to be so selfish, but I wouldn't bake pies just to watch other people to eat them, either.

I guess I am in the music biz to entertain myself.

[Perfect-Tommy]

I voted yes because it's my living. If I could get disability, maybe I would quit.

[Leinad]

I voted no. I started playing because I wanted to have fun, and without being able to hear what I'm playing, where's the fun?

[jenderfazz]

I think I could, but it would be different. I'd keep playing for the sake of feeling the bass and what it does for me, but playing with a band would take a much more theoretical perspective. It would heavily depend on theory and less on hearing.

[Benjamin Strange]

GAH!! I just had a dream about this very thing this morning!

I would definitely give up music. No point in playing if you can't hear yourself. I would sell off all my gear, and travel the world like David Carradine in Kung Fu.

[ldiezman]

I had a discussion in one of My speech Path. classes a few weeks ago as to whether we would rather be deaf or blind. The majority of the class said they would rather be deaf than blind, but If I actually had to choose one, i would rather be blind. Without hearing, I would loose everything i've worked for these past years.

If I were deaf though, I think I would stop playing bass, i doubt I would get enjoyment out of it...

[Thor]

Sure, I'd join k0rN !

[Spanky]

Yes! Give me a lead sheet, let me have eye contact with the band, (and I already feel my bass as much as I hear it), maybe a little known fact: Pete Townshend was near-total deafness years ago, he was equipped with very expensive in-ear monitors to aid him a bit, and he went right on jamming!
I guess I play bass, cause it's what I do, Im not much good, nor interested in doing anything else....so Id have to go on playing.

[andrewd]

well id probably have to invest in a subcontrabass and some kickin subwoofers so i could feel it better

then i'd sign up for experimental procedures for getting deaf people to hear again. they're getting better at stuff like that.

[3 crotch grabs]

maybe i'd start drumming. seams most drummers are deaf anyway.