Not that it's a matter of choice...

[Mat]

...but would you rather go deaf or blind? I'm curious as to what would you miss the most in this purely hyphotetical situation - seeing your friends, family or hearing their voices, music, etc?

[Krummhorn]

A rather thought provoking situation ... even if it is only hypothetical.

As a professional musician, the thought of either situation happening is absolutely dreadful. Not being able to hear myself or others play the grandest of all instruments (the pipe organ) is a frightening thought. And, without sight, not being able to see these grand instruments and the world around me ... and not being able to drive anymore ... is troublesome, too.

If I had to pick one, I guess I would choose deafness. I've already heard many of the great organs of the world, and played a few, too. But for me, I value my sight over hearing - being able to see family, scenery and being able to communicate with others on fora like this one.

I suppose if I had been blind at an early age I could have coped with it ... Jean Langlais did, and became a very successful organist/composer. We don't hear too often about deaf organists.

Well, those are my thoughts, anyway.

[teddy]

Having had a taste of blindness, through losing the sight in my left eye, and being slightly deaf in my left ear, I would rather be deaf. There are so many problems with blindness, especially if it happens later in life. it takes away so much of your freedom. I can always hear music in my head. And if I cant hear people talking? I am sure I would cope


teddy

[JHC]

I also would choose deafness like teddy I have only one eye, but at a dinner given for the Blind foundation of NZ this very question was raised and the answer from the blind was they would prefer blindness??? it beats me.

[teddy]

Very interesting programme on TV a couple of years ago about a lady who, blind all her life recovered her sight in her 50s. She had to pick things up and feel them before she could recognise what they were. She was also frightened to go on a bus, because they seemed to travel so fast.

teddy

[marval]

If I had to choose, it would be to go deaf. I love listening to music and other sounds, but to not be able to see would probably worry me most. I have only 50% vision in my right eye, but my left is perfect so I see very well. I think being blind would scare me the most, not always being aware of things going on around me. I feel lucky and blessed to have all my senses working.


Margaret

[GoneBaroque]

Krummhorn mentioned Jean Langlais (whom I heard play at a local church years ago). I believe that Helmut Walcha was also blind, and also the harpsichordist Ralph Kirkpatrick.

Rob

[Krummhorn]

You are so right, Rob ... and thanks for adding those names to the list.

I had also heard Langlais in an organ concert ... at the end, the resident organist had a sealed envelope of a musical theme. The envelope was opened and the theme played ... Langlais pondered a moment at the console, then played a full 15 minute piece based on that theme. It was a glorious experience to hear.

[JHC]

George Sheering was blind but could improvise like a pro, the main problem that scares me is that you become reliant on others and are very limited to what you can do, btw my PC has voice control loaded but I have never tried it out , I should do. now deafnes is a loss of our music but you can live without music

[GoneBaroque]

I had the same experience at the Langlais concert I attended. Simply marvelous.


Rob

[Mat]

That's something I've been thinking about for quite a while now. Music has always been an important part of my life. And not being able to play or listen ever again... Can't imagine that.

Colin, if we're on blind jazz musicians, I think Ray Charles should also be mentioned.

[Corno Dolce]

To go deaf might be easier - Oh how dreadful a topic - it is almost a sin to even think these things - Bottom line: be thankful for the senses that you are endowed with - Everyday be thankful for them - In the Morning and in the Evening - Because tomorrow you might not have one or more of them.............

[JHC]

That's something I've been thinking about for quite a while now. Music has always been an important part of my life. And not being able to play or listen ever again... Can't imagine that.

Colin, if we're on blind jazz musicians, I think Ray Charles should also be mentioned.

Yes right on Mat, perhaps you could start a thread on Musicians of any genre that are/were blind or deaf, my heart is always heavy for my favorite composer LvB, I can't begin to imagine his anguish

[Chi_townPhilly]

Maybe I'll be forgiven the possibly pretentious-sounding description of myself as a 'music aficionado.' In keeping with that, I think I can safely say I get more pleasure out of the things I hear than I do out of the things I see.

However, I'm still in the work-force. I can perform the preponderance of my work responsibilites if I were deaf. I could not perform them if I were blind. So (music-loving though I am) I have to give the majority-answer here.

Now, if I was retired, there might be something to think about.

[JHC]

How difficult it would be to play in a St Qt where eye contact is all important.