Evelyn Glennie: How to listen to music with your whole body

Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When we really listen to people there is an alternating current, and this recharges us so that we never get tired of each other. We are constantly being re-created. –Brenda Ueland

Glennie on Ted
Deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie’s music challenges the listener to ask where music comes from: Is it more than simply a translation from score to instrument to audience? How can a musician who has almost no hearing play with such sensitivity and compassion? The Grammy-winning percussionist and composer became almost completely deaf by the age of 12, but her hearing loss brought her a deeper understanding of and connection to the music she loves. In this soaring video demonstration, Glennie leads the audience through an exploration of music not as notes on a page, but as an expression of the human experience. Playing with sensitivity and nuance informed by a deep understanding of and connection to music, she illustrates a richer picture that begins with listening to yourself. [ Watch Glennie in action ]

Be The Change:
Practice listening today.