Learn Chapter 2 - The Sound of Music with Free Lessons & Tips

Evelyn Glennie's deafness was first noticed when she was 8 years old, and it was confirmed by the time she was 11. Despite her profound deafness, she pursued a career in music with the help of her percussion teacher, Ron Forbes. Forbes encouraged her to sense music differently, focusing on feeling the music through her body rather than trying to listen to it through her ears alone. He said, "Don't listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way." This approach allowed Evelyn to explore music in a unique and deeply personal manner.

Forbes encouraged her to sense music differently, focusing on feeling the music through her body rather than trying to listen to it through her ears alone. He said, "Don't listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way." This approach allowed Evelyn to explore music in a unique and deeply personal manner.

Evelyn Glennie performs in various places and for many causes. She gives solo concerts, performs with orchestras, and participates in music festivals around the world. Additionally, she plays for charitable causes and educational events, aiming to inspire others, regardless of their circumstances, to embrace and enjoy music. Glennie's performances are not limited by genre or location; she plays in concert halls, at music festivals, in schools, and for various social causes, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to spreading the joy of music.

Evelyn hears music by feeling the vibrations through her body. She often performs barefoot to better sense the vibrations of her instruments through the floor, allowing her to "hear" in a way that is adapted to her deafness. This method of sensing music enables her to engage with her performances deeply and connect with her audiences.

The shehnai is different from a pungi primarily in its construction and sound. The shehnai is a more refined and developed instrument, known for its rich, melodious tone. It has a longer tube, which contributes to its deeper and more harmonious sound, compared to the pungi's more nasal and less pleasant tone.

Traditionally, the shehnai was played in royal courts, temples, and weddings. Bismillah Khan changed this by bringing the shehnai to the concert stage, elevating its status as a classical instrument and introducing it to a wider audience. His efforts made the shehnai a respected and beloved instrument in Indian classical music.