Those little gems

[RuiAce]

Favourite music quote: "From the heart, may it return again to the heart!" (Beethoven)

Sums up music perfectly.

Can anyone explain how a deaf composer composes such hopeful and wonderful music, such as the 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy)?

Well he wasn't deaf for his entire life. I know he was deaf by then but I think it helps that he had a very musical life regardless. I feel as though provided you've had such an exposure, even if you start going deaf you can still "hear" it all in your head anyway, or at least how you imagine it would be heard.

That and there's probably also some melody/harmony writing techniques that you could employ anyway. Although Beethoven was going into the Romantic era he still had some classical techniques. (By the end of the classical era a lot of composition techniques were becoming common, even though they were about to be dominated by others.)

Although having said that, in my opinion, the most profound change from his deafness was the style of music. When I compare Pathetique to Appassionata for example, I just feel that the first is somewhat "more rigid" than the second. And I feel music that delves too far into the Baroque/Classical periods just feels comparatively more blunt.

[Quinapalus]

Well he wasn't deaf for his entire life. I know he was deaf by then but I think it helps that he had a very musical life regardless. I feel as though provided you've had such an exposure, even if you start going deaf you can still "hear" it all in your head anyway, or at least how you imagine it would be heard.

That and there's probably also some melody/harmony writing techniques that you could employ anyway. Although Beethoven was going into the Romantic era he still had some classical techniques. (By the end of the classical era a lot of composition techniques were becoming common, even though they were about to be dominated by others.)

Although having said that, in my opinion, the most profound change from his deafness was the style of music. When I compare Pathetique to Appassionata for example, I just feel that the first is somewhat "more rigid" than the second. And I feel music that delves too far into the Baroque/Classical periods just feels comparatively more blunt.

Having perfect pitch I understand how it could be heard in his head, yet, the 9th Symphony is absolutely mammoth-orchestral parts, 4-part choir, vocal soloists; if you have read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heiligenstadt_Testament it amazes me how he was able to hear so many parts, let alone find such hope!

[RuiAce]

Having perfect pitch I understand how it could be heard in his head, yet, the 9th Symphony is absolutely mammoth-orchestral parts, 4-part choir, vocal soloists; if you have read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heiligenstadt_Testament it amazes me how he was able to hear so many parts, let alone find such hope!

There are reasons why he's renowned after all. He's overrated but I don't fault it - many of Beethoven's pieces are in my favourites of classical music. I certainly can't do what he could.

Still think it's possible though. Of course it requires a strong desire to but given that it still seems to make sense. If I were shoved a recording in my face straight away idk how I'd feel but whilst composing, you can always hear four parts at once? Start by getting a feel (and then a slightly more concrete idea) about how 2-4 parts by themselves work and then slowly try to build/weave the two ideas together? It feels monstrous trying to hear sixteen different instruments or voices or something all in the one go but if you keep narrowing your focus I'd say it's possible.

Definitely not saying it's easy - oh hell no. Add Beethoven's strong desire and talents though? You get the awesome results.

[sweetiepi]

Books.
Specifically reading them, smelling them, and buying them.
Cannot get enough of them 😍

[Calebark]

Favourite music quote: "From the heart, may it return again to the heart!" (Beethoven)

Sums up music perfectly.

Can anyone explain how a deaf composer composes such hopeful and wonderful music, such as the 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy)?

IIRC Beethoven later employed something called bone conduction. He'd affix a rod to his piano and bite down on it, so the vibrations would allow him to hear

There's even modern hearing aids based on this!

[RuiAce]

Getting my full licence in the mailbox today

[sweetiepi]

Cooking a meal for the whole family.

[beatroot]

Love the fact that all the feminine hygiene products we sell at work are cheaper now since the tampon tax is gone.

Also love that we’ve stopped giving out plastic bags and we only use paper bags from now on.

[Calebark]

My nephew enjoying a post-swim banana and trying to share it with me. One bite for him, one for me, and continue.

Downside is I hate banana -- it's one of two foods I absolutely cannot stomach. Fortunately I'm a master of the fake nibble now

[Poet]

d u m p l i n g s

<3 <3 <3

@Nick soy sauce and chilli sauce <3

[Joseph41]

d u m p l i n g s

<3 <3 <3

Vinegar? Soy sauce? Both? Neither?

[Jimmmy]

Any cold beverage today 

[PhoenixxFire]

My new computer actually turns on when I press the power button 😍

[Erutepa]

My new computer actually turns on when I press the power button 😍

That's a good feature to have in a computer. 
Does it also have a screen and keyboard? 

[PhoenixxFire]

That's a good feature to have in a computer. 
Does it also have a screen and keyboard?

It does indeed. My old laptop took at least 10 minutes to turn on if I didn't hold down the power buttons to force restart it, hence the thrill I get every time I press the power button on the new one and it turns on instantly.