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I just assumed the world was full of solo percussionists. I couldn't find sticks or music or anything where I was, but that was expected because there was nothing there anyway. And I think that was possibly the greatest asset for me, just not knowing.
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A large part of my work has been collaborating with composers; I think we've commissioned about 140 pieces now, a lot of them percussion concertos.
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I often play on the cello-bass side of the orchestra, because I prefer the deep sounds. I can't hear the violins well.
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The thing about playing percussion is that you can create all these emotions that can be sometimes beautiful, sometimes really ugly, or sometimes sweet, sometimes as big as King Kong and so on. And so there can be a real riot out there, or it can be so refined.
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There are many collaborations I'd like to explore. One is to co-write a rap concerto with Eminem.
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A lot of things which come with a high profile will always be criticised one way or another.
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The human body and mind are tremendous forces that are continually amazing scientists and society. Therefore, we have no choice but to keep an open mind as to what the human being can achieve.
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If we see someone in a wheelchair, we assume they cannot walk. It may be that they can walk three, four, five steps. That, to them, means they can walk.
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I am really quite fascinated by echo-locating bats and dolphins and have always wondered how sound affects the unconscious brain.
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Scotland has never ceased to amaze the world with its forward vision, bold action and great educational institutions. Nothing makes me more proud than to promote this wonderful land with all its richness and diversity wherever I go.
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I think I can only help to expose percussion to all sorts of people. The balance between the lighter and more serious side is important.
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Percussion is the most adaptable family of instruments. The biggest challenge is to project percussion in a lyrical way.
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Before my teen years, I was losing my hearing pretty quickly, and I was getting very, very angry. I was beginning to become an angry person because of that.
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And as I grew older, I then auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London, and they said, well, no, we won't accept you, because we haven't a clue - you know - of the future of a so-called 'deaf' musician. And I just couldn't quite accept that.
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When I was 12, I happened to see a schoolmate playing percussion, and it looked interesting. I asked for lessons, and it felt right.
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Society cannot continue to disable themselves through their need to categorize people or make assumptions as to another individual's abilities.
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Music really is our daily medicine.
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I'm not a deaf musician. I'm a musician who happens to be deaf.
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Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.
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Music is about communication... it isn't just something that maybe physically sounds good or orally sounds interesting; it's something far, far deeper than that.
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Apart from Scottish traditional music, I wasn't really influenced by any kind of music. I just basically followed my own instincts.
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I suppose I don't hear things, but I listen, if you know what I mean. And there is a big difference between hearing and listening. So it's like a conversation, you know. When you speak to someone, it's one on one, and that's exactly how I play.
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I walk into a kids' store, and it's amazing, the types of instruments - little squeaky things, rattling things, spinning tops.
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Concerts have to be seen as a real event for which the aim is to try and feed everybody.