Evelyn Glennie quotes

Evelyn Glennie is a Scottish percussionist and composer, internationally recognized for her virtuosity and innovation. As a profoundly deaf musician, she redefined what is possible in music performance and education. She continues to inspire audiences worldwide and advocate for greater accessibility in the arts. Here are 34 of her quotes:

Percussion is the most adaptable family of instruments. The biggest challenge is to project percussion in a lyrical way. (Evelyn Glennie)
I am really quite fascinated by echo-locating bats and dolphins and have always wondered how sound affects the unconscious brain. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
My favorite instrument is the snare drum. In Scotland, the snare drum is very prominent in Highland bands. The Scottish style of playing is in my blood. It's a very powerful instrument, but it can also be soothing, like velvet. It's a real challenge for composers. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
Once you're in a particular country, and you're surrounded by musicians who are so adept at traditional music, you suddenly realize how much there is to explore and digest and learn and experience. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
Hearing is a form of touch. I could hear less through the ears but more through the body. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
Music really is our daily medicine. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
Hearing is a form of touch. You feel it through your body, and sometimes it almost hits your face. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
A lot of things which come with a high profile will always be criticised one way or another. (Evelyn Glennie)
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I didn't decide to become a musician until the age of 15, which is quite late. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I like the sparkle of the vibraphone. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I hope the seeds I have sown will be taken up by those who will follow me because the journey I have begun cannot be undertaken in isolation. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I associate going to an airport with work because I travel so much with my job. So when I have a few days free from work, I tend to stay at home. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I love out-of-the-way, rugged places. For me, holidays are about the experiences, and the people, and the memories, rather than sitting on a nice beach getting tanned. I try to plant myself where I am and embrace what is there in front of me. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
When I was 12, I happened to see a schoolmate playing percussion, and it looked interesting. I asked for lessons, and it felt right. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I walk into a kids' store, and it's amazing, the types of instruments - little squeaky things, rattling things, spinning tops. (Evelyn Glennie)
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
Percussion is physical, as most instruments are. The body must function well in order to play the instruments well. Last year I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
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. View quote
Evelyn Glennie
I often play on the cello-bass side of the orchestra, because I prefer the deep sounds. I can't hear the violins well. View quote
Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie - Image
Photo: Wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Occupation: Scottish Musician
Born: July 19, 1965
Quotes count: 34