Talking Hands


American Sign Language—ASL—is a fascinating dance of fingers and hands. It is not merely pantomime nor is it English using hands. It is a complete language with its own grammar and syntax. Add music and it becomes dazzling.

Talking Hands: Signing Music shows sign language interpreters using ASL to translate the power, beauty and emotion of music to deaf and hearing-impaired audiences. These professional interpreters help them experience the joy of live concerts. At its best it communicates the essence of an artist’s lyrics over actual words. American Sign Language is all about expression. It’s visual, so even mellow music can produce facial fireworks.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals also compose, perform and sign music. Deaf music students particularly like the bass and drums because they can feel the vibrations. Some have gone on to successful careers in the performing arts. Beethoven continued to write orchestral masterpieces despite losing his hearing.

Talking Hands: Signing Music shows that music is truly a “Universal Language.”