Music as a window into the Autistic mind | Jonathan Chase | TEDxSalem

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Have you ever wondered what it is like to live with autism? Musician Jonathan Chase was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 14. Autism has given him a unique view of the world and interpretation of music that he shares in this talk.
ASL interpretation by Cynthia Anderson.

Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 14, Jonathan Chase is an advocate, speaker, and mentor to young adults on the Autism Spectrum. He has worked in the Autism field since 2008, partnering with agencies, nonprofit organizations, and families to spread a message of understanding and awareness. Jonathan is also a musician. His musical background includes working with bassist (and former TED speaker) Victor Wooten, whose unique approaches to music and life have greatly influenced Jonathan’s work as both an advocate and a bassist.

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[L-Bit]

As an autistic musician, this is wonderful representation. The way I see music is through a vivid painting in my mind. Each sound / chord / melody paints a picture for me, and this has led me to be able to understand emotions & gain a level of empathy and emotional understanding. Bravo Jonathan, you are a shining star.

[mattgahr]

It's crazy to think I have been doing this the entire time I have played bass and just never thought anything of it. The relationship between music and the way we think is just remarkable and will always be fascinating to me.

[dropicalscouch]

i feel like everyone wants to clap after he plays but they don't so he can continue speaking and there's a weird silence where everybody's mentally clapping and he knows it through autistic telepathy

[catblacksuperstar]

I have an Autistic daughter who is 27 now, music is a tool I have used for years to communicate.
It is great to hear you verbalize this so others can understand different perspectives

[PagoAoE]

I am autistic (Asperger's) and I am far from a visual learner. I am a kinetic learner. Just goes to show that it really is a spectrum. Amazing! Great vid!

[jmartin]

This is great. I'm an Aspie and ALSO only think in shapes and patterns when I play. Very rarely do I think in notes, other than simply to find my start point. I loved this vid. I identify with everything you said. Thanks.

[chillinlikeaphilin]

As someone who has Asperger's, this is pretty mind blowing, yet relatable. As a drum player, I often try to visualize how a beat is being played on a drum set. It's not dots, shapes, colors, or lines like this guy; it's more like placing camera at different angles around the drum set and watching the person play. And I often find that it helps if I can see someone playing a song when I'm trying to learn that song.

[ArthlecMann]

A Genius not just as a musician but as a person. Wow..

[youtubechannel]

My son is Asperger’s and has just started playing the drums. He’s 13 years old had No lessons or anything and he’s incredible ! He watches or listens to his favourite music which atm is Mad Season Alice in Chains Nirvana and he then just plays it !
He has 2 acoustic guitars one of which he’s taken the two top strings off and downtuned it to a bass.
He’s 13 and just so talented and the weird thing is that as a younger kid he absolutely hated music of any kind. He even stormed out of his classroom if the word “music” was on the board! He wouldn’t go into the school hall for assembly because they would sing the national anthem. Crazy. Love it

[marcmathura]

i once met an autistic buddy of mine who was musically inclined in percussion i realized this and so i tried to play s well as him and now he is in Saudi Arabia probably being a musical genius. I also believe that autistic minds are some of the best musical minds n the world just because of the way they think and can adapt to the music they are given it is extremly fascinating and amazing

[JamieHumeCreative]

I can see things in the air as well. Not hallucinations, just an exterior screen. I can shift emphasis on interior and exterior and turn images around. Music is spacial thinking to me just like poetry. I;m a visual artist. Usually. I loved this talk. thank you for sharing. It's great isn't it!!! Brilliant. I described my understanding gof layers for most of my life and only this year, was diagnosed as Autistic. I am thrilled to hear this.

[hendrixplek]

I'm an autistic guitar player and I understood the zick Zack shape immediately 😂 that's amazing!

[Seth______]

As a musician with Aspergers, this is an excellent explanation of how I see music.
The only difference is my visualization is for the saxophone, but no matter the instrument its the same concept

[mouija]

What I'm inferring from this talk is that "normal conversation" is a skill for the autistic mind to master that's as complex as playing an instrument. Most of us are born with the ability as instinctual, but for people with autism social interaction is a natural talent replaced with a mind designed for logical, mechanical thought. Now that I've been presented with autism in a way that feels mentally tangible, it feels both terrible and not so bad, especially in our age of technological leapfrogging.

I think the hardest part is to be an autistic artist. Dealing with intangibles must be maddening. It's hard enough for me as a borderline sociopath with severe depressive disorder.

[emmanuelwood]

Hes such a good bassist . Aside from his unique perspective on music .

[Dougwarren]

Wow Victor, not only an inspiration is Galaxy wide on the bass, but spitting bars as they say as well. I'm acquainted with one of your proteges and one of my fellow autistics Jonathan Chase, he told me some great stories and I always want more.

No matter the challenges you face, you always come out number one. You are truly inspiring. ☮️🧠🎶

[TheHiton]

This guys kick many pro bass players right out of the water. I know already based on this video that this man is not getting the recognition he deserves as a bass player.

[hubblebublumbubwub]

''This gotta be fun for deaf people!!''

[AutismEmpowerment]

Jonathan, this is fabulous! We just shared at Autism Empowerment and will be adding your video talk to our favorite playlist. Congratulations on a great talk! Thanks as always for being such a positive self-advocate for the Autism / Asperger / Autistic community.

[MikuJess]

I'm a musician with Asperger's as well (or possibly just high-functioning Autism). I play tuba primarily. When I was first learning how to play, I was able to quickly pick up what valves to press down for where a note was on a line, but it took me years before I was able to look at a note on a staff and say "that's an Ab" or have my director say "play a C" and immediately know what that was.