Each year on OrchLab, we create brand new accessible instruments with participants, inspired by the instruments of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. These instruments are designed to be accessible, make a great sound and are really fun to play!
We have now created several Touch instruments: the Touch Oboe, Violin, Trombone, Harp and Timpani. These instruments have all been co-designed with OrchLab participants, and you can watch videos about them below. The Touch instruments form part of Drake Music’s Accessible Musical Instrument Collection (AMIC), a new initiative to store the world’s first ever collection of accessible musical instruments so that Disabled people can access them to make music.
Touch Timpani
This is our newest Touch instrument, inspired by orchestral timpani – the large copper kettle drums found at the back of the orchestra. In this video, we meet Natassia who tells us about the Touch Timpani, and Drake Music technologist Gawain Hewitt, who talks about how they were made.
Touch Violin
In this video, Gawain shows us how the Touch Violin was made – using a traditional violin with electronics included! You will also hear more about the co-design process with OrchLab participants and the decisions made as the instrument was being developed. You can find out more about the orchestral violin on the OrchMap from LPO musician Kate.
Touch Harp
The Touch Harp is a very popular Touch instrument that is super fun to play. It fits on a table-top and is much more portable than a traditional orchestral harp. Take a closer look at how it’s made and the beautiful sound it makes in this video. You can find out more about the orchestral harp on the OrchMap from LPO musician Rachel.