We believe in the power of using technology to make music more accessible for all. Part of the OrchLab programme involves co-designing new, bespoke accessible musical instruments with disabled people, but we also use a variety of off-the-shelf accessible instruments in our workshops.
Here is a list of some of our favourite off-the-shelf accessible musical instruments. Read on to find out more about what makes them accessible, and if they could be a good fit for you or the setting you work in.
Soundbeam
Soundbeam is a ‘touch-free’ assistive music technology device that turns physical movements into sounds and music. It is red, looks like a small megaphone and usually sits on a mic stand. Using sensor technology, Soundbeam translates any physical gestures into musical notes, from a slight head or elbow movement, to more expansive arm and body movements. No physical contact is required with the instrument. The sounds which are triggered can come from a bank of sound samples and instruments within the Soundbeam system itself, or from MIDI instruments via a computer or laptop. These can include synthesizers, guitars, drums and found sounds. It allows performers to accurately play musical phrases and notes.
Soundbeam Switches
Unlike the touch-free beams, switches can be played using physical touch, by pressing or stepping on the switches to trigger samples, synths and sounds. They are plugged into the Soundbeam controller box to be played.
iPad / Tablet
An iPad (or tablet) is a touchscreen, flat computer that enables us to do many things, but the best thing we think it does is act as a musical instrument! Within a range of apps or web-based instruments, you can use your finger on the screen to play music expressively, trigger samples, beats, compose music from scratch and record sounds to build arrangements. You can also play it with your chin, elbow, toes, or nose! There are apps for everyone from complete beginners or experienced musicians.
If you want to learn how to make music on iPads, check out Drake Music’s Using iPads for Music resource.
Accessible iPad apps we recommend:
Thumbjam
ThumbJam is a musical performance tool for the iPad or iPhone. It displays a series of notes across the screen for you to play, and the series of notes are customisable.
It has a collection of real instruments and includes hundreds of scales, which allow you to play in any style from rock to classical. You can also upload your own sounds and play Thumbjam as a sampler. It has many features which allow for expressive playing, such as vibrato, using finger movements or by tilting the iPad.
Garageband
Garageband is well known for being a music production tool, but it also functions as a musical instrument in a variety of ways. It has a guitar option, where you can play chords or notes by swiping or tapping the screen, as well as a synthesizer and sampler. You can also play a whole string section of an orchestra!
Android / tablet apps we recommend
OrchLab Soundmakers
You can access a world of instruments online via the OrchLab Soundmakers for OrchLab’s very own musical instrument collection!
Chrome Music Lab
Try Chrome Music Lab for a range of instruments and sequencers.
Soundtrap
Try Soundtrap – a free music production tool
Clarion
Clarion is a musical instrument that can be played on iPad or Windows PC devices. It is an expressive and customisable instrument that uses shapes and colours to create sounds. You can tap the screen to play the instrument, or use Eyegaze technology, an eye-driven communication tool. It includes its own melodies and songs, or you can create your own melodies and chords.
Orba 2
The Orba 2 is a musical instrument ‘designed for your hands’. It’s no bigger than half an orange, and there’s so much you can do with it! It’s a synth, a looper and MIDI controller, that lets you instantly create songs with intuitive gestures like tapping, sliding, shaking and waving. It has a built-in speaker and headphone input that you can also use for speakers/amps, and you can make up loops in four parts by layering drums, bass, chords and a lead part. It can also use Bluetooth MIDI or USB to connect to other platforms e.g. DAWS. With 8 velocity sensitive pads and at least 10 different gesture controls, there are lots of different ways you can make music.
ODD Ball
The ODD Ball is a very playful musical instrument in the form of a bouncy ball’. It’s got a silicon outer layer with a super strong protective core, making it very resilient! You make sounds by pairing it with an app (iOS or Android) via Bluetooth. From here you can change the instruments (there are 100’s!) and play along with a variety of backing tracks. You can also change the pitch of a note or volume by altering how hard you bounce or tap, slap the ball.
CMSPR
CMPSR (pronounced ‘kom-poh-zah’) is an accessible joystick controller, which can be used as a musical instrument in a variety of ways. Think of it like a piano, but simpler. It features a velocity-sensitive joystick as the primary interface, making it instantly familiar and accessible to almost anyone, as well as fostering a fun and low-barrier entry into music creation. It serves as a MIDI controller for any Digital Audio Workstation, and can be used for both performance and composition. It also features a built-in haptic feedback engine for a more immersive tactile experience.
