Resources | SEN/D and Inclusion
Music technology is an ever growing and evolving area that is enhancing access to music making for children, young people and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN/D) and any inclusion challenges.
At TiME we are working alongside many highly experienced teachers, music leaders and organisations to provide information on the range of music technology that can improve equitable access to all areas of music teaching and learning, composing and performance.
As part of this work we are one of six organisations working together as the Inclusive Music Consortium, led by Creative United, who are focussing on broadening access to music for anyone with additional needs or specialist requirements. This can be through adapted instruments, music technology or through providing and sharing information and training.
Music Technology
Here are some more of the great music technology products being used by disabled and non-disabled musicians and people working in SEN/D and Inclusion settings.
Soundbeam 6 Soundbeam is an award-winning 'touch-free' musical device that turns even the smallest physical movements into sounds and music. Using cutting-edge sensor technology, Soundbeam enables people of all abilities to create music. Soundbeam has transformed the field of music therapy, empowering individuals to express themselves through music.
The Clarion Instrument. Developed by Open Up Music, the Clarion is the first-ever digital instrument recognised by ABRSM. Expressive like traditional instruments, but also highly accessible, it comes as an app you can download on iPads and Windows PCs. Designed to be played using any part of the body, it can also be controlled with eyegaze technology or a head mouse.
Cosmo Dots and App Cosmo is a set of interactive and multi-sensory controllers, that work together with the Cosmo app. There are a range of music and other activities available designed to provide engaging opportunities for learning, creativity and therapy.
Arcana Strum. The Arcana Strum is a haptic guitar emulator designed to make music-making more accessible and inclusive. Combining a chord pad with a tactile strumming mechanism that mimics the feel of guitar strings, it enables users to experience the physical sensation of playing while producing expressive musical performances. As a MIDI controller, it can connect to apps and DAWs to access a wide range of sounds, and its adaptable design includes a variety of handles, switches and accessories to support musicians with diverse physical and cognitive needs.
CMPSR. CMPSR® is an award-winning joystick-controlled MIDI instrument. It works as an easy-to-play musical instrument or advanced MIDI device, and you don’t need any training. Use simple finger gestures to play notes and shape sounds with the velocity sensitive joystick and the eight music pads for unique composition and sound design possibilities.
OddBall The Oddball is a bouncy ball that is paired with your phone to make music, Each bounce, tap or roll of the ball triggers a sound and the intensity of the bounce alters the volume, inflection or pitch.
The Woojer Jacket & Strap. Wearing a Woojer will let you feel deep bass frequencies that create an immersive, physical, full-body experience.
The Mood Pan is a portable electronic handpan-style instrument that combines expressive touch-sensitive playing with a wide range of sounds, scales and ambient features. With onboard speakers, headphone connectivity, battery or USB power, and extensive customisation through a companion app, it offers an accessible and versatile way to explore music making, soundscapes and creative performance.
Lift Music App is an innovative gesture-controlled app that makes music creation accessible for everyone. Using a tablet's camera, the app tracks arm movements, allowing users to control music through simple gestures, with sound and visuals responding in real-time. No instruments or prior training are needed - just movement.
Mi.Mu Gloves Wearable music technology connecting movement to music
EyeHarp EyeHarp is the first musical instrument that allows people with disabilities to learn and play music with gaze or with head movements.
Haptic Baton A wireless conducting system to support visually impaired musicians - the haptic baton captures the movement of the conductor’s hand and beams it to players wearing a vibration receiver.
Resources
TiME Adaptive and Inclusive Music Technology Directory
Music technology is continually opening up new ways for people to access, create, learn and perform music.
TiME has developed a growing directory of accessible, adaptive and inclusive musical instruments and technologies, bringing together hardware, software, apps, adaptive instruments and other tools that can support musicians and learners with a wide range of needs.
The directory includes information about each product, what it does and links to help you explore the technology further.
Download the TiME Accessible and Inclusive Music Technology Directory
This is a developing resource and we will continue to add new instruments and technologies as we discover and explore them. If you know of something that should be included, please get in touch.
The Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments This guide has been created as a shared resource to support greater access to musical instruments and equipment, particularly for disabled musicians. It features over 60 different products and brings together information on adapted acoustic and versatile electronic instruments currently on the market, as well as prototypes, custom designs and useful resources.
Quality Framework in SEN/D settings (Youth Music) Do, Review, Improve is a tool to help you understand, measure and evaluate the quality of music-making sessions with young people in SEN/D settings.
Sounds of Intent and the SOI Framework Sounds of Intent is a framework of musical development that covers the whole range of ability from profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) to those with autism.
Leicestershire Music Education Hub Leicestershire Music have developed a teacher resource pack for SEN/D settings to support the teaching of musical skills through the vehicle of iPads.
Making Music is the Key - Drake Music report This report pulls together current knowledge, experience, understanding and practice of inclusion in music making.
BBC Bring the Noise resources A set of creative music resources to support engagement of young disabled learners or those with additional support needs
Arcana Strum Case Study. This in-depth and informative case study was conducted in partnership with the Northampton Music and Performing Arts Trust and inclusive music leader Rebecca Price. The case study investigates how the Arcana Strum can enhance access to music making and facilitate progressive and accredited learning for young people with additional needs and disabilities. Includes a ‘Getting Started - Tips’ document plus some handy guides on using the Strum from Arcana Instruments.
Arcana Strum Case Study with Nordoff and Robbins. We worked with Nordoff and Robbins to trial the Arcana Strum in Music Therapy settings and gain insights from an experienced music therapist's perspective. This initiative provided an opportunity to expand our shared understanding of how music technology can enhance options available to therapists and meet the organisation's objectives of helping people through music.
Organisations
Here are just a few of the fantastic organisations that are working to support music teaching, creation and performance in SEN/D and with Inclusion.
Drake Music are leaders in music, disability and technology. Drake use new technologies and ideas to open up access to music for all.
Nordoff Robbins are the UK’s largest music therapy charity dedicated to bringing high-quality music therapy to as many people as possible.
Open Up Music work with young disabled musicians to make and share exciting music. They have developed the Clarion an innovative accessible instrument that can be played expressively with any part of the body, including eye movement.
The OHMI Trust commission adapted instruments to enable people with disabilities to play the instruments they want to play; at school, home, or in a professional ensemble.
Sound Without Sight is a community-led resource supporting blind and partially sighted musicians, audio engineers and learners. The platform provides practical information on music technology, software, hardware and assistive tools, making it a useful resource for educators looking to improve access and inclusion for blind and partially sighted students.