Adaptive Instruments
A huge part of teaching is motivating your students and making sure they feel they have the tools and resources to be successful; for a music classroom, having an instrument that works for the student is a significant element. Adaptive instruments and related accessories can provide accessible options for students specifically with physical disabilities and give them a sense of autonomy and competence on their musical journey.
This page contains a collection of resources for adaptive instruments, as well as brief descriptions for each resource.
Adaptive Instruments
Guides, articles, etc.
"Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments"
- This resource is from Take It Away, a music based organizations that focuses on accessibility, whether that be with lessons, instrument costs, or adapting instruments for people with disabilities. To learn more about this organization, click here. This guide is a thorough collection of adaptive instrument options and where one can purchase those instruments. Some of the options are more accessible and affordable than others, but this guide gives a good idea of what you can be looking for to help students with physical disabilities.
- This document is an article from the National Association for Music Education. It gives an overview of the considerations one should have when looking for an adaptive instrument, such as:
-
Musicality - your student's instrument should still contribute to the ensemble in a meaningful way. This allows your students to feel a part of the ensemble and provides that element of community and responsibility.
-
Physical - consider the size, weight, and shape of the instrument and ensure it is accessible for your student and their capabilities.
-
Cognitive - the level of motor skills required, instructional methods, and the like also need to be considered.
-
Sensory - your student may prefer certain frequencies, textures, or other sensory stimuli and many instruments can be adapted accordingly to make them accessible.
"Accessibility and Inclusivity in the Classroom"
- This webpage from West Music provides a list of several instruments that may be adapted or inherently have adjustments to meet the needs of your students. Check out the many links to discover more.
Adaptive Instruments
What some people have done...
"Collaborative Innovation Program"
- This group from the United Kingdom is working to improve the availability of adaptive instruments and digital software that can make music classrooms more accessible for students.
- Recently, Howarth oboe technicians completed a modification to allow a musician to more easily reach certain keys. Some of the keywork was removed, extended, and replaced to blend and work with the rest of the keywork.
"Jamboxx"
- The Jamboxx, is "an electronic, USB-powered, breath-controlled instrument styled after a harmonica that plays digital MIDI notes when connected to a compatible Windows computer/tablet or MAC OS device. Notes are played by sipping or puffing via the mouthpiece. Moving the mouthpiece left or right determines which note is played." Because it hooks up to a MIDI interface, the possibilities for instrument sounds are virtually endless.
