julio berrincha dt202 – msc in computing / assistive technology assistive technology and music...

Julio Berrincha DT202 – Msc in Computing / Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology and Music Performing

Lecture for Faculty of Applied Arts

Conservatory of Music and DramaCourse: Bachelor of Music

Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities...“,

Assistive Technology products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life. Assistive Technology devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, help prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb.


What is assistive technology?

•Physical impairments affecting movement, such as muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

•Sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments.

•Neurological impairments, such as epilepsy or dysautonomia.

•Cognitive impairments such as Autism or Down Syndrome.

•Psychiatric conditions such as Depression and Schizophrenia.

Types of disabilities:


Types of disabilities:


Causes of disabilities:

Or…Causes of disabilities:



Accident



Causes of DisabilityMany professionals and business people think they're "exempt" from the possibility of becoming disabled. The following list of actual claimants is taken from a major insurance carrier's disability files. What could prevent you from working?



Exercise:

Imagine that you have a disability.

Describe your disability.

Choose an instrument you think you might be able to play.

Choose an instrument you think you might not be able to play.

Explain why.

A bit of law:


A bit of law:


A bit of law:


Accessing musical instruments doesn’t necessarily mean in a professional way.People with disabilities might like to play musical instruments , just like everyone else.Devices were created and adapted to facilitate this interaction


When John Rinaldo (see below) bass player in Range of Motion progressively lost strength due to Muscular Dystrophy, Don rigged up a stand which allowed him to stand behind the instrument and play it without bearing its weight.


The Abacus Capo system is a tool that allows the player to independently capo any note on any string (currently to the 14th fret). It allows the player to quickly move from the standard guitar tuning to capoed positions that would normally be impossible. Each string has its own movable capo which can be positioned up and down the fret board, allowing the player to create a multitude of chords and tunings.

It uses powerful magnets in combination with a custom stainless steel fret board. The magnets in the capos are attracted to the fret board, holding a note when positioned behind the fret. The capos are made up of many components which work together to give great tone and easy movement. They can be stopped behind the nut; leaving the system in an "off" position, returning the string to its original tuning


Voice-to-Midi Converter - this device, when connected to a midi-capable keyboard can produce real-time instrument sounds from the voice. This means that a disabled person who is unable to use his/her arms, could play keyboard by singing.


The theremin was invented in 1919 by a Russian physicist named Lev Termen (in the United States his name was Leon Theremin). Today, this marvelous instrument is once again in the musical spotlight. Besides looking like no other instrument, the theremin is unique in that it is played without being touched.

Two antennas protrude from the theremin - one controlling pitch, and the other controlling volume. As a hand approaches the vertical antenna, the pitch gets higher. Approaching the horizontal antenna makes the volume softer. Because there is no physical contact with the instrument, playing the theremin in a precise melodic way requires practiced skill and keen attention to pitch. In the early 1920's, Leon Theremin came to the United States to promote his invention. He was given a studio to work in, and he trained several musicians to help bring the theremin into the public eye. Then, in 1938, Leon Theremin was taken back to the Soviet Union by force, leaving behind his studio, friends, business, and his wife. After a stay in a prison camp, Leon Theremin reportedly worked for the KGB designing among other things, the "bug" and methods for cleaning up noisy audio recordings.


Exercise:

Having seen some examples of adapted instruments:

Do you think these would allow you to perform professionally?

Why / Why not?


For reflection…


Top 10 Disabled Musicians


10. Ian Dury

Helping to bring the New Wave era to the forefront, Ian Dury and his band, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, became extremely well known in the late 1970s, a time of punk rock, drugs, and of course, sex. His hit song, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, describes the era entirely, but sadly not many know that the song was in fact written by Dury, despite the fact that so many bands, even in today’s world, cover it. However, at the age of seven, Dury was stricken by polio and suffered the long-term effects of the disease, which left it hard for him to walk and also shrunk his arm. To accommodate, Dury often used a stick as an aid to walk. However, Dury looked past his disorder and was able to breakthrough, along with his band, as a song writer, singer, and even an actor.


9. Brian Wilson

One of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson has been able to put a lot into his band, often providing backing vocals, keyboards, bass, and sometimes even lead vocals. Most importantly, Wilson is the primary songwriter for the band. In 1988, the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, many wouldn’t guess that Wilson is deaf. Though not entirely deaf, he hardly has any hearing in his right ear, many suspect that it’s because of his father hitting him in the head, or a bully who used to hit him. Wilson is also said to have schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. In any case, Wilson has been able to put his disabilities aside and continues to play and tour with the band


8. Teddy Pendergrass

Teddy Pendergrass hit the stage as an American soul and R&B singer, as well as songwriter. However, he first started his career as a drummer for The Cadillacs, a band that soon became known as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes after merging. During this merge, Pendergrass was invited to become the lead singer, and accepted. The band had plenty of hits, including Wake up Everybody, I Miss You, and The More I Get the More I Want. In 1982, Pendergrass was in an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down and also limited arm usage. After his accident, Pendergrass toured in a gospel musical and then soon retired


7. Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton is most notably known for his soft rock ballads, as well as his past a heavy metal singer for Blackjack. However, many don’t know that Bolton is deaf in one ear. He first came to the forefront after co-writing How Am I Supposed to Live Without You? as well as for singing Gloria, a disco hit at the time. In the late 1980s, Bolton joined the easy listening genre and did a cover of Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay as well as Georgia on My Mind. He also got into composing songs for other artists, including Kiss, Patti LaBelle, Kenny G, and many others. retired


6. Tony Iommi

Known for being the sole constant band member of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi has definitely been able to overcome his disability. As a guitarist for the band, you’d think that Iommi would need all of his fingers in order to play properly. However, at the age of 17 due to an industrial factory accident, Iommi lost the tips of his middle and ring finger on his right hand. To accommodate for this, Iommi took his disability in his own hands and created plastic covers to put over his fingers. To do this, he melted plastic soap bottles, molded them to his fingers, and then carved and shaped them to be suitable for playing guitar and covered them with leather. Today he wears custom made tips


5. Curtis Mayfield

As a funk, R&B, and soul singer, Curtis Mayfield definitely had a lot of talent. Besides being a song writer and singer, he also played the drums, guitar, piano, bass, and even the saxophone. As a member of The Impressions and the composer to the Super Fly soundtrack, Mayfield’s career always seemed promising. In August 1990, a lighting rig fell on Mayfield during a sound check before a New York concert. The rod struck him and his third, fourth and fifth vertebrae were all broken, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite the fact that he was unable to play an instrument, Mayfield didn’t give up, and would lie on his back in order to catch enough breath to sing. As painful as it was, Mayfield still created another album before his death .


4. Rick Allen

At the age of five, Rick Allen seemed to know becoming a drummer was for him. Over the years Allen became even better at playing the drums, and soon tried out to become a drummer for Def Leppard, who at the time was in need of a drummer. In 1987, Allen became a member of the band, and in 1980 the band’s first album was released. However, in 1984, Allen was in a car accident. Due to a seatbelt injury, he lost his arm, which was at first reattached, but then had to be taken off due to infection. To accommodate for his missing arm, Allen got specially made drum kits, since he knew he could still keep a beat with just one hand


3. Ludwig van Beethoven

Despite the fact that he lived centuries ago, Beethoven today still has a lasting impact on classical music. German in decent, Beethoven is the most well-known composer when examining the transition between the Classical era into the Romantic period. In the 1790s, Beethoven slowly began to lose his hearing, but continued to play, compose, and conduct. Eventually he became entirely deaf, yet he didn’t let his disability stop him. To continue to play, he used a rod that was attached to a piano soundboard that he’d bite and would vibrate so that his sound perception was increased. However, Beethoven last played publicly in 1811 when he failed to play Piano Concerto No. 5


2. Ray Charles

Ray Charles is most definitely a legend in the music industry. Not many can do what he did, which was to bring country music to an entirely new level by bringing a new soulful sound to it. He has been called a legend and genius b y Frank Sinatra, and has even appeared in hit movies, like The Blues Brothers. Charles plays the piano, sings, and acts, all while being blind. Though not born blind, his eyesight started to deteriorate around age five, and he was completely blind when he turned seven. Despite his disability, Charles was able to provide hit songs, most notably Georgia on My Mind and Hit the Road Jack


1. Stevie Wonder

As an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and record producer, Stevie Wonder definitely deserves a spot on the list. Despite the fact that he was born blind, Wonder has been able to inspire many and continues to provide great lyrics and music. He has been successful since the early 1960s, and today continues to play his music. Signed with Motown Records at 11, Wonder has been able to produce more than 30 top ten hits in the U.S. During his career, he has also received 22 Grammy Awards and even a Lifetime Achievement Award. Wonder has also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame


Questions?


Thank you!

julio berrincha dt202 – msc in computing / assistive technology assistive technology and music...

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assistive technology

accident assistive technology

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adaptive technology

causes of disabilities

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types of disabilities