Case study: Supporting a student to regain their confidence and interest in music |
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Emily from Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership writes about her work using the Artiphon Instrument 1
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Emily from the Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership supported a class who has taken part in Wider Opportunities. Below is her review of the work in supporting one of the students who has Cerebral Palsy which makes holding and especially playing the instrument very difficult. The instrument the class were learning was the violin so posed a number of challenges to adapt.
The Artiphon
"For the first few weeks while the students were just plucking the student joined in with the lessons to the same extent as the other students. Occasionally this would be a bit too much and the student would leave the lesson to do some exercises. When the bow was introduced the student didn’t find it too tricky to use, on open strings and could happily play the pieces that were being taught. However, once we introduced the first finger the student found extended periods of playing difficult so we started putting the violin in the case. Once we added more fingers however, even having the instrument in the case proved to be a little too much. So we proposed an alternative to move to if the student found it too much to play the violin. There was the option of playing open strings, as they had found that to be ok or we looked at getting a keyboard in, so they could play the same notes as their peers without having to worry about the physicality of it.
As we got further into the year it was clear that the student was losing interest in music as it was too much for them to play for the duration of the lesson. We ordered in the Artiphon Instrument 1 and at this time we have had two lessons with it. The difference in confidence and enjoyment has been so evident, to the point that the student even took part in a concert and was at the front of the group proudly playing along. They had not informed their parents about the change in instrument and when I spoke to the parents, they were so happy that there was an option for their child. They told me they were worried about even letting the student take part in violin lessons at the start of the year but didn't want to tell them they were unable to do something that their peers were doing. Having the Artiphon Instrument 1 opened doors they didn't even know were there.
Upon receiving the instrument the student picked it up very quickly. It is very intuitive to use and has a range of options as to how it can be played. It does require a bit of guidance from a teacher in the form of stickers for which notes to play but that is the same of any instrument. It is very easy to use and blend in the sound with the other students."
"Whether the student wants to continue with music or not, the fact that they have options is a great thing for them to know going forward. I hope we are able to allow other students the same opportunity."
As we got further into the year it was clear that the student was losing interest in music as it was too much for them to play for the duration of the lesson. We ordered in the Artiphon Instrument 1 and at this time we have had two lessons with it. The difference in confidence and enjoyment has been so evident, to the point that the student even took part in a concert and was at the front of the group proudly playing along. They had not informed their parents about the change in instrument and when I spoke to the parents, they were so happy that there was an option for their child. They told me they were worried about even letting the student take part in violin lessons at the start of the year but didn't want to tell them they were unable to do something that their peers were doing. Having the Artiphon Instrument 1 opened doors they didn't even know were there.
Upon receiving the instrument the student picked it up very quickly. It is very intuitive to use and has a range of options as to how it can be played. It does require a bit of guidance from a teacher in the form of stickers for which notes to play but that is the same of any instrument. It is very easy to use and blend in the sound with the other students."
"Whether the student wants to continue with music or not, the fact that they have options is a great thing for them to know going forward. I hope we are able to allow other students the same opportunity."
Donate to OHMIThere are so many disabled people who are desperate to play music with their peers. We can help to make that happen – but we can only do that with the wonderful support of our funders and donors.
As our instruments have to be hand-made by experts, they can only be produced in small numbers and are therefore expensive. Every little really does help.
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All content © OHMI - Enabling Music-Making for Physically Disabled People
The OHMI Trust is a registered charity (Registered in England and Wales Charity No. 1143623, Scotland Charity No. SC052047).
Registered office: 29 Woodbourne Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 8BY
All content © OHMI - Enabling Music-Making for Physically Disabled People
The OHMI Trust is a registered charity (Registered in England and Wales Charity No. 1143623, Scotland Charity No. SC052047).
Registered office: 29 Woodbourne Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 8BY