Case study: My cerebral palsy and the one-handed fluteThe story of Rebekah Goulston
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Rebekah Goulston is a flautist who has recently achieved Merit at Grade 1 with her one-handed instrument. Such is her enthusiasm for music and her flute-playing, she suggested she and OHMI offer an information evening for an online group of which she is a member, UP! The Adult Cerebral Palsy movement.
Here, Rebekah discusses her musical journey and the hurdles along the way, her recent progress
with the flute, as well as tips for other people living with cerebral palsy (CP) or weaknesses
that affect their playing of standard instruments
Here, Rebekah discusses her musical journey and the hurdles along the way, her recent progress
with the flute, as well as tips for other people living with cerebral palsy (CP) or weaknesses
that affect their playing of standard instruments
Rebekah Goulston
“Like most people, my introduction to playing a musical instrument was at primary school. Given the weakness in one side of my body, the recorder, which relies on the use of two hands, would not be appropriate for me. Instead, I was given the xylophone. It kept me interested for a while and led to me joining a local youth orchestra to play percussion. However, I soon realised there’s a limit to how far you might progress as a one-handed musician on such instruments since you’re unable to perform rolls on a drum or piano scales. Brass instruments too were problematic since the weakness
in one side of my mouth made blowing raspberries problematic.
I first became aware that there were other routes into music-making for people living with disability when I saw the Paraorchestra, known as the world's only large-scale virtuoso ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians, at the London 2012 Paralympics. Since then though, there doesn’t seem to have been many high-profile examples of disabled musicians, particularly younger ones. I decided to do my own research into identifying instruments to better represent disabled people at the highest levels of performance.
I found OHMI by googling ‘one-handed instruments’. This led to a conversation with OHMI’s General Manager, Rachel Wolffsohn, who took the time to find out what I wanted to play rather than what I thought might be an available option. I settled on the one-handed flute in May 2022 when I secured the instrument through OHMI’s Instrument Hire Scheme.
Working together with OHMI to find the right instrument for me really has put me on an exciting path. As well as providing my one-handed flute, the charity has been really helpful in providing Fingering charts. There’s currently one for both the left- and right-handed versions of the one-handed descant recorder, clarinet and flute (all of which are available to download from OHMI’s website at their OHMI Fingering Charts page).
Tips for people living with CP or weaknesses that affect their playing of standard musical instruments
For anyone living with CP or weaknesses that affect their playing of standard musical instruments, I would offer the following advice:
iv. If your result comes back later than others taking the exam, don’t panic. Results for special needs candidates go
through additional checks. This is not a reflection on your ability as a musician, rather ensuring that your performance
has been marked fairly and correctly.
My work as a full-time staff member for the NHS in Manchester may keep me busy but I always manage to carve out time for my music-making. And my practice has brought dividends. I’m achieved Merit at Grade 1 and am now working on grade 4 repertoire. I’ve carried out my first solo performance (Jingle Bells to a Zoom audience just before Christmas 2022). As I continue to build my confidence and musical capability, I would eventually like to join an orchestra or ensemble, as well as continue to share my experiences to help others who live with CP.”
Rachel Wolffsohn, OHMI General Manager adds,
“It is great to see adults having access to instruments and equipment which weren't available during their education. Rebekah has made excellent progress on this and shows that it really is never too late. Her teacher has been able to teach the instrument having never seen one before as well, which shows that with the right kit, the world really is your oyster!”
The full information evening for UP! with Rachel and Rebekah can be found here: Creativity – Music with OMHI (including Rebekah’s full musical journey 1 hour 6 minutes in).
in one side of my mouth made blowing raspberries problematic.
I first became aware that there were other routes into music-making for people living with disability when I saw the Paraorchestra, known as the world's only large-scale virtuoso ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians, at the London 2012 Paralympics. Since then though, there doesn’t seem to have been many high-profile examples of disabled musicians, particularly younger ones. I decided to do my own research into identifying instruments to better represent disabled people at the highest levels of performance.
I found OHMI by googling ‘one-handed instruments’. This led to a conversation with OHMI’s General Manager, Rachel Wolffsohn, who took the time to find out what I wanted to play rather than what I thought might be an available option. I settled on the one-handed flute in May 2022 when I secured the instrument through OHMI’s Instrument Hire Scheme.
Working together with OHMI to find the right instrument for me really has put me on an exciting path. As well as providing my one-handed flute, the charity has been really helpful in providing Fingering charts. There’s currently one for both the left- and right-handed versions of the one-handed descant recorder, clarinet and flute (all of which are available to download from OHMI’s website at their OHMI Fingering Charts page).
Tips for people living with CP or weaknesses that affect their playing of standard musical instruments
For anyone living with CP or weaknesses that affect their playing of standard musical instruments, I would offer the following advice:
- You are never too old to start learning or re-discovering an instrument.
- Consider what you would want to play if physical issues and money were no object. Then do your research. Speak to other musicians and/or contact the OHMI team to see if you can play in a different way or if an adapted instrument exists.
- Take your time before you reach a decision. If you want to try out a few different instruments or enabling equipment, OHMI may be able to arrange for you to visit one of their workshops or take out a short-term loan from their instrument hire scheme to trial particular instruments.
- Some specific advice on taking exams
i. Relax! The examiners are lovely and usually very interested in your instrument if it’s adapted.
ii. Be aware that the admin process for access needs can take some time. Give plenty of time before the entry deadline to put any requests for extra support/time in?
iv. If your result comes back later than others taking the exam, don’t panic. Results for special needs candidates go
through additional checks. This is not a reflection on your ability as a musician, rather ensuring that your performance
has been marked fairly and correctly.
My work as a full-time staff member for the NHS in Manchester may keep me busy but I always manage to carve out time for my music-making. And my practice has brought dividends. I’m achieved Merit at Grade 1 and am now working on grade 4 repertoire. I’ve carried out my first solo performance (Jingle Bells to a Zoom audience just before Christmas 2022). As I continue to build my confidence and musical capability, I would eventually like to join an orchestra or ensemble, as well as continue to share my experiences to help others who live with CP.”
Rachel Wolffsohn, OHMI General Manager adds,
“It is great to see adults having access to instruments and equipment which weren't available during their education. Rebekah has made excellent progress on this and shows that it really is never too late. Her teacher has been able to teach the instrument having never seen one before as well, which shows that with the right kit, the world really is your oyster!”
The full information evening for UP! with Rachel and Rebekah can be found here: Creativity – Music with OMHI (including Rebekah’s full musical journey 1 hour 6 minutes in).
" Working together with OHMI to find the right instrument for me really has put me on an exciting path"
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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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