11-year-old Roshan has already developed core skills in playing the piano with his ‘little arm’ but now looks to embrace a new opportunity as he embarks on all-class music lessons at his new secondary school. Here we chart Roshan’s progress on the piano and his preparation towards learning the trumpet.
Roshan
11-year-old Roshan was introduced to music at the age of seven, when he joined a learn-through-play piano lesson programme which taught him the very basics of rhythm and rhyme and the language of notes. This led him to take on to one-to-one piano lessons from the age of seven with one of the programme’s co-creators.
Playing standard pieces on the piano with his ‘little arm’ (born with an absent lower left arm below the elbow), was not without its challenges, as mum Dipika describes: “The end of Roshan’s smaller arm is obviously a much bigger surface area than a nimble finger which means he would sometimes hit the key either side, and was at times, a little frustrating for him. Playing at speed with the left hand also meant him having to quickly shuffle from one end of the piano to the other, given the need to reach the other end of the piano with his short arm”.
A one-handed repertoire was hard to come by at that time, but his music teacher adapted pieces and provided alternate ways for Roshan to practice. Working together with his piano teacher, and her support with the examination board [to agree the pieces and their adaptations] Roshan got through the prep exam and achieved his Grade I!
Playing standard pieces on the piano with his ‘little arm’ (born with an absent lower left arm below the elbow), was not without its challenges, as mum Dipika describes: “The end of Roshan’s smaller arm is obviously a much bigger surface area than a nimble finger which means he would sometimes hit the key either side, and was at times, a little frustrating for him. Playing at speed with the left hand also meant him having to quickly shuffle from one end of the piano to the other, given the need to reach the other end of the piano with his short arm”.
A one-handed repertoire was hard to come by at that time, but his music teacher adapted pieces and provided alternate ways for Roshan to practice. Working together with his piano teacher, and her support with the examination board [to agree the pieces and their adaptations] Roshan got through the prep exam and achieved his Grade I!
The impact of ABRSM’s one-handed piano syllabus
ABRSM launched a one-handed syllabus earlier this year. The syllabus, which OHMI helped to develop, means that Roshan has a broader repertoire of music to choose from and can now tackle more advanced pieces with more complex notes needed to be demonstrated for his subsequent grades.
Roshan’s current piano teacher is also as encouraging, and is learning and playing the one-handed pieces herself so Roshan can get a very clear understanding of how they should be played and how they should sound. As Roshan describes: “The one-handed pieces are so much easier [practically] to play and learn because they are specifically adapted for one-handed individuals. It also helps when I need to ask for support and clarifications.”
ABRSM launched a one-handed syllabus earlier this year. The syllabus, which OHMI helped to develop, means that Roshan has a broader repertoire of music to choose from and can now tackle more advanced pieces with more complex notes needed to be demonstrated for his subsequent grades.
Roshan’s current piano teacher is also as encouraging, and is learning and playing the one-handed pieces herself so Roshan can get a very clear understanding of how they should be played and how they should sound. As Roshan describes: “The one-handed pieces are so much easier [practically] to play and learn because they are specifically adapted for one-handed individuals. It also helps when I need to ask for support and clarifications.”
Sourcing an adapted instrument for whole-class music lessons
With Roshan’s move to his new secondary school in September comes the fantastic opportunity to learn another musical instrument. His new school have been very supportive in instrument selection and, guided by his interest and practicalities in playing, both came to the conclusion that the Trumpet would be his preferred instrument of choice.
Having seen OHMI General Manager Rachel Wolffsohn for many years at Reach gatherings (a UK charity that helps children with upper-limb differences), Dipika knew that adapted instruments existed and, when the time came for Roshan to embark on music lessons at secondary school, OHMI’s support could be invaluable.
OHMI recommended that a one-handed trumpet together with an accompanying stand to hold the weight of the instrument would be suitable for Roshan’s needs. The adaptations have been provided through the OHMI Music-Makers programme. Roshan now has his own one-handed trumpet, and trumpet stands [to take the weight of the trumpet] for both school and home.
Dipika describes the process: “Parents are often the catalyst for finding solutions for their children but without OHMI, it would have been quite daunting to know where to start to find such a solution. We’re now in a position where Roshan has an instrument of choice, is confident in his ability to participate fully at his school music lessons and we’ve had a head start in getting used to the rather loud noise! It’s been an important and invaluable outcome for both Roshan and his school in having an adapted instrument.”
Roshan is looking forward to applying the same approach to his trumpet playing as he does his piano playing: “Without practice there’s no improvement and you never know what you are capable of until you try! It’s natural to find things tricky but don’t ever give up! Just take a break and come back to it.”
With access to adapted instruments and equipment together with support from both his teachers and parents, there is surely no stopping Roshan on the next stage of his musical journey…
With Roshan’s move to his new secondary school in September comes the fantastic opportunity to learn another musical instrument. His new school have been very supportive in instrument selection and, guided by his interest and practicalities in playing, both came to the conclusion that the Trumpet would be his preferred instrument of choice.
Having seen OHMI General Manager Rachel Wolffsohn for many years at Reach gatherings (a UK charity that helps children with upper-limb differences), Dipika knew that adapted instruments existed and, when the time came for Roshan to embark on music lessons at secondary school, OHMI’s support could be invaluable.
OHMI recommended that a one-handed trumpet together with an accompanying stand to hold the weight of the instrument would be suitable for Roshan’s needs. The adaptations have been provided through the OHMI Music-Makers programme. Roshan now has his own one-handed trumpet, and trumpet stands [to take the weight of the trumpet] for both school and home.
Dipika describes the process: “Parents are often the catalyst for finding solutions for their children but without OHMI, it would have been quite daunting to know where to start to find such a solution. We’re now in a position where Roshan has an instrument of choice, is confident in his ability to participate fully at his school music lessons and we’ve had a head start in getting used to the rather loud noise! It’s been an important and invaluable outcome for both Roshan and his school in having an adapted instrument.”
Roshan is looking forward to applying the same approach to his trumpet playing as he does his piano playing: “Without practice there’s no improvement and you never know what you are capable of until you try! It’s natural to find things tricky but don’t ever give up! Just take a break and come back to it.”
With access to adapted instruments and equipment together with support from both his teachers and parents, there is surely no stopping Roshan on the next stage of his musical journey…
"Parents are often the catalyst for finding solutions for their children but without OHMI, it would have been quite daunting to know where to start to find such a solution. We're now in a position where Roshan has an instrument of choice, is confident in his ability to participate fully at his school music lessons."
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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