Drake Music : top ten needs for Music Hubs and SEN/D music provision

A few weeks ago, Drake Music published a document listing the 'top ten needs' they've identified for music hubs and SEN/D music provision.

This list sums up previous research and leads into their new Think2020 project, which aims to increase musical opportunities for disabled children and young people through strategic and sustainable partnership work in the music education sector.

It's good list, and the reason we're blogging about it is because we feel strongly about the importance of  partnership working, skillshare and information exchange - especially in our area where it's rural, provision is patchy, and sometimes it is possible to feel isolated.

Here are some recommendations from the list:

- Practitioners working in SEN/D and music (or planning to) need to work towards, or maintain, a ‘hybrid’ set of skills in order to best meet the diverse range of musical and access needs

- Communities of Practice/ teacher networks are vital in order to ‘help teachers to help each other’ get better in their practice and to share ideas and resources. 

- Music Hub activities around learning an instrument – Peripatetic teaching and whole class instrumental sessions – need re-thinking and adapting in order to present an appropriate offer to SEN/ disabled young people. Priorities may well include: flexibility, creativity and performing using appropriate music technology.

We have some training coming up that focuses on exploring good practice for inclusive music. Our team have a wide-ranging experience of working in SEN/D settings and we're really keen to share this experience.

If you think our training can help you to increase musical opportunities for children and young people with additional needs, please book a place!
info@heartbeats.org.uk for more information.

iPad apps ... recommendations from Drake Music

We use iPads, Skoogs and other technology as part of the mix in our sessions. Both Ben and Alex have experience and skills in using assistive music technology.

Here's a great article from Ben Sellers of Drake Music about some top iPad apps...

Top 5 iPad Apps for SEN/D Music Making

Assistive Music Technology (AMT) is all about fitting the instrument to the musician, rather than the musician to the instrument. These iPad apps allow us to do this both physically and cognitively, and a little experimentation can reap big rewards. Here are the five apps I use most regularly in SEN/D settings:
 

1. Thumbjam – Recreate a myriad of instruments from Hang to Tabla to Theremin to Banjo using high-quality samples. Allows the user to achieve great results with limited fine motor skills or theoretical understanding. Also allows us to sample vocalisations and map them across a scale – great for students who want to sing but do not have speech.
    
2. Bebot – A friendly robot character fronts a polyphonic synthesiser with a set of presets that are guaranteed to engage students. The whole iPad screen is used a playing surface, making playing easy for all.
    
3. Launchpad & iKaossilator – Re-create a variety of dance genres – dub-step, DnB, hip-hop, House – using sets of samples from these apps, both of which employ unique, colourful and accessible interfaces. Great for teenagers.
    
4. Airvox - Uses the iPad camera to generate pitches based on the distance between you and the iPad. An audio-visual theremin... try using it with your head!
    
5. Loopseque – Create drum, bass and synth patterns using a brilliant, cyclical interface. Great for students who learn visually and enjoy patterns.

And one more for good luck:
Bloom/Trope/Scape - Create abstract sound and colour scapes with these Brian Eno inspired apps. Great for PMLD groups in conjunction with a projector. .
 

Thanks for reading, please do get in touch with Drake Music to share your experiences or ask questions about any of the apps I've recommended above.

   Ben Sellers, DM Associate Musician