The drum is not only the weapon

Journal/Book: Nordiv Journal of Music Therapy. 1995; 4: 103-106.

Abstract: 'Soundbeam' is a midi-controller, originally invented in order to give dancers a new relationship with sound by allowing them to generate and shape their musical accompaniment with their own body movement. Despite Soundbeam's genesis in the are of professional dance performance, it is in the field of spesial edication and music therapy that Soundbeam is making the most significant impact, allowing even individuals with very low levels of cognitive, sensory or physical functioning to create and explore interesting or exciting sound with the most minimal of gesture. This paper will review a continuum of applications of the system, ranging form the fundamentals of 'sound therapy' (posture, balance, cause-ande-effect) through to more creative and experimental explorations in which the disabled child becomes the composer and performer of enthralling musical ideas.

Note: BSc(hons), Cert Ed, DSA is trained in social psychology and as teacher. He became involved in community music in Bristol, England in 1980s and moved to Norfolk as development co-ordinator for the Norwich Community Music Project, organising and running workshops in prisons, schools, with pre-school, youth and elderly groups, and a range of 'special needs' oganisations. He is one of the founding members of the National Community Music assosition in the UK. In 1990 he was invited by composer Edwars Williams to take responsibility for the Soundbeam Project and he now oversees a growing network og users in seventeen countries, and has given papers on Soundbeam at conferences in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. This tet is based on his presentation at the 3rd Nordic Music Therapy Conference in Aalborg, June 1995.

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