Waveband is trying to help people with disabilities express themselves through music

Which is an excellent aim in my view. Here's what the app is trying to do ...

Waveband lets people with a wide range of disabilities express themselves musically through movement. By moving an Apple device, users convert motion into the sound of their choice of musical instrument. Users can roll, pitch or turn the device to play a piano scale, shake the device to play a tambourine, and so on. Waveband is completely customizable to ensure that each user's ability to move can be used to best advantage.


WHO IS IT FOR?
Waveband is designed to be used by anyone who wants to express themselves musically through motion with their iOS device (iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad). When used in conjunction with a strap to secure the device to the body, the app can be especially useful to people who have disabilities that prevent them from playing traditional musical instruments.

For example, a client who has some control over his arms could have an iPod Touch attached to his arm with a runner's strap. When the client moves his arm sideways, the device plays a pre-selected scale across several octaves, sounding just like a banjo. Another client with extremely limited control over her movements could even have a device attached to her power chair so that the movement of the chair activates the sound of a piano. A client who experiences spasticity might love to control the tambourine or drums.



KEY FEATURES 


• a wide selection of sounds 

• completely customizable 

• multiple people can play simultaneously on a network

• compatible with applications such as GarageBand through MIDI output



Clients and their music therapist (or caregiver) can choose: from among 30 instruments; the base key; the scale type; and the type and intensity of movement that will activate the notes. They can change any of these options at any time. In addition, the app includes features for more advanced users, such as MIDI output over WiFi.

SUPPORT
To report a problem with the app, or to make a suggestion about the future development of Waveband, please email appsupport@canassist.ca

CANASSIST at the UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
CanAssist at the University of Victoria is dedicated to developing customized technologies for people with disabilities. While most CanAssist programs focus on clients in British Columbia, Canada, CanAssist has recently begun making its assistive software technologies more widely available.

And the app is free.