23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

For many children using Soundbeam is likely to
introduce fresh vistas of aural texture, shape and
colour. This will mark a significant point of departure
from their previous experience of playing and listening,
because Soundbeam (used on its own and without any
live or electronic percussion accompaniment) has no
memory of rhythm, phrasing or tempo. Much of our
early musical experience has a very strong rhythmic
dimension, and whilst it is clear that this is something
which is both accessible to and enjoyed by children, this
focus on rhythm may also be a reflection of the musical
resources which permit fairly immediate participation,
and which have traditionally been available to teachers
and therapists.
This notion of 'what has been available' compared with
'what is available now' is not intended as an argument
857
against traditional music curricula or existing
therapeutic approaches. Technology should not evolve
to replace what has gone before, but rather to
compliment it. The temporal experience of music which
happens in percussion work is enriched by the spatial
experience of music, the symbiosis of movement and
sound, which happens with Soundbeam.
This workshop will include an introduction to the
operation and performance on the system and some
examples on video of Soundbeam's use in the field of
special needs as well as in dance and performance.
There will also be opportunity for 'hands-on' experience.
References
1. SMALL, CHRISTOPHER: Music, Society, Education.