This page shows some accessible digital musical instruments to be employed for music therapy or for all-abilities ensemble musical activities. The instruments include hardware and software options that make music-making more inclusive and expressive for people with a wide range of abilities. The instruments are subdivided into three categories:
- Physical devices
- Software instruments
- Online instrumentsPhysical devices
Makey Makey
It is a small electronic circuit board with a microcontroller that detects touch and conductivity. By connecting some alligator cables to conductive objects it turns them into computer keys for controlling sounds or movements.
Buttons
Five colored buttons that light up when pressed. Useful to play notes or various sounds for people with low vision or discrimination difficulties. Instrument built by Giuseppe Bergamino. Works in connection with a MAX patch or other software for reading data from a serial port and for sound production.
Tile
A sensorized tile detects body pressure when someone steps on it. Useful to play sounds for people who need to practice balance and steadiness of gait. Instrument built by Giuseppe Bergamino. Works in connection with a MAX patch or other software for reading data from a serial port and for sound production.
Mismo
The little box in the picture containes an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer that allow real-time monitoring of the device’s orientation in space. Thanks to the absence of cables and the compact size of the hardware, the user can hold the device in their hand and move it freely, producing various types of glissando. Instrument built by Giuseppe Bergamino. Works in connection with a MAX patch or other software for reading data from a serial port and for sound production.
Software instruments
AUMI
It is a software freely available in desktop version (for Mac and Windows), and iOS version (iPad and iPhone). By using the device’s camera, AUMI lets people turn movement into sound, enabling musical improvisation even with very limited physical motion. The picture shows one of the possible AUMI’s interfaces.
Online instruments
Body Synth
It is part of Google’s Creatability collection, a set of tools to enhance creativity by everyone. It plays various musical chords and timbres according to arm movements. Just click the link and play!
Elastico
It belongs to Bergamino’s collection of Musical Instruments. Performs FM synthesis according to fingers position and outputs interactive graphics. It requires a very precise control and coordination of the two hands.
Handscapes
It is a collection of no‑touch musical instruments that transform gesture into sound and interactive graphics. Each instrument responds to movement with expressive, analog‑inspired tones and vivid visual energy, creating a performance space where the body becomes both conductor and composer. Designed for immediacy, inclusivity, and emotional depth, “Handscapes” invites anyone to play the air as if it were an instrument. By Marcella Mandanici (empowered by Copilot).