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Brainfingers system allows disabled musician to play | Brainfingers system allows disabled musician to play |
(about 3 hours later) | |
By Joanne MacAulay BBC Scotland news | By Joanne MacAulay BBC Scotland news |
Like many teenage boys, Chris Jacquin dreams of having a career in music. | Like many teenage boys, Chris Jacquin dreams of having a career in music. |
He is already an accomplished composer, but performing is a greater challenge. Chris has cerebral palsy so he cannot hold or play a musical instrument. | He is already an accomplished composer, but performing is a greater challenge. Chris has cerebral palsy so he cannot hold or play a musical instrument. |
That meant he could not sit the practical element of music exams, or play in bands or orchestras. | That meant he could not sit the practical element of music exams, or play in bands or orchestras. |
But now a special headband, which responds to clicks in his jaw, enables him to play the notes on a musical score on a computer - and this has been recognised as a valid musical performance. | But now a special headband, which responds to clicks in his jaw, enables him to play the notes on a musical score on a computer - and this has been recognised as a valid musical performance. |
The 17-year-old is excited by the possibilities which the Brainfingers system has opened up for him. | The 17-year-old is excited by the possibilities which the Brainfingers system has opened up for him. |
Jaw movements | Jaw movements |
Chris said: "Brainfingers has given me the chance to perform some of my favourite songs and has enabled me to perform in an ensemble." | Chris said: "Brainfingers has given me the chance to perform some of my favourite songs and has enabled me to perform in an ensemble." |
He added that the system could enable musicians with physical disabilities to perform with able-bodied musicians. | He added that the system could enable musicians with physical disabilities to perform with able-bodied musicians. |
Chris, from Edinburgh, has been working with the charity Drake Music Scotland. | Chris, from Edinburgh, has been working with the charity Drake Music Scotland. |
Its music technology officer Rick Bamford explained: "We've adjusted Brainfingers to be sensitive to Chris' jaw movements, so as he increases the pressure between his teeth he goes through a trigger line which Brainfingers is reading. | Its music technology officer Rick Bamford explained: "We've adjusted Brainfingers to be sensitive to Chris' jaw movements, so as he increases the pressure between his teeth he goes through a trigger line which Brainfingers is reading. |
"This puts him in direct control of how the score is played back." | "This puts him in direct control of how the score is played back." |
Composer David McNiven is Chris' music teacher at George Watson's College in Edinburgh. | Composer David McNiven is Chris' music teacher at George Watson's College in Edinburgh. |
Professional composer | |
He successfully campaigned for the Scottish Qualifications Authority to recognise that what Chris was doing with Brainfingers and the laptop was as valid as playing a conventional instrument. | He successfully campaigned for the Scottish Qualifications Authority to recognise that what Chris was doing with Brainfingers and the laptop was as valid as playing a conventional instrument. |
So Chris can now sit the compulsory performance element of his Higher music, which Mr McNiven believes will open many more doors. | So Chris can now sit the compulsory performance element of his Higher music, which Mr McNiven believes will open many more doors. |
"It's changed the rules now that people can use a laptop," he said. | "It's changed the rules now that people can use a laptop," he said. |
"The ability to play with other musicians and feel the 'vibe' of being in a band or orchestra is just immense." | "The ability to play with other musicians and feel the 'vibe' of being in a band or orchestra is just immense." |
This summer Chris will be one of a group of young Scottish musicians playing a specially commissioned piece for the Cultural Olympiad as part of the New Music 20x12 programme. Technophonia, by composer Oliver Searle, will be performed in Edinburgh and London. | This summer Chris will be one of a group of young Scottish musicians playing a specially commissioned piece for the Cultural Olympiad as part of the New Music 20x12 programme. Technophonia, by composer Oliver Searle, will be performed in Edinburgh and London. |
Thursa Sanderson from Drake Music Scotland said: "The idea behind the Technophonia project is to bring together young musicians who are using the technology with their peers, who are playing conventional instruments. | Thursa Sanderson from Drake Music Scotland said: "The idea behind the Technophonia project is to bring together young musicians who are using the technology with their peers, who are playing conventional instruments. |
"This allows them to be part of inclusive music making and inclusive ensembles. That's what Technophonia is." | "This allows them to be part of inclusive music making and inclusive ensembles. That's what Technophonia is." |
Chris is now practising hard for his Higher music and for the Technophonia concerts. However, his long-term ambitions are to go to music college and then become a professional composer. | Chris is now practising hard for his Higher music and for the Technophonia concerts. However, his long-term ambitions are to go to music college and then become a professional composer. |
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