Is there an instrument that is so easy to play, that virtually anyone can play amazing songs the moment they first play it? What if I told you there was? What if I also told you that you can play this instrument without even touching it? If I told you this, you most likely would think I’m crazy…but it is true! Not the being crazy part…the part about an instrument so easy to play virtually anyone can make amazing music with it immediately, and without even touching it. This incredible instrument is called Beamz!
As I recall, I was attending a Music Therapy Conference when I was first introduced to this exciting instrument. I had heard people talking about an instrument that used lasers to produce sounds. I was curious but in the back of my mind it sounded a bit out there. Even still I wanted to at least see what all the buzz was about and how it worked. Guess what? I surprised myself and when I saw it demonstrated at this conference I couldn’t wait to buy one.
This instrument was designed to provide a fun and unique experience for people of all ability levels. It particularly appealed to me because it had a much deeper application for some of the clients I was working with. My clients consisted of preschool through 1st grade students, as well as special needs students in middle school and highschool. Most of these clients has somewhat limited motor skills because of their developmental levels. They loved all the instruments I brought for them to play, and were able to use many such as egg shakers, drums, and other percussion instruments, but they sometimes struggled with others such as xylophones and other more technical ones. The Beamz was a unique instrument I could add to my list of resources that was appropriate for my clients developmental level.
The Beamz is a plastic electronic unit that you place on a table and consists of three pillars. It has 4 lasers that shoot from pillar to pillar. The four lasers make four different sounds. The sound is made when you break the laser connection with your hand or an object. You connect the Beamz unit to a laptop with a cord so the sounds it makes come through the computer speakers. With the Beamz software, you have a variety of choices of music and sounds to play that accompany your own music making with the lasers. For example, as the music begins for the song “Old Mac Donald had a Farm” each beam is assigned an animal sound. As the music starts you sing along with the music and when it comes to the animal sound part you break the beam and an animal sound fills in the song, such as if you sing pig, you break the beam with your hand or with a long stick or mallet when the oinks begin. So every time in the song that the oink sound is sung you break the beam and it makes that sound. Then you proceed and continue with the song singing the rest of the animal sounds that are assigned to each beam.
Perhaps the best part of this instrument is that it can be used by those that have a limited range of motion or motor control. Even if someone has limited reach abilities there are adaptive methods to help them play the instrument. People who need help playing the instrument can hold on to something that extends longer, or you can help them move their arm if needed. Those who cannot move their arms can even play it using a light object such as a plastic straw in their mouth. You can even help someone play it by having them speak or blink every time they want you to break the laser connection for them. As long as the beam is broken the sound is heard. It’s fun to see the looks on faces as they realize they are the one that is controlling the sounds.
There are many songs and genres of music to choose from and some models of the Beamz unit even give you the ability to produce your own music. The Beamz website has many songs to choose from. It is fun to choose different styles of music. The software also allows you to choose which instruments to assign to the lazers. Let’s say you choose a country song, then the instrument choices for the lasers could be electric guitar, drums, tambourine, bass guitar, rhythm sticks, violin, etc. With an orchestra background your choices are an arrangement of wind, strings etc. The ones with piano in the background are really fun. You have the feeling you are really making some wonderful music.
I can use this instrument with preschool children, elementary school, Junior High, High School students or adults. It is fun for everyone. I’ve seen great success with it with my primary clients, young children and adolescents with special needs. They light up when they are making music by simply waving their hand, it’s magic! The variety of instruments and sounds offered through the beamz are nearly unlimited and so are the confidence building experiences it offers my clients.
The main benefit of the Beamz I’ve seen is that you can play it the first time you see it without knowing how to play any instrument. It provides a unique experience for everyone who uses it. It can be a great introduction to music making for people. After using the Beamz, they may become more interested in using other instruments and expressing themselves through music. It eliminates the frustration some instruments cause beginners. Anyone can be fully confident in playing it the first time they swipe their hand through the laser. There are many group activities you can create for it. You can teach skills such as taking turns, listening, self-expression, or even make games and friendly competition with it. I recommend you give Beamz a try and see what activities and opportunities you can come up with to use with your clients.
