Musicking tangibles for empowerment

Abstract

We present a novel approach towards understanding and design of interactive music technology for people with special needs. The health effects of music are well documented, but little research and interactive music technology has been developed, for Music Therapy and health improvement in everyday situations. Further, the music technology that has been used, exploits little of the potential current computer technology has to offer the Music and Health and Music Therapy fields, because it is designed and used based on a narrow perspective on technology and its potential. We present and argue for a broader understanding of music technology for empowerment and health improvement, building on a multidisciplinary approach with perspectives from Tangible interaction design, empowerment and resource oriented Music Therapy. We call this approach Musicking Tangibles, inspired by Christopher Small's term "musicking". We also present two designed Musicking Tangibles, and argue for their empowering qualities based on user observations. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.