Musical Activities in People with Disabilities

Abstract

People with disabilities can benefit from engagement in musical activities. Singing and musical instrument playing may not only help to improve or restore sensory-motor control, coordination, and memory, but also contribute to social integration, emotional stability, and thus overall wellbeing. Even though many people with disabilities are highly motivated to pick up musical activities, their potential still tends to be underestimated. However, there has been an impressive development concerning adaptive equipment, ergonomics, pedagogical approaches, and music repertoire for musicians with disabilities. A number of professional musicians with physical and perceptual system disorders demonstrate that high-level musical abilities can be achieved despite severe limitations. Children and adults with disabilities should be encouraged to engage in music. They should be accompanied by an alliance of parents and family, music pedagogues, therapists, physicians, as well as musical instrument manufacturers and medical technologists. By means of individual approaches, curiosity, and willingness, musical potential can be detected and fostered. This chapter reviews the impact of various types of disabilities on musical activities in amateur and professional musicians and describes initiatives, technologies, equipment, literature, and teaching approaches that support musical instrument playing and singing in people with physical, perceptual, or mental disorders.