Learning about music, having the opportunity to play a musical instrument, and making music with others are some of the most rewarding experiences in the world. These activities are proven to improve our physical health and mental well-being. They play a key role in brain development, helping to nurture language, motor skills, emotional intelligence, collaboration and social skills.
Playing an instrument and making music are not just fun; they’re good for us!
Of course, as a music company, we’re a bit biased. So, we invite you to reflect on your own experiences with music. Most of us will likely agree that music is a good thing.
However, there’s a hurdle. Traditional musical instruments and notation aren’t typically designed for quick success. Instruments require significant dexterity and a deep understanding of music theory to play and feel good. And music notation, to put it mildly, is complicated. While technology has simplified the process, most music controllers and digital instruments mimic traditional designs. They are typically aimed at professional musicians, inheriting the same accessibility issues.
This excludes a lot of people from music and music education which didn’t sit right with us. So, we set about creating an instrument and notation designed to be universally inclusive, progressive, and fun to engage with!
Enter CMPSR and Arrownotes.
CMPSR is a simple-to-play musical instrument, infused with gaming technology for instant accessibility. Played through straightforward finger gestures, its design draws inspiration from a wheelchair joystick.
Arrownotes, on the other hand, is CMPSR’s game-like notation system. It transitions to traditional notation over three levels but is much simpler to grasp. Utilising colour, direction, and shape, it offers an immediately rewarding multi-sensory experience.
Countless studies confirm the health benefits of music, particularly in supporting brain trauma rehabilitation. It stands to reason that if we want as many people as possible to enjoy this holistic “workout” for the mind, body, and soul, we need to design instruments and notation around us. That’s precisely what we’ve done with CMPSR and Arrownotes, opening up the world of music creation and notation to more individuals.
Here’s a snapshot of the benefits of playing an instrument:
- It has a calming effect on the mind and body, helping to alleviate pain and anxiety.
- The rhythm and movement stimulate the brain, enhancing coordination, balance, and overall motor function.
- It supports neuro-rehabilitation goals like improving memory and executive functioning, beneficial for everyday living tasks.
- It promotes emotional well-being, reducing stress and improving mood.
- Making music with others provides a supportive environment to connect and develop social skills.
- Playing an instrument and reading notation aid cognitive rehabilitation by tracking the order of musical notes and engaging in visual processing.
In summary, playing an instrument is beneficial for you. It’s one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy as it engages every major part of your central nervous system. Traditional instruments and notation can be challenging for many to play and understand. That’s why we created CMPSR and Arrownotes. The benefits include enhanced motor/coordination skills, visual processing, attention, memory, executive functioning, confidence, self-esteem, and overall health and well-being.
Interested to find out more? Head over to the CBIT App and search for CMPSR, or visit https://www.digitmusic.co.uk/product/cmpsr/.
Thank you,
The Digit Music Team.