In the interest of providing focus I will first try and present my vision of a very specific audience:
I see a unique opportunity to serve those that have lost limb during their initial recuperation. When, for example, someone has had trauma done to an arm to a degree that it needs to be amputated, the process for strengthening and training their remaining arm to essentially do double duty, is one that physical therapists want to begin as soon as possible. It is also a process that can be achieved in somewhat personalized ways. The pace and exercises can be modified to a degree to suit the individuals abilities and interests. I see this project as another tool in the box for helping those temporarily bedridden to recover.
An article on those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/iraq-afghanistan-amputees_n_2089911.html
The genesis of this project came from a kernel of knowledge bouncing around my head, that Harold Rhodes (the inventor of the now famous Rhodes Electric Piano) started out making a piano that could be played easily by bedridden U.S. servicemen that amazingly, was made from parts of a B-17 Bomber.
An article about Harold Rhodes: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-01-05/news/0101050245_1_mr-rhodes-leo-fender-keyboard
I envision some program/device that would allow those with new disabilities to reconnect with a past interest in music making/songwriting or to learn from scratch the basics of notes and measures, musical form etc..
Through a physical device that required moving one's fingers, we could perhaps help to provide some physical rehabilitation along with the obvious intellectual and emotional benefits that come with creating music. However, as an alternative or perhaps complimentary experience/technology, something that was hands free and perhaps controlled by eye movement, would allow a much broader audience to participate in this project.
More to come!
