Sensation

Braille in the Music Classroom and the Sensory Experience

Overview
I am designing an experience that requires only the sense of touch and hearing. On the canvas
board I will have a dozen sensors that respond to touch. Each sensor will play a different sound
or soundscape. The device can function as both a solitary instrument and a de-stressor as well as
in a group for performance or community therapy. I got the idea by thinking about music written
in braille for the blind. It branches off of the braille system by using the symbols for each letter
of the alphabet and a long bar to represent a sharp added to the note. After designing my first
Makey-Makey project I was intrigued as to how my testers explored my project with their eyes
closed. I want the experience to be both dulling of certain senses and to bring others out. The
facilitator will give little explanation as to how the device works and allow the user to explore
with their eyes open or closed. This way each individual will have the chance to explore the
device on their own terms. The facilitator will also ask guided questions both about the
experience and about using it on command.
Technologies Used
Canvas Board containing a dozen sets of sensors
Makey-Makey: Used to relay commands to the board from the platform
Scratch: The online coding platform used to program the commands
Laptop: Used to run Scratch/Snap and put out sound for the user to hear
Google Forms: Used to collect survey results from users after use

Learning Goals
Participants will have an open-ended music experience
Participants use their senses together that they do not typically use under normal musical
circumstances
Participants will create overlapping sounds/sound worlds
Participants will collaborate or experience music individually
Participants will reflect on the disabled community and their accessibility to musical
devices in and out of the classroom
Participants will discuss how this kind of technology could be used in common day
settings
Follow the QR Code or the Tiny URL to a
survey:
https://tinyurl.com/n2ryxjn