Synthesize Me! Working with learning disabled musicians to trial new software patches created by software developer Sam Halligan
As our project based around sampling and using digital musical equipment progresses we have been experimenting with using patches that are being developed by software programmer Sam Halligan. Sam has created a patch that enables using figurenotes, an accessible colour notation system within the established sequencer Ableton. Figurenotes has been part of our project work for several years. It was developed by music tutors at Resonaari special education music school in Helsinki, Finland.
Using a sequence of colours and shapes, figurenotes demistifies musical notation and is particularly useful when working with musicians of mixed abilities. Drake Music Scotland have developed notation software for use with figurenotes and stickers are available for application to instruments.
Sam Halligan has built new pioneering figurenote software patches for Ableton. This includes a series of hardware patches for Push the popular Ableton controller and software components for use within the sequencer. We used these in our last composition session and the learning disabled artists took really well to colour display modes which include easily accessible 4x4 and 8x8 colour modes.
These patches sum the many buttons on the Push controller into simple configurations, the desired notes can be selected and the corresponding figurenote colours are displayed on the backlit hardware. Please see attached pictures to get an idea of how this looks.
When used in conjunction with a resource from the Drake Music figurenotes site such as the figurenotes dice which uses chance to inform note selection, it makes for a very fun and accessible musical activity leading to rapid development of composition ideas.
It is very exciting to be road testing these software patches at a developmental stage and providing feedback to Sam who is busy developing a series of interfaces for Ableton. Find out more about figiurenotes and download these ableton patches here (Please note you need to have Max For Live as part of the Ableton software package to run these):
https://fingerspushbuttons.com
