Lesley Crawford | Bespoke Music Solutions

bespoke Music Solutions

I believe that music is for everyone but for people with a disability traditional routes into music making may feel unavailable, unnavigable or limiting. It can be hard to imagine how things might be done differently or know what alternatives are even available. I am committed to broadening access to music making through the development and implementation of sustainable analogue and digital solutions.

With a deep knowledge of adaptive technologies and alternative music systems, a love of creative problem solving and the ability to harness my natural inclination to break 'rules', I can always find a solution for an individual - whatever their goals might be. As with all my work this is an entirely collaborative and responsive process centred in a holistic approach to music making. This may look like exploring off-the-shelf options or creating bespoke solutions/devices, there are no right or wrong ways to make music and I believe that true inclusion operates on an individual basis.

If you or someone you know would like help in finding the best way to make music please get in touch, I'd love to help.

These are just a few examples of alterations or augmentations I have made to enable clients greater access and independence in their music-making:

Creating a high grip surface for the keys of a keyboard which allowed a musician with cerebral palsy to play with greater accuracy and consistency.

Developing a bite-switch based sustain pedal for a wheelchair using keyboardist unable to access foot pedals.

Programming an audio based MIDI trigger for a guitarist who struggled with their fretting hand but had a phenomenal sense of rhythm, this integrated with a footswitch which allowed them to change chords in the software.

Building an ipad sytem in Touch OSC, connected to Mainstage, giving a keyboard player with a greater independence through the ability to control and manipulate their sounds in real time.

Creating a low-tech method to combine gargeband with Figurenotes (accessible music notation)