Learning Music is Now Accessible to All
by Martha Summa-Chadwick, DMA, Andy Novobilski, PhD, and Riley Shipley, MS
Music was one of the first forms of human communication transmitted through aural practices of passing musical sounds through the generations, and ancient artwork indicates that it may have even pre-dated language. Science-based research has confirmed that music can be a powerful neural transmitter in the brain. Musical notation, given its complexity in the Western tradition, can be a challenge to learn and is generally an inaccessible language for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
To help those who are unable to read traditional notation, Music Therapy Gateway in Communications (MTGIC), a nonprofit organization that advocates for biomedical music protocols to be mainstreamed into healthcare and education, has developed a unique visual music notation system called Notes2Blocks. By matching a simple color grid on the chart with a color-coded key on the keyboard <FIGURE 01>, persons who are physically or developmentally disabled can follow the charts to play music. The app was unveiled at the Chattanooga Autism Center’s annual conference in September 2023 and is now available on the MTGIC website as a free resource.
These color-coded charts are now widely available, with potential to reach multiple populations who want to play the keyboard for their own enjoyment or to utilize it as a means to achieve therapeutic goals. For example, children with developmental disabilities such as autism who are unable to read traditional music notation can decode the charts and independently play a song of their choice. Persons recovering from stroke or other motor challenges can utilize the charts as a part of a physical therapy exercise to strengthen small muscles in their hands. Seniors affected with dementia can also use the charts therapeutically as a motivational cognitive exercise, whereas neurotypical seniors who are unable to read music may just enjoy using the charts for social interaction. The charts could even be beneficial for refugee children working with various aid organizations that use music to bring some joy and normality back into their lives.
The Notes2Blocks project began in spring 2019, when the Chattanooga Public Library approached MTGIC with a request to create a pilot program for an inclusive music learning experience. Six electronic keyboards had been donated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the library staff was interested to see if children with intellectual or developmental disabilities could learn the same song together in a class alongside neurotypical children. For several years, MTGIC personnel had utilized visual, color-coded charts to help children on the autism spectrum who were unable to read traditional music notation. By visually matching a color on a chart to a color sticker on the keyboard, the children were able to play a favorite song.
New charts developed for the library class included a variety of songs. A tiered process of five different learning levels included the visual charts and stepped up to traditional music notation. Children with autism, as well as neurotypical children, were enrolled in the class, and they could choose the notation methodology they preferred. In this way, they were able to learn the same songs together, making the pilot program highly successful. Several children in the class also requested that their favorite songs be charted. But because the charts took several hours to create by hand, individual charts could not be customized to each child’s musical requests.
A solution for creating the charts much more expeditiously was suggested by an IT professional who is a longtime supporter of MTGIC: developing a unique computer program to automate the creation of the charts. This process would also ensure that the methodology could become widely available to others who would benefit from playing a musical keyboard but could not read traditional music notation. The supporter created a proof-of-concept program to confirm the feasibility of the idea, and then MTGIC was able to procure a grant from The UNFoundation of Chattanooga to fund completion of the project. Using these funds, a software developer was hired to design and implement the app from the proof of concept, ensuring that interpretation of the charts by the end user would result in the best experience possible.
Notes2Blocks creates the color-coded charts by reading digital music files produced by Finale, LogicPro, and similar music composition software, and converts them into visual charts that show the same information in a simpler format <Figure 02>. The MusicXML system was designed to be a universal digital configuration utilized to represent Western musical notation; it is used by many digital music programs and instruments that employ standard MIDI format.
A limit of 3 musical octaves was specified to keep the grid graphics as simple as possible, with the notes being restricted to the diatonic notes on the piano (the white keys). Provision was also made for sharps or flats in traditional music notation if the score calls for use of the black notes on the piano <FIGURE 03>. To accommodate multiple viewing preferences, Notes2Blocks charts can be saved as either a single long image for viewing digitally or as multiple pages to print out. Some people may prefer to play with only one hand or the other based on skill levels. Others will want to use both hands, which is also an option in Notes2Blocks. An accompanying .mp3 audio file is available to match each chart, and all charts are available on the MTGIC website for instant download to a user’s device.
Differing age ranges, abilities, and cultural backgrounds result in many different musical preferences, so a variety of songs and styles is available for those utilizing the charts. Children’s songs, hymns, holiday favorites, classical arrangements, and popular song arrangements are included, with all songs being in the public domain to preclude copyright issues. Different styles are also available; for example, some arrangements of songs use chords in the left hand for those who can play multiple notes simultaneously, and some arrangements use just a single left hand note for those who are challenged with motor limitations in their hands. New charts can also be created expeditiously on request for other favorite songs based on a particular culture or tradition specific to a geographical area in the world, if the musical notation is such that it can be played on a keyboard.
Access to all charts, in addition to instructions for setting up the color-coded labels on the keyboard, visual and written tutorials, audio music samples, and other general information, is available on the MTGIC website. To access the site, go to www.mtgic.org and then navigate via the menu bar to Projects, and then to Notes2Blocks. Everything is completely free of charge and open to the public for use.
“Music is a wonderful gift for humanity, and neuroscience professionals acknowledge that music is also a direct pathway to activating neural processes in the brain. The Notes2Blocks project fits neatly into the intersection of technology, science, music, and health, to help many populations with psychosocial, motor, speech, or cognition challenges to be able to benefit from the joy of playing a song at the keyboard. MTGIC is a strong advocate of professionals from various occupations sitting down at the table together to work out a solution to a problem. Such collaboration generally results in a creative solution made possible only by combining the experience of many different vocations. Notes2Blocks was inspired by exactly this type of shared effort involving professionals from intersecting backgrounds, demonstrating how such an alliance can result in the expansion of human paradigms.”
About the Authors
Martha Summa-Chadwick, DMA
Dr. Summa-Chadwick has achieved a national reputation as an educator, presenter, performer, and advocate for the cause of music in therapy. She is the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Music Therapy Gateway in Communications, Inc., and has established a Neural Tango concert series to educate audiences in an overview of biomedical music protocols.
Andy Novobilski, PhD
Forever a student, Dr. Andy Novobilski enjoys creating useful and innovative solutions accessible to nonprofessionals and professionals alike. With experience in corporate, startup, and senior leadership in higher education, Dr. Novobilski, who earned his PhD in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, continues scholarly work in AI and Data Analytics.
Riley Shipley, MS
When he’s not working with students or his next research project, Riley enjoys many creative outlets, including playing and writing music, 3D modeling, and game design. Riley holds an MS in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is a HPC (High Performance Computing) developer for Tennessee Technological University.
Music Therapy Gateway in Communications (MTGIC): The mission of MTGIC is to 1.) disseminate information regarding biomedical music protocols through concerts, lecture concerts, or concert workshops, 2.) Encourage and facilitate open discussion for music in medicine and education by bringing together groups of researchers, doctors, therapists, behavioral specialists, educators, musicians, parents, and caregivers to create innovative musical solutions for those with psychosocial, motor, speech, or cognition challenges. (www.mtgic.org)