NAMM 2025: Arcana Instruments Strum

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2025, we caught up with Boaz from Arcana Instruments who introduced a groundbreaking MIDI interface designed to provide accessible music-making opportunities.

He shared the inspiring backstory of his student with cerebral palsy, whose determination to play music with her peers led to this innovation. The interface allows you to play chords with a simple press, strumming up and down rather than side-to-side, accommodating various mobility challenges. It uses Bluetooth for connectivity and is adaptable via interchangeable handles, enabling play through foot pedals or proximity sensors for head movements.

After noticing the limitations in traditional tools like iPads for music education, the interface was developed to support real musical growth. This tool is screenless, encouraging personal interaction and offering a versatile solution that transforms into instruments like piano or strings through color-coded learning.

Arcana Instruments' device is already available in the United States and the UK.

More Info:

https://arcanainstruments.com/"

SYNTHFEST UK 2024: Arcana Strum

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"Arcana Instruments recently won the hardware category of this years MIDI Innovation awards! The creator Boaz gave us a demo of this innovative and educational instrument that anyone can use, designed to be an accessible guitar. Definitely one to check out.

https://arcanainstruments.com/product..."

"Arcana Strum empowers anyone to play guitar.

The Arcana Strum instrument is extremely easy to just pick up and play.

Providing an uplifting experience suitable and accessible for practically everyone.

ACCESSORIES

A range of supporting devices

The Arcana strum can be played in many different ways. During the development stage of the instrument, we carefully studied and considered your needs in order to optimize your playing experience. For instance, several ideas came from observing how people operate motorized wheelchairs, and we incorporated some of these ideas in the accessories we developed. By doing so, we provide solutions for a wide range of needs and abilities, both physical and cognitive.

The story of Arcana began in 2015. Its origin was a young girl who faced difficulty to play musical instruments and wanted to feel equal and included.

Our team of musicians, engineers and designers gathered together and founded Arcana to support her as well as millions of other people around the world who confront similar difficulties."

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