Teacher Resources

Improvisation ideas and alternative notation for pupils who do not read and more. Read about the benefits experienced by learning disabled people when they have been given the opportunity to play a musical instrument. See what has been done by others.

Forum

Join in discussions and share ideas about teaching and learning musical instruments for and by the learning disabled. Encourage others with your success stories.

Email from Erik de Graaf

Dear Mrs. Cross,

It is with great interest that I am now looking at your website melody.me.uk

I am the father of a young man with Down syndrome who is playing bugle for many years. Besides, I have been working for the the Dutch Down Syndrome Foundation since its inception in 1988.

Had we only such an initiative in our country! Generally speaking, individuals with DS are banned from regular music groups, whereas those in the scene for people with a disability are too far away from making real music as good as can be. Unfortunately you are too far away, but perhaps we can share experience.

May I suggest you to take a quick look at www.showdown.name and to click on the Dutch flag? There you will see my wife and my son playing together. After about 8 minutes, you will see and hear them again in the final part of the clip.

Regards Erik de Graaf