Review of the Beamz Interactive Music System
As a music therapist, working with clients with a wide variety of strengths and challenges, I was intrigued by Beamz and how I could use it in my sessions. I am pleased with the versatility of the Beamz Interactive Music System and have found it to be effective as a tool to use alongside more traditional instruments. I find the device easy to transport, which is a critical factor in choosing my equipment since I see my clients in their homes. I have used Beamz with both a PC and an IPhone and am pleased with the quality and format of both.
The set up and use of Beamz Music System is very user friendly. For use with my IPhone, I simply have to plug the cord provided with the device into the USB end of my phone charger, plug it into the wall and make sure that the Bluetooth on my phone is activated. The Beamz app, already downloaded on the phone with multiple songs and saved playlists, takes seconds to open. I'm ready to use the device at this point. There's nothing like having your set-up process of this technology take less than 20 seconds.
One of my favorite features is the way the music transitions to a new style, when you choose to do so. Say I want to change from a classical or ambient piece to pop or country - the song the client is currently working on comes to an end, not abruptly like on a electronic keyboard setting, but finishes the phrase ending with a sound that completes their masterpiece, then moves onto the new genre. Everything can be done quickly and easily just by touching the icons on the screen of my phone or by using the buttons on the device itself.
Multiple goal areas can be addressed while using the Beamz Interactive Music System. I have received the most positive responses with several clients ages 1-3 years old, all with global delays in functioning. Each of my clients within this age range were able to create high-quality instrumental sounds using their feet, legs, hands, arms, head - whatever they were able to control at that moment.
Within 10 minutes of introducing Beamz to a 2-year old client with global delays, I was able to address several goal areas including hand-eye coordination, crossing midline of the body with a non-preferred hand, and encouraging reaching through the beam to grasp an item. Because of the versatility of the Beamz Music System, I was able to change the position and increase the difficulty of the task. In this particular case, the child has been exposed to the device two times and the second session built upon what was addressed in the first. This beautiful 2-year old has an a natural sense of music and musical phrasing and within 5 minutes of the "Beamz Suite" playing, she began to place her dominant hand into the beam playing the sound of a piano in a predictable sequence - once every four measures of music.
While she was concentrating on this I noticed that her head control and eye gaze were consistent. In addition to noting goal-based observations, it should also be stated that she was smiling each time the piano began as she realized she was creating that sound. During her second session in which I used the device for 15 minutes, it was apparent that she had a preference for the "Beamz Suite" again but was also receptive to changes in genre and it directly related to her body movement. When switching to "Honky Tonk Hoedown", she began to sway side to side. When beams were set to percussion instruments, my client apparently wanted further feedback and began hitting the base of the Beamz device as though she was hitting a drum like the sound it made.
My 12-18 month clients were able to demonstrate independence as they began to explore stop, go, fast, slow. One 18-month old whose session is done on the floor due to decreased mobility and limited muscle control, discovered his own way to make music with various parts of his body. He actually curled up around the middle of the device, having his legs on one side, arms on the other and was able to activate all beams using each of his legs and arms. I was able to move the Beamz device further away and at different angles to encourage a variety of movement. During "Beamz Suite", he began to vocalize on "ah" and "oh" as the song played and he activated the different beams to add his own instrumental sounds.
I had an opportunity to talk with parents/caregivers during and following the use of the device with their children. It was apparent that this is a device that gives them an opportunity to see their child creating beautiful sounds independently and joyfully when they are so often being made aware of what their child CAN'T do.
While multiple exposures to the device increased the likelihood of on-task behavior with my particular clients, it should be noted that even on the first attempt; goals in various domains of development could be and were addressed across age groups. I highly recommend this device to music therapists across populations and settings.
Amy Degro, MS, LCAT, MT-BC
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist/Board-Certified Music Therapist