The Skoog is a new musical instrument designed to be played, and to be played with; handled, squeezed, twisted, pinched or struck.
This is more than just a sound making object, it’s a great way for young people to be introduced to making expressive sounds, and in time, music.
Co-inventor of the Skoog, Dr Benjaman Schogler was kind enough to demonstrate that this wasn’t just a squishy cube; more that it was an object full of potential for breaking down barriers into music making for all. Right from the start, the development of Skoog music has been supported by teachers and children alike. Perhaps that’s why it’s both high tech and low tech at the same time.
The Skoog is essentially
a robust rubber cube that has incredible sensitivity to touch and has five
surfaces with which specific sounds can be made. Beyond this is the ability to
use the Skoog in far more expressive ways than any other conventional musical
instrument. Even the slightest touch or twist of the cube can give a
slightly different timbre or tone quality, allowing for limitless expressive
opportunity.
The sounds, for example, can be made to represent a flautist pursing their lips or blowing harder. The surface sensitivity is completely adjustable to cope with the individual needs or progressing levels of attainment of players and in this sense can be used in a highly intuitive way.
Potential
The potential of the Skoog is embedded in the accompanying, user friendly software that allows teachers to choose from quick-start, pre-programmed instruments including woodwind, brass, string and electronic, or sound effects such as animal or mechanical noises, or even voices. If nothing on the menu suits, it is a simple process to record a new set of sounds for use that could range from single words or phrases and feasibly anything else that makes a noise. This immediately extends the Skoog into other arenas outside of music such as numeracy and literacy. New ideas are being discovered by teachers and children every week and can all be saved for future use within the software.
The Skoog has an exceptional reach from young people with minor learning or communication challenges through to others with more severe physical impairments. Because of its simple but solid design, it can be played with fingers, toes, elbows, chins or simply by leaning on it.
Aptitude
For children with more developed musical aptitude this might be the instrument that breaks the barrier between the disabled and non-disabled musicians. The Skoog can be equally used to incorporate the disabled musician into a simple duet or as part of a complicated orchestral set-up. The theory was well proven by Dr Schogler’s virtuoso performance on "Skoog flute" playing along to the Austin Powers theme tune.
Music is a gift that few of us are truly blessed with, but that we all have a right to search for. The Skoog, though silly and fun loving on the outside, contains within it the serious potential to turn anyone into a musician and enjoy the satisfaction of musical expression.
Reposted with permission by Skoogmusic Ltd - Original article written by Tom Jamieson at Young and Able Magazine
