They create an instrument to help children express themselves in music in Caen
By Nicholas Claich
Published on
Thanks to Camille, a 4-year-old child with multiple disabilities, the Maestro was born. It is a new musical instrument, created by three inhabitants of Caen (Calvados), Karinn Helbert, Mélanie Paiola and Christophe Brunet.
How was the Maestro born?
This is the story of a meeting. Several meetings, even. That of Karinn Helbert and Mélanie Paiola, first. The first is a musician, plays the Cristal Bachet, this magical-sounding instrument. The second is a music therapist. “10 years ago, we did an activity together in an IME (medico-educational institute) in Caen, says Karinn. This is where we met Camille. »
Stuck in his wheelchair, the little boy does not speak, but the two women realize that he has a gift. “He has perfect pitch! To say ‘hello’, he sings a melodic phrase, always the same for each person. »
To allow Camille to express herself through music, Karinn and Mélanie then set out to create a new instrument, which lets the exacerbated emotions of the young handicapped person transpire.
There are musical awakening tools for children with multiple disabilities. But they are either very expensive or connected. We wanted an object without a screen. We can’t find the solution, so we invented it!
How does the Maestro work?
This is how the Maestro was born, with the help of Christophe Brunet, composer. With the complicity of their friends’ electronics engineers, they imagined this apple-shaped speaker, in homage to Normandy. It has five slots to accommodate the modules that play the role of instruments for users: woodwinds and brass, strings, basses, drums, voices… By rotating the modules in their slots, you play with the musical styles , ages.
Each style corresponds to a color, which makes it easy for children to remember them. The designers have recorded 15 different orchestrations, which can be modulated almost infinitely. “From In the moonlight to lost ball, from Gymnopédies by Satie to Carmen by Bizet, smiles Karinn Helbert. We also have the theme Once upon a time, which allows children to tell stories by playing with their emotions. It is ideal for developing the imagination. » The Maestro thus offers the possibility of mixing a Carmen Eastern, UN lost ball electro, or In the moonlight in African style. “We also wanted to show that all cultures, like music, can mix. »
Who is he talking to ?
Originally created for children with autistic or psychomotor disorders, the Maestro is actually aimed at “all incapable audiences, far from musical practice”. From children in nurseries to residents of nursing homes, through children in hospital or in specialized institutions, everyone could play music with the Maestro.
We have tested it in different establishments. Each time, it’s a small miracle: the children have the pleasure of being independent and regain their self-esteem by realizing that they can make beautiful music.
For people with Alzheimer’s, the melodies of their youth are often the last memories that come to the surface of their memory.
A video demonstration
The three friends hope to convince medico-social establishments, but also liberal health professionals. “It’s a wonderful tool for communicating with children, who may be interested in child psychiatrists, occupational therapists or psychotherapists. “It brings back harmony, calm,” adds Mélanie Paiola, the music therapist. And it stimulates creativity. »
Where is the project?
Thursday March 10, 2022, the company Concerti, created by Karinn, Mélanie and Christophe with the aim of developing the Maestro, launched a crowdfunding campaign, on the kickstarter site. “We received grants from Normandie Incubation to develop the software, as well as from Initiatives 14, AD Normandie and the BPI. »
How much does it cost ?
An innovative instrument, the Maestro is aimed primarily at institutions. The launch price of the platform, valid until April 10 on the kickstarter, is €890. Then it will amount to 1,700 euros. “The more we sell, the more we can lower the price to make it accessible to individuals,” hopes Karinn Helbert.
After the research and development phase, which resulted in three 3D printed prototypes, the Caen start-up now wants to initiate the distribution of the Maestro. “We need 200 presales to obtain credit from the banks, does not hide the musician who has become a business manager. This will then allow us to launch the production of the Maestro in series, in our workshops in Carpiquet. »
And to dig into the new ideas that are already germinating in the bubbling brains of Karinn, Mélanie and Christophe.
Open house in the premises of the company Concerti (5 bis, rue Guilbert, 14000 Caen), to discover the Maestro, Wednesday March 30. presale
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