Music Shapers are soft, squeezable instruments, which allow players to mold, transform, and explore musical material and compositions. Using capacitive sensing and conductive embroidery to measure the squeezing gesture, Music Shapers allow children access to high-level musical parameters such as contour, timbre, density and structure, rarely accessible through traditional musical instruments or pedagogy except after many years of study and mastery. The effect is that of “conducting” musical phrases and forms in a very tactile, visceral and enjoyable way. [via]

The Music Toys developed by Tod Machover and his team at the MIT Media Lab for Toy Symphony are very sophisticated instruments designed simply to be played by any person with the desire to make music, with the specific needs and capabilities of young people in mind. There is no skill prerequisite-only the willingness to participate. There are three principal instruments used in the work for general audiences, and a fourth instrument for a more sophisticated musician. Through the use of Music Toys, children and adults alike can shape and modify musical lines with expressive gesture and delicate touch (Beatbugs, Shapers); use special software to draw lines that turn into musical compositions (Hyperscore); and also learn about the Hyperviolin, the latest in a series of enhanced expert performance instruments devised by the team. Each toy has a very specific musical and pedagogical function.