"Each of us can play music," was the slogan of Israeli musician Boaz Rienshrieber in 2015 when he founded the startup Arcana. With his team, they developed a unique and revolutionary instrument called the "Arcana Strum," which enables people with disabilities to play music. With an emotional voice, Boaz states that he has "made music accessible to everyone." The "Arcana Strum" was born from a meeting with Gil, a young girl with cerebral palsy who dreamed of learning to play an instrument one day. The Arcana team, made up of musicians, engineers, and designers, came together to create a special "guitar" for millions of people around the world with disabilities.
A Decisive Meeting
Boaz, a music teacher and guitarist, has recently established a music center in the moshav Nir Tzvi near Beer Yaakov, where he teaches many children and adolescents in the area. One day, Gil's family, who live in the moshav, knocked on his door because their twin daughters (Gil and Lior), who both have cerebral palsy, dream of playing music.
"Gil came to see me in her wheelchair and said, 'Do you really think everyone can play music? Do you think I can too?' She has no cognitive issues; her disability is physical, which prevents her from holding an instrument properly. She then explained that she had tried playing the piano without success. Gil is truly one of the most ambitious people I've met so far; she is full of motivation, and that is what inspired me to take on the challenge," says Boaz, his face lit up with pride.
Boaz first tries to find a solution with existing instruments on the market; for six months, he goes to great lengths to help Gil play. He has her try the guitar, then the xylophone, but nothing works, and the failures discourage the young girl, even exacerbating her feelings of not being like others. Given her frustration, Boaz then comes up with the idea of creating a custom instrument designed specifically to meet the needs of people with physical or cognitive disabilities.
"I partnered with Haïm Kairy, who is now the CTO of the startup, and together we designed the Arcana guitar, which can be played with one hand thanks to an easy-to-use handle that creates sounds. The instrument is also suitable for those who do not have arms and use only their feet. The guitar can be adjusted according to each person's needs; some want a firmer handle while others prefer it to be more flexible. The device can be operated by people with disabilities, as well as those with autism or severe cognitive disorders," Boaz explains.
A Playful and Customizable Instrument
The instrument was developed by drawing inspiration from a classic guitar. Using unique mechanisms, it features an action that simulates string friction and another that simulates string pressure. Due to its simple operation and a musical method similar to that of the guitar, learning is straightforward, familiar to teachers, and does not require special training. The adapted handle serves for grip and keys. Various adjustments can also be made, such as settings for right- and left-handed players, key sizes, and external switches can be connected. The tool is used with an external accessory like an iPhone or iPad.
Designer Yonathan Bar Or took inspiration from powered wheelchairs and incorporated some of their features into the accessories to provide solutions for many aspiring musicians who wish to achieve their dream of accessing music. Today, hundreds of guitars of this kind have already been sold in Israel, with several dozen sold worldwide.
Arcana was developed over three years of research at leading institutions in Israel, involving dozens of children and students with various types of disabilities. The instrument offers diverse possibilities for musical expression, including melodic and harmonic playing across a wide range of sounds.
"The reactions from users are very enthusiastic and encouraging; it’s primarily a personal achievement. People who use it thank us for contributing to their growth. As a musician passionate about sound, it is extremely satisfying to have changed the lives of hundreds of people. We have succeeded in creating something that had never been conceptualized before, allowing people with disabilities to no longer be marginalized in society; it is an immense source of pride," emphasizes Boaz.
An Instrument Used in Schools, Associations, and Hospitals
This musical instrument is also used in hospitals, particularly for patients who have suffered a stroke. At Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and Sheba, many patients regain health and muscle tone through the Arcana Strum. "They heal through music," Boaz states. Additionally, many musical associations and schools offer music classes for people with disabilities using this instrument, which has already made significant waves in specialized institutions.
"In the world, there are millions of people who are deprived of the means of expression that music provides and who cannot enjoy the language of music because no one has thought to design an instrument suited to their disabilities. The world is advancing so quickly from a technological standpoint; I still don’t understand how it didn’t exist before. In Israel, we are trying to raise awareness as much as possible, and all sectors of society have already benefited, whether they are Haredi or Arab. Our ambition is to reach as many people as possible, including abroad," explains Boaz.
An Ambitious Project Aiming for International Reach
Since last year, the Arcana Strum has entered the British market, and several major companies and organizations have enthusiastically embraced this unprecedented instrument. "Many schools in England are running successful pilot projects using the Arcana Strum. We are looking to expand internationally to prove that this instrument is essential," Boaz states. The guitar can be purchased directly from the Arcana website.
Ultimately, the Arcana team hopes to market the product worldwide and develop other instruments for people with special needs. A promising future for all music fans!
Caroline Haïat
Comments