Musician, engineer create easy-to-play instrument
Posted at: 02/11/2013 6:51 PM
By: Joseph Lynch, KOB Eyewitness News 4
Not all of us have the gift to play music. Timing, physical coordination and, of course, that elusive thing called rhythm, make it practically impossible for many of us. A Taos musician and a Sandia Engineer have created an instrument that they think anyone can play.
"It can be an electric guitar, it can be a trombone, it can be a trumpet- it can be just about anything you can imagine," said Dan Daily.
Meet MIDIWING, an invention of Taos Musician Dan Daily. He first set out to create a "new" musical instrument. What he ended up doing was kicking open a door for many who are physically handicapped or disabled.
"There are people out there who are just waiting for the opportunity to express themselves. But perhaps have limited physical capabilities," said Daily.
With the help of the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program, Daily partnered up with Sandia National Labs Engineer Kent Pfeifer. Pfeifer is really proud to give the gift of "normal” with MIDIWING.
"There are things that they are never going to be able to do. But this is something that I think opens an entire world. And it's a big world and it's an important world. Music touches the heart. Maybe you can't do things that other people can do. But you can feel the emotions that come from a different piece of music and the ability to it is very satisfying," Daily said. Daily hopes to have the MIDIWING on the market by summer 2014.
"When someone has experienced something that they've never experienced before and it brings them joy and you had something to do with it. There is a satisfaction there that I find difficult to describe in words," said Daily.
The New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program pairs entrepreneurs with scientists at Sandia National Labs. The program has existed since 2000. If you'd like to know more about it, go to http://www.nmsbaprogram.org/
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