Genghis
Power User
This may be kind of an outside the box request, but I'm looking for some type of musical instrument that would be easy for my cousin to play. I'll fill in a bit of the background, but he is 46, and high functioning Down's Syndrome. Awesome guy, and he comes to all of the rehearsals with my band and sings along and does his Elvis thing. He's at every show we do dancing and rockin in front of the stage, and I have even started working on a few songs with him singing in my studio, just for our own fun. It just seems good for his soul to make up his own lyrics and sing.
I thought of possibly something like an auto-harp, or maybe just some bongos to get him learning a bit about rhythm. Any other suggestions on something that would just give him the ability to have some fun and get a bit more involved?
The back-story for those who are interested: My cousin Shawn basically grew up here in the same town I am in. He is about 10 years younger than me, so while we did hang at family events and things we had a bit of a gap in ages, and weren't super close. Had some fun when I'd see him of course, but not hanging out a lot.
Flash forward, I moved to So Cal in '86 to hit the music scene, then messed up and got a real job. In 2016, I was able to get a transfer back to my home town to look after my mom as she was having health issues and needed me closer. Shawn's dad also had some health concerns and was still trying to manage caring for Shawn, so he had Shawn's older sister move in with him to help out.
In 2018, my Hospice became involved in my mom's care, as it was getting near the time we knew was sure to come. Around that time my uncle was suffering more and more physical pain and depression and decided to end his own life. It was very traumatic for all of us. My mom passed about 3 weeks later.
We had a huge concern because there was a high probability that my two cousins would not have a place to live. (Long story) So we came up with a plan that I would sell my mom's house and buy my uncle's place and we could life there. (Didn't want to have roommates and go into debt, but I was very concerned that Shawn would get put into a system home of some type, and he has always had family.)
Over the past couple of years, Shawn and I have bonded. He grew up on Elvis, The Beach Boys, and all kinds of music that his dad enjoyed with him, and he has become very enthusiastic about the band and is having a blast being a part of our little thing. He even loves the metal I'm into and says I sound like a werewolf when I get into my most screaming death metal (which isn't really often... just fun now and then.) Cracks me up when he sings along with Arch Enemy and does it himself.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I really want to find something else he can play for his own enjoyment and figured maybe some of you would have some ideas.
Thanks!
I thought of possibly something like an auto-harp, or maybe just some bongos to get him learning a bit about rhythm. Any other suggestions on something that would just give him the ability to have some fun and get a bit more involved?
The back-story for those who are interested: My cousin Shawn basically grew up here in the same town I am in. He is about 10 years younger than me, so while we did hang at family events and things we had a bit of a gap in ages, and weren't super close. Had some fun when I'd see him of course, but not hanging out a lot.
Flash forward, I moved to So Cal in '86 to hit the music scene, then messed up and got a real job. In 2016, I was able to get a transfer back to my home town to look after my mom as she was having health issues and needed me closer. Shawn's dad also had some health concerns and was still trying to manage caring for Shawn, so he had Shawn's older sister move in with him to help out.
In 2018, my Hospice became involved in my mom's care, as it was getting near the time we knew was sure to come. Around that time my uncle was suffering more and more physical pain and depression and decided to end his own life. It was very traumatic for all of us. My mom passed about 3 weeks later.
We had a huge concern because there was a high probability that my two cousins would not have a place to live. (Long story) So we came up with a plan that I would sell my mom's house and buy my uncle's place and we could life there. (Didn't want to have roommates and go into debt, but I was very concerned that Shawn would get put into a system home of some type, and he has always had family.)
Over the past couple of years, Shawn and I have bonded. He grew up on Elvis, The Beach Boys, and all kinds of music that his dad enjoyed with him, and he has become very enthusiastic about the band and is having a blast being a part of our little thing. He even loves the metal I'm into and says I sound like a werewolf when I get into my most screaming death metal (which isn't really often... just fun now and then.) Cracks me up when he sings along with Arch Enemy and does it himself.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I really want to find something else he can play for his own enjoyment and figured maybe some of you would have some ideas.
Thanks!
