Music in the Sensory Room

If we had to choose the single most powerful influence on mood, it would have to be music. Film makers have recognised this since the dawn of the movie. In the days of the silent film, there would be a pianist who played tunes in harmony with the action. Later with the advent of what were known as talkies, the directors either used an existing composition or commissioned one. Some of these soundtracks have become iconic. The point is that sound, particularly music, sets the mood.

Many sensory rooms incorporate a music system and we are sure practitioners have become quite adept at choosing appropriate tunes or sounds. TFH have always been interested in the correlation between music, mood and action. For some time we have been exploring the idea that the music could control the equipment to produce an even more immersive experience. The most famous existing example is probably Music for the Royal Fireworks, although it is unlikely that the actual firework display was ever controlled by Handel’ composition.

After a few false starts we believe that we have now brought our concept to the sensory room. TFH have a branch in Sweden - TFH Europa - and we have used the expertise of a well-known music therapist, composer and technician, to develop the Huub (Swedish for whoops)

This is how it works.

The Huub has been pre-loaded with a selection of tunes and Jon’s own compositions. When the tune is played the visual effects of the room change in harmony with the music. When the melody is gentle and soothing, the changes are also gradual and mesmeric. When the beat increases so the changes are more dramatic. It is the reverse of the movie, where the action drives the music, with the Huub, the music drives the action.

The Huub is controlled by the TFH Conductor