The purpose of the present study is to develop an accessible electronic musical instrument “Cymis” for persons with motor dysfunction to play and enjoy by controlling their breath pressure. The instrument consists of a computer, a monitor, a breath pressure controller, speakers and a touch panel. It is significant characteristics of Cymis that pre-programmed music scores are stored in the computer. It is indispensable for the practical use of the breath pressure controller that sterilization, maintenance, overhaul and trial manufacture can be easily carried out by end users, e. g., staffs of social welfare facilities and school teachers as well as technical experts. The controller was devised from this viewpoint. For safety the breath pressure was measured indirectly with the aid of a silicone diaphragm and a pneumatic sensor. Accurate measurement of the breath pressure was experimentally indicated. Taking account of their own physical conditions and music making abilities, clients can choose an appropriate one among four types of musical performances, measure-, beat-, note- and standard type-performance. Subjects without motor dysfunction could play Cymis properly with the controller in laboratory experiments. Field trial in a social welfare facility commenced in 2008;one client with cerebral palsy has enjoyed playing Cymis with the controller about half an hour a week for four years. These results seemed to indicate the usefulness that Cymis was attractive to the disabled and permitted them to do an enjoyable activity.
