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Quadriplegic creates drum technology

Shared by Ana Duarte on 2017-05-15 10:25

About the solution

Jason became a C6/C7 incomplete quadriplegic in 1994, after a car accident, when he was driving home.

"[The doctors] said 'you're probably never going to walk and probably never going to play the drums again. It was like a nuclear bomb was dropped on my life. I thought my career was over”, he recalled.

Over the years, Jason regained the use of his arms, and he never gave up on his passion about the drums.

For a while, he got by with a special setup that triggered a bass drum noise when he hit a certain pad with a drumstick. But this system was not good enough for Jason.

So he built a technology that allows him to trigger a bass drum sound while continuing to play the snares, cymbals, and the rest of the drum set, using a mouthpiece. The inventor rigged the mouthpiece to control tiny rubber sensors under each cymbal. Anytime he sucks on the mouthpiece while simultaneously hitting one of the cymbals, a bass drum noise is triggered from a small subwoofer situated directly inside the bass drum casing. 

He can move the sensors under any of part of the drum set. It took Jason ten years to develop this drum kit.

By 2004, Jason was playing the drums professionally, and now he has no desire to patent his innovation.

"If people want to know how to build their own triggers, then, by golly, they can just contact me. I'll give them the information for free. Encouragement shouldn't come at a price”.

Jason also started his own music production business, Jammin’ Grooves LLC.

Adapted from: http://cnn.it/2rhXY16

More info: http://www.wheelchairdrummer.com
https://youtu.be/GAL_z-gBSoQ

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Jason Gerling, born in 1971, in USA, is a disabled drummer who invented a kit to play the drums, because the special setup he had for his drums was not suitable for him. The system allows Jason to play the drums without using his legs, and using a mouthpiece.

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