Greater Essex Music Hub Instruments and Equipment Library
Instrument hire for Partners and Schools – Partners and Schools that support the work and outcomes of Greater Essex Music Hub are able to borrow on a short-term loan instruments, equipment and technology from Essex Music Service for use with 0 – 18-year-olds across the Music Hub region of Greater Essex, subject to availability. (If you are a parent or carer and are interested in hiring an instrument for your child, there is further information on this page.)
Why might partners want to hire equipment?
- To support them put on performances
- To make music making more accessible for students (e.g. remove barriers to enable them to make music)
- To reach more students through their work
- To reduce costs involved in obtaining additional instruments/equipment for large scale delivery
What instruments, equipment and technology are available?
- Strings – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass (multiple sizes available)
- Woodwind – Clarinet, Saxophone (alto, tenor, baritone), Flute
- Brass – Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Horn, Euphonium, Tuba
- Keyboards – Electronic keyboards, digital folding pianos (individual use), Stage Piano
- Percussion – Drum Kit, Boomwhacker sets, Djembe drums, Steel Pans
- Guitar – Various sizes of Electric, Acoustic and Bass. Amps also available
- Technology – Music tech packs, Ableton Push/Move, DJ decks (individual and professional)
- PA/performance – PA equipment suitable for indoor and outdoor events (please contact to discuss PA requirements) Wireless handheld mics, head Mics, Wired Solo microphones, Mixing desks, Amps and monitors, Yamaha StagePass 600, Music Stands
SEND and Inclusive Instruments and Equipment
Aimed at: PMLD, MLD, SLD Pupils with impaired movement Suitable for a wide range of learning needs
Group size: 8 – 10 Combine with traditional instruments for larger groups or use as part of an ensemble
Description: Use movement sensor beams and switches to explore a collection of engaging sound sets and videos, develop improvisation skills; create immersive and multi-sensory environments; support storytelling and thematic work; promote movement and dance. Find out more about Soundbeam 6.
Aimed at: SEMH, ASC, ADHD, MLD. Accessible for a wide range of learning needs.
Group size: 2 – 4 per Oddball. Could easily be used in a larger group depending on learning activity.
Description: An exciting ball that turns movement into music via bouncing, twisting, spinning, throwing and tapping to create rhythms, melodies, trigger samples, compose and DJ along to the Sound library. Find out more about Oddball.
Aimed at: SEMH, MLD. Pupils aged 3 upwards, in early phases of dexterity and cognitive development
Group size: 1-2 Students per Soundbop.
Description: Use the bright coloured bops to learn your favourite melodies whilst exploring a range of instrument sounds for creative, accessible play-based musical learning. Find out more about Soundbop.
Aimed at: GLD, MLD. Accessible to a wide range of learning needs – supports pupils developing gross motor skills, reaction skills and ordering skills.
Group size: 4 – 6 per Cosmo set
Could easily be used in a larger group depending on learning activity
Description: The Cosmo Switch is a light-up, multi-colour, highly responsive Bluetooth switch that pairs to the Cosmo app containing a wide range of exciting and engaging music making activities. Find out more about Cosmo Switch.
Aimed at: PMLD, SLD – Accessible to a wide range of learning needs
Group size: 1 Funki per person. Combine with traditional or accessible instruments for using with larger groups.
Description: Brightly coloured, unique instruments making playing and exploring music together easily accessible via joysticks, buttons and pads. Find out more about Funki.
Aimed at: ASC, MLD, SEMH. Pupils whose primary movement is in their fingers.
Group size: 1 – 4 Combine with traditional or accessible instruments for using with larger groups.
Description: Handheld, ultra touch-sensitive device with built-in haptic speaker, that functions as a synthesizer, sampler and looper, allowing the user to play drum patterns, basslines, chord progressions and melody lines using very small movements. Find out more about Orba 2.
Aimed at: PMLD, SLD, MLD Can be adapted for Wheelchair users
Pupils with limited mobility who experience barriers to playing traditional instruments.
Group size: 1 CMPSR per user. Combine with traditional or accessible instruments for using with larger groups or ensembles
Description: A joystick controller that allows the user to play any virtual instrument, simply connect via bluetooth to Swipe, GarageBand, Thumbjam apps etc and perform, compose and record. Large groups can play together with one device each. Find out more about CMPSR.
Aimed at: SEMH, MLD, PMLD. Pupils with limited mobility who experience barriers to playing traditional instruments
Group size: 2 – 4. Combine with traditional instruments for larger groups.
Description: Easily accessible, highly touch sensitive instrument that lets you strum guitar chords, tap out drumbeats, create synth melodies and create complete songs. Find out more about Chorda.
Aimed at: ASC, MLD, SLD, PMLD, SEMH. Can be used across a range of abilities from pupils that are beginning to vocalise to performers
Group size: 1 – 4 or larger groups
Description: Layer up voices, found sounds and instruments, add effects and create complete compositions or use for live performances. Find out more about Boss Looper 505.
Aimed at: SLD, PMLD. Students with very limited mobility
Group size: 1 person per Eye Tracker. Combine with traditional or accessible instruments for using with larger groups or ensembles
Description: Play melodies and chords via eye gaze or head movements connecting to Eye Harp software or the Clarion app, great for inclusion ensembles. Find out more about Tobi Eye Tracker.
Aimed at: SLCN, PMLD, SLD. Pupils with very limited movement, Non-verbal pupils.
Group size: 1 – 2 per switch. Combine with traditional or other accessible instruments for using with larger groups.
A single switch communicator for pupils with very limited movement; trigger recorded samples of vocalised or found sounds, quick and easy to use. Find out more about Smooth Talker Switch.
Aimed at: SEMH, ASC. Requires greater cognitive ability than other accessible instruments listed.
Group size: 1-4 per device
Description: Create beats, samples and melodies via brightly coloured touch sensitive pads linked to Ableton Live software. Find out more about Ableton Push 2.
Aimed at: PMLD, SLD, MLD. Pupils with limited mobility who experience barriers to playing traditional instruments.
Group size: 1 user – Combine with traditional or other accessible instruments for using with larger groups or ensembles
Description: Easy to play futuristic, experimental sounds via hand gestures or body movement without needing to touch the instrument!
Other Instruments/Equipment available (more detail to come): Arcana Strum, Roll up pianos and drum kits, Mel-O-Dee balls, Ocean Wave Drum, Wearable speakers (BASSpak) and (JBL Flip), SEND percussion packs, Tongue drums, Ableton Move
Who is it available to?
All partners of the Hub who have a current signed Music Hub partnership agreement.
Length/terms of hire
The purpose of this scheme is to support partners with short term hire of equipment and instruments for workshops, project or events involving young people from across the Greater Essex area. Hire requests received that are for long period of hire will be considered on a case-by-case basis, to ensure instruments and equipment are not them made unavailable to other partners.
Instruments and equipment will be made available on a first-come-first-served basis, but bookings can only be taken for up to 6 months in advance.
Process to request instruments or equipment
Any partners wishing to borrow any of the listed equipment detailed above, need to complete an application.
We will respond to all requests received within 7 working days.
If the instrument and/or equipment is available for short term loan, we will be in touch to clarify all arrangements.