Paralyzed Man Rocks with Jamboxx Musical Device He Invented
Author: Duncan Crary
Published: 2018/06/20 - Updated: 2023/10/01
Publication Type: Product Release / Update
Topic: Electronics and Software - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Paralyzed man rocks air guitar national anthem at baseball stadium with Jamboxx musical device he invented. Jamboxx is a harmonica-like device that attaches to a computer and allows people with limited mobility to create music with their breath. Moving the mouthpiece left or right determines which note is played.
Introduction
A quadriplegic man played the national anthem on the "air guitar" before Saturday's Tri-City ValleyCats game using a musical device he created to overcome his disability. Dave Whalen, 56, of Scotia, N.Y. has been paralyzed from the neck down since a ski accident at age 19. At 7 p.m. on June 16, Whalen performed The Star Spangled Banner on a Jamboxx before the New York-Penn League team's second home game of the season against the Vermont Lake Monsters at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y. Now he hopes that with this stunning rendition he will get noticed by a Major League sports club that invites him to play the anthem before a national audience.
Main Item
Harmonica-Like Device
Jamboxx is a harmonica-like device that attaches to a computer and allows people with limited mobility to create music with their breath. Moving the mouthpiece left or right determines which note is played.
Because he does not have the use of his hands, Whalen uses the Jamboxx's hands-free bracket.
True Air Guitar Anthem
The Jamboxx is an electric synthesizer that can play any instrument, including piano, saxophone, violin, and drums. Whalen set his Jamboxx set to play the national anthem on electric guitar on Saturday.
"When you wake up and your hands have been paralyzed through spinal injury or ALS or Multiple sclerosis, you can only dream of playing the guitar," said Whalen, a fan of electric guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix. "My rendition of the national anthem is a true air guitar performance, because I play the Jamboxx with my breath. This is the dream of someone who can't physically play the guitar. And it sounds awesome."
Though Whalen said his playing should make famous fictional air guitar aficionados Wayne and Garth of SNL skit "Wayne's World" proud, his true aim is to show the world that people with disabilities can Rock 'n' Roll with the best of them.
"I want more people to experience music and enjoy themselves," Whalen said.
He dedicated his performance to Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).
Whalen and his friend Mike DiCesare invented and developed the Jamboxx over the past 10 years.
The Jamboxx is now commercially available in a number of styles that are designed, manufactured and assembled in Albany, N.Y.
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Duncan Crary and published on 2018/06/20, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Duncan Crary can be contacted at jamboxx.com NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.