Stories from Hackcessible
Discover the experiences of disabled co-designers and students who are creating a more accessible future through collaboration, creativity and making.
Chris with staff and students from Newcastle University
Chris Griffiths: Keeping the music playing
Professional French horn player Chris Griffiths has spent more than sixty years making music. He performed with the Royal Northern Sinfonia for over twenty years before becoming a freelance musician, teacher and conductor. Throughout his career, music has been central to his life. Living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), a neurological condition that causes progressive weakness in the hands and feet, Chris had adapted to many challenges over the years. Twelve years ago, he elected to undergo a double amputation, enabling him to remain active and independent. As the condition continued to affect his hands, however, playing the French horn became increasingly difficult.
"I've been playing the French horn all my life... so long as I can carry on playing chromatic scales accurately, I'm still in the game."
Chris, French horn player
The French horn presents a unique challenge. Its weight is supported by the right hand, while the left operates just three valves. The right hand also sits inside the bell, where even small changes in position affect the instrument's tone and tuning. Although Chris had already switched to the lightest horn he could find, supporting the instrument was becoming painful. Working with Chris over five weeks, a team of engineering students explored a wide range of possible solutions. They researched existing assistive devices, investigated mechanical and electronic concepts, and developed a series of prototypes that balanced stability, comfort and practicality. Every design decision had to respect the needs of both the musician and the instrument: the support had to be lightweight, protect the horn from damage, avoid affecting its sound, and still allow the freedom of movement needed to perform naturally. The final solution combined a lightweight aluminium and carbon-fibre support stand with a bespoke 3D-printed mounting bracket. Using two different printed materials created a secure attachment while protecting the horn from scratches, and the adjustable stand carried the instrument's weight without restricting movement. The impact was immediate.
"Straight away my hand is straight in the bell, which is how it should be. Amazing!"
Attribution
As Chris continued playing, he discovered another unexpected benefit. The support allowed him to rotate the horn naturally, making it easier to drain condensation from the instrument between pieces—a small but important detail that experienced horn players know all too well. The project went on to win Hackcessible 2021. More importantly, it enabled Chris to continue doing what he loves: performing, teaching and making music.