Sonare is a portable, all-in-one musical instrument and teaching tool, thoughtfully designed for older adults. Unlike traditional instruments that rely on fine motor skills and physical strength, Sonare offers a lightweight, ergonomic design. Users can tap or swipe to trigger sounds, enabling collaborative and solo play without the strain of heavy keys or strings. 
On his inspiration behind Sonare, Alex said: “Members of my family (aged 70+) have experienced difficulties playing instruments, and some have had to give up entirely. Other members aged over 60 never learnt, and I was eager to learn why.”
Alex’s design is rooted in empathy and research, addressing the physical, social, and financial barriers that often prevent older adults from learning music. He found that up to 43% of older adults experience social isolation, a challenge often intensified by limited mobility or living alone. Group music-making activities have been shown to offer significant mental health benefits in these contexts.
He also noted that traditional musical instruments can be physically demanding, requiring fine motor skills and strength that many older adults, particularly the nearly one-third of over 60’s who live with osteoarthritis, may find difficult or painful to manage.
Additionally, affordability and ease of use emerged as crucial factors. Many older adults live on fixed incomes, so designing a single, low-cost device that integrates sound, looping, and recording functions eliminates the need for expensive computers or software, allowing music-making to be more accessible and inclusive.
Sonare features three core modes: Solo Play, Local Group Play and Virtual Jam. Built-in speakers, adaptive difficulty, and personalised feedback make individual learning accessible and rewarding, while online features support community and collaboration.
Alex’s long-term goal is to bring Sonare to market as an affordable, user-friendly musical instrument that promotes lifelong creativity, social connection, and emotional wellbeing among older adults worldwide.
Students from the School of Design and Creative Arts (SDCA) showcased their final projects in a physical exhibition on campus from 14-18 June. The Degree Show is a fantastic showcase of the hard work, innovation, and creativity of our graduating students. See Alex’s project on the Degree Show website.