Music & Dis/Ability: Inclusive Perspectives in the Argentinian Context

Abstract

When approaching music inclusion in Argentina, several issues need be considered. The socioeconomic fragility of the context is, of course, one of the biggest obstacles for music inclusion, although not the only factor affecting the local field. When applied to people with diverse dis/abilities, the traditional music pedagogic paradigm shows significant limitations in many areas. Overcoming them entails the implementation of a wide range of alternatives to face the challenges posed by a multiplicity of dis/abilities. I claim that improvisation—though not yet a well-developed facet of Western music education—has great potential for music inclusion. I advocate for an ethical approach to the subject by conceiving of music as a right. From this stance, music is an important arena for the inclusion of people with dis/abilities in our societies, and the limited conditions for the development of music for people with dis/abilities hamper the effective exercise of such right. In this sense, this article links music inclusion to social responsibility.