Learning an instrument
Learning and playing an instrument by ear can be extremely rewarding, and ideal for someone who is unable to get out and about or finds the cost of private tuition too much. Here are some details of some organisations which produce audio recordings of music tutorials.
Bill Brown's music lessons by ear
These music lessons on tapes, CD or MP3s offer excellent instruction in bass, drums, banjo, guitar, piano or saxophone. Choose from single lessons or complete courses. In each course or individual lesson, your teacher will demonstrate the song or passage for you, then talk you through it in full detail indicating fingering, strings and frets.
You can get these lessons on loan from the RNIB National Library Service (contact 0161 355 2000), or get in touch with Bill Brown himself by writing to:
Bill Brown
704 Habersham Road
Valdosta
GA 31602
USA
Penny Weedon's keyboard music
This is a set of five CDs teaching keyboard to beginners. The series takes you from the basics of picking out a melody by ear to how to put chords in the left hand. It uses popular melodies to illustrate new material. The first CD also gives advice on buying a keyboard and where to find your nearest keyboard clubs.
The cost is £35 for a set of five CDs, claiming to offer a year's worth of learning. This set is available from:
JPW Distribution
24 Warden Hill Road
Cheltenham
GL51 3AW
Telephone: 01242 701 844
Quintus Benziger
Quintus Benziger produces tailor made tapes or CDs that guide you through the music you want to play on the piano or other instruments.
Finding a music teacher
You might prefer to be taught by a live human being rather than a disembodied voice! You need to choose a teacher who suits you and is prepared to work at your pace. You should ask if your local library or music shop has a list of teachers, or contact the following organisation:
Incorporated Society of Musicians' (ISM) Register of Professional Private Music Teachers
The teachers who are listed in this register maintain a professional and responsible approach to their work. Teachers are approved for inclusion after careful scrutiny of their qualifications, experience and achievements by their colleagues in the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
The register has a key with various codes. For teachers who cater for people with physical disabilities, special educational needs or learning difficulties, the code is the Greek letter omega. Copies of this register can be found in your local library.
Learning vocal and choral music
Choraline
Choraline produce part-specific cassettes and CDs, developed by singers, designed to help choral singers of all abilities to learn a part quickly and efficiently.
Saffron Choral PROMPT
Saffron Choral PROMPT offers a unique series of recordings to help singers learn their parts created by Quintus Benziger. Each recording features one separate voice-part (for example, 2nd alto, 1st bass) of a particular choral work, in English or the original language. The voice-part is sung at normal speed, with a piano accompaniment including helpful cues from other parts.
Cyberbass
Cyberbass has a free real-time resource where one can listen to a rehearsal track for the major works. Useful for those who would prefer not to bear the additional cost of buying a rehearsal CD.
Lighting
Adapting the lighting where you are can often improve music making. Use of an angle-poise stand with lamp for print music is often helpful.
Find out more about lighting.
Playing from music scores
Braille music
If it's a long time since you learned the braille music code, you can refresh your memory with braille music tutor books from RNIB. Please call RNIB Customer Services on 0303 123 9999.
Find out if your favourite piece of music is available in braille in the RNIB Library Catalogue, a directory of information in accessible formats. If the music you want is available in braille, the site will tell you who to contact.
If the piece you want is not available, we can transcribe it into braille. For more information contact RNIB Customer Services on 0303 123 9999.
Print music
Modified Stave Notation is an alternative to making large scale photocopies of traditional sheet music. It's produced on a computer via a score writing programme. The paper size is kept to A4, making it easier to handle.
The score writing programme allows you to change individual features. For example, you can specify thicker stave lines, fingering in bold and dynamic markings in clearer fonts. To find out more and look at examples, contact our Transcription Centre (01752 69 00 92 / ruth.frampton@rnib.org.uk).
Using your computer to make music
If you have a computer at home, you can use it to learn a new instrument or compose your own music. With online music lessons and readily available software, suited to all levels of musical ability, a home computer can be a great way to learn an instrument at your own speed.
With the ever-growing power of home computers, many different software packages are available to record and edit your music. From basic MIDI sequencers to full-blown recording studios in a box, there is a piece of software to suit. Budget may not need to be a problem as there are many freeware audio and MIDI sequencers available.
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The Quick Windows Sequencer is a free, easy, and accessible basic MIDI sequencer.
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Sonar by Cakewalk is a more sophisticated audio and MIDI production tool. With the addition of the JAWS CakeTalking scripts for Sonar, it is also very accessible to a blind user.
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If you use screen magnification such as Zoom Text, lunar or the Windows XP Magnifier on a PC, or Zoom on a Macintosh, there are many freeware and shareware programs as well as commercial products such as Digidesign's Protools, Apple's Logic and Steinberg's Cubase amongst many others.
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Sibelius and the JAWS scripts Sibelius Speaking is a great way to produce and manipulate your own scores.
For more information regarding music software and access technology, please call the RNIB Music Advisory Service on 020 7388 1266 or email mas@rnib.org.uk
Memorisation techniques
Most people with serious sight difficulties rely on memorisation more than their fully sighted peers when making music. MAS is currently researching this area in detail and would welcome contributions from any interested party. Please send comments to mas@rnib.org.uk