This page gives details of products for playing music on cassette, CD or MP3, accessing digital radio, music shows, music-related books and magazines.
Products for playing music on cassette, CD or MP3
RNIB sells a range of products for listening to music. below are links to our online shop where you can find out more and place an order. For more details, please contact the RNIB Helpline by telephone on 0303 123 9999.
As well as playing Daisy publications such as RNIB Talking Books, Daisy players can also play conventional audio and MP3s. Our range of Daisy players include desktop models which play CDs and portable models which play files from SD memory cards.
Daisy players have several useful features for listening to music, such as
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resuming playback from the last position rather than the beginning of the CD
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a sleep timer
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voice guidance
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tactile controls
there is more detailed information on buying a Daisy player from RNIB to help you choose the ideal model for you.
Voice Recorders
Voice recorders are ideal for recording gigs or lessons and can also play music files in various file formats.
Radio
Visit our radio section to find out more about accessing digital radio, internet radio, catch up radio and RNIB's Insight Radio station. RNIB sells a range of analogue and digital radios. Our TVonics talking Freeview+ HD recorder gives access to all the Freeview radio and music channels. You can pause, rewind and record your favourite programmes.
The British Wireless for the Blind Fund supplies radios, radio cassette recorders and CD players to registered blind and partially sighted people, over the age of 8, who are in need and who live in the UK. Contact the British Wireless for the Blind Fund on 01634 83 25 01.
RNIB's own radio station Insight Radio broadcasts online 24 hours a day via the Insight Radio website. You can also listen via Sky Channel 0188 and in Glasgow on 101FM, or on freesat channel 777. For more information about digital radio call the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Music programmes
Music Box
Music Box is a programme of classical music presented each week by Sandra Gayer for insight Radio. To listen live or to catch up with past episodes, visit the Music Box page on the Insight Radio website.
Nostalgic music
National Music for the Blind (NMFB) produces music programmes, presented in radio-show style as part of a package sent on USB Memory Sticks.
The service, which is fortnightly, comprises nostalgic music from around the world, many tracks of which are rarely heard on modern radio today.
NMFB's own library holds over two million titles covering old 78s, vinyl LPs and singles, tapes and CDs of which many are being digitised as time allows.
NMFB's 14 day listen and return USB stick service also includes a Radio Play, A Documentary, Short Story, Radio Serials and Comedy. For more information please email music4blind@gmail.com or telephone 01704 228010 (24 Hour Answerphone).
Radio guides in accessible formats
RNIB produces weekly Radio guides with programme information for the national BBC radio stations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Live, Talk Sport and Absolute Radio. There is also an optional supplement giving details of the BBC's regional services in Scotland, Wales and Ulster.
In addition, RNIB produces 3FM with full listings for Radio 3 and Classic FM. All guides are published every Friday with special Christmas editions and are available in Braille, on email and on Daisy CD.
To subscribe, or to find out about other music-related magazines in accessible formats from RNIB and National Talking Newspapers and Magazines (NTNM), please contact RNIB Helpline by telephone on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.
VI music
This service is specifically targeted towards music lovers with sight problems, offering a free audio catalogue on tape, detailing a broad range of new music releases. For more information telephone Mark Marriott on 01384 89 44 42.
Books on Music
The RNIB National Library Service contains numerous music-related titles in Braille and on Talking Books available to loan. You can search the online Talking Book catalogue or browse the online library catalogue or contact our reader services team for assistance in finding titles.
Music-related subjects covered include:
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music theory
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jazz - biographies and history
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instrument tutors
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classical composers' biographies
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musicals
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music hall
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pop music
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opera and choral music.
To browse our collection of books for sale visit the RNIB Booksite or browse the music categories on the online shop.
Getting a book into your preferred format
To find out how you can get a book into your preferred format, visit the RNIB transcription page.