Learning

Braille music

Summary: About braille music, how to learn it, and where to get learning materials from. Details of transcription services and software.

• How is Braille music different from stave notation?
• How can I learn braille music?
• How can I get pieces in Braille music?

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Braille music uses a system of six raised dots to represent the pitch and rhythm of each note. The top two rows represent the pitch and the bottom row is used for rhythm.

Braille music was invented along with the literary code by Louis Braille, and rose to prominence in the 1920s.

Some other common formats used by blind and partially sighted people are Modified Stave Notation and Talking Scores.

How is Braille music different from stave notation?

It's harder to scan

Scanning for a particularly sign is much harder in Braille music than in print. In braille music, all the signs used have to appear left to right, one at a time. This is different from stave notation, where notes are displayed vertically in chords, and other signs like phrase markings are put above or below them.

The number of signs is limited

Braille has fewer signs than print music and they are frequently used in combination. This means that it's easy for new readers of braille to get confused.

For example, around a particular note there may be:

• preceding it, a dynamic marking, then an accidental, then an octave indication
• the note itself
• after the note, a sign to show added duration, a fingering number and a slur sign to the next note.

For brevity, braille music uses repeat signs more frequently than in print. Braille also needs to use a sign to specify in which octave to play a particular note.

Braille usually needs to be memorised

The braille reader normally has to read, memorise and then play a piece. You read braille with your hands, so you can't usually play an instrument at the same time.

If you're teaching a group who are playing from different formats, you may find that the braillist takes a lot longer to learn a score than a print reader.

How can I learn braille music?

The most common way to learn braille music is while learning an instrument, often the piano or electronic keyboard, with a teacher or from a tutorial package.

Braille books

Several mainstream beginner books are available in braille music, though learning this way does not introduce braille musical terms and syntax in a progressive way. To see if a particular tutor book is available in braille, see the RNIB Library Catalogue.

There are some tutor books specifically designed for learning the Braille music code whilst learning singing or an instrument. The most frequently used of these in the UK is a book for pianists:

• Braille Music for Beginners, by Joan Partridge (1994), RNIB Peterborough.

If you want to learn to "hear" the symbols in your mind, and work on memorisation skills in a graduated way, try:

• An Introduction to Music for the Blind Student, or
• A Course in Braille Music Reading, Parts I and II.

These are both by Richard Teasch and available from Dancing Dots.

Getting tested on braille music skills

Young people up to the age of 19 have an opportunity to test their Braille music skills and receive formal feedback on their achievements, by entering the annual Gardner’s Trust Braille Music Literacy Tests. For more information, telephone 020 7391 2273.

How can I get pieces in Braille music?

To check UK availability, consult the RNIB Library Catalogue. The piece you want may already be available in Braille music, though you may need to check it is the edition you require and in a Braille format with which you are familiar.

The Library stocks at least one copy of all pieces of music brailled through the formal transcription agencies listed below for loan.

For teaching materials and other formats, see music resources.

If the piece is not already transcribed, there are two main routes to getting it transcribed:

• get an official Braille music transcriber to do it for you, or
• produce it yourself.

Using an official braille transcriber

Currently the four official transcribers for Braille music in the UK are:

• RNIB Peterborough: email cservices@rnib.org.uk
• HMP Prison Full Sutton: email colin.davis01@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
• Golden Chord
• Braille Transcan: 01743 35 09 26

When negotiating with any of these organisations, do ask for an estimate of how long the transcription will take and what it will cost.

Doing your own transcription: manual

You may wish to train a sighted reader to read music precisely how you need it, so you can write the music down, either using a manual brailler, such as a Perkins machine, or using a braille note taker.

Software transcription packages

Some computer packages will transcribe stave notation into Braille music, if you use them in combination with other compatible devices (such as scanners). Usually some sighted assistance is required for tidying up the scanned stave notation score.

Some commonly used Braille music translation packages are:

• GOODFEEL
• Toccata
• Braille Music Editor

Learn more about GOODFEEL in our music technology factfile -braille music.

Private collections of braille music

Some Braille music users have extensive personal libraries of scores. You can get in touch by joining a group such as the Visually Impaired Musicians Association.

Music Advisory Service home

Content author: mas@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13