Last updated 2/26/2010
This list provides links and contact information for the organizations and services which have been found useful when people of any age are working on their musical development. We have divided it up into several categories, which thos using screen readers can find by searching for headings, or moving to items at the same level by using the heading level number, mostly levels 2 and 3.
Our first category, called Quick Resources for Getting started, is necessarily biased, but it contains the services to which we have referred people most often.
The second category begins the full list. Several organizations will be mentioned more than once, due to the wide variety of services they offer. In the full list, we have put an asterisk (*) before items we know have been repeated.
The sponsors of this web site have asked us to emphasize that this is not meant to be solely "self-service." If you cannot find what you are looking for, or would lie to talk with someone who knows about your particular interest, please feel free to contact us-Phone 203 366-3300, info@blindmusicstudent.org We may not know the answers ourselves, but will try or best to connect you with someone who does.
Our thanks to all of those we have consulted, listserv members, and the authors of the Resources pages of the Dancing Dots and NFB braille.org web site, which provided many ideas. We welcome yours.
Recording for the Blind
http://rfbd.org
http://www.no-c-notes.com
christina.cotruvo@no-c-notes.com
no.c.notes@gmail.com
LRS: Large Print Textbooks for Visually Impaired Students, Mainstreaming &
Inclusion: Large Print books for Libraries: LargePrintSchoolBooks.com
http://largeprintschoolbooks.com
Main home page for NLS, from which you can use the online catalog:
http://www.loc.gov/nls
For the web page of the Music Section itself:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/music
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides
braille and recorded books on loan through a national network of cooperating
libraries. Materials are made available only to U.S. citizens within the country
and those living abroad, who meet NLS eligibility requirements. The music section
is the country's Largest source of braille, Large print and recorded scores
and instructional materials. Library patrons wishing
to order music must register with the Music Section at the Library of congress
itself and order directly from there. Registration forms are available from cooperating network libraries, or you may call the Music section at the toll-free
number for NLS, 800 424-8567. growing number (close to 1500) of its music holding
have been placed on the NLS Web-Braille system, and may be downloaded by patrons
who have braille-aware devices and have registered to use this system. Those
interested in signing up for Web-Braille should contact their cooperating network
library.
One of the easiest ways to locate music is to use the catalog. From the main NLS home page, search for the link, "Quick Search for the Online Catalog. you can bookmark that page for future reference.
Additional Contact Information for Library of Congress:
Music SectionHome page:
http://www.aph.org
Louis catalog: http//:www.aph.org/louis.htm
Go directly to the online store:
http://shop.aph.org
APH transcribes music primarily on contract, but several scores and lesson books are available for purchase. One of the most popular is the Primer of Braille Music by Jenkins. APH also produces the music transcribing manuals and official braille bcodes for the Braille Authority of North America. APH houses a Union Catalog called Louis, listing books transcribed by agencies around the country, and this should be consulted in any search for music.
Additional Contact Information for APH:
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(800) 223-1839
(502) 895-2405
info@aph.org
This web site of certified transcriber Tina Davidson offers resources for fellow
transcribers, educators,
and blind guitarists who read braille music or who would like to learn braille
music!
Topics include classical guitar music, guitar chords & strumming,
and voice & guitar arrangements, public domain music which may be freely
downloaded or distributed.
A web site in England, with a growing collection of sheet music from well known
music publishers. The site has started with "American Popular Piano",
Novus Via's bestselling piano method,
And will be adding scores from Boosey & Hawkes, Faber Music and other publishers,
offering a broad range of styles and formats. Scores are available for purchase
(using paypal) for download to a computer, or, for an additional handling charge,
may be ordered embossed and mailed. Some free downloads are available.
Additional Contact Information for Prima Vista:
Elizabeth HouseThe following lists may be helpful if you are looking for someone to transcribe music. Finding a transcriber is still mvery often a matter of "shopping", calling ones that seem likely, finding out whether they can handle the particular type of work you need done, whether they have time for an additional assignment and how much time it would take to complete, , and a price quote. Often material can be mailed or faxed to a transcriber, with the transcriber either mailing hardcopy or the file in a format, such as .brf, that can be embossed at school or at home.
Go to the Music Section's home page link and search for Circular 4, Braille Music Transcribers, available in HTML and braille formats.
The NBA works directly with music transcribers, provides support and workshops, and may be able to connect you with someone.
Additional Contact Information for National Braille Association:
95 Allens Creek RoadAdditional Contact Information for National Braille Press:<
88 Saint Stephen StreetAmong its many products and services, Dancing Dots will transcribe music using its GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator.
Additional Contact Information for Dancing Dots:
1754 Quarry Lane http://www.papermusic.org
info@papermusic.org
Transcriber Andrew English, of New Mexico, produces materials in a variety of formats for blind and visually impaired students.
Additional Contact Information for Alternate Text Production Center:
71-A Day RoadFrom existing print or electronic documents, the ATPC creates alternate media products for use by California Community College students with print-related disabilities.
Has enlarged music in its collection and can produce music to order.
Has books on all aspects of music, including music history and theory, useful for all students, including braille readers, when braille is not available.
Additional Contact Information for RFB&D
20 Roszel Roadhttp://www.NO-c-notes.com
christina.cotruvo@no-c-notes.com or
no.c.NOtes@gmail.com
A concise pamphlet from which hundreds of students have learned. It has good exercises, but needs the aid of a knowledgeable teacher to explain the braille and music concepts.
http://www.opustec.com
Also available from
National Braille Press
and
Dancing dots
Very good and concise explanations, written at a fifth grade vocabulary level, of how the braille music code works, as it would be used especially by students in elementary school. Must be supplemented with exercises or actual music, such as band material, since the book does not contain exercises.
Additional Contact Information for Opus Technologies
13333 Thunderhead Street
San Diego, CA 92129-2329
Toll-free Phone: (866) OPUSTEC or (866) 678-7832
Phone: (858) 538-9401
Fax: (858) 538-9401
opus@opustec.com
This is for use by people who already know the music code. It provides definitions and instances in the many ways the signs may be used.
From the Braillem web site:
http://brenthugh.com/braillem/brmintro.html
Charts in braille and .pdf formats compiled by Jennifer Dunnam at the National
Federation of the Blind's braille.org site:
From the link below, search for "Braille Literacy Resources" and then
"music."
http://www.aille.org
http://www.tack-tiles.com
Also available from Dancing Dots
This is a set of braille music symbols on Lego® style blocks, that may be
fitted onto a board. Note that this learning aid costs $695.
GOODFEEL suite of products for translating music into braille, with components
to be used by blind and sighted people in a variety of situations: Sharp-Eye,
Lime, and the GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator convert print music into braille;
Lime with the Lime Aloud scripts allow a blind student to enter print notation
for theory and composition, for reading by teachers and colleagues. A new reading system magnifies music on a screen for low-vision readers.
Cakewalk Sonar is used by professional musicians and people of all ages to make
professional quality recordings. Dancing dots is a source for all necessary
aspects of a a music system, from sound cards and keyboards to embossers and
braille devices. Also braille music courses and training materials as listed
above.
Additional Contact Information for Dancing Dots
1754 Quarry LaneOpusdots Lite, a simple translation program for single-part music, and Toccata, a full braille music translation system.
Additional Contact Information for Opus Technologies
13333 Thunderhead StreetA plug-in for Finale for Windows that allows the creation of Braille music scores
This is the textbook for the Library of Congress' music braille transcription
course.
Print and braille editions available for download from the http://www.loc.gov/nlsmusic
Music Section, hardcopies may be purchased from the http://www.aph.org American
Printing House
And http://www.opustec.com Opus Technologies.
Supports braille transcribers through a committee of experts, publications and articles about braille music, and workshops at national development conferences.
Additional Contact Information for National Braille Association:
95 Allens Creek RoadHome page: http://www.blindmusicstudent.org
The Resource Center provides information, referral, and special programs for those who are blind or visually impaired studying music. It is a division of Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, a school of the arts in Bridgeport Connecticut.
Additional Contact Information for the National Resource center:
Additional Contact Information for the Filomen M D'Agostino Greenberg Music School
111 East 59th StreetAdditional Contact Information for Braille Music Division
SCCMLesson Tapes, CD's, and downloads for purchase for Learning Guitar, piano, and Other Instruments. Many of Mr. Brown's courses are available from the http://www.loc.gov/nls/musicNLS Music Section.
Recorded Instructional materials and courses for a variety of instruments and at at all levels are available from the http://www.loc.gov/nls/music NLS Music Section
An international coalition of parents, educators and students. This is a membership organization, though its web site is available to all. Those who become members (membership is free) have access to each other through a roster, and can also get in touch with experts in a variety of different music issues for blind people. its listserv allows musicians and others to share information and their experience on such topics as getting through school, performance, and learning braille music. The web site includes articles and other useful tips.
BrailleM is a place for discussing and learning about all aspects of braille
music code. The list is designed to help beginners in Braille music and give
them a place where they can ask questions of more experienced braille music
users. The list will also be useful to more experienced users, who can discuss
about more difficult passages and formats. The list also covers any and all
subjects related to braille music, such as where to find teaching materials,
where to order braille music material, how to transcribe music into braille
music code, and so on. Directions for subscribing to the list are provided on the home page.
A national organization for Blind, Visually Impaired, and Deaf-Blind artists,
musicians and writers, sculptors, painters, raconteurs,
dancers, actors, musicians, and art enthusiasts."An affiliate of the American
council of the Blind.
A listserv of blind musicians sharing their experience and supporting each other
in the use and access to electronic music devices. interested
The web site, still under construction, has instructions for subscribing to
the list.
Resource for educators, support, publications and conferences
Additional contact Information for AER
1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 440The extensive web site has many areas for exploration, including Career Connect, AccessWorld, information for families and elders, and directories of agencies and services.
The web site has lists of services, products, and technology companies that can be helpful.
Additional Contact Information for Blindskills
Blindskills, Inc.Administrators of the schools communicate with each other through this organization and web site. Contains a directory of schools.
This is another area in which the prospective student will need to shop for a program customized to individual needs. Some possibilities are
The Low Vision page on this web siteprovides a good place to start. Check this Resource List page for sources of large print music.
The vendors below provide aids or support and transcription services useful to musicians with low vision.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto Ontario Canada
M4g 3E8
(416) 480-7520
Attn: Christina Lockerby
E-mail lockerby@lib.cnib.org
http://www.cnib.org
Extensive music library.
The library houses music published by the Royal National Institute, plus the holdings of the National Library of the Blind, which merged with the Institute in 2007. US readers may arrange interlibrary loans through the Library of Congress.
Among its services is the sale and publication of braille music, which may be purchased by readers in other countries, or borrowed through its RNIB National Library Service.
The RNIB's Music Advisory Service, based primarily at RNIB headquarters in London, provides support to any blind or partially sighted people with their music making. Besides its direct services and resource sharing, it also produces modified stave notation. The music team may be reached by e-mail at
mas@rnib.org
Contact Information for RNIB Headquarters:
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
ENGLAND
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Fax: 020 7388 2034
RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999
helpline@rnib.org.uk
http://www.rnib.org.uk
One of the World's largest collections of music; maintains a database of music and music books in several European countries.
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