[blindkid] Braille Music question

[Dr. S. Merchant]

I totally believe in learning to read Braille music.  Hearing a part and
memorizing it fine to a certain level.  But to really be able to go to a
higher level, I really think it is necessary or at least very helpful.  No
one argues when you talk about learning Braille as opposed to people reading
you your assignments, textbooks etc.. but when it comes to Braille music a
lot of the same people that are staunch supporters of Braille, think hearing
the music and memorizing is OK.  

Having been heavily involved in music through the first part of college and
having a blind son, I really wanted him to love music as much as I did.  He
learned to play piano and cornet and learned to read Braille music.  It is
no more difficult than reading regular Braille.  I am afraid that people's
hesitation (or lack of support/lack of feeling it is important) is the same
reason at times that people don't support Braille.  They (the adults) are
concerned that they don't understand it, that they can't help or that it is
just too hard.

It really isn't.  It is built around the 8 notes of the scale with a sign in
front of the note a-g that gives the length of the note (whole, half,
quarter eighth etc..) and when building a cord in the left hand you start
with the top note and then it tell the distance down from that note to the
other notes in the cord - in the right hand you build on the cord from the
bottom note and work up. Each octave has its own symbol so you know which
"a" on the scale to play, the different length of rest have their own
symbols etc... but it really is a very logical  

I strongly encourage it.  It makes them music literate, no less important
than knowing regular Braille and nemeth Braille.  Having said that I know
many great musicians that don't read Braille music and many very smart well
educated people that don't read Braille.  So, at the end it is personal
choice, but the big question would be "what would be a disadvantage?"

Sandy merchant Taboada



-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of vickie.pellicciotti at aglife.com
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 10:58 AM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindkid] Braille Music question


My daughter is going into 9th grade and has been a percussion student in
band since 6th grade.  She is resisting learning braille music.  I think it
is the only way she will really progress in the music world.   I don't see
how she can keep up with the song that is being played without having
something written in front of her even if she can/does memorize her part.
I have no experience with music whatsoever and cannot judge.   She wants to
progress/improve her parts in the music and I think this is the way to go
and otherwise will find this as an obtstacle in the future to her getting
ahead on this.
Any comment from other parents on this?  I have also posted same question
on the music talk deal.



Vickie L. Pellicciotti
Phone:  (713) 831-1076


_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/smerchant%40mail.v
etmed.lsu.edu