[Faith-talk] Braille Music

[Julie McGinnity]

I usually memorize lyrics quickly, so after a bit, I don't have to
look at them.

It's funny...  Sighted people have the same debate about whether or
not learning music is worth it.  I think knowing a little is worth it
for basic music playing.  Then at least, you can speak the language
and can play things through on your own without having to dig out a
recording or find a sighted person to play it for you.

I used to play the piano with one hand on the music and the other
playing out the melody for that hand.  It wasn't the best way to
practice piano technique, but it was good for learning music.  I will
say that I am rare among blind people in that I am not so good at
learning by ear.  I can do it, but it's more because I have a good
memory than because I can tell you the different intervals in a song
and hear them perfectly.  I agree with Caiti though that having to
learn by ear gives us an advantage as blind people because most
sighted people are never forced to learn that way.

But that brings me to another point.  Anyone going into music or
planning on taking music lessons shouldn't give up on learning Braille
music because sighted students are expected to learn it.  I don't
think we should be excluded(or should exclude ourselves) from learning
music simply because we are blind, and we think Braille music is
harder.  Remember that most sighted people think that Braille is
harder, and don't we all think that's silly?  Braille music is a
challenge, yes, but no more than learning print music is for a sighted
person.  We shouldn't sell ourselves short by neglecting to learn
something that our sighted colleagues(in many circumstances) have
learned.

On 12/26/13, Rob Kaiser <rcubfank at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I have sung in choirs for years as well and I usually pic up things very
> fast or, it is music I have done before when I comes to singing in church
> choir or for instance our treelighting in the city of Orange.
>
> Because of my leg issues, when I am singing with the Orange Community Master
>
> Chorale, I (after rehearsal the day of the conceret) usually stay on stage
> instead of going dowstairs and trying to process with everybody else. WWhen
>
> my leg was healthier, I did prosess withg everybody else each concert. When
>
> I was going to school, I had a leaderdog. We had a concert at the Scottish
> Right cathedral in Chicago my sophomore year. There really wasn't a lot of
> room for Nugget, my dog so my dad locked her up in an office. Durring one of
>
> the quietest peaces (A Boy was Born in Bethleham by Bengamen Britton)
> Nugget, somehow got out of the office and ran through three different
> buildings to get to me on stage. When she was running down the isle, it
> sounded like horse hooves. We had to repeat the peace all over again.
>
> After all was said and done everyone including the dirrector laught about
> the phone situation.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: debby phillips
> Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 7:58 PM
> To: Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion ;
> faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Braille Music
>
> Hi Ashley, as I said in an earlier email, you could either hold
> it at your side or use a folding cane for choir use.  You could
> follow the person in front of you by gently touching their foot
> as they walk in front out you, and stopping when they do.  As for
> reading Braille music and lyrics, I know it can be done, but you
> have to read the lyrics with one hand and the notes with the
> other.  I find that rather awkward to even think about.  I have
> sung with choirs for years and years (up until now when I'm not
> part of a church anymore) and if one listens carefully most of
> the time you can get the notes that are being sung.    Blessings,
> Debby
>
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-- 
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16