[musictlk] question ABOUT MEMBERSHIPS

Mon Oct 20 01:04:19 UTC 2014

Hi, Vejas and all,

Just to clarify what I did and did not say, I never said anything
about needing to be good at music theory to use Goodfeel as was
implied by one of Josh's latter messages in this thread.  I have been
using the program for 4 years now (I learned it when I was 16 at the
Summer Braille Music Institute, which unfortunately isn't running
consistently due to lack of applicants).  What I was saying was that
if you are serious about music at the high school or college level, or
intend to be, having this software is going to be a huge asset to your
education.  It has been a great learning tool for me, in addition to
giving me a way of completing my assignments independently or with
minimal assistance from others.

I actually learned the software when my knowledge of theory was very
limited.  I applied for the Summer Braille Music Institute because I
wanted to take my high school's theory course in preparation for
college theory, and needed to learn how to use Goodfeel, improve my
braille music reading skills, and see how other blind musicians work
around accessibility issues so that I would know how to advise my
teacher.  That same week, I remember Oliver (the theory teacher) was
teaching me about the different types of 7th chords, since then I only
knew about major and minor triads.  This kept me pretty occupied for
the week in our private lessons, as by teaching me seventh chords he
also had to teach me about augmented and diminished intervals which I
had not previously learned.

So, as you can tell, I was not good at theory when I started using the
software, but it has played a huge role in helping me to become a
pretty good theorist and student.  Now I'm using it in combination
with a braille score to do my professor's version of Schenkerian
Analysis.  The program is also very important for my work in music
therapy courses, where I have to create leadsheets of clinical songs I
write for my professors to see; in arranging, where next semester I
will use it for the bulk of my score reading and arrangement; and for
other subjects including music history, ethnomusicology, and
ensembles, so the student transcriber in my department can produce
braille music and files which correspond to musical examples in my
textbooks in-house.

In addition to joining menvi, I'd recommend talking to Bill McCann or
someone on the Goodfeel list about the software.  There are also
testimonials on the web site, www.dancingdots.com.  I'd also recommend
checking out the web site for the National Resource Center for Blind
Musicians at www.blindmusicstudent.org.  David Goldstein heads up that
program, and if you let him know you're interested he can keep you
informed if the Summer Braille Music Institute ever gets back in
order.  I do know that the staff is trying to make the program even
better than it was by interviewing past students, so hopefully it does
get up and running again.  I loved it!  There were also scholarships
available when I went, which at most paid for nearly half of the
tuition.  Hopefully those will still be around if the program comes
back too.

On 10/19/14, David Andrews via musictlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Wrong!!!
>
> GoodFeel is braille music translation software from Dancing Dots
> http://www.dancingdots.com
>
> Dave
>
> At 10:10 PM 10/10/2014, you wrote:
>>She's saying if you're good in Music Theory.
>>
>>On 10/10/14, Vejas Vasiliauskas via musictlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> > Hi,
>> > Thank you for the information.  What is Goodfeel?
>> > Vejas
>> >
>> >  ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: Kaiti Shelton via musictlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org
>> > To: Linda Mentink <mentink at frontiernet.net>,Music Talk Mailing List
>> > <musictlk at nfbnet.org
>> > Date sent: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:57:57 -0400
>> > Subject: Re: [musictlk] question ABOUT MEMBERSHIPS
>> >
>> > Also, if you're looking for something a little more specific, there
>> > are other list serves.  My favorite is MENVI, which stands for the
>> > Music Education Network for the Visually Impaired.  You can join at
>> > menvi.org.
>> >
>> > If you're a Goodfeel user, there is also a list serve on freelists for
>> > that.  Both lists are really helpful if you're seriously studying
>> > music at the high school or college level, or aspire to at some future
>> > point.
>> >
>> > Hope this helps.
>> >
>> > On 10/8/14, Linda Mentink via musictlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> >  Hi Vejas,
>> >
>> >  There is only the performing arts division, nationally.  There used to
>> >  be a national music division, which was the sponsor of this list.  It
>> >  is now a group, no dues paid annually.  Groups and divisions meet each
>> >  year at the national conventions.  However, there may be a music
>> >  division in your state.
>> >
>> >  Blessings,
>> >
>> >  Linda
>> >
>> >  At 05:11 PM 10/8/2014, you wrote:
>> > Hi All,
>> > I was wondering if there is a music-talk division? If so, how do I
>> > join and where do I go to do so?
>> > Thanks,
>> > Vejas
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >  _______________________________________________
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>> >
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Kaiti
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>--
>>Joshua Lester
>>Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ
>>"Then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized everyone of you in
>>the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall
>>receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," (Acts, 2:38.)
>>
>
>          David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
> E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>
>
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-- 
Kaiti