[MusicTlk] Two quick questions about learning piano pieces and getting better at Braille music

Tue Apr 20 18:44:21 UTC 2021

Jen

I would HOPE that Hannon is available in Braille music.  It is a good resource and … to my knowledge … highly recommended by a lot of piano teachers.  After all, I studied out of it and still practice some of the exercises as I said.  I’d be surprised if it wasn’t available in Braille but I haven’t looked that up.  I use the print version.

As far as the John Thompson method books, I can’t speak to availability in Braille.  You may need to look in the Library of Congress.  Or consult other blind piano students.  This forum would be a good place to start.

Yes, it’s a lot of work, but when you finally get that piece mastered, it’s so satisfying and the hours you had to put in are all worth it.

Best wishes in your music endeavors.  Although I’m not totally blind, if I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Mike J.

Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10

From: Jennifer Bose via MusicTlk<mailto:musictlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 12:35 PM
To: Music Talk Mailing List for Blind Musicians<mailto:musictlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jennifer Bose<mailto:jen10514 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MusicTlk] Two quick questions about learning piano pieces and getting better at Braille music

It all makes sense to me, Mike. Although I've been asking for
resources at the beginning of this thread, I do have some
piano-playing background and want to get back into it. I'd really like
to see these method books available to buy in Braille, though; they're
invaluable. To me, it's a little like learning a sport or anything
else that takes skill and grace and confidence. With a complicated
piece, you can be playing along and all of a sudden come to that point
where you need to know how to play a diminished run or an arpeggio or
a trill and your muscle memory kicks in the way it would if you need
to know how to pitch in baseball or do a really long kick or pass in
football or do a triple axle in skating.

Jen

On 4/20/21, jovian3--- via MusicTlk <musictlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Mike,
>
> I am not sure what the Hannon exercises are since I cannot read print
> anymore. But I do agree about learning arpeggios and certain similar
> patterns because these do occur fairly often in music pieces. But I have
> not
> come across many scale in a piece. The only one I came across that does is
> Sonata in C major by Mozart. I am all for learning theory but my point was
> about practicing scales to perfection.
> Thanks
> Jo
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MusicTlk <musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Mike Jolls via
> MusicTlk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 12:45 PM
> To: musictlk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Mike Jolls <mrspock56 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [MusicTlk] Two quick questions about learning piano pieces and
> getting better at Braille music
>
> Hi Jo
>
> The reason for the scale work, and also practicing exercises such as
> Hannon,
> is because they are useful tools.  In piano, you have scale exercises,
> arpeggios, diminished run exercises, dominant seventh run exercises, trill
> exercises, and so on.  These are all used later when you get into more
> difficult pieces.  Knowing them before you get to the pieces means you
> don't
> have to think as much about how to do them when they show up in these
> pieces.  Your hands and brain are already used to doing them.  Knowing them
> saves you time later.  And you can also "throw them in and be creative"
> when
> you get into a playing situation where they fit.  And it's not always
> classical music where these are used.
>
> I've heard people in the past say .. "why do I need to know all this theory
> stuff?"  .. Or .. "why do I have to know my keys and practice scales?".
> The
> answer is that when you know theory, you know your scales and keys, when
> you've learned these exercises, it makes it easier to play what you want to
> play.  As I say above, when these types of note patterns appear in the
> music, you already know how to play them.
>
> An example is when I was learning how to play "The Easy Winners" by Joplin.
> The music is going along and all of a sudden, there's a diminished run in
> the music.  I had been practicing a diminished run exercise in Hannon
> previously.  My hands were already used to making the movements in the
> technique.  When this showed up in the music, I already knew how to play
> it.
> It took less practicing to learn those few measures than it would have if I
> had to learn the notes AND how to play the pattern.
>
> Sure I understand that there are a lot of people that "just want to play
> the
> music" and they might complain that they aren't trying to get Carnegie Hall
> and aren't a concert pianist.  But trust me.  I spent the time learning the
> exercises.  They are at my disposal to use as I see the need.  My playing
> improved 100% because of knowing these skills and it gave me the confidence
> to know that I could throw in an arpeggio or diminished run, or whatever,
> when I saw the situation arise.  Bottom line, it's worth the time and
> effort.  This is one of those intangible things.  When you're playing and
> you need it, you're glad you know how to do it.
>
> I will say this.  I went through all 60 exercises in Hannon.  I KNOW I
> won't
> use everything on a daily basis, but there are several things in Hannon
> (and
> other exercise books) that are worth their weight in gold that I practice
> on
> a regular basis to keep them sharp.  They are that useful.
>
> Does that give you some understanding as to why to learn the exercises?
>
> And hey, other piano players . what do you have to say?  Am I just blowing
> hot air?
>
> Mike
>
>
> Sent from Mail<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.microsoft.com%2Ffwlink%2F%3FLinkId%3D550986&data=04%7C01%7C%7C96b784a49eac4e8f8db108d90422ade4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637545369260037790%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=mLvYMy%2BcD7Bax7yxtTB%2BTG02IuI1Ik3DeFPXsDkgS8c%3D&reserved=0> for Windows
> 10
>
> From: jovian3 at gmail.com<mailto:jovian3 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10:40 AM
> To: 'Music Talk Mailing List for Blind
> Musicians'<mailto:musictlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: 'Mike Jolls'<mailto:mrspock56 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: RE: [MusicTlk] Two quick questions about learning piano pieces and
> getting better at Braille music
>
> Hi Mike and all,
>
> You mentioned in your email below that it is important to practice scales.
> Can you tell us why that is? I had teachers saying that as well but I
> always
> wondered if this was truly useful or it was just a stall tactic. I mean
> instead of practicing scales why not go and practice the piano piece
> itself?
> It is not like you will be performing scales to others...
> Regards
> Jo
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MusicTlk <musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Mike Jolls via
> MusicTlk
> Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 12:54 PM
> To: Music Talk Mailing List for Blind Musicians <musictlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Mike Jolls <mrspock56 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [MusicTlk] Two quick questions about learning piano pieces and
> getting better at Braille music
>
> Dear Jennifer
>
> I can't speak to reading Braille music, but I can speak to playing
> classical.
>
> First, find a good method book series that can prepare you with some
> simpler
> music, give you theory, etc .  I studied the John Thompson books (I would
> suggest avoiding the Shuam books . too juvenile).  And while you're doing
> that, make sure you study your scales, keys, and exercises such as Hannon.
> I have the book with all 60 exercises.  Hannon is good for stretching your
> fingers, and there are some exercises that you will use in classical
> pieces.
> The Trill (covered in Hannon) is a critical skill, for example.  I've found
> other skills in Hannon that I practice on a regular basis to keep the
> skills
> up.  Starting off with the method book and Hannon and other exercises will
> give you a background when you eventually get to the classical works.  And
> it won't take you that long to get through this prep work if you're
> serious.
> I think I studied for a couple of years before starting to tackle my first
> classical piece (Chopin Nocturne 9 No. 2).  And I really NEEDED to do that
> prep work.
>
> Make sure you have a good teacher.  If you don't have one, get one.  A good
> teacher is worth their weight in gold.  They will save you time.  They'll
> show you fingering patters that will be important when learning certain
> pieces.  They will correct mistakes from becoming bad habits that have to
> be
> broken.  And trust me on this . ALL TEAHCERS ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY.  The
> teacher I had before COVID was a teacher of blind students.  He knew how to
> teach me to play by feel.  That was important because with my poor vision,
> seeing to hit the keys rapidly was a bit beyond my visual ability.  Playing
> by feel and using muscle memory has been key to my success.  My first two
> teachers didn't have a clue about helping me with my vision problem.  My
> third teacher really cut through the problem and helped me a lot.
>
> And let me say, if the teacher that you find that works for you is more
> expensive, PAY IT.  My third teacher was $35 a half hour, but he was SOOOOO
> worth it.  The first two teachers were less money, but they couldn't help
> me
> deal with the vision problem in the way I needed help.
>
> Also, if the teacher tells you all you need to learn is to play chords in
> the left hand and melody in the right (which is what my first teacher did
> ..
> who worked at a music store) .. and says you don't need Hannon, find
> another
> teacher.  I improved so much with learning Hannon, and I wasted a year with
> him.  Well, I did learn SOME THINGS, but I eventually left.
>
> When playing classical pieces, repetition will be key.  Take it a line on
> the page at a time, or maybe even a couple of measures at a time.  Play
> hands separate, and a bit slowly on each hand until you get it in your
> brain.  Then when both hands can play their part and you know the timing,
> play hands together slowly.  As you get the passages you're working on, you
> can speed it up.  Remember what my third teacher told me.  If you can't
> play
> it slowly, you can't play it fast.  SO TRUE!!
>
> In your case with Braille music, you'll be reading it a measure or two at a
> time and learning each hand and putting them together.  I'm a low vision
> sighted player.  I play off of sheet music and read it with a telescope,
> and
> I have to do that too.  The only difference is that I'm reading sheet music
> and you're reading Braille.
>
> I hope that gives you some tips.  So far I've learned how to play (with my
> third teacher's help)
>
> Scott Joplin . Maple Leaf Rag, Easy Winners, The Entertainer Claude
> Debussay
> . Claire De Lune Chopin . Nocturne in Eb major
>
> Each of these pieces took about 3 months at minimum to learn.  It takes
> time
> and dedication and practice on a regular basis but it is sooooo worth it as
> you're going along and you get it.
>
> I've been on my own for about a year because of COVID and I'm learning
> Franz
> Liszt's Liebestraum.  It's definitely challenging.  Maybe I can get back to
> my teacher.  I miss working with him.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from
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>
> From: Debra Baxley via MusicTlk<mailto:musictlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2021 4:23 PM
> To: Jennifer Bose via MusicTlk<mailto:musictlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Debra Baxley<mailto:debrabaxley330 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [MusicTlk] Two quick questions about learning piano pieces and
> getting better at Braille music
>
> The Dancing Dots series of books is a good resource.  Though an older
> resource, try Primer Of Braille Music by Bettye Krolick. Also, How To Read
> Braille MMusic is a good one.
>
>
> Debra
>
> On 4/17/2021 4:13 PM, Jennifer Bose via MusicTlk wrote:
>> Hi, listers.
>>
>> I hope you're all well. Two quick questions here for anyone interested
>> in answering:
>> 1. What are good strategies to learn complex classical pieces (besides
>> practicing, of course): A combination of Braille music and playing by
>> ear? Any apps helpful with this?
>> What are the best current resources for getting good at reading
>> Braille piano music?
>>
>> Thanks, everyone.
>>
>> Jen
>>
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