[MusicTlk] [Perform-Talk] Making Music Available for Everyone with Music Braille Stickers

[Ella Yu]

Hi all, I'm no expert, but based on the product description and APH's
existing braille-music-related offerings, I'm going to guess that music
braille stickers, like their Feel the Beat curriculum, Music Braille Wheel,
etc, is primarily intended more for elementary general music classes or
perhaps the first few weeks of beginning band/orchestra/chorus where the
basics of music reading are introduced. Of course, for actual performance
music for band/orchestra/chorus, doing an actual transcription is
absolutely necessary. I think APH is trying to fill a need at the
elementary/general music level where music teachers who don't know braille
and TVIs who don't know music need to meet in the middle somewhere, and
music braille stickers, and the music braille wheel too I think, help fill
that gap. I have a feeling that existing music braille resources, like
tutor books and software, don't reach that kind of audience, so that's why
APH created their braille music offerings. Ultimately, it's about using the
right resource for the right job.

On Thu, Sep 4, 2025 at 6:43 AM Noah T. Carver via Perform-Talk <
perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> also, forgot to mention that even the automated Music Braille translation
> software we have still makes  errors and isn’t 100% up to code. Music
> Braille transcription by human beings is still the best way to go and I'd
> really like to see that being encouraged.
>
>
> Noah T. Carver (He/Him)
>
> Candidate, B.M. '27, Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice
>
> Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
>
> Chair, Blind Students Committee, National Federation of the Blind of New
> York
>
> Director of Operations, Judy’s League
>
> For National Federation of the Blind or Judy’s League Related Matters: +1
> (207) 205-7303<tel:+12072057303>
>
> For All Other Matters: +1 (207) 557-9143<tel:+12075579143>
>
> noah.t.carver at outlook.com<mailto:noah.t.carver at outlook.com>
>
> Live the life you want.
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Noah T. Carver <noah.t.carver at outlook.com>
> Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 9:35:51 AM
> To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>;
> musictlk at nfbnet.org <musictlk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Perform-Talk] Making Music Available for Everyone with Music
> Braille Stickers
>
> I hate to be a wet blanket, but I'm not sure I love this idea. On the one
> hand, it's probably great for making learning resources, i.e. flashcards or
> similar. However, I really, really, really hope that music directors, band
> directors, etc. don’t take APH’s rather interesting choice of marketing to
> mean that, armed with a pack of stickers, they can suddenly make scores
> accessible to students. That’s not very helpful at all. Students need to be
> learning how to read the code properly, and I’m not sure that this will
> serve them well. also, kind of feel like APH is solving a problem that
> already has a solution which is probably much better for your average
> director given that music OCR and GOODFEEL exist.
>
>
> Noah T. Carver (He/Him)
>
> Candidate, B.M. '27, Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice
>
> Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
>
> Chair, Blind Students Committee, National Federation of the Blind of New
> York
>
> Director of Operations, Judy’s League
>
> For National Federation of the Blind or Judy’s League Related Matters: +1
> (207) 205-7303<tel:+12072057303>
>
> For All Other Matters: +1 (207) 557-9143<tel:+12075579143>
>
> noah.t.carver at outlook.com<mailto:noah.t.carver at outlook.com>
>
> Live the life you want.
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Perform-Talk <perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of David
> Andrews via Perform-Talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 12:22:30 AM
> To: musictlk at nfbnet.org <musictlk at nfbnet.org>; perform-talk at nfbnet.org <
> perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: David Andrews <dandrews920 at comcast.net>
> Subject: [Perform-Talk] Making Music Available for Everyone with Music
> Braille Stickers
>
>
> >
> >American Printing House - Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
> >
> >
> >Making Music Available for Everyone with Music Braille Stickers
> >
> >
> >
> >[]
> >
> >
> >The transcription of sheet music to braille can
> >be a lengthy and complicated endeavor. With a
> >limited number of music braille certified
> >transcribers throughout the United States, the
> >experience can be costly and has an
> >unpredictable turnaround time depending on the
> >complexity of the music, length of the piece,
> >and availability of the transcriber. The process
> >can make it difficult for students who are blind
> >or low vision to get involved with music in
> >school, at home, and in their community. With
> >Music Braille Stickers, anyone, regardless of
> >musical knowledge or braille literacy, can
> >instantly translate a piece of music.
> >
> >
> >About Music Braille Stickers
> >
> >
> >
> >Music Braille Stickers are clear adhesive
> >stickers which include braille formations for
> >notes, rests, time signatures, and other music
> >notation. They can be applied to music
> >worksheets, sheet music, instruments, or other
> >items for classroom activities or individual
> >learning. The stickers are clear, ensuring you
> >can see the printed notes and symbols
> >underneath. The product is sorted into columns,
> >each labeled in large print at the top of each
> >sheet. “Music braille stickers are intended to
> >make music braille translation quicker and
> >faster for parents and students. Anyone who is
> >interested in transcribing print to braille,â€
> >said APH Product Manager, Laura Zierer.
> >
> >The “parent product† includes a kit with two
> >replaceable packs: notes & rests, and additional
> >symbols. With the initial pack, you receive 25
> >total sheets of stickers. Pages 1-16 feature
> >notes and rests, while the remaining pages
> >include additional symbols, such as time
> >signatures, sharps, ties, and more. From there,
> >users are able to re-order the individual
> >replaceable packs as the need arises.
> >
> >
> >Making Music Accessible
> >
> >
> >
> >The design of these stickers reflects a
> >dedication to putting music in the hands of
> >anyone, at any time. For parents and teachers,
> >Music Braille Stickers simplify the process of
> >transcription regardless of access to a
> >transcriber, TVI, or someone with the knowledge
> >of music braille. The labeled columns allow for
> >users to simply locate the note or symbol and
> >place the clear sticker directly on top. Once
> >the stickers have all been placed, teachers and
> >students can still easily view the notes
> >underneath, making it a tool for accessible
> >education alongside classroom collaboration.
> >
> >For students who are blind or low vision,
> >exploration of music and the arts is not always
> >encouraged due to roadblocks with access. Music
> >Braille Stickers aims to bridge that gap.
> >“Music literacy is part of literacy. Music is
> >fun! It enhances learning and cognition. These
> >adhesive braille stickers help make music
> >education accessible to braille-learning and
> >braille-reading students,† said Zierer.
> >
> >Field testers felt empowered in their ability to
> >independently complete music assignments,
> >develop flashcards, and simply read through a
> >piece. Teachers noted how convenient it was to
> >have pre-made stickers at the ready. The product
> >was enjoyed by students who are blind and low
> >vision along with their sighted peers. “This
> >is going to save teachers a lot of time, and
> >make resources accessible a lot sooner,† said Zierer.
> >
> >Bring the joy of music and creative expression
> >to your student’s life in a new and exciting
> >way this school year with Music Braille
> >Stickers,<https://www.aph.org/product/music-braille-stickers/>
> >available now on the APH website!
> >
> ><
> https://www.aph.org/blog/making-music-available-for-everyone-with-music-braille-stickers/
> >
> https://www.aph.org/blog/making-music-available-for-everyone-with-music-braille-stickers/
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