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

Thu Sep 4 16:43:22 UTC 2025

The article was interesting but I was confused by the concept. Where does someone put the stickers and what to they look like. It's unfortunate that APH no longer transcribes Braille music. I was in a webinar with their museum director and when I asked him about the transcription issue, he said they don't transcribe music because women aren't taking piano lessons. I found that sexist and inaccurate. As far as I know there isn't a place in this country where a blind person can purchase Braille scores. NLS has the Braille on demand program but I don't know how accurate their digited music scores are.

Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: MusicTlk <musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ella Yu via MusicTlk
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 10:35 AM
To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ella Yu <ellaxyu at gmail.com>; musictlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [MusicTlk] [Perform-Talk] Making Music Available for Everyone with Music Braille Stickers

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 1:00â€¯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. â€œMusic 
> >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 â€œparent productâ€  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.
> >â€œMusic 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,â€  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. â€œThis
> >is going to save teachers a lot of time, and
> >make resources accessible a lot sooner,â€  said Zierer.
> >
> >Bring the joy of music and creative expression
> >to your studentâ€™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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