[blindkid] Braille Music question

Carol Castellano carol_castellano at verizon.net
Tue Apr 7 00:33:28 UTC 2009


I just wish blind kids had equal opportunity to learn to read 
music.  Probably most sighted kids don't do anything with the music 
reading basics they learned either, but it would be nice for blind 
kids to have the same chance to go forward with it or not.

Carol

At 06:43 PM 4/6/2009, you wrote:
>I have read the replies regarding reading Braille music notation or not
>reading Braille music notation.  Much depends on the individual.  My husband
>is a music major now ordained minister.  He has a bachelors in music and a
>Master's in Divinity.  He spent his college years with a blind musician who
>never learned Braille or Braille music notation.  His name is Dean and he is
>a professional musician, who by the way rode a bike, using echo location.  I
>digress.  There are many kinds of musicians with various degrees of skill
>levels.  I have a cousin who has Down's Syndrome who plays harmonica with a
>county western band.  His father was a musician (after hours) and he learned
>by ear.  He is incredible.  Reading music is not the end all.  Intrinsic
>talent and ear are also very important and can transcend those of us who are
>"paper trained".  I write this as most student musicians will not become
>professional, but do it as a hobby, outlet, for enjoyment, etc.  Let the
>girl enjoy her music and take it where it needs to go.  If she is dedicated
>to becoming a professional musician, she will learn what she needs however
>and whenever it suits her.
>Blessings,
>Sue H.
>
>On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:28 PM, Dr. S. Merchant 
><smerchant at vetmed.lsu.edu>wrote:
>
> > I totally believe in learning to read Braille music.  Hearing a part and
> > memorizing it fine to a certain level.  But to really be able to go to a
> > higher level, I really think it is necessary or at least very helpful.  No
> > one argues when you talk about learning Braille as opposed to people
> > reading
> > you your assignments, textbooks etc.. but when it comes to Braille music a
> > lot of the same people that are staunch supporters of Braille, think
> > hearing
> > the music and memorizing is OK.
> >
> > Having been heavily involved in music through the first part of college and
> > having a blind son, I really wanted him to love music as much as I did.  He
> > learned to play piano and cornet and learned to read Braille music.  It is
> > no more difficult than reading regular Braille.  I am afraid that people's
> > hesitation (or lack of support/lack of feeling it is important) is the same
> > reason at times that people don't support Braille.  They (the adults) are
> > concerned that they don't understand it, that they can't help or that it is
> > just too hard.
> >
> > It really isn't.  It is built around the 8 notes of the scale with a sign
> > in
> > front of the note a-g that gives the length of the note (whole, half,
> > quarter eighth etc..) and when building a cord in the left hand you start
> > with the top note and then it tell the distance down from that note to the
> > other notes in the cord - in the right hand you build on the cord from the
> > bottom note and work up. Each octave has its own symbol so you know which
> > "a" on the scale to play, the different length of rest have their own
> > symbols etc... but it really is a very logical
> >
> > I strongly encourage it.  It makes them music literate, no less important
> > than knowing regular Braille and nemeth Braille.  Having said that I know
> > many great musicians that don't read Braille music and many very smart well
> > educated people that don't read Braille.  So, at the end it is personal
> > choice, but the big question would be "what would be a disadvantage?"
> >
> > Sandy merchant Taboada
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> > Behalf Of vickie.pellicciotti at aglife.com
> > Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 10:58 AM
> > To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > Subject: [blindkid] Braille Music question
> >
> >
> > My daughter is going into 9th grade and has been a percussion student in
> > band since 6th grade.  She is resisting learning braille music.  I think it
> > is the only way she will really progress in the music world.   I don't see
> > how she can keep up with the song that is being played without having
> > something written in front of her even if she can/does memorize her part.
> > I have no experience with music whatsoever and cannot judge.   She wants to
> > progress/improve her parts in the music and I think this is the way to go
> > and otherwise will find this as an obtstacle in the future to her getting
> > ahead on this.
> > Any comment from other parents on this?  I have also posted same question
> > on the music talk deal.
> >
> >
> >
> > Vickie L. Pellicciotti
> > Phone:  (713) 831-1076
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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