[Menvi-discuss] Methodist Hymnal

Tue Sep 20 10:40:57 EDT 2011

Debra,
by "syntax" I'm simply talking about when a braille sign means more than one
thing, depending on where it is used. For example, dots 356 means "by"
before a word and a close-quotation mark after a word.
-Andy.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org]On Behalf Of Debra Baxley
  Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:34 AM
  To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Methodist Hymnal

  Thank you for your email, Andy!  What a great explanation!  What is
Braille syntax?

  Debra

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  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of Data
  Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 3:07 PM
  To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Methodist Hymnal

  Friends,

      The genius, Msr. Braille, developed this system with careful
consideration over where the dots lay within the cell. Spend a moment to
think about the complex system of signs. You'll realise that all the pitches
(do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti) are upper-cell signs and also use both the top two
sections of the cell as well as the left and right portions of the cell.
Therefore, a note inherently must do so; that's how we know, by touch, that
it's a note (pitch).

      Starting with c (doh), there's a D sign. E, F, G, H, I, and J, and
they all satisfy this requirement. (A, B, and C do not).

      So, if you think as a blind reader, you can expect that each
musical-pitch definition is using dots 1245, with no empty spaces in either
side of the pattern, up or down (top of the cell only, no dots 3 or 6, those
are reserved for note-duration).

      The more you spend using the system and understanding braille syntax,
the more you'll come to appreciate the level of detail and foresight they
involve.

      I should also offer accolades to Ms. Krolick and Mr. Nemeth for their
ingenious development of the braille systems.

      What an elegant gift these great minds have given us!

  Andy English

  www.papermusic.org

  Music consultation and transcription services.

    -----Original Message-----
    From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org]On Behalf Of Bettie Downing
    Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 2:34 PM
    To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
    Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Methodist Hymnal

    Well, considering that a blind man invented the system (Louis Braille) I
don't know why you can't explain it.

    On Sep 18, 2011, at 3:20 PM, Debra Baxley wrote:

    Thank you; I can't explain it to one of my blind friends.

    Debra

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of Bettie Downing
    Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 1:55 PM
    To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
    Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Methodist Hymnal

    Louis Braille used the do-re-mi system so "do" was C and was fixed
rather than movable as we do in the US.

    On Sep 18, 2011, at 1:33 PM, Debra Baxley wrote:

    Please explain the basis of the Braille music code.  I cannot figure out
how D is do, and Re is E.  Shouldn't Re be R mi be M, etc?

    Debra

    size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
    From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of Karen Gearreald
    Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 6:23 AM
    To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
    Cc: 'Hanson, John'
    Subject: [Menvi-discuss] Methodist Hymnal

    Searching the NLS web site can be a challenge which is well worth the
effort.  I hope that the following paragraphs will help to answer the
questions that have recently been asked by various MENVI members who need or
want to search the site.

    From the web site (www.loc.gov/nls), I routinely select the "search the
catalog" link.  From there I select the "multiple" link, which gives us the
opportunity to type as many as three search terms.  A combo box allows us to
designate the nature of each term.  For instance, we can choose "music" as a
key word and "web braille" as a key word.

    To find the Methodist hymnal, you can enter Methodist (or The Book of
Hymns) as title.  Alternatively, you can enter BRM23958 as "book number".
With any one of these search terms, you can select "web braille" as "key
word" for your second search term.

    Using "music" and "web braille" as search terms, you can find the entire
list of 1874 musical titles that are now available in the "web braille"
archive.  New items are added each month.  What a wonderful treasury of
beautiful music for study, performance, and sheer enjoyment!

    The Methodist hymnal can be borrowed in hard copy from NLS.  These eight
precious volumes were originally embossed by the American Printing House for
the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky.  To the best of my knowledge, the book is
no longer available for purchase from APH or from any other source.  An
incomplete set, consisting of Volumes 4-8, was given to me many years ago.
Since I have been unable to find hard copies of Volumes 1-3, I am especially
glad that the hymnal is now available in "web braille" form.

        Karen Gearreald

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