[Menvi-discuss] Note reading

Wed Jan 16 21:41:07 EST 2013

Hi Mary,

I am a middle school instrumental music teacher, and I began learning
braille music a few years ago when I was about to get my first blind
student in band.  He began learning braille music in the summer before
6th-grade in order to learn a band instrument.

My second student began learning braille music at the end of 5th grade for
general music when she needed to read and memorize her recorder music.  She
had been successful learning by ear up until that point, but the TVI felt
that it would help her participate in music class better if she could read
music.  She decided to take band in 6th-grade, so as she learned her band
instrument, we also learned braille music to read the 6th-grade band book
and memorize the songs.

My introduction to braille music was the Bettye Krolick book which is a
great way to start.  I then found the books that people use to become
braille music transcribers.  While these books contain way more information
than I needed at the time, they are really useful to look things up.
However, they are not, a course that would help you learn braille music in
an efficient way.  I am just finishing up the Hadley braille music course
and I highly recommend it.  I have enjoyed taking it and I have learned a
lot!

Another way that I have learned about braille music is by collaborating
with the TVI in my district.  She is really great to work with and she has
supported me as I learn braille music.  I have learned a lot from her and
couldn't do nearly as well with braille music without her guidance.
Although I teach braille music to our student, she helps me understand
about braille and how to teach it.

I don't know how blind students typically learn braille music because I've
only had two.  In our district both students began learning braille music
at the end of 5th-grade, but I think that was mostly due to their
individual circumstances.  I think our TVI would start students earlier in
elementary school if the situation warranted.

I understand that there is a difference between middle school band and
elementary general music classes.  I don't know how successful your student
will be if they only learn braille music during your class.  I think it
would probably work really well if the TVI could work with your student on
reading braille music outside of music class and then if you know braille
music you can help him/her during class.

After talking to the TVI in my district, it seems like many music teachers
don't learn braille music, but I would encourage you to do so.  Although it
has been time-consuming to learn, I have enjoyed doing it very much.  I
couldn't imagine teaching my blind students music if I couldn't understand
what they were reading.

I expect that all of my students will learn to read music, and I don't
think it would be fair to have different expectations for a blind student.

I hope some of this helps.  Please feel free to contact me if you have
questions.

Thanks,

Janice Stone
rhinogirl414 at gmail.com

On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 7:51 AM, Mary A. Walker <
MWalker at oceansideschools.org> wrote:

>  Hello Everyone!
>
> I am an elementary general and choral music teacher interested in learning
> how to read braille music.  I have two questions.
>
> 1.  Do you have any course recommendations for braille music and/or
> teaching music to the visually impaired?  My colleague recommended the
> Hadley School for the Blind online course.
>
> 2.  In what context do students typically learn to read braille music?
> From a private music teacher?  A TVI?  Or a public school music teacher?  I
> recently read Laurie Rubin's book, hoping to gain insight into how to best
> support note reading in the classroom setting.  It was a great book but she
> did not go into specifics related to note reading.
>
> Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!
>
> Thank you!
>
> Sincerely,
>
>  Mary A. Walker
> School #3 Music Teacher
> Oceanside School District
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* Menvi-discuss [menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of
> Timothy Clark Music [timothyclarkmusic at me.com]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 15, 2013 3:10 AM
> *To:* This is for discussing music and braille literacy
> *Subject:* [Menvi-discuss] Fwd: [Members] I have four magic questions for
> you...
>
>
> Timothy
>  Your friend in the music industry
>  http://www.timothyclarkmusic.tumblr.com
>  7244011224
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>  *From: ***Chris Rockett** <contact at promoteyourmusic.net>
>  *Subject: **[Members] I have four magic questions for you...*
>  *Date: *January 13, 2013 12:21:20 AM EST
>  *To: *Timothy Clark Music <timothyclarkmusic at me.com>
>
>  Hey Guys,
>
> Just wanted to share a few questions I've started asking myself
> every morning to stay on track...think they will help you too.
>
> *Here goes...*
>
> 1) What five things must I do today to move my music career
> forward?
>
> 2) Who do I need to speak to today who can help me
> on the journey?
>
> 3) Who have I already reached out to and need to follow up with?
>
> 4) What are the main things I must complete today,
> no matter what? (Do this stuff first)
>
> *That's it!*
>
> Try and hold off looking in your email inbox until you have got the
> most important things done, because your email will usually be full of a
> bunch of stuff that other people want you to do and you suddenly
> have no time left for yourself.
>
> I'd love to hear some of your answers.
>
> - Chris
>
>  --------------------------------
>
> Founder of Music Marketing Classroom<http://www.musicmarketingclassroom.com/classroom-explained/?awt_l=DsXjo&awt_m=3sOwL0PKnkscdOy>
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