[Menvi-discuss] My first Braille music student--helpful hints, please?

[Bill McCann]

Hi Kimberly,

Congratulations on taking on this teaching assignment.  I am going to bet that you will find it easier than anticipated.

Richard Taesch and I (as well as many other teachers of braille music) recommend that the student should learn the solfeggio names of the notes at first.  For example, referring to the note which we English speakers call C as do (pronounced dough) enables the student to avoid confusion between literary braille and music braille.  When I teach a new braille music student, I insist that he or she never refer to a braille music sign by its literary name.  For example, they must never call dots 1-4-5-6 "this."  They must call it DO (like dough) quarter-note.
Richard Taesch and I wrote a book called "Who's Afraid of Braille Music?" which teaches the basics of the braille music code while explaining how music braille differs from print music and dispels misconceptions about the code such as the misguided notion that the braille system is extremely difficult to learn.  A good starter book appropriate for beginner braille music readers, their teachers and parents.

Richard has also written an extensive, multi-volume series called "An Introduction to Music for the Blind Student" which comes in both print and braille hardcopy.

Here are links to pages giving more information about Richard's courses and the "Who's Afraid" book:
www.DancingDots.com/prodesc/currdet.htm<http://www.DancingDots.com/prodesc/currdet.htm>
and
www.DancingDots.com/prodesc/whosafraid.htm<http://www.DancingDots.com/prodesc/whosafraid.htm>


Bill McCann, President, Dancing Dots
Visit our YouTube page:
www.youtube.com/DancingDotsAccess<http://www.youtube.com/DancingDotsAccess>


From: Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org> On Behalf Of Kimberly Morrow via Menvi-discuss
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2023 8:35 PM
To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
Cc: drkimctvi at gmail.com
Subject: [Menvi-discuss] My first Braille music student--helpful hints, please?

Greetings, MENVI listers!

I'm reaching out for any advice that all of you more knowledgeable Braille music readers and transcribers may be in a position to provide. . .

I've been a Braille music reader for many years, but never dreamed I would be in a position to actually teach it. After all, my primary area of expertise is German, Spanish, and education. I do not hold any type of degree in music, certainly my knowledge of anything more than rudimentary music theory is quite limited at this point. That said, sadly, there are no Braille music instructors in my area that are available to provide weekly instruction to this very bright 11-year-old. So I'm stepping up to the plate. This child is totally blind, very intelligent, and eager to learn. I want to do all I can to make Braille music a good experience for him. I've ordered Happy Fingers, Books 1 and 2, and just ordered the 2006 version of Dictionary of Braille Music Signs via Braille on demand. I figure I should have a newer edition than the one I acquired at age fourteen. . But I don't know the first thing about actual Braille music instruction. Please help me give the very best. . .All advice is very much appreciated.

Braille music literacy is on the decline. It's a concern I intend to address, one young life at a time.


GO, CHIEFS!!!

Kimberly Morrow in metro KC

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