[Menvi-discuss] Transcribers

Mon Oct 28 00:41:10 EDT 2024

Hi all,

Below is copied the list I’ve kept of places Braille music is available.  I don’t think anyone has mentioned Braille Orchestra website yet and it has a great amount of free piano music.  All the past ABRSM exam music used to be available on their website and they have assured me it will be put back again, so if there is something from approx 2016-2021 syllabus it will have been transcribed and might be worth e-mailing them if it is not back up on the website.  (Note my links will be out of date so search around their website.)  It is worth noting also that CNIB transcribed the RCM (Royal Academy) piano exams for about the last 10 years and that music is available from ABC and I have created catalogues of what is included in each title as well as a catalogue of all the ABRSM music. 

I remember also finding a list on the NFB website of libraries Internationally that included some European smaller libraries which I didn’t include on my list.

Note: the below has not been updated in the past 6 months.

Accessible Book Consortium

This is the organisation that shares materials for the print disabled (including Braille & large print) Internationally between libraries in over 100 countries that have implemented the Marrakesh treaty. For countries whose blindness organisation libraries have also subscribed to the members catalogue you can register and download direct from: 

 <https://www.abcglobalbooks.org/home> https://www.abcglobalbooks.org/home

If you find this link is geoblocked or your library is not in the drop down list when you go to register you may well still be able to access books through your own blindness organisation library from ABC.  This includes vast collections such as most of CNIB and NLS.

RNIB (Royal Institute of Blind People)

Large collection of braille music as well as Giant Print Music in Modified Stave Notation.  Look for scores that say that they can be purchased rather than whether it says available or not.

https://www.rniblibrary.com/iguana/www.main.cls?p=b3ba52c6-5bac-4699-afb9-0dfb99409462 <https://www.rniblibrary.com/iguana/www.main.cls?p=b3ba52c6-5bac-4699-afb9-0dfb99409462&v=fff27ec4-b717-47c0-838f-bf5e2c5444ab> &v=fff27ec4-b717-47c0-838f-bf5e2c5444ab

For any other music related questions you can contact their Music Advisory Service  <mailto:mas at rnib.org.uk> mas at rnib.org.uk or 

 <mailto:james.bowden at rnib.org.uk> james.bowden at rnib.org.uk

National Library Service (NLS) USA

Largest collection of Braille music in the world – anyone can search the catalogue and most countries outside the US can access it through their own countries blind foundation library as most of it is shared with ABC.

 <https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/music-materials/> https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/music-materials/

You can keep up to date with newly added music via their blog:

NLS Music Notes 

 <https://blogs.loc.gov/nls-music-notes/> https://blogs.loc.gov/nls-music-notes/

There is a monthly post called “New BARD Additions” which contains all the new (or newly digitized) scores in the collection. This post is usually published on the last Thursday of each month. 

Trinity College Exam Resources

Contact the Special Needs Music team at  <mailto:music-csn at trinitycollege.co.uk> music-csn at trinitycollege.co.uk

 <https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/special-needs> https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/special-needs

ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

ABRSM has some selected exam pieces available to download as brf files from the below links:

https://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-booking/specific-needs/exam-pieces-in-braille/

 <https://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-booking/specific-needs/blind-and-partially-sighted-candidates/> https://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-booking/specific-needs/blind-and-partially-sighted-candidates/

Unfortunately they have not had the 2023/24 syllabus transcribed.  However blind students can apply for an extention to use the 2021/22 syllabus in 2024.  They hope to have something in place again for 2025 either as a download from their website as in previous years or ordering of specific pieces for any instrument to be produced, however whether this will apply to teachers or only students, and whether there will be a cost is yet to be seen.

For specific accommodations for exam candidates you can e-mail:  <mailto:specificneeds at abrsm.ac.uk> specificneeds at abrsm.ac.uk

For more general feedback, requests and discussion of related topics you can e-mail:  <mailto:accesscoordinator at abrsm.ac.uk> accesscoordinator at abrsm.ac.uk

IMSLP

IMSLP is the world’s largest repository for public domain sheet music and now accepts file uploads of Braille files.  This site is free to join and download any items from anywhere in the world.  I strongly recommend all blind music readers and transcribers to upload there uncopyrighted works here in whatever formats you can, but in particular Braille files and xml.  The xml being particularly important for those who need to edit the Braille for their own country variances, individual ensemble parts, basic notes editions or to create modified staff notation for low vision users.

 <https://url6405.circle.so/ls/click?upn=kwbwkXnZT32McfWCrnlzoiluX4N3Fe0JvCgA7AdnCUUHhitYHeC7Odoo4oeCwtAVunsGgum0XQiyT3WGCxbWTfH5HL3VxAJgXbUJGpuOM3Q-3DNpqf_bf8AcGUem7JH-2FHmY1puiCRP4-2B4wDs-2BWD5foJKV9uv-2BPq8kJ-2FDA4P-2FcaeMgJI3SlBhHW-2FQ3j8yDJSWDJrrx1Fkar61cU-2BoCNHwpPyYTURqpfiw9MrZPnXWdZ3SiCbVmLFMeqMSSAiaV1kl4fWyCQhztEfCEcXB9XbN3u2t-2BF6MabaWRUuyWMlI8i7xC0SNrzLm5-2BZd8c-2F5kiF5wlGY7iwPR8sWa7mac9OfLZevexwBJk-3D> https://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Works_with_Braille_scores

Let’s Play guitar

 <http://letsplayguitar.org> http://letsplayguitar.org

Is a free website with 45 progressive pieces in braille with multiple audio guides for each step to instruct both braille music reading and also the guitar learning necessary for each piece of music.  The braille can be downloaded as .brf files for local embossing, or we can ship the packets for the cost of shipping. 

Braille Orchestra Music Library (Open Braille Music Project)

A Selection of Classical Piano, Quartets and various other Orchestral music.

http://www.brailleorch.org/en/library/

This also includes Steve Gardiner’s (UK transcriber) page of quartet music.

https://www.brailleorch.org/en/steve-gardiner/Sellers of Braille Music

Braille Music & More

https://braillemusicandmore.com/braille-library/

Golden Chord Braille Music 

 <https://www.golden-chord.com> https://www.golden-chord.com

A UK based catalogue including a lot of tutor books, exam materials and texts.

Creative Ensembles – First Series by Stephanie Pieck:  25 Trios that can be played or sung on any instrument with matching Braille & print.

https://www.dancingdots.com/prodesc/trios1.htm

the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg music school

A one-of-a-kind community music school based in New York that specializes in teaching blind and visually impaired students. They convert sheet music into Braille and large print formats for their students, and they also offer their transcription services to clients around the country and possibly internationally if you contact them and pay. The scores are available in a range of formats including Lime, Goodfeel, BRF/BRL, Finale Notation (.mus), PDF large print, MusicXML, and possibly a few more. There are thousands of titles available, and the collection will only continue to grow. Offerings include music for solo instruments such as piano, voice, violin, flute, and other instruments, as well as assorted parts for various orchestral, small ensemble, and choral works, among other things. 

In order to access the files, you need to choose the file you want by searching and browsing, click on the file name, and then you’ll be taken to a google drive portal where you have to request access to the file in question. Here’s the link: 

 <https://url6405.circle.so/ls/click?upn=kwbwkXnZT32McfWCrnlzov5EHi7yIWWo-2FErkySFpZiPRgSAg8ay8mrRsZx1SAUdwN7eDHlIqNmlMFiFPF8NJYA-3D-3DtQuH_bf8AcGUem7JH-2FHmY1puiCRP4-2B4wDs-2BWD5foJKV9uv-2BO4yoiEvpqTvNlI6PzMo1Ni3VCTyY6TecKOIsIjP6O9dqxPpXcDu7wPAk-2FeVnT9idnZ1WD6WUQIYDfaabWyCaMlRuCL5qeZ-2BRRlReXmEUnr8J4LogiS24fRgDI-2F25ahB34-2Fq35awcpG-2BEeH-2FJKdcTEGNNQ6ZeruczMc9oKa6Qaj-2F3SHIYJ6Gj-2B0rDEbF1LV2HE-3D> https://fmdgmusicschool.org/digital-music-library/

From: Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss-bounces+jeaniewillis=gmail.com at menvi.org> On Behalf Of Ella Yu via Menvi-discuss
Sent: Monday, 28 October 2024 7:44 am
To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
Cc: Ella Yu <ellaxyu at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Transcribers

They should be, since they were transcribed professionally. However, if you wanted something from the NLS collection, you would have to ask someone to download it for you, as you can't download NLS materials from South Africa, though you can certainly browse the catalog. Also, not all of their titles are available in an electronic format. You need to check each page and make sure BARD access is available. If BARD access is not listed, then the title is only available in hard copy braille and you won't have any way of getting the hard-copy-only stuff.

On Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 11:38 AM Dewald van Deventer via Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss at menvi.org <mailto:menvi-discuss at menvi.org> > wrote:

Are the Braille music scores on NLS reasonably reliable? 

Dewald 

Dewald van Deventer

Happy Pianos Tuning and Servicing

RPT "Registered Piano Technician of the Piano Technicians' Guild"

Make an online booking here:

 <https://gazelleapp.io/scheduling/RbfBgYQM3dsLGmCDZBTfMYwQ> https://gazelleapp.io/scheduling/RbfBgYQM3dsLGmCDZBTfMYwQ 

Cell:

0824614865

E-mail:

dewaldpianotuner at gmail.com <mailto:dewaldpianotuner at gmail.com> 

Visit my website:

Http://www.Happy-Pianos.com/

Go "like" my page:

http://www.facebook.com/HappyPianos/

Happy Pianos

   We'll make your piano smile and sing again! 

On 27 Oct 2024, at 17:29, Stephanie Pieck via Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss at menvi.org <mailto:menvi-discuss at menvi.org> > wrote:

Re Golden Chord: They are no longer actively transcribing, and if one wants to purchase anything from their back catalog, that request goes through what seems to be a third-party braille production company. They do have some unusual titles, though.

I don't know if Prima Vista is still active, either. They did some student jazz piano books that made their way into the NLS collection, but I haven't been able to find Prima Vista online. 

On Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 05:34:28 AM EDT, Sandra Gayer via Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss at menvi.org <mailto:menvi-discuss at menvi.org> > wrote: 

Hello Dewald,

Golden-Chord has some pieces. Primavista is another website. I'm sure there are others and transcribers on this list will hopefully get in touch here to let you know if they have libraries of pieces they have transcribed. 

Very best wishes,

Sandra.

On 26/10/2024 23:43, Dewald van Deventer via Menvi-discuss wrote:

Hi list.  

I was wondering if there was an online library of Braille Music transcribed by actual transcribers? 

I'm just having a bit of a difficulty converting xml or pdf scores to brf. 

How can I go about if I'm looking for a specific piece or pieces. 

I've also noted some errors by converting scores this way. 

I mostly play piano pieces but would also like to experiment playing harp and cello pieces. 

Can anyone help me, and refer me to such a library or else to transcribers? 

Thanks 

Dewald 

Dewald van Deventer 

Happy Pianos Tuning and Servicing

RPT "Registered Piano Technician of the Piano Technicians' Guild"

Make an online booking here:

 <https://gazelleapp.io/scheduling/RbfBgYQM3dsLGmCDZBTfMYwQ> https://gazelleapp.io/scheduling/RbfBgYQM3dsLGmCDZBTfMYwQ 

Cell:

0824614865

E-mail:

dewaldpianotuner at gmail.com <mailto:dewaldpianotuner at gmail.com> 

Visit my website:

Http://www.Happy-Pianos.com/

Go "like" my page:

http://www.facebook.com/HappyPianos/

Happy Pianos

   We'll make your piano smile and sing again! 

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