[musictlk] Fw: [blindkid] A Braille Music Challenge of Sorts (Moreof a Plea)

[William R. McCann]

 Hi Mike and all,

At CSUN and other shows, I have given a presentation that sounds something
like what this parent is asking for.  We do not show even the sighted people
any staff notation, just braille.  We get everyone clapping and singing and,
by the end of the session, we usually have completed at least a couple of
two-part and three-part harmony performances with the group.

Regards,
Bill McCann
Founder and President of Dancing Dots since 1992
www.DancingDOts.com
 

-----Original Message-----
From: musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 1:34 PM
To: NFBnet Music Talk Mailing List
Subject: [musictlk] Fw: [blindkid] A Braille Music Challenge of Sorts
(Moreof a Plea)

The below sounds like a great idea; methinks the Music Division ought to 
consider it and I'd be glad to help.

However, I'd worry that we'd end up spending about half our time 
educating parents how *print* music works before we ever got to the 
braille! (grin)

Mike Freeman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: DrV
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 8:02 AM
Subject: [blindkid] A Braille Music Challenge of Sorts (More of a Plea)


Dear Federationists,

I would first like to that Robert for the explanation.
I agree whole-heartedly with Debbie that music Braille sounds 
overwhelming
to try on one's own.
I also don't feel we can turn to our TVI for this. It sound like other
parents feel the same way, or the discussion would not have come up in 
the
first place.
We have been to a few Braille music workshops in California's CTEVH
conference, but honestly, they were not geared towards parents & we
certainly did not walk out enlightened & left far from empowered in this
area.

My proposal & very strong request is to have a Braille Music Workshop or 
2
or 3 directed at parents and kids at the next National Convention. 
Perhaps I
just speak for myself, though I doubt it ----> More than almost any 
subject
to get parents & kids "jump-started" in this area, I think Music Braille
seems to be a subject that would most effectively be "spoon fed". I want 
a
"Music Braille Made Simple Workshop". You could not make this too basic. 
I
have yet to meet an effective instructor. Yes this is a challenge. Can 
the
NFB find someone or a small group of someones that can effectively give
parents & our youngest Federationists the Braille Music Foundation in a 
few
hours to launch us to then be able to take it from there. I have to 
believe
such individuals exist in the organization.
I urge someone to take this on. I would love to be shown SPECIFIC 
resources
that others have found helpful. I would be willing to buy these 
on-the-spot
if I found them to be helpful. I would love to have some "Braille Music 
for
Dummies" series equivalent handouts. I would love to be able to 1-on-1 
play
with the Music translation software with someone who could walk me, my 
wife,
& my kids through the very basics - so that when we leave we can take it
from there. It would be so nice if such a mini program or series could 
be
put together as part of the 2008 workshop series or even in addition to 
the
usual parent-strand. I sound like you would have at least 3 families
representing Florida, Texas, & California there - & I assume many more.

I took an NFB-sponsored "Braille is Beautiful Workshop" for parents a 
few
years back. This was amazing. Who ever would have thought that in just 4
hours 20 parents could be taught the basics of Braille & even leave able 
to
Braille out on a Slate & Stylus a note secret message to their child. My 
son
was blown away when I gave him my secret message. This was one of the 
most
moving & empowering experiences I have ever had. Thus the model exists 
in
the NFB. This was one of most effective workshops I have ever attended. 
Who
is up to the challenge of putting together a "Braille Music is Beautiful
Workshop" that would allow parents & kids to leave with this same type 
of
foundation. Perhaps this idea could be floated to the appropriate
list-serves.

I can only hope & wish that someone is up to this challenge.

Sincerely,
Eric
A hopeful, motivated Dad of 2 little Braille-readers - a parent who 
would
love some really basic but functional guidance in this area.


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