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Posted by: Gilbert Busch
As we get closer to the birthday of Debussy, I recall my first experience of Impressionism. The piece I was to learn was not by Debussy, not by Ravel, but by a composer that you may not know. The 1965-66 school year had just begun when my piano teacher, the late Robert Koshan, handed me …
Posted in: Braille Music, Music Instruction, Piano Music
Posted by: John Hanson
People and music are everywhere. Written music is an international language, including braille music notation. And there are individuals, groups and organizations around the world working to create and/or disseminate braille music. The NLS Music Section is one of those players. We are not alone. Last week I received a written inquiry from the Siloam …
Posted in: Braille Music, Braille Music Transcribers, Golden-Chord, Marrakesh Treaty, Siloam Music Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, Yongsit Yongkamol
Posted by: Katie Rodda
Tomorrow’s opening ceremony kicks off the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A tradition for 120 years, this is the first time that the event will be held in a South American country. In celebration of this historic event, and as a representation of just how international the NLS Music Section is, this blog …
Posted in: Audio, Braille, Braille and Audio Reading Download BARD, Braille Music, Hispanic American History, Instrumental Music, Jazz, Latin American Music, Music Composition, Music History and Appreciation
Posted by: Mary Dell Jenkins
This blog is being submitted during one of my favorite times of year…VACATION . It is summer time and I’ve already enjoyed a beach trip to our National Seashore, Assatague Island and Chincoteague. I enjoy every vacation, but this one was loaded with the sound of waves crashing on the shore, laughing children and parents, sunny and …
Posted in: American Composers, Braille, Braille Music, Music Composition, National Parks
Posted by: Donna Koh
“You are beautiful! You make me so happy.” This maybe a typical remark of an ardent dog lover fussing over her Pomeranian, or a declaration by a young bridegroom as he gazes at his fiancée walking down the aisle in her gorgeous wedding gown. However, here in the Music Section, such sentiments are usually uttered …
Posted in: Braille Music, Braille Technology, NLS Music Section
Posted by: Katie Rodda
This past week, the Library of Congress recognized Smokey Robinson as the winner of this year’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Smokey Robinson is probably most remembered as being the leader of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Hits for The Miracles included “Shop Around,” “Going to a Go-Go,” and “Tracks of My Tears.” Robinson also …
Posted in: Braille, Braille and Audio Reading Download BARD, Braille Music, Motown, NLS Music Section, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), Rock n' Roll, Soul Music
Posted by: Gilbert Busch
In a recent NLS Music Notes blog post, “The Festival That Changed American Music,” I read about rock stars such as Jimi Hendrix who performed at the first Monterey festival in 1967. Because of the recordings listed there, and my own experience of the NLS collections, I assumed that anything we have on Hendrix would be in audio format. So …
Posted in: Blind Musicians, Braille Music, Guitar instruction, Jazz, NLS Music Section, Popular Music Lead Sheets, Uncategorized
Posted by: John Hanson
As a musical direction, “tutti” means everyone, all voices, not just the sopranos, or the bass soloist, who just finished an aria. A musical work often requires many participants, as do many human endeavors. I recently blogged here about participating in a meeting with braille music transcribers. I observed how they consulted each other on …
Posted in: Braille Music, International Council on English Braille, Jordy Howell
Posted by: Katie Rodda
Nearly 50 years ago today marked the beginning of the Monterey International Pop Festival, one of the first rock festivals in the United States. Nowadays, rock festivals are a common occurrence, happening in various locations year-round. Back in 1967, though, the rock festival was not common. Monterey helped change all that, as the rock festival …
Posted in: Uncategorized