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Posted by: Gilbert Busch
“I can’t read this braille at all,” a coworker says to me one morning; “What does it say?” Moving my hand over the dots, I am reminded of an incident from childhood. My piano teacher had just handed me Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14. I had never heard of this piece (by Mendelssohn), so I checked the …
Posted in: American Braille, Braille, Braille History, Braille Music, Free Braille Music Scores
Posted by: Katie Rodda
I had stumbled upon this nifty little book a few weeks ago, and thought it deserved a profile. The first thing that drew me to it was its size. Compared to most of the braille books in our music collection it is tiny: only measuring 5.5 by 7 inches! What possibly could this tiny book …
Posted in: Braille, Braille Music, Music Education, Music Instruction
Posted by: Mary Dell Jenkins
Forty-three years ago patron Dianne Phelps earned her Music Education degree at Eastern New Mexico University. She faced difficult challenges with her partial vision at the time and struggled with some of the faculty, reluctant to award her a degree. Thankfully, she prevailed. Afterwards, she had a keyboard and was frustrated as she was not …
Posted in: Blind Musicians, Braille, Braille and Audio Reading Download BARD, Braille Music, Music Composition, Music Education, Music Instruction, NLS Music Section, Performing music, Piano Music, Popular Music
Posted by: Katie Rodda
Since it’s back-to-school time, many folks find themselves looking for new projects, new topics of interest, and new hobbies. I sincerely hope that many of you reading this are hoping to learn how to play music or your favorite song, improving your already extant musical skill, or maybe teaching yourself about some topic in music …
Posted in: Blues, Braille, Braille and Audio Reading Download BARD, Braille Music, Broadway, Golden-Chord, Instrumental Music, Jazz, New Acquisitions, NLS Music Section, NLS Online Catalog, Piano, Piano Music, Popular Music, Stevie Wonder, Talking Books, Voyager Catalog
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: 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: John Hanson
This blog, NLS Music Notes, serves many different purposes, but a general one is getting out the word on the Music Section and the services that it provides. But there are other avenues for outreach. One is exhibiting at conferences of one sort or another. Last year Music Section blogger Amanda Smith wrote about her …
Posted in: Braille, Outreach, Talking Books
Posted by: Katie Rodda
Do you want to learn how to play piano? We have a book for you! Do you want the libretto for your favorite opera? We have that as well! Do you want to learn about folk music from around the world? Well, we also have books about that. Many patrons get to know us through …
Posted in: Audio, Braille, Braille and Audio Reading Download BARD, Braille libretto, Braille Music, Catalogs, Folk Music, Instrumental Music, Music History and Appreciation, NLS Music Section, NLS Online Catalog, Recordings, World Music