Top of page

Category: Music Instruction

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

Progressive Rock, Classical Influences

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

Progressive Rock drew its inspiration from a number of influences. For this week's NLS Music Notes Blog post, learn more about the classical music that inspired Rush, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and many others!

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

Hidden Gems of the NLS Collection: Toccata, Villancico y Fuga, Op. 18 by Alberto Ginastera

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month. It is a time when we celebrate the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans that have contributed to our society in positive and meaningful ways. On our journey through the treasures of the NLS Music collection, we recently came across a wonderful work written for organ by Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983), the Toccata, Villancico y Fuga, Op. 18. While this work is performed by organists on a regular basis, the rest of us would benefit from learning more about both the composer and the composition.

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

New BARD Additions: August 2021

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

This month, the NLS Music Section has added many new materials to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download), including songs by Adele, Johnny Cash, and Broadway's Robert Lopez! There are also new piano lessons from Bill Brown and new transcriptions of the Tradition of Excellence concert band method. Read on to learn more about our latest digital offerings!

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

New BARD Additions: March 2021

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

Happy Spring, music lovers! We are thrilled to present the NLS Music Section's newest additions to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download). There are new concerts and lectures from the American Folklife Center, instructional materials for piano and guitar by Bill Brown, and a new transcription for piano of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

American Composers and Musicians from A to Z: W (Part 2 – Whitaker, Matthew)

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's feature on American Composers and Musicians, we will look at the remarkable life and work of jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker. He will perform a free virtual concert, which will begin streaming on the Library's YouTube page on Wednesday, March 3, at 8:00 p.m.

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

New BARD Additions: October 2020

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

The NLS Music Section is proud to announce our newest additions to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) for the month of October!

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

American Composers and Musicians from A to Z: S (Part 2 – Stuckey, Joey)

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's NLS Music Notes blog, learn about the inspiring story of Joey Stuckey--a remarkable person who overcame incredible odds to achieve success as a singer, guitarist, producer, and educator.

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

New BARD Additions: February 2020

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

Now that we have reached the end of February, it’s time to let you know about new materials available from the NLS Music Section.

Close-up of the fingers of two hands as the touch a paged filled with raised dots

Song Stories: The End of Prohibition

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

On December 5, 1933, the era of Prohibition officially ended in the United States. Learn more about the music that framed the national narrative surrounding the passage of the 18th and 21st Amendments.