Music Notation with Literary Information Surrounding Staff

[Robert Dietrich]

Hello Kathleen:

In a music textbook, how would you handle a situation where a music staff has literary (contracted) information surrounding it in column format? I have included a snippet from something I attempted, but I am not sure if it is effective to communicate to the braille reader. I have included Ex. 1.6 Print only (not braille), because the additional information contains chord symbols and I'm not sure what the best way is to handle it.

Any suggestions are appreciated,

Robert

 

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[Kathleen]

Great question, Robert.

I tend to rearrange things like this and make them clearer for the reader. The way print has it laid out on a single music staff with labels above and below is really not useful in braille. I tend to make these things lists with the chord first, followed by the appropriate information. There is a fair amount of code switching involved, but I think the reader is more able to get what they need if you do it this way.

(Remember that in theory textbooks and analysis situations, intervals should be read upward.)

Example 1-5 I would set up as follows:

(cell 1) music code indicator and the chord (intervals upward)

(next line cell 3) Root/quality chord symbols: music code indic and chord symbol

(next line cell 3) Quality: major

(next line cell 3) Intervals: maj 3, per 5

(cell 1) music code ind. chord

etc. (see attached pdf for simbraille)

 

Often, what's printed on a single staff in the textbook really doesn't need to be organized into measures and all horizontal as straight music. It can be easier to understand if presented differently much of the time.

 

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[Kathleen]

Of course, transcriber's notes are abundant in these textbooks, so don't be afraid to explain how you're setting things up!

[Kathleen]

And here's a pdf showing the second example you attached - with the functional chord symbols and the key signature before the initial chord.

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[Robert Dietrich]

Excellent suggestions and much easier to follow. Thanks!

--Robert

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