Transcribing music into braille has opened new heights and possibilities for musicians and artists who are blind or vissually impaired. Although it evolved with time like anything else, braile music has been successful in doing the impossible since it came into existence. In this article, we will discuss the evolution of braille music notation over the years.
• Using Braille in Music
In 1831, Louis Braille, who was a string player, created a music notation system using six raised dots to represent pitch and duration, enhancing an older system that used dots and lines. Braille music sheets became the standard for blind musicians, and it has since been refined and standardized globally. Dots indicate pitch and duration simultaneously, while other dots represent additional musical elements like rests and dynamics.
• The First Braille Music Textbook
Eventually, the first braile music notation textbook was published in the year 1847, which established a standardized system for blind musicians to read and write music in Braille, replacing the unreliable handwritten notes and memorization methods previously used.
•Attempt at Standardization
The 1878 International Conference of Blind People aimed to establish a standard Braille music notation system to help blind musicians read and write braille music sheets together. They developed a system based on Louis Braille's 1831 system, which is still used today.
This common language promotes the participation of blind musicians in music education and performance. The International Braille Music Committee was formed in 1931 to support the development of Braille music sheets and notations.
• MBC & The Evolution of Braille Music
The Music Braille Code 1997 (MBC 1997) was developed by the International Braille Music Committee (IBMC) to standardize Braille music notation. It builds on previous versions of the code and was developed with input from blind musicians, educators, and Braille experts from around the world. It was revised further in 2015 (MBC 2015), the code which is used today.
This enabled the script to become far more versatile, friendly and easy over time. It became the standard for Braile music notation, recognized by organizations such as ICEVI and WBU, and used to develop accurate braille music sheets worldwide.
Conclusion
Braile music notation has evolved from a rudimentary system of raised dots to a comprehensive and standardized system that allows blind musicians to read and write music. Its development has been a collaborative effort driven by a desire to ensure that blind musicians have access to the same musical resources as their sighted peers. Visit the Braille Music and More website for the best transcription services in music braille.
