[goodfeel] Re: music braille

Hi Bill and others,

I apologize that my post is off-topic, but it was triggered by something I
saw in Bill's message (below).

My question is about which external numpads will work with a laptop running
Sibelius and Sibelius Speaking. I currently run Sibelius and Sibelius
Speaking on a laptop, using an external qwerty keyboard. This works fine,
but it would be handy to use just an external numpad if traveling. I read
somewhere on this list a long time ago that this is possible, but only with
certain numpads, but I haven't saved the message to refer back to.

I recently risked buying a cheap numpad (I think the name was Targus), but
it doesn't seem to work. It will perform functions like routing JAWS to PC,
home, end, page up, page down, Etc., but doesn't seem to turn numlock on,
move through the different Sibelius Speaking templates or select note
values. Can anyone remind me of which numbpads work or point out anything I
could do to set my existing numpad to work.

Many thanks in advance for any help.

Best wishes,
Brian.

-----Original Message-----
From: goodfeel-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:goodfeel-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of William R. McCann
Sent: 18 April 2007 00:06
To: goodfeel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [goodfeel] Re: music braille 

Hi, Terry,

Your message took me back 30 years to my own undergraduate days when I took
dictation using my slate and stylus.  I would read my results back to the
teacher after class or on a break.  

I have read my friend, David Goldstein's, own response to this post.  I do
agree with him that what's of primary importance is that the student convert
what he hears into music notation and not just be able to play back a tune
by ear.  However, I would respectfully disagree with David on his assertion
(if I understood him correctly) that Lime Aloud with GOODFEEL wouldn't be a
good solution because the student probably couldn't input the information
quickly enough.  I do suggest that a laptop running Lime with Lime Aloud be
used in the classroom.  It would be best to obtain a laptop with a complete
numpad or to use an auxiliary Qwerty keyboard with a numpad as most of Lime
Aloud's review functions are based on numpad keys.  Notes can be entered
directly from the PC keyboard; that is, both pitches and rhythms can be
entered.  The home keys trigger notes within a range of a tenth which can be
shifted up or down using the bracket keys.  There would be some benefit to
incorporate an actual musical MIDI keyboard connected via USB to facilitate
the entry of chordal passages.  It is possible to press multiple Qwerty keys
simultaneously to enter chords but there's a limit to the number of keys
that will play which varies from keyboard to keyboard.  

This approach has the advantage that blind musicians can enter pitches and
rhythms which get converted automatically to the equivalent print notation
for a sighted musician to read.  The equivalent braille notation can be read
on an attached braille display.  Student and teacher can scroll through the
braille and the print notation in sync which facilitates communication about
music concepts irrespective of how those concepts are notated.

OK, just my two cents and, undoubtedly, not an example of an unbiased,
objective opinion considering that my company sells GOODFEEL and Lime Aloud
(smile).  But also the opinion of someone who knows the technology well and
who has taken dictation as a blind musician.

Regards,
Bill

P. S.  Call me at 610-783-6692 to discuss or E-mail me off-list to my
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx address if you like.  Or just reply here.


-----Original Message-----
From: goodfeel-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:goodfeel-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Terry Maggiore
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:44 AM
To: goodfeel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [goodfeel] music braille 

I have a high school student that will take AP music theory next year. The
class required dictation (teacher sings or plays student write the musical
notes, etc.) This must be done in class so that the teacher corrects them as
the class is going on.
We are trying to come up with a way for this braille reader to do that. Any
suggestions? I thought a possible sythesizer with the sound off linked to a
computer where the music can be read on the screen? What do people think.
What software would this student need to write music? Also suggested set up?
yes, I will need to produce music rapidly and although I am taking a class
in braille music I think software would help me. Suggestions?
-
Terry Maggiore M.Ed. TVI, COMS
Boston Public School
Mail Address:
Boston Latin School
78 Ave Louis Pasteur
Boston, MA 02115



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