Happy Fingers
Easy Songs for Braille Music Readers Collected &
Edited by
Christina Davidson & Karen Gearreald
All the music in the HAPPY FINGERS series
is in the Public Domain.
Permission for use is granted to all who promote Braille Music Literacy
Sales of these books in any format are strictly prohibited.
Download for FREE!
(Right click and save the link target or go to the page and save a copy)
A basic knowledge of braille music is
required before using this book,
including the notes, rests, slurs, time signatures and bars.
If you want to learn braille music, we recommend starting with
"How to Read
Braille Music" (2nd edition) by Bettye Krolick
available
from the National Braille Press.
Songs include: Go Tell Aunt Rhody, When the Saints
Go Marching In, On Top of Old Smoky,
Scarborough Fair, the Alphabet Song, Row Row Row Your Boat, White Coral
Bells,
Oh How Lovely is the Ev'ning, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands and
the Octave Song by Christina Davidson
Book 2 introduces sharps and flats, repeats, first and second endings
and
melodies that will challenge your braille reading skills. A new section
entitled
"Notes to Students and Teachers" has been added to summarize the music
terms
and concepts presented in each song.
Songs include: America the Beautiful, Yankee
Doodle, Dona Nobis Pacem, Hush Little Baby,
Are You Sleeping, America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee), Skip to My Lou
Home on the Range, Jingle Bells and This Old Man (Theme &
Variations)
"The HAPPY FINGERS books are designed to challenge and encourage
braille readers of all ages
so that ears, voices, and fingers can work together in the enjoyment of
music.
Songs are presented in order of difficulty, beginning with the easiest.
The HAPPY FINGERS books are gratefully dedicated to Louis Braille
and Bettye Krolick.
In the nineteenth century, Louis Braille invented the braille
music system
so that visually impaired musicians could read, learn, and write music
independently.
In the twentieth century, Bettye Krolick stabilized and
publicized braille music
so that braille readers could continue to benefit. Throughout her many
years of transcribing
and teaching, Bettye insisted that braille music is not hard to
learn.
She knew that musical fulfillment must be more than mere imitation or
rote learning.
Bettye helped us understand that braille music skills enable visually
impaired musicians
to excel as creators and leaders.
Now in the twenty-first century, we are using the computer to share the
joys and opportunities that Louis and Betty have given to us."
-- Karen Gearreald & Christina Davidsoon
Here is a
print sample from HAPPY FINGERS Book 1
(for sighted teachers, parents & friends) The print version includes chord
symbols for accompaniment;
the chord symbols are NOT in the braille transcriptions.
Have fun learning BRAILLE MUSIC !
Contact me if you want to be notified about future HAPPY FINGERS books
or have comments or questions tina@ctdcreations.com
