Music Materials - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)

Music Scores and Books

The NLS music collection, authorized by Congress in 1962, includes braille and large-print musical scores, recorded instructional materials, and recorded materials about music and musicians. All materials are circulated postage free, and some digital audio and ebraille materials are available for download over the Internet. Any person eligible for NLS service is also eligible for NLS music services. However, while patrons receive most NLS services through the network of cooperating libraries, music materials are circulated directly to patrons from the NLS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Services must be requested through the office as noted below.

How to Request Music Materials

To receive music materials from NLS, eligible patrons may contact the NLS Music Section via email at [email protected] , phone at 800-424-8567 ext. 2, fax at 202-707-0712, or postal mail at:

Music Section
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20542

The Music Section has produced a number of catalogs listing available material, which can be requested along with other Music Section publications. If interested, please complete the music publication order form. Some are also available by download, as described below.

The Music Section welcomes comments from patrons.

Download Music Books

Learn how to access audio and braille materials online.

The Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) is a web-based service that provides access to thousands of braille and encrypted audio books, magazines, and music scores available from NLS. The service is available to registered users of the braille and talking book program through their local braille and talking book library.

A variety of audio and braille music books may be also downloaded through the BARD Mobile app, which requires connection to a refreshable braille display via a Bluetooth connection. The BARD website and mobile app are password-protected, and all files are in an electronically downloadable form of compressed audio or formatted braille. BARD is available to registered users of NLS through their local braille and talking book library.

Publications about the NLS Music Section

Learn more about the Music Section, and the services it provides.

Facts: Music Scores and Books for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have a Physical Disability
Facts: Music Scores and Books for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have a Physical Disability [ebraille (BRF)]
NLS Music Notes Blog
NLS Music Notes is a blog for those who want, need, provide, or are generally interested in special-format music materials in braille, audio, and large print offered by the NLS Music Section. It aims to highlight the lesser-known materials, activities, and people that are integral to the Music Section and its music patrons. Four NLS staffers currently write weekly blog posts that focus on items from the collection, along with a variety of related music topics and activities. Past blog topics include newly added titles, profiles on braille music transcribers and their work, and free braille music giveaways, as well as interviews of patrons and narrators. NLS Music Notes’ readership is growing daily and new posts appear every Thursday. To read one of the over 100 blogs posted or to subscribe for future blogs, visit http://blogs.loc.gov/nls-music-notes/

Music Circulars, Guides, and Resources

Learn more about the offerings of the audio, braille, and large-print music materials

Dictionary of Braille Music Signs Volume 1 [ebraille (BRF)]
Dictionary of Braille Music Signs Volume 2 [ebraille (BRF)]
Who’s Afraid of Braille Music [ebraille (BRF)]
Who’s Afraid of Braille Music [PDF: 635 KB / 24 p.]
Piano Methods in Braille
Braille Scores Catalog, Piano, in braille [PDF]
Braille Scores Catalog, Piano, in braille, 1 of 3 [ebraille (BRF)]
Braille Scores Catalog, Piano, in braille, 2 of 3 [ebraille (BRF)]
Braille Scores Catalog, Piano, in braille, 3 of 3 [ebraille (BRF)]
Piano Methods in Braille [ebraille (BRF)]
Braille Music Transcribers
Braille Music Transcribers (Circular 4) [Word: 33 KB / 16 p.]
Braille Music Transcribers (Circular 4) [ebraille (BRF)]
Music Periodicals Available from NLS (Circular 5)
Braille Piano Music Produced by NLS: 1979-92 (Circular 8) [ebraille (BRF)]
Opera Librettos (Circular 16)

Music Catalogs

Music Instruction Catalog
Music Appreciation Catalog
Music Biographies Catalog
Large-Print Scores and Book Catalog
Large-Print Scores and Book Catalog [PDF: 1MB / 92p.]
Piano Scores, Braille
Braille Scores Catalog – Organ 1994 [text file (TXT)]
Braille Scores Catalog – Organ 1994 [ebraille (BRF)]
Braille Scores Catalog – Violins 2018

Music Magazines – Popular Music Lead Sheets (PMLS)

Published by the NLS Music Section four times each year, approximately quarterly, available in embossed braille and on BARD
Contains lyrics, melody, and chords for five songs popular in the United States, often from different eras
Patrons registered with NLS Music Section can subscribe to the title and receive new issues when published
Patrons registered on BARD can download .brf files of any issue
Alphabetical list by song title
Sequential list by PMLS issue number

Music Braille Code

Learn how to transcribe music notes and symbols to braille

Music Transcribing Manual

Introduction to Braille Music Transcription, Second Edition 2005, by Mary Turner De Garmo, revised and edited by Lawrence R. Smith, Music Braille Transcriber

Print edition

Braille edition

Braille Music Course Materials from Hadley

These four courses developed by Hadley Institute are intended for adults who wish to learn braille music for themselves, to support braille music learners, and possibly pursue further training in teaching braille music or transcribing print music into braille. The courses are available in downloadable braille (BRM) through BARD or in large print (LPM) in PDF from links below.

Braille Music Basics (BRM37001)
Braille Music Basics (LPM00900) [PDF]

Braille Music Reading (BRM37002)
Braille Music Reading (LPM00901) [PDF]
Braille Music Reading: Audio Tracks for Exercises (DBM04340)

Braille Music Reading: Keyboard Music (BRM37003)
Braille Music Reading: Keyboard Music (LPM00902) [PDF]

Braille Music Reading: Vocal Music (BRM37004)
Braille Music Reading: Vocal Music (LPM00903) [PDF]