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. Most are also available by download, as described below.
Download Music BooksK
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/
Magazines
Magazines are available by direct-mail subscription to registered users. Subscriptions may be obtained through the local cooperating library or the NLS Music Section. Several are also available via download from BARD. The magazines are:
- Braille Music Magazine, a monthly British publication containing articles and criticism from British classical music magazines. Hard-copy embossed issues are mailed to all subscribers.
- Contemporary Sound Track: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country, a bimonthly NLS-compiled sampler of articles from national magazines. It is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
- Musical Mainstream, an NLS-compiled sampler from national magazines. It contains current articles on classical music and music education. The quarterly publication is available in large print, braille, ebraille, and audio. Audio is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
- Popular Music Lead Sheets, an NLS-compiled collection of melodies, lyrics, and chords to popular songs ranging from oldies to recent hits. Published quarterly in braille, it is available on BARD.
- Quarterly Music Magazine, a single issue of a complete music magazine chosen from among commercial popular and classical offerings. The audio publication is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
- Sound and Vision, a monthly publication containing articles and reviews of music recordings and information about technological equipment. It is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
Music Catalogs, 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 Materials Created by/about Blind or Visually Impaired Musicians
Music Catalogs
- Holiday Music Catalog
- Music Instruction Catalog
- Music Appreciation Catalog
- Music Biographies Catalog
- Large-Print Scores and Book Catalog
- Large-Print Scores and Book Catalog [PDF: 1 MB / 92p.]
- Piano Scores, Braille
- Organ Scores, Braille
- Organ Scores, Braille [PDF: 1 MB / 234p.]
- Organ Scores, Braille [Word: 395 KB / 234p.]
- Braille Scores Catalog - Violins 2018
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 Braille Code 2015 [PDF / 428p.] External
- Music Braille Code 2015 [zip folder for BRF] on Braille Authority page External
Music Transcribing Manual
Introduction to Braille Music Transcription, Third Edition, by Mary Turner De Garmo, revised and edited by Karen Gearreald, Christina Davidson, Kathleen Cantrell, John Hanson. Washington, D.C.: 2021. Braille (BRF) and print edition (PDF) available for download at https://nfb.org/programs-services/braille-certification/music-braille-transcribing as well as enrollment and application information for the Braille Music Transcribing certification.
Braille Music Course Materials from Hadley
These four courses developed by the 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 in BRF or in large print (LPM) in PDF from links below. The braille and audio course materials are also available to download from the Music Collection on BARD in BRM or DBM.
Braille Music Basics
Volume 1: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 2: Answer key for exercises [BRF]
Braille Music Basics (LPM00900) [PDF]
Braille Music Basics (BRM37001)
Braille Music Reading
Volume 1: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 2: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 3: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 4: Quick reference guide [BRF]
Volume 5: Answer key for exercises [BRF]
Braille Music Reading (LPM00901) [PDF]
Braille Music Reading (BRM37002)
Braille Music Reading: Audio Tracks for Exercises (DBM04340)
Braille Music Reading: Keyboard Music
Volume 1: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 2: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 3: Keyboard Music--A Discussion for Braille Music Readers [BRF]
Volume 4: Answer key for exercises [BRF]
Braille Music Reading: Keyboard Music (LPM00902) [PDF]
Braille Music Reading: Keyboard Music (BRM37003)
Braille Music Reading: Vocal Music
Volume 1: Course textbook [BRF]
Volume 2: Answer key for exercises [BRF]
Braille Music Reading: Vocal Music (LPM00903) [PDF]
Braille Music Reading: Vocal Music (BRM37004)