Braille Music Resources

Areas Assisted:

• Visual Impairment

Possibly Applications:

• Theory/Analysis/Pedagogy
• Rehearsal/Performance

Braille Sheet Music provides an excellent resource for native Braille readers to analyze and study scores in an accessible manner. The UNT Music Library provides a comprehensive Braille Music Station that uses Braille Music technology geared toward translating sheet music for Braille users. The Braille display for the Braille Music Station is available during the Music Service Desk hours of operation.

For training inquiries and questions, please email musicref@unt.edu, but the following is an overview of the Braille Music Scanning Process.

Scanning/Generating Music Braille

The following resources are provided to help instructors and students alike create braille music realizations of sheet music for individual use. Please contact us with any questions on the process.

Scanning Sheet Music for Braille

Using the attached scanner at the Accessibility Workstation, users can scan scores with SharpEye to convert to a music notation file.

Often times, the file may need to be corrected for notes that did not scan clearly. This process works a lot like traditional notation/engraving software.

Once adjusted for accuracy, the file can be saved as MIDI, NIFF, or Music XML which can then be opened in the accessibility software GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator and Lime (both on the Accessibility station) to transfer the file to a Braille Display.

Using MusicXML files for Braille Music

You can bypass the scanning process by using MusicXML files. You can import the MusicXML file into Lime and then further convert it into braille music via GOODFEEL. Please note that you should always review any MusicXML file you did not create yourself to ensure accuracy.

The Music Library staff are happy to offer training in the software, but if you are interested you can see the following link for a more in-depth guide to GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator.

Online Music Braille Conversion

Users can bypass using Lime by uploading MusicXML files to Sao Mai Braille Online Music Braille Converter. It will convert individual parts in a score, as well as provide options on the formatting of the resultant braille score.

Sourcing Braille Music 

The following resources can assist users in sourcing already made braille music.

Texas Talking Books Program

Students enrolled at UNT can take advantage of the Texas Talking Book program, which grants access to the Library of Congress Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) catalog. NOTE: Students must first go through the enrollment process in the Texas Talking Book program to gain access to any BARD materials.

Enrolling in the Texas Talking Books Program

To begin the enrollment process, visit Texas Talking Books Application

Note: You will need a certified professional to sign the application on the last page of the form.

Eligibility must be certified by one of the following: public or welfare agencies (such as an educator, a social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, certified reading specialist, dyslexia specialist, school psychologist, superintendent, or librarian), registered nurse, therapist, professional staff of hospitals, institutions, doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, ophthalmologist, optometrist, or psychologist. 

For more information or to contact a Music Librarian who can assist in the application process you can contact the UNT Music library at musicref@unt.edu. You can also contact your ODA representative.

More on the process is described on the Apply for NLS Services webpage.

Browsing the BARD Catalogue

Once enrolled, users may browse the catalog of braille music by visiting Access the BARD catalog

NOTE: You can access digital files as long as you are enrolled in BARD.

For digital braille scores, a student may fulfill their own request via self-service, without going through staff of the NLS Music Section. A significant portion of their braille music collection is available to download from BARD, the NLS e-reading platform. If the student is signed up as an NLS patron, they will have access to BARD and can visit the Music Collection on BARD to download their scores as digital braille files (BRF). From there, they can read their scores on a braille display, or emboss them as hard-copy braille using a braille embosser. If the student prefers, the Music Section can emboss the score for the student and send it to them via USPS mail (the student would need to e-mail the Music Section to request embossing). They can also e-mail braille files to a student’s advocate/liaison at the university for embossing.

For braille scores that are not yet available to download from BARD, the student can directly contact the NLS Music Section by e-mail or phone to request the score. NLS Music librarians will then initiate digitizing the score (time varies depending on the length of the score). We can then either e-mail the digital file to the student or emboss the score and send it in the mail.

To search the Music Section’s digital resources (including braille scores ready for download), patrons can search the  Music Collection on BARD. To search the entire music collection (both digital and not-yet-digitized braille scores), the best resource is the NLS OPAC, which provides more powerful search and displays a complete MARC record for each score: 

For all assistance with tracking down braille scores, e-mail or call the Music Section directly to speak with their staff:

Music Section contact information

Email: nlsm@loc.gov

Phone: 800-424-8567 ext. 2

IMSLP Braille Resources

The International music Score Library Project has a growing collection of Works with Braille Scores (IMSLP) When viewing an entry's page, you can navigate to the "Braille Scores" tab to view any braille score versions of the work you've selected. The entries there will include any miscellaneous notes on the braille score formatting that may help users. 

NOTE: Many braille scores are users generated, so be sure to review  the content for accuracy. They may also include specific copyright information such as any Creative Commons attributions that are required when sharing the material. Please be sure to review any copyright information with each entry, and feel free to contact our copyright team at CLEAR.Copyright@unt.edu with any copyright questions.

Things to Consider with Braille Music

• Because of the nature of scanning technology, handwritten works such as manuscripts and works prior to the 1700’s may have some difficulty in scanning for Braille.
• Similarly, contemporary or experimental music relying on graphic notation will likely not translate well to Braille Music.
• Even with recently printed scores, there is always an amount of setup time required to translate the scan or file for use with Assistive Technology.
• It’s possible to use pre-made scores in MIDI or MusicXML format, which could save you time. However, it’s important to review these files for accuracy beforehand.

Note: The Music Library is currently securing a braille embosser to print braille music. Once this equipment is integrated, this page will be updated to include any new protocol.