Music Advisory Service and Transcription Service

Our Music Advisory Service supports people with sight loss in any aspect of making music.

If you'd like further information, or have a specific query, please get in touch:

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 0303 123 9999

Our Transcription service can produce large print (Modified Stave Notation) and braille music versions of your scores. The service is free for individuals.

Braille music

Braille music is based on the same six dots as traditional braille letters but the meanings of the braille characters are redefined to represent musical signs instead of traditional letters. So, there are signs for each note, key, tempo and duration, as well as all the other musical signs you would expect in a score such as dynamics, ornaments, articulations and so on.

Once mastered, the braille music code opens up a world of pleasure and fulfilment and keeps the magic of playing an instrument alive.

Large print (Modified Stave Notation)

Modified Stave Notation allows you to tailor a score layout to your needs. Your preferred sizes and layout can be set up and applied to all your pieces.

Read below for examples on how we may be able to tweak your music for easier reading:

• The gaps between notes from left to right are not enlarged as much as the vertical gaps between the stave lines.
• The font size for fingerings is increased much more than the size of note heads.
• The thin lines for note tails and the stave can be made thicker, as can slurs.
• Articulation marks can be made much bigger.
• Text is usually written in Arial bold font.
• Dynamics are consistently placed below or above the stave.
• Any unusual signs or placing of symbols have a print note to help make sure you do not miss them.
• The music is usually printed in landscape format rather than portrait, to minimize the number of times you need to track back to the beginning of the next line, and so that the top of the page is less far away from your hands, if you are a keyboard player.
• The music can be printed on coloured paper and bound on whichever edge you wish. There will probably be more page turns than in the original, but these are placed at a convenient place.
• For ensemble scores, such as the vocal line for a choir, rehearsal numbers or letters are made as clear as possible, and in all longer piece’s bar numbers are made larger and clearer.
• You can request certain things to be made bolder, larger, or placed somewhere specific.

The Personal Transcription team at Ivybridge offer advice and guidance on the best way of providing you with what you need. You can also order a large print music sample book, to get an idea of the sizes that it is practical to produce.

Give them a call on 01752 690092 or email [email protected] and they will help you through the whole process.

If you’re based in Wales, or require transcription in Welsh, our Cardiff Transcription team can help. Contact them by calling 029 2082 8540 or emailing [email protected].