[Menvi-discuss] Concern About Text-Based Music

[Marc Sabatella]

On 8/13/2013 1:49 PM, Dale Lieser wrote:
> I have biases toward notation systems that already exist.

Me too, which is why I favor ABC (which is around the same age as 
Sibelius) for text-based notation rather than inventing a brand new 
one.  At least, I favor ABC unless eventually a consensus develops that 
it really is worth developing a new system from scratch.

> Although screen reader support for Sibelius is not updated as 
> frequently as it once was, using that scoring software has taught me 
> much about the print music system. And, being very comfortable with 
> braille music, I see the adequacies of /that/ form of notation too. It 
> seems to me that to create yet a third method of input, that of a 
> text-based "language", sets BVI users apart, rather than more directly 
> integrating that subset of musicians into a "mainstream" of creating 
> music notation. I favor braille input or adaptations to print scoring 
> software.

That certainly makes sense.  But do keep in mind I am not talking about 
*replacing* existing systems that work well for those lucky enough to 
already have access to Sibelius and/or software that can accept Braille 
input or produce Braille output.  For those so fortunate, the appeal of 
free alternatives will of course be less. But the text based systems I 
mention exist today, and can be used by anyone - blind or sighted - for 
free.  It is this free availability that can make them a compelling 
choice right now to those without the means to purchase Sibelius or a 
Braille-based system.  Or would be compelling if only the tools were 
better known, better integrated, etc.   Solving those problems is a far 
easier task than creating suitable adaptations of other score writing 
software.  But as I've observed previously, it is also my intent to make 
sure MuseScore at least gets an accessibility treatment on the level of 
the various Sibelius products.

Marc

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