Modified stave notation - An approach to making stave notation more accessible to users who are partially sighted

Abstract

Stave notation is a complex code with more variety in symbol appearance and usage than alphabetical language. To parallel work on making information accessible, the Royal National Institute of the Blind is compiling benchmarks for producing Modified Stave Notation. Modifications are quickly executed using music score-writing packages. By reducing the extremes of symbol size, removing redundant space, placing symbols in consistent positions and providing verbal description to support the musical text, the notation is clearer than mere photo-enlargement. Two examples of this process are discussed, based on small-scale surveys of musicians who are partially sighted. © Springer-Verlag 2004.