Table des matires
Introduction	1
Opening a file:	1
The musicxml files	1
The bxml files:	2
Create or edit a file:	2
Create a file:	2
Edit a file:	2
Recommendations for editing a file:	2
The notes:	2
The bar lines	3
The spaces in braille music sheet	3
Isolated elements on a line	3
Appendix	3
Invented codes for compatibility with the musicxml format	3
Recognised signs:	4
Notes rests and octaves:	4
Clefs:	5
Accidentals, key and time signatures:	6
Rythmic group:	7
Chords:	7
Slurs and ties:	7
Bar lines and repeats:	7
Nuances:	8
Ornaments:	8
Keyboard music:	8
Midi programs:	9

Introduction
b.note can now read and edit music sheets from ink to braille and vice-versa.
To the extent possible, we will use the official notation of musical Braille and adapt it if necessary as specified in this manual.
It is possible to open music sheets that have been prepared by blind users from a score editor such as musescore or others. They can also be found online.
Each software having its own file format, we will use the musicxml file format, which is the most portable among all existing score editors. If you have a file from musescore, in its own format which is mscz, you can export it from this same software to a musicxml file. The same applies to other existing score editors.
Conversely, you can type a music sheet in Braille, listen to it and convert it to musicxml to share it with sighted people.
b.note will use two types of files:
- musicxml files that allow exchanges between the blind and the sighted,
- bxml files which is a native format created by eurobraille that will keep information not included in the musicxml format.
You can customize the information you want to see in Braille when you open a file to read it, to see the clefs indications or not etc. However, if you want to create or modify a music sheet, much more information will need to be displayed so that the software can properly handle difficulties related, for example, to the values of larger or smaller notes.
In Braille, a whole note C is written like a sixteenth C note for example. In order to avoid any errors in the interpretation of the score by the software, for now, it will be mandatory to use an eight-dot input mode that will be explained later below.
Opening a file:
Like any other file in b.note, the music files will open from the explorer; just go to that file or enter and press a hard click with the routine cursor keys on its name.
Two types of files can be used:
The musicxml files
Any score editor for the sighted is capable of recording music scores in musicxml format. These files contain multiple information such as:
* The title of the music sheet
* its subtitle
* its composer
* its author
* the number of parts and their characteristics
* the bar lines
* the indication of key signature
* and of course the various bars and notes involved, etc
All these information can be shown in Braille, however, you may not want to display all these information on the music sheet to facilitate the reading. Some choices are already set by default, yet you can adapt them to your wishes, using the settings app, in the main menu, from the music section.
For the musicxml files, you can pick the following choices:
* Music notes in braille: you can choose to see the notes in 6 dots with groupings when you find 4 x sixteenth notes for instance, or in 6 dots without groupings or in 8 dots.
* Chords: you may choose to see ascending and descending chords. This option can currently only be used for the whole music sheet (not for the instrument, or left/right hand on a keyboard).
* Fingering: you can display the fingering whether you are confortable playing the music sheet or not.
* Clef: they are not really useful in braille, but mainly to know what the sighted people use.
* Part: each part can be named with the name, short name, or a specific ID as this is in the musicxml file.
* Bar line b123: you can choose to see each bar with space, or space followed by dots 123 then space again, as braille music allows it. This mode is currently mandatory to edit a score so the software reads the bars correctly.
* Bar number: it will allow the user to locate a specific location in the piece, for example to play bar 9 again.
* Bar number every: will allow the user to see the bar numbers, every 8 bars for example.
* Section: a section is the corresponding part of an instrument. You can choose to see the whole part straight, by part as the sighted people see it or by choosing a number of bars per section.
* Bars per section: if you choose to see a specific number of bars per section, you can choose the value of this number.
* Annotations: these are the indications in the music sheet indicating ways to play a part.
* Text excluding music: these are the indications of title, subtitle, composer and author that may be present in the scores, they will be specified at the beginning of the Braille score.
* Lyrics: you can choose to see them after each note so you can make sure this is a good match between the note and the associated text, at the beginning or at the end of the section.
The bxml files:
This is a type of files dedicated to the music application of b.note. Similar to the musicxml files, they will also store information on specific features to our application, as well as specific indications to musical braille.
The existence of these two types of files, musicxml and bxml, will also allow the user to adjust the settings of what he/she wants to see in braille for each of these formats.
In the settings application from the music section, you will have the same settings as for the musixml files detailed in chapter 1.1, but with this additional parameter:
Karaoke: this function is already planned but does not work yet with b.note. It will allow the speech synthesis to read the sentences that the user must sing, before he/she sings them, in order to remember the lyrics more easily.
Create or edit a file:
Create a file:
From the b.note file explorer, you can create a new file; you need to go to the file menu, select new, then musicxml or bxml. The bxml format might be better as it can contain additional information compared to the musicxml format, especially as the music application improves. Then follow the recommendations in Chapter 2.3.
Edit a file:
After opening an existing file, you can edit it. Then you will have to follow the recommendations in chapter 2.3.
Recommendations for editing a file:
In the current state of the b.note music software, it is mandatory to follow the following steps to get correct results.
The notes:
In musical braille, writing notes is complicated as a braille code can have several meanings:
* Whole notes are written like sixteenth notes
* Half notes like 32nd notes
* Quarter note like 64th notes
* Eight notes like 128th notes
* For example, if you have 4 sixteenth notes on the same beat, the grouping of notes option would be useful to write the first note in sixteenth notes (so as a whole note) and the next three as eighth notes thanks to the grouping of notes option.
The b.note music software does not currently manage all cases properly, so you will be requested to use an 8-point Braille notation for note entry.
The whole, the halves, the quarters and the eight notes will be written as usual, the 16th, 32nd, 64th and 128th notes will be written as usual, but dot 7 will need to be added. Once the file is saved, you can review the notation if you no longer have to modify the score.
The bar lines
In musical braille, each bar is usually separated from the next one with space. However, isolated 123 dots symbol could be used to mark the bar line. It is necessary to use the 123 dot symbol as a bar separator so that the software can read each bar properly.
Indeed, space does not only represent the bar line, but can also be found as separator of time signature, key signature etc 
Once the file is saved, you can review the notation if you no longer have to modify the score.
The spaces in braille music sheet
In order to be properly recognized, some elements must be written in isolation, at the beginning of a line followed by a space, or surrounded by a space before and after. This is the case for:
* Time signature
* Key signature
* Annotations on music sheet
* Clefs
* Numbered parts
Isolated elements on a line
Titles, subtitles, composers, authors and simple score header texts are usually written in Braille paper at the beginning of the score, with no specific indication of the nature of the element. 
In musicxml, each type of element is specifically described, so as to be presented correctly in ink. It will be necessary to prefix these indications of title or other with the appropriate code, which was invented for the purpose, see appendix.
Appendix
Invented codes for compatibility with the musicxml format
Meaning
Braille code
Text, at the beginning of the score
56,23,23,2456
Title, at the beginning of the score
56,23,23,2345
Sub-title, at the beginning of the score
56,23,23,234
Composer, at the beginning of the score
56,23,23,14
Lyricist, at the beginning of the score
56,23,23,123
Name of the track, at the beginning of each
56,23,23,1234
C maxima, value of 8 whole notes, same for other notes or rests
13456,45,14,45,14,45,14,13456
C long, same for other notes or rests
13456,45,14,45,14,13456
C, 16th note, same for other notes or rests
134567
C, 32nd, same for other notes or rests
13457
C, 64th, same for other notes or rests
14567
C, 128th, same for other notes or rests
1457
C, 256th, same for other notes or rests
C, 16th note, same for other notes or rests
C 512th, same for other notes or rests
134578
C 1024th, same for other notes or rests
145678
Recognised signs:
Notes rests and octaves:
Meaning
Braille code
C eighth
145
D eighth
15
E eighth
124
F eighth
1245
G eighth
125
A eighth
24
B eighth
245
Rest eighth
1346
C quarter
1456
D quarter
156
E quarter
1246
F quarter
12456
G quarter
1256
A quarter
246
B quarter
2456
Rest quarter
1236
C half
1345
D half
135
E half
1234
F half
12345
G half
1235
A half
234
B half
2345
Rest half
136
C whole
13456
D whole
1356
E whole
12346
F wholee
123456
G whole
12356
A whole
2346
B whole
23456
Rest whole
134
C 128th
1457
D 128th
157
E 128th
1247
F 128th
12457
G 128th
1257
A 128th
247
B 128th
2457
Rest 128th
13467
C 64th
14567
D 64th
1567
E 64th
12467
F 64th
124567
G 64th
12567
A 64th
2467
B 64th
24567
Rest 64th
12367
C 32nd
13457
D 32nd
1357
E 32nd
12347
F 32nd
123457
G 32nd
12357
A 32nd
2347
B 32nd
23457
Rest 32nd
1367
C 16th
134567
D 16th
13567
E 16th
123467
F 16th
1234567
G 16th
123567
A 16th
23467
B 16th
234567
Rest 16th
1347
C 256th
14578
D 256th
1578
E 256th
12478
F 256th
124578
G 256th
12578
A 256th
2478
B 256th
24578
Rest 256th
134678
C brve
13456,45,14,13456
D brve
1356,45,14,1356
E brve
12346,45,14,12346
F brve
123456,45,14,123456
G brve
12356,45,14,12356
A brve
2346,45,14,2346
B brve
23456,45,14,23456
Rest 2 wholes
134,45,14,134
C long
13456,45,14,45,14,13456
D long
1356,45,14,45,14,1356
E long
12346,45,14,45,14,12346
F long
123456,45,14,45,14,123456
G long
12356,45,14,45,14,12356
A long
2346,45,14,45,14,2346
B long
23456,45,14,45,14,23456
Rest 4 whole
134,45,14,45,14,134
C maxima
13456,45,14,45,14,45,14,13456
D maxima
1356,45,14,45,14,45,14,1356
E maxima
12346,45,14,45,14,45,14,12346
F maxima
123456,45,14,45,14,45,14,123456
G maxima
12356,45,14,45,14,45,14,12356
A maxima
2346,45,14,45,14,45,14,2346
B maxima
23456,45,14,45,14,45,14,23456
Rest 8 whole
134,45,14,45,14,45,14,134
Octave 1
4
Octave 2
45
Octave 3
456
Octave 4
5
Octave 5
46
Octave 6
56
Octave 7
6
Octave 0
4,4
Octave 8
6,6
Clefs:
Meaning
Braille code
G clef, treble
345,34,123
G clef in the left hand part
345,34,13
F clef, bass
345,3456,123
F clef in the right hand part
345,3456,13
C clef, alto clef for viola or high clef for bass
345,346,123
G clef line 1
345,34,4,123
G clef line 2
345,34,45,123
G clef line 3
345,34,456,123
G clef line 4
345,34,5,123
G clef line 5
345,34,46,123
F clef line 1
345,3456,4,123
F clef line 2
345,3456,45,123
F clef line 3
345,3456,456,123
F clef line 4
345,3456,5,123
F clef line 5
345,3456,46,123
G clef left hand line 1
345,34,4,13
G clef left hand line 2
345,34,45,13
G clef left hand line 3
345,34456,13
G clef left hand line 4
345,34,5,13
G clef left hand line 5
345,34,46,13
F clef right hand line 1
345,3456,4,13
F clef right hand line 2
345,3456,45,13
F clef right hand line 3
345,3456,456,13
F clef right hand line 4
345,3456,5,13
F clef right hand line 5
345,3456,46,13
C clef line 1
345,346,4,123
C clef line 2
345,346,45,123
C clef line 3
345,346,456,123
C clef line 4
345,346,5,123
C clef line 5
345,346,46,123
To generate all above clefs with an octava above, meaning that notes must be played an octave higher, add 3456,125 after the clef's code; for example':
G clef with small 8 above 345,34,123,3456,125
To generate all above clefs with an octava below, meaning that notes must be played an octave lower, add 3456,236 after the clef's code; for example':
G clef with small 8 below 345,34,123,3456,236
Accidentals, key and time signatures:
Meaning
Braille code
Sharp
146
Double sharp
146,146
Flat
126
Double flat
126,126
Natural
16
 step higher
4,146
1/4 step lower
4,126
3/4 step higher
456,146
3/4 step lower
456,126
C or "common" time
46,14
Barred C or "cut" time
456,14
4 4 time signature with 2 numbers
3456,145,256
1 sharp key
146
2 sharp key
146,146
3 sharp key
146,146,146
4 sharp key
3456,145,146
5 sharp key
3456,15,146
6 sharp key
3456,124,146
7 sharp key
3456,1245,146
1 flat key
126
2 flat key
126,126
3 flat key
126,126,126
4 flat key
3456,145,126
5 flat key
3456,15,126
6 flat key
3456,124,126
7 flat key
3456,1245,126
Rythmic group:
Meaning
Braille code
Triplet
23
Chords:
Meaning
Braille code
Second
34
Third
346
Fourth
3456
Fifth
35
Sixth
356
Seventh
25
Octave
36
Full-measure in-accord
126,345
Slurs and ties:
Meaning
Braille code
Slur between two notes or chords
14
Start phrasing slur over more than four notes or chords
14,14
End phrasing slur over more than four notes or chords
14
Start phrasing slur over more than four notes or chords
56,12
End phrasing slur over more than four notes or chords
45,23
Single-note tie
4,14
3.2.7. Fingering:
Meaning
Braille code
First finger, keyboard
1
Second finger, keyboard
12
Third finger, keyboard
123
Fourth finger, keyboard
2
Fifth fingel, keyboard
13
Bar lines and repeats:
Meaning
Braille code
Braille bar line for special uses
123
Double bar at end of composition
126,13
Double bar at end of bar or section
126,13,3
Double bar followed by dots beginning of repeat
126,2356
double bar with dots preceding end of repeat
126,23
Nuances:
Meaning
Braille code
Staccato (dt)
236
Staccatissimo (pear-shaped dot)
6,236
Accent (horizontal "v" pointing to the right)
46,236
Full breath
6,34
Fermata, pause
126,123
Diverging lines (crescendo)
345,14
End of diverging lines
345,25
Converging lines (decrescendo)
345,145
End of convrging lines
345,256
Ornaments:
Meaning
Braille code
Trill
235
Appoggiatura
5,26
Short appoggiatura (formerly grace note)
26
Short trill
5,235
Extended short trill
56,235
Mordent
5,235,123
Extended mordent
56,235,123
Arpeggio up
345,13
Upward arpeggio through two or more staves
5,345,13
Arpeggio down
345,13,13
Downward arpeggio through two or more staves
5,345,13,13
Keyboard music:
Meaning
Braille code
Piano, right hand part
46,345
Piano, left hand part
456,345
Piano, solo part to be accompanied
5,345
Piano, right hand part when intervals read up
46,345,345
Piano, left hand part when intervals read down
456,345,345
Piano, ped. or other indication for pedal down
126,14
Piano, star or other indication for pedal up
16,14
organ pedal part
45,345
Midi programs:
In MIDI, the instrument sound is selected by a program number. The following list shows which instrument sound corresponds to each of the 128 possible GM Program Numbers. There are 128 program numbers. The numbers can be displayed as values 1 to 128, or, alternatively, as 0 to 127. The 0 to 127 numbering is usually only used internally by the synthesizer; the vast majority of MIDI devices, digital audio workstations and professional MIDI sequencers display these Program Numbers as shown in the list (1128).
Piano
1 Acoustic Grand Piano or Piano 1
2 Bright Acoustic Piano or Piano 2
3 Electric Grand Piano or Piano 3 (usually modeled after Yamaha CP70)
4 Honky-tonk Piano
5 Electric Piano 1 (usually a Rhodes piano)
6 Electric Piano 2 (usually an FM piano patch)
7 Harpsichord
8 Clavinet
Chromatic Percussion
9 Celesta
10 Glockenspiel
11 Music Box
12 Vibraphone
13 Marimba
14 Xylophone
15 Tubular Bells
16 Dulcimer or Santoor
Organ
17 Drawbar Organ or Organ 1
18 Percussive Organ or Organ 2
19 Rock Organ or Organ 3
20 Church Organ
21 Reed Organ
22 Accordion
23 Harmonica
24 Bandoneon or Tango Accordion
Guitar
25 Acoustic Guitar (nylon)
26 Acoustic Guitar (steel)
27 Electric Guitar (jazz)
28 Electric Guitar (clean, usually resembling a Fender Stratocaster ran through a Roland Jazz Chorus amp)
29 Electric Guitar (muted)
30 Electric Guitar (overdriven)
31 Electric Guitar (distortion)
32 Electric Guitar (harmonics)
Bass
33 Acoustic Bass
34 Electric Bass (finger)
35 Electric Bass (picked)
36 Electric Bass (fretless)
37 Slap Bass 1
38 Slap Bass 2
39 Synth Bass 1
40 Synth Bass 2
Strings
41 Violin
42 Viola
43 Cello
44 Contrabass
45 Tremolo Strings
46 Pizzicato Strings
47 Orchestral Harp
48 Timpani
Ensemble
49 String Ensemble 1
50 String Ensemble 2
51 Synth Strings 1
52 Synth Strings 2
53 Choir Aahs
54 Voice Oohs (or Doos)
55 Synth Voice or Synth Choir
56 Orchestra Hit
Brass
57 Trumpet
58 Trombone
59 Tuba
60 Muted Trumpet
61 French Horn
62 Brass Section
63 Synth Brass 1
64 Synth Brass 2
Reed
65 Soprano Sax
66 Alto Sax
67 Tenor Sax
68 Baritone Sax
69 Oboe
70 English Horn
71 Bassoon
72 Clarinet
Pipe
73 Piccolo
74 Flute
75 Recorder
76 Pan Flute
77 Blown bottle
78 Shakuhachi
79 Whistle
80 Ocarina
Synth Lead
81 Lead 1 (square, often chorused)
82 Lead 2 (sawtooth, often chorused)
83 Lead 3 (triangle, or calliope, usually resembling a woodwind)
84 Lead 4 (sine, or chiff)
85 Lead 5 (charang, a guitar-like lead)
86 Lead 6 (voice)
87 Lead 7 (fifths)
88 Lead 8 (bass and lead or solo lead)
Synth Pad
89 Pad 1 (new age, pad stacked with a bell, often derived from "Fantasia" patch from Roland D-50)
90 Pad 2 (warm, a mellower saw pad)
91 Pad 3 (polysynth or poly, a saw-like percussive pad resembling an early 1980s polyphonic synthesizer)
92 Pad 4 (choir, similar to "synth voice")
93 Pad 5 (bowed glass or bowed, a sound resembling a glass harmonica)
94 Pad 6 (metallic, often created from a grand piano sample played with the attack removed)
95 Pad 7 (halo, choir-like pad)
96 Pad 8 (sweep, pad with a pronounced "wah" filter effect)
Synth Effects
97 FX 1 (rain, a bright pluck with echoing pulses)
98 FX 2 (soundtrack, a bright perfect fifth pad)
99 FX 3 (crystal, a synthesized bell sound)
100 FX 4 (atmosphere, usually a classical guitar-like sound)
101 FX 5 (brightness, a fast-attack stacked pad with choir or bell)
102 FX 6 (goblins, a slow-attack pad with chirping or murmuring sounds)
103 FX 7 (echoes or echo drops, similar to "rain")
104 FX 8 (sci-fi or star theme, usually an electric guitar-like pad)
Ethnic
105 Sitar
106 Banjo
107 Shamisen
108 Koto
109 Kalimba
110 Bag pipe
111 Fiddle
112 Shanai
Percussive
113 Tinkle Bell
114 Agog or cowbell
115 Steel Drums
116 Woodblock
117 Taiko Drum
118 Melodic Tom or 808 Toms
119 Synth Drum
120 Reverse Cymbal
Sound Effects
121 Guitar Fret Noise
122 Breath Noise
123 Seashore
124 Bird Tweet
125 Telephone Ring
126 Helicopter
127 Applause
128 Gunshot
