Dyslexia/Moving Notation

[bearphonium]

I have always had an issue with numbers-sequence and shape. In one job, I had to make photo boards with a 5 or 6 digit number to go with a photo (mug shots when I worked in the jail). We had the little numbers and letters that you stuck into a slot on the board. The number of backwards "3"s, upside down "2" or "5" for those numbers, and backwards "C"'s and "E"s that made it onto these crook's mugshots was quite high. Years later, people would book in, and one of the records officers would say "there's one of Ally's mugs"

Reading license plates or addressess (all county locations have 5 numbers--just perfect for confusing 87541 and 84571--only about 4 miles apart!) is a challenge, and the number of times I have to correct my transmission on the number part of the license plate is about a daily occurrence.

I have returned to music after about a 20 year lay-off, and have been dismayed by the difficulty I have in sight reading rythems, and reading this post has given me a real "ah-ha" moment! I thought it was switching from French Horn and the afterbeats to Tuba and the on-beats, but it is a bit more than that.

As an aside, reading has never been an issue for me (although I do jump ahead) but my spelling has been a lifetime challenge.

Ally"who likes it when they dyslexic dispatcher is on, so we can BOTH repeat our traffic"House

[MaryAnn]

I do not have dyslexia as far as I know and I have good vision, but lately I have had to have more light to see the music well. Usually I open the windows for as much natural light and have to turn on the lights in my practice room just to see some of the harder passages clearly.
Keegan

How old are you? From what I've read, the very first noticeable manifestation of glaucoma is a need for more light. A visit to the eye doctor is in order, to make sure that you catch it early if it is glaucoma, because glaucoma can't be reversed.

MA

[Robert N. Calkins]

When I taught regular ed in elementary classrooms, I ran across students with reading problems called scatopic vision, which manifested itself as text at the edges of the page wandering off the page and disappearing (mainly with black text). As several have mentioned, colored transparencies, used in certain combinations, helped a great deal in these cases. Myself, my vision problem is that of wearing bifocals (blended) and not being able to find a spot on the lenses where I can read music comfortably. I usually take my glasses off altogether and find that yields the best results. It also gives me a good excuse if I ever get one of those "looks" from the conductor. As you get older, excersizing your eyes is just as important as physical workouts, if you plan on sustaining your ability to read. BTW, you will probably find that, upon reaching the age of 40, your vision will change, necessitating bifocals for those with nearsightedness.

[tbn.al]

It never ceases to amaze me how much some folks can accomplish no matter what the obstacles. You guys are awesome. I don't have any eye problems except getting old and needing glasses. Which can be a problem in and of itself. The new progressive lenses which I wear and love are crap for music. The sweet spot is too small and never in the right spot. I found the answer and it may be of help to some. I bought a pair of perscription "executive" glasses. These are bifocals that are two thirds magnifying and one third distance. The line is about one third of the way down the lense. I put the line about the top of the stand and I can see the conductor perfectly and the magnifying part is set for 34 inches and corrects my astigmatism. I can see the whole page at once. It is especially helpful for trombone. I do however now notice when the conductor looks at me and winces, which is a pain.

[windshieldbug]

I can see the whole page at once. It is especially helpful for trombone. I do however now notice when the conductor looks at me and winces, which is a pain.

Serves you right for looking. Remember, looking, like practice, shows a lack of self confidence!

[tbn.al]

Serves you right for looking. Remember, looking, like practice, shows a lack of self confidence!

I know! I know! But I can't help it. I'm not really looking for approval, it's just force of habit.

[bearphonium]

I gotta get some of those executive glasses!! My progressives work great in everything BUT music. I cannot wear them and march, and I HAVE to have glasses to read the music. I bounce around so much in sit-down settings that I feel like a pinball. I have tried regular "cheaters" but I can't see anything in front of the chair ahead of me, and I get dizzy.

I have also had the b and p issue...beople is one of my most frequently typo'd words, either on a keyboard or in handwriting.

[MaryAnn]

… perscription "executive" glasses …

I shall be looking into these fairly soon. Thanks!

The "executive" is the type of bifocal, not where it's located vertically on the lens. The "standard" bifocal is called a flat top 28, and is a section inside the lower (usually) part of the lens; "executive" refers to the bifocal not being an inset but the entire width of the lens, which allows you to look farther left and right without turning your head. Where it is placed in the lens has nothing to do with the type of bifocal. You have to be careful with your optician that s/he has it clear where you want the bifocal, because they will usually set it at the lash line of your lower eyelid (lower half/third/whatever, for reading books etc.) Most will not have encountered someone who wants it to encompass the lower 2/3 or 3/4 of the lens, and you may have some explaining to do.

MA

[tbn.al]

… perscription "executive" glasses …

I shall be looking into these fairly soon. Thanks!

The "executive" is the type of bifocal, not where it's located vertically on the lens. The "standard" bifocal is called a flat top 28, and is a section inside the lower (usually) part of the lens; "executive" refers to the bifocal not being an inset but the entire width of the lens, which allows you to look farther left and right without turning your head. Where it is placed in the lens has nothing to do with the type of bifocal. You have to be careful with your optician that s/he has it clear where you want the bifocal, because they will usually set it at the lash line of your lower eyelid (lower half/third/whatever, for reading books etc.) Most will not have encountered someone who wants it to encompass the lower 2/3 or 3/4 of the lens, and you may have some explaining to do.

MA

You are so right Mary Ann. My Dr. made me explain what I wanted and why I wanted them about 3 times before he bought it. I had seen a pair in the orchestra I play with and knew enough to measure my ideal stand distance before I went in. That sealed it for him.