Good idea, Laura! One more way in which the Binding Space is helpful! Thanks, Maria
>----- Original Message ----- >From: "laura wolk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: Braillenote List <[email protected] >Sent: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 13:12:48 -0500 (EST) >Subject: using hymnals - Re: [Braillenote] The Cursor >Hi Rhonda, Maria, and all others using hymnals: >Just thought I'd throw my two cents worth in as to how I use a hymnal >compatibly with the bn. In often cantor (which means I am singing by myself), >so I really must keep my place at all times, or we'd have one embarrassed >Laura on our hands. >Like all of you, I only write the chorus in once and write the word "refrain" >where the chorus comes back in. This is because our hymns are not standard >"verse, chorus, verse, chorus", etc. They often have different layouts. What >I do is this: >My hymns are stored in a keyword-type document. When I write the verses, I >separate every sentence with a binding space instead of a regular space. A >binding space will cause the bn to read the multiple lines as one long line >(this method will really only work if you're relying solely on your Braille >display, which I'm guessing you all are because, frankly, listening to speech >and then singing just seems superhuman to me *grin*). Anyway, I then hit a >carriage return, indent, and write the chorus in a similar fashion. Repeat >this process for the remaining verses. >This means that, after I have sung verse 1, the chorus, and verse 2, I need >only to very swiftly press space with dot 1 to return to the chorus. When I >know I'm getting to the end of the chorus (which I always memorize), I just >hit the space with dot 4 twice quickly to get to verse 3. Our hymns generally >do not go past the fourth verse, and I find this process incredibly suitable >and easy to implement, and thought I would pass it along. To enter a binding >space, hit enter with b (control with space), after your mark of punctuation >instead of hitting the plain spacebar. Alternatively, you can just use >semicolons or commas and write out one long line of text, but that seems a bit >less seemly. >Lets use the second verse, chorus, and third verse of the Prayer of St. >Frances, a relatively familiar hymn. This is our version, so I'm sure it will >differ slightly, but the message should still apply. >Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is despair in life, let me bring >hope; where there is darkness, only light; and where there's sadness, ever joy. > Oh master grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console. > To be understood as to understand, and to be loved as to love with all my > soul. >Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in >giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying that we're born to eternal >life. (Refrain.) >This hymn is an especially good example because its instruction already uses >semicolons and commas to our advantage. Placing a binding space after "peace" >in the second verse causes the bn to view this line of text as one single, >long line. Repeating this procedure after "console" in the chorus causes the >same effect. Therefore, when I read the word "refrain" in verse three, one >tap of the keys brings me back to the refrain. >I hope this has been of some use to someone. Laura
