I have a blind (since birth) friend that's been playing the piano for 12 years now, this is the video

https://youtube.com/shorts/E14-O3Wbq-4?feature=share

I make my living as a musician without knowing braille music. Frankly a lot of the stuff I do is at such short notice I would never be able to get it transcribed into braille anyway. I rely on a lot of favours from buddies who play stuff out for me to learn by ear and I have learned entire stage shows, so it can be done. The main issue I have is directed vamps, that is, filling in gaps with repetitive bars of music which is usually controlled by the musical director conducting. We have various solutions to that but generally there is a way to make it work.

Yes, there are jobs I can't and don't take because I can't see what I'm doing and that costs me money but in the main there are usually solutions if you are smart about it.

Yes, memorizing is what people do. I know many musicians that play great without knowing Braille, but those who are actually successful in their career know Braille music. Berkly has a program, and it's supposed to be the best.

My brother in law is legally blind. He plays drums but does everything by ear. I was in a band with him at one point, and since I'm also a drummer, we could go over the parts together so he could memorize them. He's never had to read music, but I still think it's important to study theory even if it's only by ear.

I've got mad respect for people who can remember that much material. I usually chart out my set list.

Not all musicians read notes, i don’t.

As a fluent braille music reader, I memorize my music. I can read music and words at the same time, but it's quite slow to do this. But yes, you have to learn the music.

Yep. Braille music has to be memorized. You can tackle it in small chunks and read with one hand and play with the other when practicing, but ultimately everything must be memorized. Sadly, my days of sight reading tons of music for fun at the piano are gone.

I don’t know very much Braille but I do play two instruments! I mostly play by ear and by learning chords so I can jump if I forget a note. I also use a tuner + flashing metronome!