Where can I find sheet music?

So you are looking to buy sheet music but unsure to where to look? Read our guide on the best places to find sheet music.

The main source of sheet music these days is here on the internet. There are numerous sites online that have massive back catalogues of sheet music ranging from the 1800’s through to the present day. The exciting thing about purchasing online is that you are able to download the sheet music directly onto your computer and instantly print out the music. Some sites even allow you to edit the sheet music if you play an instrument that uses a different tuning to the original concert pitch.

Online auctions sites are also a great place to find sheet music. If you are going to buy sheet music from online auction sites here are a few tips:

1) Photos

If you are buying a collection of sheet music, beware of sellers only showing the top of the stack of sheet music. It could mean that the rest of the sheet music is poor quality. Request for more photos from the seller to ensure that the sheet music is good quality.

2) Exaggerated claims

Often sellers will claim the sheet music to be rare in order to try and bump up the price. It is key to remember that most sheet music printed over the years were sold in the millions to a mass market, as a result finding a rare piece of sheet music, is in fact rare in itself.

3) Price

Some sellers on online auction sites will often post sheet music with an inflated price with the claim of it being rare; in the hope that a buyer believes the sheet music is highly sort after. Research the piece of sheet music you are going to buy to get a guide price.

If you are looking to find sheet music offline there are many specialist music stores.

If you are looking for a bargain or having trouble trying to find sheet music another popular haunt are car boot sales. This process can be lengthy and it’s no guarantee that you will find the sheet music you are after, still if you’re in the right mood, the search can be exciting.

Charity shops are also another great place to find sheet music at a discounted rate, you can even phone ahead to ask the stores whether they have any sheet music and/or if they ever receive sheet music to reserve it for you.