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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |

The Printed Music industry is, for the most part, pretty far behind the times as far as search engines are concerned. Unless you know exactly what you are looking for -- including the exact title entered in the database, the composer, publisher, instrumentation, arranger, product number (not usually the ISBN -- for some reason, most music publishers do not use this number, nor is this number included in their databases), you are going to discover that finding the music you desired is pretty difficult. Even if you do have this information, you may still have difficulty especially if the music is published outside the country in which you live and/or the music is no longer in print.

Music stores do have access to some database to which lay people do not, however, I very often am able to find music for customers using the Internet. Here are some search tips from a printed music manager.

Gather all the information you can able the desired piece of music. Composer, title, alternative titles, opus numbers, publisher, publisher's ordering number, arranger, instrument or voice part, date of publication.
First, try to find the music on a database -- I suggest . Their database has a search function that will enable you to fine-tune your search. At the bottom of the page, you can search within results. I find this feature very helpful. If, for example, you are looking for a duet for clarinet and marimba, search first by marimba to narrow the search as much as possible the first time. When you get those results, narrow it by duets; then clarinet. You'll have a list of possibilities. All you have to do is make your selection. Search for variations of spellings of the composer's name as well as alternative names for compositions -- such as "Schubert's Trout" or "New World Symphony." You are likely to get different results from slightly different search requests.

If you think the music is only available in a digital format or you want it in a digital format (so you can transpose on the spot), go to musicnotes.com.
If you can't find the music on sheetmusicplus, chances are the music is either out of print or not available in the US. If you suspect the music is out of print, try Biblio.com. They have a network of used book and printed music vendors who post their available stock. If you can't find it here, set up an agent so that when a company lists the title for which you are looking, you will be notified. You might also try ebay.com; however they do not have the selection of printed music that biblio has.
If the music is published outside the US, try Elkin Music International or some international online music distributors such as Tom Lee Music (Asian, especially) or Music Room (UK). Sometimes, music cannot be brought into the country by a music dealer but can be ordered from an out-of-country web site by a customer. This is the case, for example, for Mulan Rouge music. Because of copyright battles and/or laws, music may be available at through these sites but not through a US site.
If you can't find the music through any of these resources, use google.com to see if the music is published by a very small press. Google also allows you to narrow the search fairly well.
If the music is available on a CD, record, tape, DVD, etc., try contacting the company that made the media. If they do not hold the copyright to the music, they probably know who does or can refer you to the artist who knows who holds the copyright. If you are lucky, even if the music is not in print, you may be able to get to the composer who may have written the music down and would be willing to see or give you a copy. Usually, the company that made the media will have a phone number or web site address on the disk or label.

FAQ
What's the difference between sheet music and printed music?
Sheet music is a subset of printed music. Sheet music is printed music -- one title published individually. Printed music includes single sheet music as well as collections or books of music. Customers tend to use sheet music to mean any printed music. This can lead to misunderstandings when ordering music because the person taking the order may think that you what that title any way it is published. If you want a title only if it is published as a single sheet (the usually $3.95 product), specify single sheet music. If you want the title even if it is only available in a collection, state that. Some titles are not available as a single sheet and are only available in collections. Some titles are only available as electronic printed music at web sites such as musicnotes.com.

Where can I find Asian or Russian music?
Elkin Music International or a foreign online store, such as Tom Lee Music (Asian, especially) or Music Room (UK), are your best bets.

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