[Dixielandjazz] Free Sheet Music

[PHIL WILKING]

There have been several requests for sheet music lately and that leads me the send the following:

FREE Sheet Music Downloads
(NOT an exhaustive list)

Mississippi State University
http://library.msstate.edu/ragtime/

Indiana University
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/inharmony/welcome.do

UCLA
http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/sheetmusic/

Duke University
http://library.duke.edu/music/sheetmusic/collections.html

Colorado University
http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/music/smp/browse.htm

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
http://libraries.mit.edu/music/sheetmusic/

Petrucci Music Library
http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page


The URL’s listed above are just a few of the many sources of scans of public domain sheet music which may be downloaded at no charge by anyone with a web browser.

Some of them, such as Mississippi State and Colorado Universities act independently. Others, particularly UCLA and Indiana U., work with several other institutions so that you get the music from five or six libraries from one URL.

Each of the participating libraries has its own standard practices, which differ. Some scan the cover and the music, but not the advertising, some scan only the music, and a few scan everything. Some simply display the pages and the user has to “right click” each picture to do a “Save Page As,” and then assemble the page pictures himself; others have already assembled PDF files which you can download, and some custom generate a PDF file of a tune while you wait.

The scans vary in resolution, but all are legible when printed on standard USA letter paper.

The general rule for availability seems to be a cut-off date of the second half of 1923 in the USA. This can vary, though. If a participating library is not in the USA, it follows its local copyright law. For example, The National Library of Australia participates in UCLA’s program and follows Australian law. The British Museum has a web site and follows British law, as the French National Library follows French law on its web site.

Even if a tune is not available on-line, its title and other information will be posted. This will allow you to go to your local library and ask them to request a copy for you. It may cost a little money for Xerox fees and postage, but you probably can get it.

Phil Wilking

Those who would exchange freedom
for security deserve neither
freedom nor security.