Tired of playing the same music day in and day out? It may be time to buy digital sheet music that you can learn today.
Keep reading to learn where you can shop for your next solo and why you may want to go the digital route.
But first, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more!
Sheet Music Plus
One of the best websites where you can buy digital sheet music is Sheet Music Plus. SMP publishes music submitted through the ArrangeMe program.
This allows composers and arrangers to self-publish their sheet music. You can search for original works along with arrangements of public domain works and copyrighted songs.
It’s a great place to look for solos and ensemble pieces. And if you want to make some extra cash, you can join as an affiliate to promote your favorite works!
Sheet Music Direct
Sheet Music Direct is another similar option for finding digital sheet music files. Unlike SMP, SMD only sells digital copies, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally ordering a print version.
It’s also part of ArrangeMe’s distribution plan, so you can find similar titles here. There’s also SMD Pass, which is a subscription where you can access unlimited works.
For better or worse, music published through ArrangeMe isn’t eligible for access through the pass.
MusicaNeo
A lesser-known site you may want to check out is MusicaNeo. It’s similar to SMP and SMD in that individuals can self-publish their sheet music.
You’ll primarily find original works and arrangements of music in the public domain. It’s also a good place to find a composer to hire for a commission.
This website even allows composers to sell licenses separately from the actual music. So if you have the music, you could just purchase a license or vice versa.
Musicnotes
Musicnotes is also a great place to shop for digital sheet music. You can find tons of copyrighted songs on there, including original scores and arrangements.
They also allow individual composers and arrangers to self-publish their music. The Musicnotes Marketplace grants musicians the chance to publish digital files.
While the copyrighted song list isn’t as vast as ArrangeMe, it still has a good selection. So as a buyer, you may find what you’re looking for.
Musescore
You may know Musescore as a free notation program, and it is. However, there’s also the Musescore website, which includes tons of digital sheet music uploads.
If you have a Musescore PRO+ subscription, you can access unlimited original scores. All you have to pay is an annual membership fee.
Original works are free to download, so you can get an idea of the style of newer composers.
Composer/Arranger Websites
If you know you want music from a specific composer or arranger, go to their website. A lot of composers self-publish music on their own site
While SMP and other sites are great, they do take a hefty cut. More established composers may prefer to keep more of their profits.
Even some up and coming composers might be willing to market their websites. And since they get a larger percentage, they may charge less on their own site.
Why Buy Digital Sheet Music
As you decide where to buy sheet music, consider a few reasons why you should look into digital files.
Save Time
When you purchase a digital file, it will go straight to your email. You won’t have to wait for a music store or publisher to print and ship the copy.
And you don’t have to worry about the music you want going out of stock. Most digital files never go out of stock because they’re easy to share and recreate.
So if you need music right away, consider if there’s a digital version you can get. Then, you can start to read the sheet music that same day.
Save Paper
Another reason to purchase digital sheet music is to cut down on your paper consumption. This is particularly helpful if you use an iPad for sheet music.
Of course, if you prefer to read from paper, you’ll need to print the music still. In that case, buying a print copy could be the better option.
But if you’re willing to give technology a try, why not save some trees?
Save Money
You may find some digital editions cost less than their paper counterparts. If you buy a lot of sheet music, going digital could help you save a lot of money.
Sure, each piece may only differ in price by a few dollars. But if you buy one new piece per month, that could amount to $30 to $40 a year.
That’s not an insignificant amount of money.
Save Space
If you have a smaller home, you know space is super valuable. Since I use an iPad for sheet music, I have a massive library of sheet music.
But that library only takes up the space of my iPad Pro. Compare that to paper, and my library would require an entire bookshelf.
This benefit also comes in handy if you travel around town or around the world. You don’t have to bring a ton of books with you, so you can save weight and space in your car or on the plane.
Support Living Composers
Some living composers only self-publish music digitally. Others might also publish print music through a publisher.
Either way, buying the digital version (directly from the composer) can help support them. If you love a composer’s style, you can help them continue writing music.
And if you buy from them directly, they’ll keep more of your money. That can further help your favorite composers and arrangers.
Flexible Layouts
I’ve seen more than a few print music books with terrible layouts. While digital music can have the same problems, it’s more flexible.
You can adjust where the page turns are to make them easier. Or you can lay three pages side to side if there’s no good place for a page turn.
And of course, if you use an iPad, there are multiple ways to turn pages without using your hands. So the layout matters even less.
What You Need to Buy Digital Sheet Music
If you’re ready to buy digital sheet music, you need to have a few things. That way, the purchase process will go much more smoothly.
Internet Access
Of course, you need access to the internet to download your new purchase. You can do this with your home WiFi network or a public network.
And if you’re on your phone, you can use your cellular data. You’ll also need internet to transfer the music to another device, like a tablet, if you’ll use one to read the file.
An Email Address
When you buy sheet music files, the most common delivery method is as an email attachment. Make sure you have an email address that you can access.
The nice thing about this is that you can then download the file to your computer. And if the file ever gets lost, you can go back into your email to re-download it.
An iPad
I love reading sheet music from an iPad since it’s so portable and eco-friendly. But you can use a Windows or Android tablet if you’re not an Apple fan.
Either way, it’s nice to have a tablet with a screen between 10 and 13 inches. That’s the perfect size for reading the sheet music you purchase.
A Printer
If you don’t want to rely on technology, consider getting a printer. Of course, you’ll also need paper and printer ink.
Once you download a file, you can then print the music and add it to your music folder.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to save money or support your favorite artists, you may want to buy digital sheet music. Consider the best places to do so and what you need.
And if you want to read your new sheet music on an iPad, download forScore and More for even more information!
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