Let's say you're a budding music star. Maybe you play the piano. Like most citizens of the world, you probably use the internet. Sure, it's fantastic for checking e-mails, wasting your time with various video sites, and downloading anything that's out there.
But what about using the internet in a more specific way? Doctors stay in touch with colleagues. Researchers barely step into libraries anymore. Scientists harness the power of cloud computing. So why should you, talented musician that you are, not get access to the same quality stuff that the rest of them can?
The Rough State of Piano Music
Because sheet music is a small market, and only relevant to a minority of people, its representation online has lagged significantly behind.
It's out of date. Just as we're downloading music to our iPods, why should piano transcriptions be so far behind? Shouldn't there at least be a good voice online for digital sheet music we can trust?
Talk About Arbitrary Standards...
If you thought music copyrighting was arcane, you should see some of the pages pushing sheet music.
Some ask you to have a 100% working printer, because you will only have one tiny moment to print your music after buying. If something messes up, you're out of luck.
Other sites pushing classical music have crazily inconsistent standards when it comes to their files. Sometimes you'll receive a PDF, other times a set of GIFs that don't print well, and sometimes you'll be left with a proprietary DRM that's of no use to anyone.
Sites With Forums are The Way to Go
The only reliable way to guarantee the digital sheet music you're ponying up for is proper is with the reviews of other musicians. If other players are using the company's files, and insisting they are OK, you can spend with confidence.
One of the most trustworthy sheet music vendors, http://www.PianoStreet.com, has also created a huge set of message boards around its music. In reality, the site was born out of an earlier forum, called http://www.pianoforum.net, so the sale of digital piano music was something that they got into normally, instead of a money-making venture from the beginning.
Audio Samples Are Crucial, Too
What good is piano transcriptions if you can't hear what they should sound like? Sure, your piano teacher may have the chops to play it for you, but if you're teaching yourself, you'll need to seek out a true recording to hear how it should sound.
A real digital sheet music company should have extensive mp3 samples of everything they sell, adding loads of value to the sheet music itself. Companies like http://www.PianoStreet.com have loads of their most typical easy/intermediate transcriptions online as mp3s, the same ones that any new pianist is happy to learn.
Subscription Models are The Future
While content producers are resistant, many have come to the realization that the way of the future lies in subscription models, where you will pay a flat rate and get everything you want.
Portals like http://www.PianoStreet.com have taken on this for their business approach, handing out monthly memberships that permit musicians unlimited access to high-quality sheet music.
The People Doing it Right
And so it isn't just a mess online. A tiny but influential group of sites, led by http://www.PianoStreet.com's examples, are modifying the way sheet music is being sold online. Don't worry about the rest and patronize the best!
About The Author
As a piano player myself it only comes natural to write articles about piano music. Apart from writing I also teach.
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