The Challenge of Finding Rare Music Sheets
As a musician, there’s nothing quite as frustrating as wanting to learn a particular song or piece, only to find that the music sheet is nowhere to be found. This is especially true if the song in question is rare or obscure, with limited availability. However, there are ways to track down these elusive music sheets if you know where to look.
Check Online Music Stores and Marketplaces
One of the best places to start your search is by visiting online music stores and marketplaces, such as Musicnotes, Sheet Music Plus, and JW Pepper. These websites offer a vast selection of sheet music for various instruments, including rare and hard-to-find pieces.
Search for Sheet Music on Specialized Websites
If you’re looking for sheet music for a specific genre or era, you might have better luck by searching on specialized websites. For example, if you’re looking for jazz sheet music, you can visit Jazzbooks, which has a massive collection of jazz transcriptions. Similarly, if you’re looking for classical sheet music, you can explore IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project).
Join Online Music Communities and Forums
Another excellent way to find rare and obscure music sheets is by joining online music communities and forums. By connecting with other musicians and enthusiasts who share your interests, you may be able to discover new sources of sheet music that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. Some popular online music communities include r/musictheory and Jazz Guitar Forum.
Consider Commissioning a Transcription
If all else fails, you can consider commissioning a transcription of the song or piece you’re looking for. There are many freelance music transcribers available online who specialize in transcribing rare and obscure music. You can find them on websites like Upwork and Fiverr. Keep in mind that commissioning a transcription can be expensive and will require some time for the transcriber to complete.
