The search for music scores

LONDON, ENGLAND

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Informative Guide to Find Music Sheets, Sheet Music and Free Lessons to Improve Your Skills to Read Sheet Music and tips for musicians, Books, Reviews and much more."

Brussels

Milan

New York

Houston

online free sheet music and dealers

and commentary, classification (by instrument type)

 

analyticalQ links

• background
• concerts
• free sheet music
• just the music
• music links
• original compositions
• parodies
• recital
• virtual postcards

Use UK Street Map to find it.

Classical music sources in London - 25 June 96
good description and comment (opening hours) but needs updating.

Recorders Home Page - plus lots of addresses and information on where to get music scores

Dr Downing's Dealers - sheet music dealers in England

The Incorporated Society of Musicians, its list of music publishers, and its list of universities and conservatories (libraries contain music books) tel: 0207 629 4413

Royal Holloway Univ. of London's links

Yale University Music Library - links - good categorisation

Werner Icking Music Archive lots of free sheet music - in PDF format

If you don't know what you're looking for, try browsing web sites, music libraries, or music book stores.

If you know what you're looking for, how do you find it? Ask your friends? Searching for free sheet music on the Web is not trivial. First-hand music is expensive. Searching for cheap second-hand music is hardest of all.

If you are desperate for a particular piece of music, don't have much time and are willing to spend the money, then you best visit or call a music store.

If you have time, then search the Web or visit a second-hand book store.

If you have time but don't want to spend money, then search the Web or visit libraries.

Second-hand music:

Archive Bookstore
83 Bell Street
London NW1 6TB
tel: 0207 402 8212
tube: Marylebone (zone 1, Bakerloo Line)

The entire basement is full of second-hand sheet music and books; a treasure hunt for the scavenger; lots of excellent deals from 40 pence to £10. Mostly piano, but lots of string quartets, opera, and books.

Travis & Emery
tel: 0207 240 2129
tube: Leicester Square (walk south on Charing Cross Road and turn left).

Fewer scores than the Archive, but better organised and hence more expensive.

Decorum Books (IPQ)
24 Cloudesley Square
London N1 OHN
Mail/fax/phone orders only
tel: 020 7278 1838
decorumbooks@lineone.net

Libraries with big music sections

Just about all major public libraries in London carry music scores. Don't forget to try libraries of music departments of universities and conservatories.

UK Public Libraries on the Web

Victoria (SW1)

Swiss Cottage (NW6)

Ealing (W5)

Barbican