Best way to keep thick sheet music books open

[pianoplayjl]

This especially applies to the thick Schirmer's edition books typically with something like 200 pages.

Any tips?

I often just randomly sight read some parts from a very thick Beethoven sonata book or when I borrow a book from my teacher.  I often find the best way is to bend the spine but that causes wear to the book and some pages to fall out. So, any tips?

JL

[jimbo320]

Clothes pins...

[49410enrique]

i use this for new books until they break in, problem is to turn the page you must remove it, turn the page and put it back on, it's aquick 5 second procedure so i don't mind especially with short pieces or pieces i am just beginning to learn




paid about 3 US dollars for mine on from amazon, i think hal leonard distributes them (i saw the name on my tag i believe)

[jtguru]

I always get my thick books spiral-bound. It is very inexpensive to have it done, and makes it so you never again have to worry about the book closing on you in the middle of playing.

[b_nghiem]

I just take 2 even thicker books and put one on each side.
- it's effective!

-Brian

[thalbergmad]

That is exactly what I do.

Solves the problem for me.

Thal

[quantum]

I just take 2 even thicker books and put one on each side.
- it's effective!

-Brian

I do this as well.  If the book is stubborn, I'll add spring clips. 

[cjp_piano]

2 solutions:

1. Spiral bound
2. Make copies!!

[oxy60]

Upgrade your membership and download the sheets you want here!

[roseamelia]

try bending the book the opposite direction and then bend it back the way it was and it should sit tall.   

[thorn]

I just photocopy, there's no problem with it as far as I'm concerned because it's for my own personal use. I always memorise before public performance, so I don't have a load of sheets of paper everywhere when playing, and in exam situation I play from memory and give them the original book. No one besides me knows a photocopy even exists, so no potential legal problems.

[jtguru]

I just photocopy, there's no problem with it as far as I'm concerned because it's for my own personal use. I always memorise before public performance, so I don't have a load of sheets of paper everywhere when playing, and in exam situation I play from memory and give them the original book. No one besides me knows a photocopy even exists, so no potential legal problems.

No one besides you, and all the people that read this thread now.
But anyway, as far as I am aware, there is no legal problem with making a photocopy for your own personal use of something that you have already purchased yourself.

[pianoplayjl]

try bending the book the opposite direction and then bend it back the way it was and it should sit tall.   

But then that would only make the book wear and deteriorate in condition faster, and that is the last thing that I want. I used to like the very old editions where people use strings to bind sheet musictogether, often in large volumes but I find that a bit of carelessness is all it takes to stuff up those types of sheet music books. Also pages fall out easier.

JL

[oxy60]

I know a high end music school where they own a huge library and students simply make copies of the pieces they plan to study. Some fo the editions are over 50 years old.

[cjp_piano]

I know a high end music school where they own a huge library and students simply make copies of the pieces they plan to study. Some fo the editions are over 50 years old.

That's totally illegal

[pianoplayjl]

That's totally illegal

But it is done so often nowadays that illegally photocopying sheet music is hardly frowned upon. Everyone does it and every must have done it at least once in their life. Of course printing/ photocopying sheet music is the easy way out, but I can't be bothered doing all that stuff. The question at hand is 'what is the best way to keep sheet music books like Schirmer's open?'. I think using two books and put one on each side is the best way afterall.

JL

[cjp_piano]

But it is done so often nowadays that illegally photocopying sheet music is hardly frowned upon. Everyone does it and every must have done it at least once in their life. Of course printing/ photocopying sheet music is the easy way out, but I can't be bothered doing all that stuff. The question at hand is 'what is the best way to keep sheet music books like Schirmer's open?'. I think using two books and put one on each side is the best way afterall.

JL

So if everyone does it, that makes it ok? What if everyone started murdering innocent children? Ha ha, ok too far I know =)

But it is legal to photocopy your own musical scores. And that is my suggestion for keeping books open, just copy it! But don't copy someone else's music, that's illegal =)