Not everything's available on IMSLP...Not to mention there are some obscure composers that people won't even bother to scan. Some scores can only be accessed through public archives in libraries and stuff. Also, there are quite A LOT of composers and desirable editions that are still under copyright.
Because playing from PDF ie copy paper printed scores sucks. Because scan quality for lots of things often sucksBecause learning from good high quality books rocksBecause learning from vintage books is sexyBecause if no one buys sheet music eventually no one will be able to buy sheet music ( or it at least becomes harder and harder to do so)It is easier to save your old work notes from previous learning romps in the actual bound score vs keeping track of loose sheets It's nice to sometimes have the oversized option ( along w hood quality paper and that groovy off white color paper) and double sided pages to learn long piecesEtc
1) Because it's often not.2) Because it's sometimes cheaper than printing/binding your own.3) Because it's a better edition.4) Because it's easier to find pieces (or so I keep telling myself, evidence to the contrary notwithstanding)5) Luddites of the world unite! Rise up against the machine!6) I like the look/feel of a well bound edition.
I need a score of Messiaen and no one has it. The problem is that costs 100$.
Learning from printed out scores is most of the time possible, but with many of the scans on IMSLP being questionable at best, a good edition is often a much better choice. Plus, it's easier to keep track of, less bulky than a binder, and you can actually read the damn things (8 staves to a piece of paper on IMSLP my arse).Learning from a good edition is also a good experience, as the top editions like Henle Urtext and Paderewski often (but not always) have good fingerings written in that can be helpful, that are simply not there and that you'd have to make up yourself without the help of it being there and saving those hours. That said, there's also a lot to be learned by making your own fingering, so there's that.
Hi be4stelectrjc,Why don't you use an interlibrary loan?Mvh,Michael
Hi be4stelectrjc,An interlibrary loan might not even be necessary if a library in your area has the score. To check out a copy, from the library directly or through interlibrary loan, you'll need to be a library member. There is the WorldCat catalogue for searches:https://www.worldcat.org/Mvh,Michael
I am not a library member, the score is in the worldcat catalogue. Is my only option ask to my conservatory's library to do a loan for me? Thanks.
Sheet music is 9" x 12" and copy machines do 8.5" x 11". The paper on a good edition is stiff, 25 lb or so. the copy paper from the machine at the library is 15 lb stock or something vile. Also the copy paper from the library printer turns yellow in a couple of years. One doesn't have to maintain a vile imported computer printer to buy sheet music. The manufacturers have the life of ink jet printer cartridges engineered down to 6 weeks, if you don't use it every day to keep the ink flowing. A $40 cartridge every 6 weeks, what a rip off. Or you can use a laser printer, which burns 600 w continuously. Those displays you put on a music stand, they have a life limited to how long you can go without dropping it. I suppose all music school graduates are svelt and never bump into things - I'm lucky my piano weighs 350 lb and doesn't fall over if I bump into it.
Sheet music is 9" x 12" and copy machines do 8.5" x 11".
Topic: Why to buy sheet music? 