Organizing Sheet Music

Your violin, cello, guitar, bass, keyboard, piano, drums, or trumpet is neatly stored in its trunk or stand. You are ready to start playing your instrument but you cannot find your favorite sheet music! Check out the easy pointers for organizing your favorite sheet music.

• Setting a bookshelf specifically for your music manuals, textbooks, and materials related to music theory or composers will allow you to remove music sheets from music theory.
• Alphabetize your music according to composers or music titles. Having your music alphabetized helps you find your sheet music quickly.
• Stand-up file holders can make it more convenient to store your music. Place alphabetized labels on each file holder to help you zone into the right file holder easily. Peel off labels can help you restore your labels where you keep your sheet music in the event your file holders start to tighten up under a certain alphabetical letter. Stand up file holders can also be placed on the shelves.
• Sheet music can be stored by music genre if that is easier for you to organize your music. Binders with rings and pocket holders can be a great way to hold your sheet music. File holders can be added to your binders. The binders can be kept on a bookshelf, on a closet shelf, or in a filing cabinet. When you have sheet music that may fall into more than one category, make a copy of the sheet music and place in both categories such as music genre and composer to help you find the music easily.
• If binders are too bulky for your cabinets, use hanging folders alphabetized by music genre, composer, or music titles. Placing your sheet music in manila folders in a file cabinet may help find music faster since it is strategically arranged.
• Place sheet music you no longer play on another shelf or binder titled 'inactive.' Placing inactive materials on a separate shelf or in a separate folder can keep your music organized. The music you reach for most can be kept on a separate shelf or folder.
• Have fun with your music area; decorate your cabinets with clef notes and pictures of your favorite composer or bands. Having a fun location can help keep you motivated to not only play your instrument(s) but to keep your area clutter-free by organizing your sheet music.

Playing a musical instrument may be challenging, but maintaining an organized system for your sheet music does not need to be difficult. Enjoy your talents with a systematic method for your sheet music.