Top Free Sheet Music Websites

As a private studio teacher (and former public school orchestra director) I fully understand how important it is to incorporate new music into your teaching repertoire to keep students interested. We all know how expensive developing a musical library can be. Below is a non-exhaustive list of my favorite 2022 websites where you can get free sheet music from. Don't see your favorite site and want to include it? Email us info@things4strings.com so we can add it!

• www.SheetMusic-Free.com
  • 100% free
  • Don’t see the piece you are looking for? They take requests!
  • Styles ranging from Acapella to Traditional - lots of piano scores with vocals.
• https://www.8notes.com/violin/
  • 100% free
  • Music available for multiple instruments
  • No music for large ensembles
  • Best for solo music
  • Styles ranging from Classical to Jazz
    • Music selections can be sorted by key signature, but not difficulty.
• Www.MuseScore.com
  • Has both free and premium options (including a free trial)
    • Monthly membership $7.99, yearly membership $83.88
    • With membership, one can utilize the music notation software
      • Both professionals and amateurs can write and sell their music through MuseScore.
    • Can still utilize much of the site for free
  • PDF downloads
  • Compatible with digital music readers
    • There is an app. You can download to store & read your music from.
    • Ability to play along with the music; will “track” the beat as you are playing
  • Music available for most instruments
  • Best for popular music

• www.IMSLP.org
  • 100% free to use, but donations are always accepted & appreciated
  • Excellent for everything except popular music
  • Full scores & individual parts available
    • Includes links to performance recordings of each piece
  • Compatible with digital music readers
    • There's an app where you can search for music & play from your library
  • Music & full scores available for all instruments & ensembles
• www.Free-Scores.com
  • Similar feel to IMSLP
  • Full scores & individual parts available
  • Music available for most instruments & ensembles
  • Excellent for everything except contemporary music
  • Includes links to performance recordings of each piece

This next & final site deserves an honorable mention. Most of the music requires to be purchased individually, but there are free pieces (which rotate) monthly that are given out.

• www.MusicNotes.com
  • I absolutely adore this site, as it has practically everything you and your students would need in regards to popular & classical music.
  • For a small fee, transpositions can be available for all pieces in all keys. This is why the site is my favorite!
  • Can purchase physical music or PDF downloads
  • Ability to play along with the music through the app. It will “track” the beat as you are playing.
  • There is an app. which you can download to store & read your music from.

*When dealing with free music, always remember to check that the music you are downloading is in the public domain in your country of residence.