Let’s say you’re a musician. Let’s say you play the piano. Like most people, you probably have internet access of some kind. Sure, it’s fantastic for reading email, watching animals do stupid crap on YouTube, and downloading music.

But what about accessing the internet in a more useful, specific sense? Doctors get medical updates. Researchers have the world at their fingertips. Scientists harness the power of cloud computing. So why should you, a musician, not get access to the same online material that these other jerks get?

A Niche Market

Because digital piano music is a little corner of the internet, and only relevant to a specific number of people, its representation online has stuttered.

It’s way behind the times. Just as we’re downloading music to our iPods, why should piano transcriptions be left out? Shouldn’t there at least be a good voice online for piano transcriptions we can trust?

One Fundamental Problem

If you thought music DRM was backwards, you should see some of the sites selling sheet music.

Some force you to have a 100% working printer, because you will only have one measley opportunity to get a hard copy of what you’ve bought. If something goes haywire, tough luck.

Other sites pushing classical music have insanely inconsistent standards when looking at their files. Sometimes you’ll get a PDF, other times a set of JPEGs that don’t print properly, and sometimes you’ll be stuck with a proprietary file that’s of no use to anyone.

Sites With Forums are The Way to Go

The only reliable way to make sure the digital piano music you’re buying is useful is through the claims of other users. If other budding stars are using the PDFs, and insisting they are OK, you can download with assurance.

One of the best digital sheet music sellers, PianoStreet.com, has also put into place a burgeoning group of forums around its offerings. In reality, the site was born out of a previous forum, known as pianoforum.net, so the sale of digital piano music was something that came naturally, rather than a straight-up business from the beginning.

Why Mp3s Are Important For Sheet Music

What’s the point of digital sheet music if you can’t hear what they should resemble when you play them? Sure, your piano teacher might be able to play it for you, but if you’re self-taught, you’ll need to seek out a legitimate recording to hear how it should sound.

A proper sheet music site should have extensive mp3 samples of what they offer, adding a ton of value to the transcribed music in the first place. Online Forums/Businesses like PianoStreet.com have dozens of their more famous easy/intermediate transcriptions online as mp3s, the very ones that every pianist is desperate to learn.

Subscription Models are The Future

While content producers are pushing back, many acknowledge that the future of music online is related to subscription models, where you will pay a flat rate and have access to unlimited downloads.

Pages such as PianoStreet have taken on this for their business model, giving monthly memberships that allow musicians unlimited access to properly done sheet music.

The Good Guys

And so it isn’t just a mess online. A tiny but influential group of sites, led by PianoStreet.com’s efforts, are modifying the way digital piano music is being purchased. Leave the rest and stick to the best!