dolmetsch onlinemanuscript/staff/music paper
 

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"All art constantly aspires towards the condition of music. For while in all other works of art it is possible to distinguish the matter from the form,
and the understanding can always make this distinction, yet it is the constant effort of art to obliterate it."
Walter Pater (1839-1894) English essayist and art and literary critic

How to Read and Print pdf Files

pdf is an excellent format for distributing print quality information over the Internet. All the files listed on this page have been created with standard Windows programs. The finished output has then been printed to the PDF Creator virtual printer set to a minimum of 600 dpi. Because the resolution of computer monitors is much lower than 600 dpi, the 'on-screen' quality appear poorer and more variable than that on a modern printer. We recommend that you always print these files rather than using them 'on-screen'. All these documents may be copied and used freely.

The files you are downloading are in pdf format - start at 1.

1. You can download any pdf file to your hard drive by doing the following:

Windows- right click over the relevant link and save.
Mac- click on the relevant link, hold and save.

2. Read pdf format files using a pdf reader
for example: Acrobat Reader or gsview.

3. With a pdf reader you will also be able to print the file(s) to your local printer.

4. If you are having problems getting music to print from pdf files (for example, you get only garbled output) please refer to this article which offers numerous ways to solve this.

My Adobe Acrobat pdf files are printing garbage

If you have any problems with these instructions please contact us and we will try to help you.

5. If you notice spaces where there should be letters c or K then you can fix this by upgrading your Acrobat Reader to the latest version for your operating system. This problem arises from the Microsoft Postscript generator and is not the fault of our pdf format file generator.

If you require the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and print the pdf files, and this is not already installed on your computer, use the link through the Acrobat logo below.

Free Download - Adobe Acrobat Reader

How to Make pdf Format Files

Those interested in producing pdf format files may like to read Christian Mondrup's comprehensive How to produce a pdf score.

Alternatively, refer to Free PDF which provides similar information.

Paper Size

We have set our printable material to fit the standard A4 paper size. If printed out on paper of another size the image may not be centred on the page, or may flow over to a second sheet. This problem is most commonly found when users print material intended for A4 paper size onto American Letter size paper. The two sizes are as follows:

 MillimetresInches
 WidthLengthWidthLength
A4210.0297.08.2611.69
Letter215.9279.48.5011.00

We recommend those who want to learn more about the history of the two paper sizes read the article entitled A4 vs US Letter by Brian Forte printed in Between Borders.

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Other Printable Information :: top

Blank Manuscript/Staff/Music Paper/Papier à musique from Dolmetsch Online :: top

We have prepared blank manuscript/staff/music paper which you can print out onto your local printer.
We recommend you use a good quality paper which will improve the quality of the output.
The output from your printer will be far superior to the same image on your computer screen.

If you require any other layout please let us know and we will make it available.

Solo format

Special large paper format (these should be printed on the paper size specified below)

Keyboard format

Ensemble format

Choral format

Ensemble with keyboard format

Ensemble with keyboard - special paper format (these should be printed on the paper size specified below)

Band format

Percussion format

Plucked string format

Jeff Consi's Drum Manuscript :: top

Jeff Consi writes: "In the PDF file I included enough space for the song title, a text box to write the tempo(bpm), space for the time signature, and a “ride key” that I use to quickly figure out the ride pattern of the song. It’s just four crotchets (1/4 notes) that you can turn into quavers (1/8 notes) or semiquavers (1/16 notes) by tying them together with a pen or pencil. I found this to be an easy way to quickly get a summary of the tune. I usually grab the iPod and go through each song, writing down intros, grooves, major drum fills, and the endings of the songs. I enter the bpm in the tempo text box, and tie the notes together in the “ride key” to form the basic ride pattern of each tune."

Blank Manuscript/Staff Paper from The University of Virginia - Music Paper Resource :: top

All are for 8½ x 11 paper (portrait orientation) unless otherwise noted

General format

  • 6-stave (large for elementary school use) PS PDF
  • 8-stave paper for parts or lead sheets PS PDF
  • 10-stave paper for parts or lead sheets PS PDF
  • 9-stave paper for sketches (landscape) PS PDF
  • instrumental solo with reduced-size solo staff PS PDF
  • instrumental duet PS PDF
  • instrumental trio PS PDF
  • instrumental quartet PS PDF
  • instrumental quintet PS PDF

Solo format

Ensemble format

Band format

Orchestra format

  • string orchestra PS PDF
  • string orchestra with piano PS PDF
  • small orchestra PS PDF
  • full orchestra (81/2 x 14) PS PDF

Choral format

Blank Manuscript/Staff Paper from MusicSheaf.com - Music Paper in Postscript, PDF and GIF formats :: top

Blank sheets

Ensemble/duo format

Ensemble/quartet format

Keyboard format

Solo format

Theory format

Bilinear manuscript paper

Bilinear Music Notation is regarded as the only truly viable alternative notation system for music. First published in 1997 (by José A. Sotorrio), it is the only reform proposal to solve all the problems of traditional notation whilst retaining the same essential functionality required for practical music-making. No accidentals, key signatures, or clefs are required; all notes have just one absolute position on the staff in all octaves; less vertical space is required resulting in fewer ledger lines; it accommodates ranges more efficiently and simplifies the notation of transposing instruments; it reduces microtonal symbology; rhythmic notation is traditional or ‘chronographical’ (proportionate).