 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ctt489
Date: 2003-03-24 16:40
What software do people use if any at all to organize sheet music and music books? I've seen much organization software for music cds and audio files but none that does sheetmusic. I'm overwhelmed by the music collection I have and I would like some organization.
Thanks for your input if any.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-03-24 18:34
ctt -
When a collection reached 500 items, you start to need organization. It doesn't need to be by computer, though. I suppose I have close to 500 items of clarinet music on shelves divided into method books, excerpt books, etudes, solos, duets, trios, quartets, pieces with piano, pieces with strings, etc. Subdivided that way, I can find what I want faster than firing up the computer, plus sorting the music in a way that the computer can deal with (e.g., by publisher and catalog number) is inconvenient.
When I hit about 1,500 records, it got out of hand, particularly because you can't organize records by subject. If you put all the concertos together, you can't put all the quintets together if they're both on one record.
I got a simple database program (dBaseIII+ for DOS), which still works perfectly. I just set up the fields I wanted (Composer, Title, Subtitle, Album Name, Soloist, Accompanist, Orchestra or Ensemble, Conductor, Record Label and Number), and started typing. I would go for 1/2 hour each night. Then I shelved the records by label and number.
If you have under 1,000 pieces of music, you could simply type everything into a word processing document and use the search function.
You can buy cataloging programs with the fields already set up, but you're paying a lot for something you can easily do yourself. You're going to have to do the data entry anyway, and you can go to any library to see what information they have fields for.
It's a lot of work, but doing the data entry is a good way to learn database principles, and running the information "through your fingers" helps you remember what you have. I use my records database mostly when I go to used record stores, to avoid duplication.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Marge
Date: 2003-03-24 20:41
You could use the database part of MS Works or Office or, if you have a Mac, AppleWorks. These are commonly installed on new computers, and if you have one or the other, there's really no need to use anything fancier.
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Author: ctt489
Date: 2003-03-24 21:00
I have microsoft office 2000.
What is the database part called?
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Author: David Stringer
Date: 2003-03-24 23:03
Hi ctt,
The database in Office is 'Acess'. It is very big and , er "rich" (complicated as heck with way too many options).
The Microsoft Works database is very straightforward and easy to get the hang of. Is is usually bundled with new computers.
That said, I tend to use the Office spreadsheet "Excel" for simple database jobs. It has a lot of sorting capabilities, and will probably do what you need.
If you can find Works buried in your computer, that would be the fastest solution.
David
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Author: jenna
Date: 2003-03-25 02:48
Everything I have been associated with has had good luck with spreadsheet database programs like Microsoft Excel. On the computer you can add a new cell whenever you get a new piece of music, so it is constantly updated. Just make sure you keep a copy saved on a backup disk or two, as well as your hard disk.
jenna
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-03-25 02:52
Index cards and Dymo embossing tape work for me.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-03-25 02:56
As far as simply storing stuff, I just alphabetize all of my orchestra pieces and keep the hymns we use in numerical order. I used to keep a list, but it gets to be pretty cumbersome to keep up with it. My own other music is not that big of a pile yet, so I'm not very organized there.
Access is a good database program, though more people are familiar with Excel and how it works.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-03-25 04:05
Not all versions of Office contain Access, however they all do have Excel. Excel is by far the easier program to learn.
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