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Here’s a selection of useful stuff that you can get free (or nearly free) from the web.

 

Let's face it, everyone loves a bargain ... and there's no better bargain than a freebie !

This page is dedicated to musical resources that are available either free of charge or that represent particularly good value. That way, you can spend your hard earned cash on your saxophone, and join the Manx Saxophone Ensemble !

 

Sibelius Music
 

This website is a real marvel. There's plenty of free sheet music available, and even the stuff you have to pay for is very affordable. A good quality solo score will set you back around £1.00 to £1.50, and a quartet score with individual parts costs around £4.00. And, once you've installed the excellent free "scorch" plug-in that's available on the site, you can even listen to music before you buy it, and watch the score at the same time.

 

 

Music Education Website
 

This is a generally useful site featuring loads of free reference information and advice, plus practice aids and a smattering of free sheet music.

 

 

Finale Notepad
 

Finale's entry level score-editing software is pretty competent, and more importantly, free. It's a great way to explore the possibilities of recording and writing your own music, and there's even a way to create solo sheets from the millions of midi files that are free available on the web. Our recommendation though, is that you upgrade to a mid level product such as Finale PrintMusic, that offers much richer functionality with a low-ish price tag - about £50.

 

 

Van Basco Karaoke Player
 

Ignore the slightly unusual title because this little software program is an absolute belter. It's available for completely free download, and plays MIDI files on your computer. It does so with style, allowing you to control the tempo of playback, change key instantly, and even solo or mute various instruments to tailor the tune to your needs. I use it for practice at learning pieces by ear.