IMSLP:Contributing scores
Free public domain sheet music from IMSLP / Petrucci Music Library
This is an introduction to contributing scores to IMSLP. You can use the navigation box on the right to access the complete guide. Further resources are linked in the text where appropriate. If you still have questions or doubts, our friendly community in the IMSLP forum will be glad to help you.
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Verify that your copy is in the public domain
It is essential that all music scores that are submitted to IMSLP be in the public domain at least either in Canada or the US (unless you are publishing your own works, in which case you can choose one of the Creative Commons and Performance Restricted licenses). Please refer to the page verifying copyright status to determine if your contribution is admissible. Please do not upload scores that do not abide by these rules. Such contributions will be deleted.
Different ways of contributing scores
The following paragraphs explain different ways of obtaining public domain electronic scores. The score submission guide tells you how to submit them to IMSLP.
Scanning and uploading public domain scans yourself
If you own a copy of a public domain music score, or if you have otherwise access to it e.g. in a library, you may scan it yourself. You can find instructions for this on the page scanning music scores.
Importing public domain scans from other websites
Public domain scans of composers' works can be found on several websites. One of the relatively major goals of IMSLP is to be a centralized site for music scores, which means it is a good idea to submit scores from other public domain music score websites, if they are not on IMSLP already. Centralization improves the usefulness of the scans, since people can obtain them more easily. Please refer to our ever-expanding list of public domain music score websites.
Re-typesetting the piece
This is a last resort and requires a lot of time and patience. Sites like mutopia take this route. Scanning is usually an easier route.
For music notation format (FIN/SIB) files, it is recommended that an ebook format (PDF/DJVU) of the score be submitted, because there are differences in formatting between different Finale/Sibelius versions, but this is not required. It is also strongly recommended that the version of the music notation program used be noted in the "Misc. notes" box on the file submission form. Do not submit two ebook formats or two music notation formats, since they are redundant.
Submitting New Music (or new retypesets of older music)
Another option is when you've composed a piece and wish to release it under a free content license. Please refer to the paragraph on re-typesetting for advice on music notation formats. For the "Publisher" field, you should list yourself as publisher unless you have assigned publication rights to another publisher, who should be listed in that case. If you are submitting a retypeset of an older piece, you should list yourself as editor, since it is impossible to literally duplicate every single aspect of an older plate-engraved score with a computer music setting program such as Sibelius, Finale, or Lilypond (though one can come close in some cases).
