Has anyone published BOOKS of music?

[Teo]

Hi and thanks for this opportunity,

I'm finally scoring my songs, and I am not sure if I should call my books published or unpublished, or why to state one or the other. :crazy:

Though they are online and can be purchased, none have (only a handful) so maybe it is just better to say that they are not published. Any suggestions?

What advantage if they ARE published? Any if they are NOT?

I'm planning to donate some to libraries (have a doctor friend donate them) because I'm simply trying to share the music you know? :grin:

Thanks in advance!

Teo

ps. I'm not sure if I should post a link to them at the lulu store, I just want to know if anyone has suggestions why they should or shouldn't be called published.

 

[Krummhorn]

Hi Teo,

One member I do know of there that publishes his music is "Musicalis". He lives in France and is a frequent visitor in the Pipe Organ forum area.

 

[Teo]

Thanks Krumhorn! You don't know if there is any reason to call a book published or not do you? I've spent hours trying to figure it out and have now given up. Given up wasting time on that project. I have 2 books, about 30 songs total done, and many many more to do so I'm spending my time in Finale scoring. I consider this place an excellent resource though and thought someone could tell if there was an advantage to a book being called published or unpublished. I simply don't know. Thanks googols!
-Teo
ps I guess I can track down Musicalis too. Thanks again!

 

[wljmrbill]

yes Lars that is who came to mind for me and I know he would offer his help for sure. I believe it was Lulu's that I purchased some of Jean-Paul Verpeaux's music. Might contact them or Jean-Paul and maybe make a little from your hard work also,

 

[Krummhorn]

To add another member's name to one that has published ... member Giwro.

What I consider 'unpublished' are works in progress ... improvs that still reside in my brain that I have yet to engrave ... or works that I have scored that I think are not worthy enough to be published.

A 'published' work is, imho, something that has been engraved and either offered to others gratis or for. If it's 'published' hopefully there are copyright provisions.

 

[wljmrbill]

I have often heard regarding copyright's.... ( for poorer folks..). mail a copy of the piece ny registered mail to yourselve and do not open it. THis will serve as a registered date for proof when opend by the judge.

 

[Teo]

I will try Giwro and Jean-Paul Verpeaux too thanks! You're right Bill I deserve SOMETHING for my work!

What I consider 'unpublished' are works in progress ... improvs that still reside in my brain that I have yet to engrave ... or works that I have scored that I think are not worthy enough to be published.

A 'published' work is, imho, something that has been engraved and either offered to others gratis or for. If it's 'published' hopefully there are copyright provisions.

In one sense, since I have been able to discuss this with you two (and whomever peeks in quietly) I feel I have achieved a closure in my own sort of questioning. These 2 books have been copyrighted. Good suggestions there too! I now have to rush these 2 to the Library of Congress and similar places.

Lars, that clears it up, I have "finished" these 2 in my own mind - I'm working on the 3rd book, and there are many more to come! They are not unpublished as far as unfinished, .. it's just that I might need a lawyer or get license for who knows, the picture of the Bosendorfer on the cover there.. I already covered the name with black.. you see, these issues are what I feel if I call it unpublished no one will sue too fast - not that you can get blood from a turnip.

I'm so thankful to Mr. Magle, all the hosts and techies who help this and you to! Thanks googols! You are angels.
Teo

 

[musicalis]

Hi Teo
Yes I have published a lot of scores, may be 50 or 60, I do not know. It isvery easy with Lulu.com
You will have nothing to pay and you can earn some money.
I send my scores to Lulu as PDF files made with Harmony-Assistant, but you can use Finale, Sibelius or other notation software. If your software cannot save as pdf, use a virtual printer like PDF Creator.
When you send a pdf to Lulu, allways insert in the Pdf all the fonts you have used in your document.
The job you will have to do is to draw a nice cover. If you are not able you can use the preset covers of Lulu very quickly and easily
My smaller books are 5 or 6 pages. They are sold about 8 € and my benefit is about 2 €
My bigest book is 330 pages, sold less than 30 € and my benefit about 10 €
Visit my storefront if you want : http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/organworks
Write me if you need more help.
Jean-Paul

 

[Teo]

Thanks thanks and more thanks!

Hi Teo
Yes I have published a lot of scores, may be 50 or 60, I do not know.

Wow! With 17 pages, I can't figure out how many either!
Luckily I am a techie, I use ancient Adobe Acrobat to make PDFs - very efficient ones! Then I have to save them as TIF or something, then I import them into MS-Word, then my version of Word - from MS-Office 2004 has a nice print-save as pdf option and that's what I upload to Lulu.

My bigest book is 330 pages, sold less than 30 € and my benefit about 10 €
Visit my storefront if you want : http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/organworks

Wow I'm so impressed with your storefront, your music, and you have your own forums! I will try a Bablefish translator and enjoy looking around your forums too! You have a Chopin song done in Bach style? I love it! :clap::clap:
Do they make separate like MIDI organ foot-pedals? I've always wanted to play more parts with my feet.. though then sustain pedal would have to be hm.. with my knees!
I used to have a Farfisa Combo-Compact.. ok back on track:

Dear Jean-Paul: Do they have to be published to be donated to a library? Can you still get another publisher? Have you put any in the Library of Congress or something similar in France?

I thank you and all here so very much for helping me sort this out! Peace (of music),
Teo

 

[wljmrbill]

yes they do have midi pedals. KInd of expensive but you can make them also with pedal board.. there is a thread here for doing that.

 

[musicalis]

Hi Teo

You have a Chopin song done in Bach style? I love it!

Do you want I give you the pdf score ?

Do they make separate like MIDI organ foot-pedals?

Sorry, I do not understand.
You write "Do they make ..." Whom are you speaking about?
What do you mean with " make separate like MIDI organ foot-pedals?" ? do you mean "can we make a score with 3 staves (left hand, right hand and pedal) ?
Of course we can.

Do they have to be published to be donated to a library? Can you still get another publisher? Have you put any in the Library of Congress or something similar in France?

You do what you want with your books, you can sale them on the Web, printed by Lulu or to download, or sale them in books stores (in this case you need to buy an ISBN number).
You can have other publishers.
Somes of my books (music books but not scores) are in the French national library and in the library of IRCAM.
My scores are copyrighted by the SACEM (French society of composers).

I hope I have answered all your questions.

J-Paul

 

[Teo]

Hi Teo


Do you want I give you the pdf score ?

Oh you are too kind. If I can give you something.

I hope I have answered all your questions.

J-Paul

Most certainly and thank YOU! I meant a separate foot setup so that I can play it under my electric piano. I've never had the ability to make so many sounds, it must be so fun! One time I put a keyboard on the floor and played with my toe.. I digress..

Mine are copyrighted, that's fine. I have Lulu that can do, as you say, so many things. I just wonder if there is a reason to call something published, or if calling it unpublished is the same? When ever someone asks me if they are published I'll turn it around and say to them:

What if they are? What if they aren't?

Because I don't know.

Thanks googols!

Teo

 

[wljmrbill]

Teo: they make midi pedal boards form 13 up to full boards... can make them, buy them.. even get some off another compatable organ which allows midi function.

 

[Teo]

Pieces for an upcoming book: "Vincent Trio"

http://webpageexperience.com/process/?C=M;O=D

Mozart:LaudateDominum MIDI -piano
Schubert:Serenade MIDI -piano
White:Love's Theme MIDI -piano
-----
This particular book is bass-piano-violin "trio." This is a test of how I can list the scores, midi files and midi files without piano. Deciding if I should make without-bass and without-violin. The larger question is, should I make effort that the midi files 1) sound good and 2) create learning files (without your part). The attached listing includes 2 other books' songs, there are 10 in the Trio format.

Hoping this is an OK place to work out how I present this material. Similar to the original topic, I'm wondering the optimal way to share this material - publish a book? Share with Magle forum friends? YouTube? MySpace? Delicio.US? FaceBook? FaceParty? or maybe create a multimedia DVD with all the materials, printable, with MIDI and other audio files, and maybe even Wiki bios on each artist?

 

[Teo]

...You do what you want with your books, you can sale them on the Web, printed by Lulu or to download, or sale them in books stores (in this case you need to buy an ISBN number).
You can have other publishers.
Somes of my books (music books but not scores) are in the French national library and in the library of IRCAM.
My scores are copyrighted by the SACEM (French society of composers).

I hope I have answered all your questions.

J-Paul

J-Paul you have been an angel!:angel:ray: And I really enjoyed looking at your many books in Lulu (where mine are too!), and you have a discussion board too I think and I boy.. spent a lot of time! When there is more time I'll get into the details of specific songs and scores with you.

I just requested 10 ISBNs, they'll be here soon, I hope Lulu will let me switch over to my own rather than theirs. Also, something in the LAC Library Archives Canada called CISS has informed me that for sheet music you need an ISMN!

Have you heard of the ISMN? Do you have them? I will quote some text from: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/isn/041011-3010-e.html

6.1.1 Position of the ISMN
The ISMN should be printed on the back of a score or part. If possible, it should also be printed with the copyright notice.
If it is not possible to print the ISMN on the back of a score or part, it should be printed in some other prominent position (e.g., at the bottom of the first page of music).
When the item is a single sheet, the ISMN should appear in only one place on the item.
When the item is an anthology, the ISMN of the anthology must be clearly distinguished from any other ISMNs that may be printed on individual items contained in the anthology.
6.1.2 Complete listing of ISMNs belonging to a publication
It is strongly recommended that a complete list of the ISMNs assigned to all constituent parts of a publication be displayed on at least one of the items. Each ISMN should be followed by a brief description of the numbered part. If possible, an identical list should be displayed on one or more other items as well.
ISMN M-53001-000-6 (score)
ISMN M-53001-001-3 (vocal score)
ISMN M-53001-002-0 (set of parts)
This list should appear in the score at least, preferably also in the vocal score, and perhaps also in each part.
ISMN M-706001-00-5 (score, bound)
ISMN M-706001-01-2 (score, paperback)

So you can see I'm doing my homework, but it is just making me see that I have much more work to do!

Lulu has binding that has the staple in the middle, this is good for putting on the piano and playing. I haven't been able to get their spiral binding.. still working on that. Meanwhile CreateSpace from Amazon only has the "perfect-bound" which doesn't stay open on a piano

Also I don't know if I can put the same book on more than one printer, or I should say DISTRIBUTE through more than one vehicle..

You said I can do what I want with my scores. What I want is: Put them in libraries or whatever safe places so that after the world ends and starts up again, my books and music will be still around somewhere. I don't know if libraries will take "unpublished" or "self-published" or if I should be approaching a real publisher.

Thanks for letting me get these questions out, you see there are many! Thanks for your help and others' too. It is really appreciated!
-Teo

 

[musicalis]

Theo's scores

you have a discussion board too I think

Hi Teo, you can talk with me on Facebook, search for j-paul verpeaux. Take care we are 2 men sharing this name, but the other one is not a musician.

I just requested 10 ISBNs, they'll be here soon, I hope Lulu will let me switch over to my own rather than theirs.

I think you can but I am not sure as I do not use ISBN for my books at Lulu.

Have you heard of the ISMN?

No, never. Thanks for the info.

Lulu has binding that has the staple in the middle, this is good for putting on the piano and playing. I haven't been able to get their spiral binding.. still working on that.

It is very easy to do. When you start a book (http://www.lulu.com/author/wizard/index.php) select "Coil-Bound".

Also I don't know if I can put the same book on more than one printer, or I should say DISTRIBUTE through more than one vehicle..

Why could you not ?

You said I can do what I want with my scores. What I want is: Put them in libraries or whatever safe places so that after the world ends and starts up again, my books and music will be still around somewhere. I don't know if libraries will take "unpublished" or "self-published" or if I should be approaching a real publisher.

Do you think middle age composers had real publishers ? Anyway, after the world end, what will you do with your scores if there are no more musicians and instruments to play them?

Friendly
J-Paul

 

[John Watt]

Being published or not being published, what's the difference?
If you're talking pre-computers, pre-digital, being published meant someone thought your book would make money,
or the world needed it for the benefit of all mankind.
That's like when record companies would pay a band to record, back when bands made money appearing live.
But what's publishing or recording now when you can do it at home with your own equipment?
Did you buy into the term "desktop publishing" when photocopiers got bigger?
There are still more potentials with saying I'm published.
That infers someone thought it was worth reading, reproducing and selling. Someone else, other than the author.
I don't think you can publish yourself. You can make your own copies, that's for sure.
But publishing? The actual word in proper English? No, you need someone else to publish you.
I think I'll click the "Post Quick Reply" function and let this domain publish these comments.

 

[Teo]

to be (call published) or not to be (self-published)

I reeeeally appreciate both of you taking the time to share thoughts on this. J-Paul, Lulu won't let me chose spiral bound for 8.5x11. I only got staple by first saying they are only for myself, and later changing it to available to everyone. I had to trick them to get that binding! Isaac Azimov wrote about "2nd Foundation," storing civilization so that after this one falls apart the next one will take less time. I only found out in 2007 that I have a pianist grandmother and she had a music professor / organist grandfather so I feel I have to fulfill some musical duty - share whatever "gift" I was given by them. It's being done now as I'm following your example.. I think I'll have 5 music books by the end of the year!

I like replying here because the whole thread is here. John LAC (Library Archives Canada) filled in the form for me, so I am a publishing company now. I truuuuly wish I knew what a real publishing company does. These will be "published" well, Amazon's CreateSpace only let me fill in todays date.. so they are published. But am I able to be in the "New Books" listing anywhere? I don't know where music publications have new titles listings to put myself in.. or have someone put me in.

A doctor friend or maybe lawyer friend will donate some of my books to libraries, but I wish I knew what publishers know instead of shooting blind you know?

A wonderful person Nina Bombardier I believe is her name, at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley gave a talk at UCBerkeley. She was saying how everyone recording at their friends hot tub / studio in Humbolt county or wherever they wanted, sure that's fine, but the quality is all gone. Record companies used to groom their artists.

OK that's all recording industry stuff.. I think more important is: Schubert never heard any of his symphonies played, because no one cared about him while he was alive - no one with any clout or connections. We are all so lucky he kept his symphonies all available for us. Liszt's opus 1 was lost for I think 150 years! Lucky someone still had it, and someone uploaded it to IMSLP.

Originally I went to Library Archives Canada and reading their pages it seemed they value Social Bookmarking, that is what first got me to check out Delicio.us, digg and those things. It is annoying though because I am not a fashion, I don't want a million clicks, I want to find people who are interested in music that I have spent many many hours getting easy to read, fun to play and educational as well as sounding nice. I've tried tweeting, digging, I even have myspace, linkedin, google+, and ready.. YouTube videos! They have all done exactly nothing (except I get friend requests from people with names I can't even repeat). What a real publisher does is what I want to know. Thanks Magle folks for these great forums so that I can ask this question, get out my grumbles, and often find solutions! J-Paul when there is time I really look forward to connecting with you more. Soon my new book will be here: https://www.createspace.com/3728591

Thanks to all for this opportunity to share and ask squestions

 

[musicalis]

Hi Teo
Thanks for this interesting post.
I miss time to do all what i want to do but will always be happy to read from you.
Have a nice week and make good music and publish it.
J-Paul

 

[Teo]

Bonjour J-Paul,
I have to admit, I got inspired by all the books you have and now I have 5 books! I've put the music books in Amazon instead of Lulu, but I've left 2 books in Lulu.
To get the ISBN numbers the Library Archives Canada simply listed me as a publisher, which is not what I wanted but it's done now. The 5 books are here:
http://givnology.ca and I'm all excited with my progress! On the other side, I've decided I don't care about distribution which I originally was so excited about. Why would I want critics and unfriendly people saying mean things? One rarely gets a kind word even though one is totally dedicated, you know?
Your kind words really mean a lot, and have meant a lot in the past. You are a real buddy and thanks gazillions and I wish you every success you wish
merci mon bon ami
Teo
:wave: