storing sheet music

[WorstWitchWart]

We have a pile of sheet music for various instruments all on a couple of shelves. We can never easily find the music we need. What are good ways to organise and store music? I was thinking of magazine racks. Does anyone have any tips?

We use those magazine files for loose sheets, different files for different instruments, which sit on the shelf alongside the music books for that instrument. We also have a set of Helmer drawers from Ikea which is used for music that's currently in use. One drawer per instrument, in theory...

In theory, magazine racks for each family member and an old music chest for non current music. In practice, all over the house, loose sheets of paper, piano accompaniment separate from book, down the back of the piano, on the music stand. Oh well, at least it gets played.

Ringbinders and punched pockets + magazine racks

In theory, each kid / instrument has a box with files ..... In practice i think the kids see sheet music as carpetting 🤣

Ikea trofast also works well for music (pine version much better than white, I think). The 30x40cm trays are a good size, and being able to pull out the whole tray makes it easier to look through.

Magazine racks here for current music, and a haphazard pile in the piano stool for old music.

We (and a lot of professional musicians we know) use the IKEA wooden magazine holders. Originally the DC had one each, then one per instrument. Now we have about 40 of them and music is arranged alphabetically by composer. Although they cost more I'd recommend getting the wooden ones as, if your DC progress, they'll start acquiring heavy books of sonatas etc.

I have lovely folders per child per instrument. The have punched pockets in and are on a shelf near the piano. Separate folder for current music.

All their sheet music is spread across the sofa in the piano room and nobody can sit down. I find if I actually put it away they practice less. If it's just there then they practice on and off through the day! 🤷🏻‍♀️

We have a series of magazine files inside a cupboard.
Haha.
Who am I kidding? The music is all over the house, in every bedroom, the study, the sitting room, on, and under the piano...

Carpetting

Plastic wallets (the thin ones that come in different colours) for current music for each instrument, colour coded. Easier for me to tidy when I want to do something outlandish like dust, Hoover or sit down. And part of a shelf for music not in use.

We have a filing cabinet with a drawer (or two) devoted to sheet music.