How to Collect Sheet Music & Tabs
Before you can print a songbook, you need songs. Here's where to find sheet music and tabs for every instrument and style.
Whether you play guitar, piano, ukulele, or any other instrument, there are dedicated websites where musicians share tabs, chord charts, and full sheet music arrangements. Some are free, some are paid, and many offer a mix of both. The best approach is to collect PDFs from a few trusted sources, organize them by style or difficulty, and then use MakeMySongBook to turn that collection into a real, printed book.
Where to Look
Three main types of sources for sheet music and tabs.
Dedicated Tab & Sheet Music Sites
Large online libraries where musicians upload and share transcriptions. Sites like Ultimate Guitar, Songsterr, and Musicnotes host millions of tabs and sheet music arrangements across all instruments and genres. Some are free, others charge per download or offer a subscription.
Style-Specific Communities
Many genres have their own hubs. Classical players use IMSLP for public domain scores. Jazz musicians find lead sheets and chord melodies on specialized sites. Folk and traditional music communities maintain archives of tunes passed down through generations.
Patreon & Independent Creators
Many music teachers and transcribers offer lessons and sheet music through Patreon. Subscribing directly supports working musicians and educators in the industry, and you often get high-quality, exclusive arrangements you won't find elsewhere.
Tips for Building Your Collection
A few habits that make the process smoother.
- 1
Save everything as PDF
MakeMySongBook works with PDFs, so download or export your tabs and sheet music in PDF format whenever possible. Most tab sites and Patreon creators offer PDF downloads.
- 2
Name your files clearly
Use a consistent naming convention like "Song Title - Artist.pdf". MakeMySongBook pulls song titles from file names, so clear names save you editing later.
- 3
Organize into folders first
Sort your PDFs into folders by genre, instrument, or difficulty before uploading. This makes it easy to create chapters in your songbook.
- 4
Support the creators
If you regularly use someone's transcriptions, consider supporting them through Patreon or buying their arrangements. It keeps the community alive and encourages more high-quality content.
- 5
Check the quality
Not all tabs are created equal. Look for user ratings, verified transcriptions, or arrangements by known teachers. A well-transcribed piece is worth more than ten sloppy ones.
Free vs Paid Sources
Both have their place — here's how to think about it.
Free Sources
Community-contributed tabs, public domain classical scores, and free arrangements. Quality varies — always check ratings and reviews. Great for building a large collection quickly.
Freemium Sites
Sites like Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr offer a solid free tier with optional paid upgrades for features like interactive playback, Guitar Pro files, and ad-free browsing.
Paid Per Download
Professional transcription services like Musicnotes sell individual arrangements. These are typically high quality, officially licensed, and available in multiple formats.
Subscriptions & Patreon
Monthly subscriptions to teachers and transcribers. Often the best value if you're actively learning — you get a steady stream of new material plus access to back catalogs.
Browse by Instrument
Detailed guides with the best sources for each instrument.
Strings
Keys & Wind
Other & Percussion
Got your PDFs ready?
Upload your sheet music and tab PDFs into MakeMySongBook and turn them into a printed, bound book in minutes.
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