It’s Wednesday and, as with our previous #WednesdayWisdom posts during January, we’re focussing on getting organised. We know from first hand experience that musicians aren’t always the most organised of people 🤔😱so today, we’re taking a look at one of the most important things; your music.

Depending on what you play, and despite the rise in the use of tablets, many people still use sheet music and can accumulate vast quantities of it. Finding one piece amongst many can prove challenging and that’s where today’s tips/#LifeHacks can help.

Firstly, you’ll need to dedicate a space in which to store your music. That could be anything from a cupboard, filing cabinet, to simply a shelf. However, bear in mind that wherever you choose, it needs to be big enough to store all your current music and have room for growth. Next, sort your books, booklets, and loose sheets into separate piles. Books can go directly into your storage area. Order them to suit yourself; by title, by composer, by genre – whatever works for you.

Next get yourself a file box, or several, and organise your booklets in there using the same method as the books. If you have booklets that are smaller or in a fragile state we suggest using clear plastic wallets to protect them and keep them easily accessible amid the larger ones. Removable sticky tabs or coloured file dividers can be a good way of quickly finding specific composers or music genres. If you find you have multiple boxes, be sure to label them.

Finally, invest in lever arch files and plastic punched pockets for your loose sheets. Start with the title page and place them in the pockets so there’s music on both sides. Resist the temptation to save space by starting a new piece of music on the back of another. Again, use coloured file dividers or sticky tabs to subdivide within the file binder. Keep one binder empty so that you can easily transfer files according to your lesson plan, practice schedule, or set list.
Simples, eh?