Extra information to help you on the way we operate...
A: PDF is a portable document format file. To read and print the file you need a PDF reader such as "Acrobat Reader". Many computer users have this reader installed on their machines. It is a free piece of software available from the Adobe website. However, if you've ever had an electronic document and been able to read it on your computer, the chances are you have everything you need to use our files already.
Q: Do I need any special music software to print your titles?
A: No. Just the PDF reader mentioned above.
Q: Why use this PDF method rather than paper copies?
A: We believe that this method is an efficient and economical way to distribute our titles. You purchase the files and the right to print as many copies as you need for one band only. This provides you with the flexibilty to generate extra "rehearsal parts" or duplicate scores for contests. Lost a part? Print one. Because we don't pay printing costs this saving is passed on to you.
Q: Low cost and flexible? What's the catch?
A: No catch. We're banding people so we know how difficult it can be to source good repertoire at reasonable cost. Publishers make great play on the fact that bands photocopy their titles illegally. They lose money because of it and build these losses into their prices. As we put it, it's difficult to "play fair". To our legitimate customers there is no catch. They really can print from our files as many parts/scores as required - FOR ONE BAND.
A: Each set of files has a serial number/code which appears on the parts/score when printed. This number is unique and "registered" to the band/organisation/individual purchasing the files. This means that illegal copies are traceable - at least back to the original purhaser. If every band in the world had a free set because an individual allowed his/her set to be copied, then that's a lot of copyright infringement and lost sales to us. We'd certainly be wanting to talk to that person... There are more details on our licence page.
Q: How do you stop people photocopying the music?
A: We can't - any more than any other publisher, and we know of bands whose libraries are quite full of knock off copies. Bands are often misguided when they offer to "run off" a set for others. In effect they are donating the purchase price to the other band. If you really are that generous, donate the hard cash to them so they can purchase an authorised set. Unauthorised (illegal) copies can be traced back to their source.
A: The price reflects the fact that we don't have to generate, store and handle paper copies. Sets are made to order and sent via e-mail transfer. There is no stock pile so overheads are reduced. In this respect we should never be "out of print" either! We don't charge £25+ because that goes against what we're trying to do here. There is ABSOLUTELY no point in "ripping off" the very customers/bands you're trying to attract. Bandspeople aren't daft. They know when there's a con, and we hope they recognise what we feel is a good idea and will support us. We've all had experience of feeling "fleeced".
Q: Why can't I see your stuff at trade stands/shops?
A: We sell direct - no middle men - and we keep our costs down with limited advertising.
Q: How do I see a sample, then?
A: On our downloads page(s) there are PDF samples of some parts. To get an idea of the difficulty of the title we include Euphonium or Solo Cornet. We are to include Mp3 files when available, too.