Extra information to help you on the way we operate...
Q: What is a PDF?
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 disk 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. (Cheaper to send by post, too.)
Q: I've seen PDF files that you can download. Do you offer this method?
A: We looked into this and decided against it. We assume that everyone does not have a super fast, reliable broadband connection so download times could be quite lengthy. Also, with a CD-ROM the files are automatically "backed up" in the event of computer failure and can be printed from any computer with the reader software. If high speed connections really become the norm, then we might re-think this.
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 CD-ROMs as many parts/scores as required - FOR ONE BAND.
Q: Clarify "One band", please.
A: Each CD has a serial number/code which also appears on the parts/score when printed. This number is unique and "registered" to the band purchasing the CD. (usually the band secretary's delivery address, too.) So the "Fred Bloggs" band has CD "ABC123". This is the one band allowed to use that CD (and as a special concession, it's "junior band" if one exsists. If "ABC123" turns up at another band, then that is not allowed. The other band would need their own copy of the CD with its own unique number. Illegal copies can be traced back to the purchaser who we would assume allowed the illegal copy to be made. So, to extend the example, if "ABC123" ended up in every bandroom in the country, we could trace it back to the "Fred Bloggs" band. We would hope at these prices that wouldn't happen. Remember, we're trying to encourage bands to "play fair".
Q: How do you stop people photocopying the music?
A: We can't - any more than any other publisher. However, illegal copies can be traced back to their source.
Q: Why is the price so low? You could charge full price and pocket the difference.
A: The price reflects the fact that we don't have to generate, store and handle paper copies. Our CD-ROMs are made to order. There is no stock pile so overheads are reduced. In this respect we should never be "out of print" either! We don't charge £20+ 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. Bands 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. We are considering using agents, so it may be possible in the future to see proof sets. However, the price would remain the same and the agent would get a commission for "collecting" the order. All materials would still come direct from us.
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.
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 disk 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. (Cheaper to send by post, too.)
Q: I've seen PDF files that you can download. Do you offer this method?
A: We looked into this and decided against it. We assume that everyone does not have a super fast, reliable broadband connection so download times could be quite lengthy. Also, with a CD-ROM the files are automatically "backed up" in the event of computer failure and can be printed from any computer with the reader software. If high speed connections really become the norm, then we might re-think this.
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 CD-ROMs as many parts/scores as required - FOR ONE BAND.
Q: Clarify "One band", please.
A: Each CD has a serial number/code which also appears on the parts/score when printed. This number is unique and "registered" to the band purchasing the CD. (usually the band secretary's delivery address, too.) So the "Fred Bloggs" band has CD "ABC123". This is the one band allowed to use that CD (and as a special concession, it's "junior band" if one exsists. If "ABC123" turns up at another band, then that is not allowed. The other band would need their own copy of the CD with its own unique number. Illegal copies can be traced back to the purchaser who we would assume allowed the illegal copy to be made. So, to extend the example, if "ABC123" ended up in every bandroom in the country, we could trace it back to the "Fred Bloggs" band. We would hope at these prices that wouldn't happen. Remember, we're trying to encourage bands to "play fair".
Q: How do you stop people photocopying the music?
A: We can't - any more than any other publisher. However, illegal copies can be traced back to their source.
Q: Why is the price so low? You could charge full price and pocket the difference.
A: The price reflects the fact that we don't have to generate, store and handle paper copies. Our CD-ROMs are made to order. There is no stock pile so overheads are reduced. In this respect we should never be "out of print" either! We don't charge £20+ 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. Bands 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. We are considering using agents, so it may be possible in the future to see proof sets. However, the price would remain the same and the agent would get a commission for "collecting" the order. All materials would still come direct from us.
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.