IMSLP:Quick Guide to Contributing

What files can be added to IMSLP?

IMSLP is happy to accept submissions from users. These submissions must either be in the public domain or available under an approved license.

Public domain

Any score or recording whose copyright has expired is eligible to be added to IMSLP.

For a guide to which works are in the public domain, please see Copyright Made Simple and (for a detailed explanation) Public Domain. Generally, items whose authors (composer, librettist, arranger) all died in 1971 or earlier can be submitted (since these items are in the public domain in Canada, where IMSLP's main server is located).

Additionally, any item first published in 1928 or earlier can be uploaded to the US server. See PML-US upload instructions.

Created by you (or by someone else who has given proper permission)

Any score or recording that you have created for either an original or a public-domain work is eligible to be added to IMSLP. (You can't submit editions, arrangements or recordings of ineligible works, however; for example, you can't submit a transcription of a work by a contemporary composer who has not given permission.)

Any item that is available under a free license (see our rules), such as CC BY or CC BY-SA, or dedicated to the public domain by its author, may also be uploaded.

Basic outline of submitting files

0) Log into your user account

You need to be a registered user to upload items. Registration is free. If you have an account, you need to log in. If you don't have an account, create an account.

1) Go to the composer's page

Use the search function to find the composer's page. (If you are adding an arrangement, search for the name of the composer who wrote the piece the arrangement is based on.)

If the composer has a page, continue. If the composer does not have a page, you can create a new composer page. (If you're uploading your own compositions, you'll need to create a page for yourself.) Before creating a new composer page, remember to:

  • Check if the composer is listed under another common name variant
  • Check to make sure the composer died in 1971 or earlier (or that a work was published in 1928 or earlier)

2) Make sure profiles exist for all contributors

If the item you want to add has a named editor, librettist or arranger (including if you are an editor or arranger), make sure that profiles exist for all those people. If one doesn't exist, create one. (Note that "Add Composer" is used to add profiles for arrangers, editors, librettists, etc. as well.)

If the profile you have created is for yourself, go to your profile page and click (from the gear or hammer menu) You are this person (associate).

When entering the name of an editor, librettist or arranger in the appropriate field, use the following format to link to that person's profile:

  • {{LinkEd|Firstname|Lastname|bornyear|diedyear}} for editors
  • {{LinkArr|Firstname|Lastname|bornyear|diedyear}} for arrangers
  • {{LinkLib|Firstname|Lastname|bornyear|diedyear}} for librettists

(If a person is still living, or the birth/death year is unknown, leave a blank space in that field.)

3) Go to the work page

On the composer's page, find the page for the right work (or use the search function to find the work). Remember that a work may have multiple names; even so, the files must go on the same work page. (Example: Die Zauberflöte is the original German title for The Magic Flute.)

If the work page does not exist, click the menu option to create a new page for that work.

4) Adding files

Once you are on the work page, use the "Add File" menu to add your files. Note that the "New"/"Your Own" options ("New Edition"/"Your Own Edition") should be selected for adding files you created yourself.

  • Under the "Add File" drop down menu on the work page, select one of the following options for uploading:
  • Add Scan (for scans made of printed scores)
    "Scores"
    Scores of chamber works, vocal-piano works and solo works.
    "Full Scores"
    Full orchestral (conductor or study) scores of large-ensemble works. [Use the "Advanced" button to change the designation to "Full Scores," or add the tab manually by editing the page text.]
    "Scores and Parts"
    Scores and parts of chamber works. [Use the "Advanced" button to change the designation to "Score and Parts," or add the tab manually by editing the page text.]
    "Vocal Scores"
    Vocal scores with piano reduction. [Use the "Advanced" button to change the designation to "Score and Parts," or add the tab manually by editing the page text.]
    "Parts"
    Used for parts (except when filed under "Scores and Parts").
    "Arrangements and Transcriptions"
    Any arrangements or transcriptions (either by the original composer or another person), excluding vocal scores.
    "Libretti"
    Text-only files including the libretto of a vocal work.
    "Other"
    Used for any file, other than a notation file, which does not fit any other category. (Engraving/notation files should be put in the same file block as the corresponding PDF score.)
  • Add Manuscript (for scans of handwritten documents, whether by the composer or a copyist, not including works originally published using a manuscript-reproduction process)
  • New Composition (for a composition you wrote yourself)
  • New Arrangement (for an arrangement you wrote yourself of somebody else's work)
  • New Edition (for an edition you engraved yourself of somebody else's work)
  • Recordings
    Recordings (for normal recordings)
    Accompaniments (for recordings of accompaniment alone)
    Synthesized/MIDI (for any synthesized or MIDI file)

5) Review and approval

If your files are indeed eligible to be added to IMSLP, a copyright reviewer will approve your file. This may take between a few hours and a few days. If there are any problems, you will be contacted by a reviewer.

More information

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