Wikipedia:Using sheet music sources

The following is a proposed Wikipedia policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption.

Shortcuts

Sheet music can be used in Wikipedia articles about songs. While the use of screenshots of sheet music is discouraged, text can be written discussing the nature of a song. Reliable sources for sheet music include Musicnotes.com and Sheetmusicplus.com. From sheet music sources, editors can deduct much information about a song, including:

Time signature
Key
Tempo
Basic chord progression (using en dashes to indicate sequence)
Vocal range

When using sheet music in articles, editors must attribute the source in the prose, and cite the source like treeware, without a link.(remove?)

Example

The following is an exert from the "Bad Romance" article:

“

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Bad Romance" is set in common time with a metronome of 119 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of A minor with Gaga's vocal range spanning from the low-note of E₃ to the high-note of A₅. The song follows in the chord progression of Am–C–F–C–G in the verses and F–G–Am–C–F–G–E–Am in the chorus.^[1]

”

The citation is formatted as: <ref>{{cite web|author=Nadir Khayat, Stefani Germanotta (Composers and Lyricists)|title=Bad Romance: Lady Gaga – Digital Sheet Music|year=2009|accessdate=2011-01-18|work=''Musicnotes.com'' |publisher=[[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]|format=Musicnotes |at=MN0087152 (Product Number)}}</ref>

Which produces:

^ Nadir Khayat, Stefani Germanotta (Composers and Lyricists) (2009). "Bad Romance: Lady Gaga Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. MN0087152 (Product Number). {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)

[1] Nadir Khayat, Stefani Germanotta (Composers and Lyricists) (2009). "Bad Romance: Lady Gaga Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. MN0087152 (Product Number). {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)

[1]