It used to be that there were those who created the content — authors — and those who produced volumes that people could buy — publishers — in the same way that there were those who created the content — authors — in music. In several ways, things have changed. Music composers are increasingly acting as their own publishers, and the path to becoming a music publisher is no longer the same as it once was.
The first piece of music was printed in Germany around 1473. To be a music publisher at the time, one had to be an artist. Woodblock printing and freehand music engraving, both of which required the creation of a mirror image of the desired result, as well as typesetting, binding, and marketing, were among the first techniques.
Today, following four specific steps can lead to becoming a music publisher on a completely different path. To begin, one must have music to publish. Today, many composers self-publish, and it is possible to self-publish only one’s own work. One can also publish one’s own and friends’ work, or solicit work from others who would rather or need to spend their time doing something else than publishing.
Second, one must become familiar with engraving standards as well as at least one, preferably more, of today’s top professional music notation software programs. Sibelius Notation SoftwareTM, Finale Music Notation SoftwareTM, Notion Notation SoftwareTM, and LilyPond are just a few of them. These programs, also known as scorewriters, are tools for engraving music on a computer, similar to how a desktop publishing program like QuarkXPressTM or InDesignTM can be used to prepare print publications on a computer. One can do the initial work required of a music publisher using any of these software programs, such as creating appropriate staves and systems, placing notes, dynamics, and expression text, refining page layout, and creating covers, among other things.
Third, people must be able to access the material created by the notation program, either through downloads, in which case they must do their own printing, or by producing physical copies that are printed and bound. You can print on your own equipment, send files to a copy and print shop, or use a self-publishing website to do so. This decision will be influenced by how one plans to approach advertising and distribution.
You can sell copies of your finished products yourself, have them made to order by a local or online service, or form a distribution partnership with a larger company. Although this step is listed fourth, it is one that you should think about as you plan your path to becoming a music publisher because it will affect the decisions you make along the way.