When Ray Chen was getting ready to compete in the 2009 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition, he realized that the required contemporary piece was going to pose a problem, not only for page turns, but more importantly for being able to effectively learn how his part fit with the piano part.

Ray put the following digital music reading system together:

• An HP TX2500Z Multi-Touch Tablet PC running Vista
• An AirTurn wireless page turner with a single Boss FS-5U pedal
• MusicReader for Windows

The HP TX2500Z features a 12.1 inch screen that can accept input from either the included digital pen or just a finger.  The screen automatically recognizes which is being used and will switch between pen and mouse mode automatically.  The pen mode is optimized for writing and drawing, while the mouse mode makes it easy to use your finger to select objects and to "click" by tapping the screen.  The HP TX2500Z can also be operated as a regular laptop by swiveling the screen around and features a full keyboard, DVD-R player, and full Wi-Fi capabilities.

Ray found his HP Tablet PC on eBay for around $700.  Prices for that and other refurbished models can range on eBay between $700-$800.  Here's the total price breakdown for Ray's music reading system:

• HP TX2500Z = $700
• AirTurn AT-104 with 1 Boss FS5U Pedal = $79.95
• MusicReader for Windows = $99

Total Cost = $878.95

For building a complete digital music system from scratch, this can be considered a mid-range price point.

If you already have a laptop and don't want to invest in a new computer, you can use just the AirTurn page turner and install the MusicReader program.  The AirTurn will work with most Mac and Windows computers right out of the box (and even some Linux machines, as we've heard from some of our customers!).  MusicReader can be installed on most Mac and Windows computers, and features some innovative page view modes that make laptops viable score reading tools for violinists.  MusicReader's half-page mode zooms the page without cutting off staves, making it actually easier to read than paper scores.  MusicReader can also rotate the screen to view the entire page in portrait mode, but keep in mind that most laptops cannot fully open their screens completely flat, so there will be a slight angle between the screen and keyboard.

Here is a price breakdown for a music reading system using your own laptop:

• AirTurn AT-104 with 1 Boss FS5U Pedal = $79.95
• MusicReader for Windows/Mac = $99

Total Cost = $178.95

An even less expensive option would be to use the Roland DP-2 pedal instead of the Boss FS-5U, which would bring the total cost of the system down to $163.95.

Laptops can be surprisingly effective as music readers.  Here is a picture of my laptop on an insTand with an AirTurn and a Boss FS-5U pedal:

When MusicReader is set to half-page reading mode, you can see how much larger the music appears compared to paper music:

We'll be doing a more in-depth look at the insTand as an accessory for violinists using laptops as music readers in a future article.

Lastly, for those violinists who want to invest in the very best options for digital music readers, you may want to consider either a high end slate tablet pc, such as those made by Fujitsu, Sahara, or Motion Computing.  These models do away with the physical keyboard and DVD/CD drives, making the computer much thinner and lighter than convertible tablet PC's like the HP TX2500Z.  Even without the keyboard or DVD/CD drives, these are full computers with excellent handwriting recognition capabilities and full compatibility with Windows programs.  Prices for these high end slate tablet pc's will range from $1999 to around $2400.

For information on filling your digital music reader with repertoire, be sure to visit the music score/sheet music links in our Resources page.

We'll take a look at more accessories for violinists with digital music reading systems in our upcoming articles, including scanners for converting paper scores into digital formats.  In the meantime, be sure to read the other articles in our Learn section, and by all means feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it any questions you may have!

Setting up a digital music reading system will vary according to the type of musician you are. Will you be primarily stationary in a fixed location, such as a church organist? Will you be mobile, working in a variety of settings, like a violinist? Or will you be semi-mobile, where your instrument(s) are in fixed locations, requiring you to only bring your music, much like a collaborative pianist/accompanist?

We'll start by discussing some general hardware and software requirements, then branch out into specific accessories for different types of musicians.

Computers

The first component is the computer itself. For stationary musicians, a desktop computer might make the best choice, while mobile and semi-mobile musicians should consider laptops or Tablet PC's. For stationary musicians using desktop computers, you can take advantage of larger screen options to make viewing your music easier. For laptop users, you will need to weigh your options between smaller screen sizes and overall weight. For instance, larger 17 inch laptop screens will add some heft over 15 or 12 inch models, yet offer a better 2-page viewing option over their smaller counterparts.

Tablet PCs are another category of computer altogether. Introduced by Microsoft back in 2002, Tablet PC's run a variation of Windows XP for older machines, or Vista for current models. What makes these types of computer unique is twofold: 1. The Tablet PC is able to flip the screen around so that the keyboard is either partially or completely stowed away. Some models do away with the keyboard entirely. Music can be viewed either in landscape or portrait modes easily with Tablet PC's. 2. Tablet PC's come with digital pens and feature seamless ink capabilities and excellent handwriting recognition. Some models also feature dual pen and touch features, allowing you to interact with the screen with both the digital pen and your finger.

Music Reading Programs

There are a wide variety of programs that can be used for reading digital music. The simplest options for reading lead sheets or chord charts are word processing programs such as Microsoft Word or Open Office's equivalent, Writer. For musicians who need to read traditional notation, most digital music scores are available as PDF documents. PDF readers such as Adobe's Reader or Primo PDF are some possible options, but if you are limited to reading scores in landscape mode (the typical viewing formats for standard laptops) on a small screen, you may not find these programs adequate. If you need to work with your scores by adding annotations that simulate pencil on paper, then you should consider either PDF Annotator (only for Windows computers), or MusicReader, which can import PDF files (and works with both Mac and PC's). MusicReader is rather unique its feature set, with an effective half-page viewing option for landscape screens, multiple page turning options, playlist creation, and a host of musical tools (metronome, tuner, audio recorder/player) built right into the user interface.

Page Turners

If you are an active performer, you will want to take advantage of page turning accessories that allow you to perform without having to turn pages with your hands the "old fashioned" way. The most common page turning devices come in the form of pedals that are either programmable or pre-programmed with set keystrokes. An example of a programmable pedal is the X-keys pedal by P.I. Engineering:

Bili, Inc. makes a USB-wired dual-pedal device called Footime which is preprogrammed to provide keystroke commands to advance digital pages forwards and backwards:

The AirTurn AT-104 is a wireless transmitter that connects to a variety of foot pedals and momentary switches, and is another example of a pre-programmed page turning device:

While the AirTurn's pedals are normally operated with feet, here's a unique example of an organist who uses his AirTurn with a single Roland DP-2 as a page turning hand switch:

Accessories

Digital Pens

If you want to be able to annotate music scores on your computer with digital ink, but are reluctant to invest in a Tablet PC, you can use a relatively low cost alternative, the Wacom Bamboo Graphics Tablet:

The Bamboo attaches to your computer via a USB cable, and is compatible with both Mac and PC computers. The pen works with a passive magnetic technology, doesn't require any batteries, and provides pressure-sensitive ink strokes for programs that can recognize that capability (PDF Annotator and MusicReader feature pressure-sensitive ink annotations).

Scanners

If you want to convert your paper scores into digital formats, you will need to use a scanner. While many flatbed scanners have a reputation for being somewhat slow to operate, an excellent option is the Plustek Opticbook 3600 Plus Book Scanner.

The Opticbook 3600 Plus was designed specifically for scanning books as opposed to graphics-intense photographs or art. The scanning surface glass comes right up to the edge to minimize the binder shadow from books. Scanning speeds are approximately twice as fast as standard flatbeds. Black and white music notation comes out particularly well in a variety of image formats that can be easily converted to PDF files.

Laptop Stands

If you are a "mobile" instrumentalist (violin, flute, guitar, etc.) and plan to use a standard laptop as a music reader, there are some interesting stand options available. We're actually in the process of evaluating a number of laptop stands and will report our findings soon, but here's a brief overview:

1. The Bili Laptop Stand
	The Bili Laptop Stand is the one of the smallest and lightest we've seen, similar in size and weight to a typical wire music stand. The top table can be removed and folded in thirds, with a rubber strap to help secure the laptop and prevent it from slipping off.
2. Laptop Tripods
	Laptop Tripods are much sturdier than the Bili Laptop Stands, and are available in 3 different sizes. The tradeoff with the sturdier design is increased weight and bulk. The table doesn't come with a strap, but a rubber anti-slip mat is included and seems reasonably effective at keeping the laptop secured. Then again, one would hope that there would never be a reason for the Laptop Tripod to be anything but perfectly parallel with a stable floor!
3. The InsTand
	After extensive testing, we've found the insTand laptop tripods to be the best overall option for musicians.  Combining the portability of standard music stands with sturdy build and innovative design features, the insTand laptop tripods are available in three sizes: the CR1 for seated musicians the CR3 for both standing and sitting positions the heavy duty CR5 chrome model. One of the most interesting features of the insTand's table top is the embedded anti-slip material which is surprisingly effective at keeping a laptop glued on at relatively steep angles. In our next articles, we'll take a look at some specific case studies to see how various musicians have assembled music reading systems to accommodate their particular musical needs.

One of my most popular blog article series on my personal website over two years ago was "Getting Started", a guide to helping musicians put together digital music reading and hands-free page turning systems.  With so many advances already in hardware and software technologies, it's time to revisit and update that series.

The good news is that it's never been more affordable to put together a powerful, comprehensive music reading system that can be configured for a wide variety of musical settings and fiscal budgets.  Even more encouraging has been the fact that after 6+ years of going "paper-free", my massive library of 6000+ digital scores is still usable and easily portable to accommodate all the ensuing hardware and software upgrades.  In other words, I've been able to enjoy all the improved speed and functionality of newer technologies without having to worry about my digital library file formats becoming "obsolete".  If you own a laptop, you already have most of what you need to work as a "digital musician" and can get started with a basic wireless page turning system for as little as $60.

Before I get ahead of myself, I'd like to review some of my favorite benefits of digital music scores over the old traditional paper versions:

• Storage capacity and Portability - being able to carry every piece of music I need with me at all times means that I never lose, misplace, or forget my music scores wherever I go.
• Instant Search and Recall - rather than having to waste time hunting through stacks of paper music filed within alphabetical boxes shelved on ceiling-to-floor shelves (or just strewn about in messy piles on top of my piano), I can instantly pull up any piece within my 6000+ score digital library within seconds.
• Advanced Annotations - digital ink and text annotation capabilities provide numerous advantages over traditional pencil on paper.  Imagine being able to mark up your scores with multiple colors and highlights, all easily erasable!  Digital bookmarks can help you instantly find movements or practice spots within larger scores.  Other applications enable you to digitally "cut out" sections of music to create custom booklets to better study and analyze your scores.
• Digital Distribution - as physical sheet music stores are going out of busines (see this NY Times article about the closing of Patelson's in New York), more and more scores are becoming available as digital downloads online, doing away with the old problems of keeping physical scores in stock and delivery delays.
• Hands-free page turns - my personal favorite benefit!  No more relying on human page turners, no more oversized pieces of posterboard pasted with microscopic photocopies of music pages, no more multiple-stand monstrosities on stage!  Come to think of it, no more stress over having to have all the music memorized, since using hands-free page turning pedals makes the reading process virtually "invisible" to the audience!
• Multiple Viewing Options - doing away with the physical "obstacles" of the paper format opens up an entirely new world of music viewing possibilities.  Imagine ensembles working together from full scores rather than just from individual parts; using large monitors to zoom the music for musicians with visual impairments; being able to shift between single and multi-page views that remove page turning "blind spots" (more on that in a future article!)  Etc. etc.
• Being Green - if musicians everywhere were to switch to using computers as music readers, think about what a difference this would make on the environment in terms of paper reduction!