Transcribe selections from a diverse array of genres and composers, from early show tunes by Jerome Kern to lesser-known works by theater composers such as Frederick J. Liddle, and from English translations of Wagner opera selections to songs by major American Yiddish theater composer Joseph Rumshinsky.
Instructions: The primary goal of transcribing sheet music text is to facilitate page-level discovery of lyrics, subjects, and the creators and publishers of the work through the Library's website. Musical notation, performance instructions, and other markings are currently beyond the scope of this program. See our
illustrated and downloadable Transcribing Sheet Music PDF for more help and examples
Only transcribe descriptive text, including titles, lyrics, tempo markings (Moderato, allegro, allegretto, etc.), publication information, and advertisements.
Transcribe text in the order it appears on the page (this may differ from the order in which the piece would be performed). Preserve line breaks. If a word is broken across a line or page, transcribe it intact on the initial line or page where it appears.
Do not transcribe any musical notation - this includes time and key signatures, and dynamic markings.
Do not transcribe hyphens (or melisma) within lyrics (even if broken across pages), to enable keyword search.
Do transcribe the text of illustrated title pages.
Do transcribe handwritten notes and Library of Congress cataloging stamps as marginalia.
