Frequently Asked Questions

Who is oySongs?

We are the world's central source for Jewish audio and sheet music. We hope to provide our customers with a convenient, exciting, easy way to get their Jewish music - instantly! oySongs.com is an independent digital music distribution company created by a veteran of the Jewish music industry, Joe Eglash (www.EglashCreative.com) | www.JoeEglash.com). In 2012 Susan and Craig Colin became the new owners of the site. Susan is a working musician, an award-winning composer, nationally recognized singer and intractable champion of Jewish music. (www.SusanColin.com) Craig works in technology, and knows the importance of finding system improvements and new market applications. We are dedicated to the success of independent Jewish musicians and the proliferation of their music. As the V'ahavta instructs us, "Take these words...speak of them in your home and on your way..." Our goal is for people to have Jewish music in their daily lives, not just when they go to synagogue!

Do you have any video tutorials?

 Sure do - we've added a page of video tutorials - just click the Tutorials button on the gray bar above.  We have high-def videos on such specific subjects as downloading albums and songs, and installing Scorch to view sheet music.  You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel to be alerted of new videos.

How do I know when you add new stuff?

 The best way to keep up is to subscribe to our e-newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

Huh? What's an mp3 and why do I need it in my life?!

No need to worry - your computer will take care of most of your concerns. An mp3 is really a powerful, concise music file format. It's also a flexible format - you can keep it on your computer and call it up anytime, put it on a portable mp3 player (such as an iPod), or burn a CD with them. A great benefit is that you can fit about 10x more songs on one CD compared to regular music files which take up a lot more room. Bottom line - it'll make your life easier!

Can I make copies of or e-mail my new oySongs mp3?

Copyright law allows you to make copies for yourself as long as you do not distribute them to other people. So, if you have 3 computers, 2 mp3 players, and 4 CD players, you can have a copy of that mp3 for each unit. However, it is illegal for you to burn a CD for or e-mail that mp3 to a friend at any time. It's cheap enough - they can buy their own! Support independent Jewish artists.

Can I burn a CD with oySongs mp3s?

Betach! You bet! There are a couple of ways to do this:

• Many CD players now support the mp3 file format. That's a good thing - it means you can burn a lot more onto one CD. Most CD burning programs allow you this option.
• Convert the mp3 files to wav files (wav files are regular ol' audio tracks, the same ones that your computer reads from a commercial CD). You can do this in most media players (PCs come with Windows Media Player, Macs come with iTunes,)

Are oySongs mp3 files encoded with use limitations?

Nope - they're just straight unencrypted mp3 files - we trust our customers (unlike the big corporations and record labels) to not distribute these illegally. We give you flexible media and put the onus on you to make the right choice. Sachel.

Once I purchase a song or album, how do I download it?

Once the payment is processed, oySongs will bring you to the download page. Here, you'll see all the songs you've purchased with a "Download" link next to them. Click this and follow your browser's instructions. It's as simple as that!  Within your one year window to download, you can visit and revisit this page anytime - simply log in to your account, click My Account, then Downloads.

What happens if once I've downloaded a song or CD, I lose the file? Do I have to pay again?

No prob. Just log into your account and you'll see your download history. You have one year (from the time you pay) to download your music. During that one year, you can download that song or album as many times as you like.

Does oySongs work with Windows Media Player, iTunes, or other media management programs?

Yup. You're purchasing regular mp3 files which are playable on all media programs.

What is the sound quality of the music I purchase on oySongs?

The Jewish music you download will be of the utmost sonic quality - 192kbps compressed mp3 files. You'll struggle to hear any difference between regular CD audio and our digital downloads.

How do I play the music I just downloaded?

First, make sure you download it to a place on your computer that you'll remember and that is easily organized. Second, check out what happens when you just click on the file - your default media player should open right up and play the track automatically for you. If not, you may need to download a media player (PCs come with Windows Media Player, Macs come with iTunes). Most of these offer playlists and other ways to organize and play your mp3 files. One of the great advantages to digital audio is the ease of organization - create your own mixes (playlists), choose which tracks play and which don't, play full albums back-to-back, and so on.

Does it cost anything to sample the music before I buy it?

Every mp3 on oySongs.com can be "sampled" for 30-seconds for free! Just click the icon and you'll hear a high-quality sample. If you have trouble clicking on this icon or can't hear anything, you may need to download the latest Macromedia Flash player. Otherwise, check to see that your computer volume is turned up and unmuted. For sheet music, simply download the free Scorch plug-in and click Play to hear the music!

What does "Album Only" mean?

Some artists wish to sell their music as a complete album only.  Also, occasionally, the songs which comprise an album are so short in duration that it would not be fair to sell them individually.  When you see "Album Only" instead of "Buy" listed next to a song, you will need to purchase the complete album to get those songs.

  How much does the music cost?

oySongs mp3s (audio files) cost $1.29 each when they're purchased without oyGelt.  You're always better off buying oyGelt for a la carte song shopping (the value of each becomes cheaper) or purchasing full albums (which cost an average of $8.99 or $9.99). Here's the pricing structure:

• Individual mp3s = $1.29 each
• $18 oyGelt = 15 songs for a value of $1.20 each mp3
• $50 oyGelt = 45 songs for a value of $1.11 each mp3 + earn 10% off all sheet music
• $99 oyGelt = 100 songs for a value of $.99 each mp3 + earn 10% off any sheet music
• ** Instead of the "Buy" option, on some songs you will see "Album Only" - this means that individual songs from this album are not available for separate download - you must buy the complete album.

  What is oyGelt?

Thanks for asking. oyGelt is an easy way to prepay for the Jewish music you're going to buy. Plus, you save money and time! oyGelt is sold at 3 levels ($18/$50/$99), each level offering its own progressively cheaper per-song price. Also, by using oyGelt when you shop oySongs, you'll receive added benefits like 10% off all sheet music (while your $50/$99 oyGelt credit lasts) and faster checkout.

• $18 oyGelt = 15 songs for a value of $1.20 each mp3
• $50 oyGelt = 45 songs for a value of $1.11 each mp3 + earn 10% off all sheet music
• $99 oyGelt = 100 songs for a value of $.99 each mp3 + earn 10% off any sheet music

Can I set up an account for my synagogue or institution?

Absolutely! oySongs is happy to offer this convenient way of shopping for Jewish music. Before shopping for the first time, please e-mail us with your request. We'll take it from there.

Are there any membership or subscription fees?

Nope! Anyone at any time can get Jewish music from oySongs.

I'm a Jewish musical artist. How do I sell my stuff on oySongs?

Visit our Artist signup page - we're always looking for new music!

I wrote a song that is featured on oySongs, but on somebody else's album. What gives?

You are due royalties directly from the artist that covered your song. The statutory rates can be found on the Harry Fox site.

Where can I buy oySongs gear?

Lots of cool oySongs and Jewish music gear is available at our Cafe Press shoppe: http://www.cafepress.com/oysongs.

  What's so great about oySongs sheet music?

oySongs.com is a proud partner of Sibelius, Inc., makers of the world's top music notation program and of the incredible Scorch plug-in. oySongs uses Scorch, a free browser plug-in, which offers you these amazing benefits:

• TRANSPOSE THE MUSIC! Yes - no longer do you have to sing in a different key than the music is written in, or ask your accompanist to transpose in her head!
• Play the music. Not sure if this is the right V'sham'ru? Press play and hear tune and any available accompaniment. You can even change the instrument being used to play the melody.
• You'll play and transpose from a score that you can see right in front of you! When you purchase the score, there are no files to keep track of - it comes right out of your printer.
• IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BROWSER COMPATABILITY WITH SCORCH: Currently, Scorch is supported with these browsers: Windows: Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista 32-bit or Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit, Internet Explorer 7 or later, Mozilla Firefox, 20MB hard disk space. Mac OS X: Mac OS X 10.4.11, Mac OS X 10.5.8 or Mac OS X 10.6.8, Mac OS X 10.7 or later, Safari 5.0.6 or earlier (32-bit mode required on Mac OS X 10.6; not compatible with Safari 5.1 or later on Mac OS X 10.6 or Mac OS X 10.7), Mozilla Firefox 4 or later (32-bit mode required), 20MB hard disk space.
• Not currently compatible with Google Chrome.

Can I save the sheet music file to my computer?

No, sorry. Scorch files are directed right to your printer for your convenience.

I need the music for my choir or band.  How many copies should I purchase?

Copyright law allows you to make one photocopy for each legal copy you own, for your own use. Therefore, you must purchase as many copies as there are voices in your choir or instruments in your band. This is the only way to keep Jewish music alive - composers need to be paid their due royalties.  There are minimum purchase quantities for oySongs choral and band sheet music.  Typically, the minimum quantity is one over the vocal or instrumental requirements - if a piece is for Solo Voice and SAB choir, the minimum purchase would be 5 copies.  The extra copy is for conductor or accompanist.  But remember - this is just a minimum, according to law you must purchase a number equal to the amount of voices in your choir or instruments in your band.  An average choral order is for between 10 - 45 copies.

Help! My sheet music won't print. (Or) It only prints one page.

Before you purchase, oySongs allows you to print a test of the first page of music - with a watermark on it.  When you click the "Print" link from the Downloads page (My Account/Downloads), you'll be taken right to the score you purchased.  From here, click the Scorch Print icon (see below).  For more answers, see our Printing Problems Guide.  Scorch does not work for users of Windows 2000 or earlier operating systems.  Please e-mail us for alternative means of getting your sheet music.

OK, I know I can play oySongs sheet music, but what do the rest of the Scorch controls mean?

1. Change Pages. If the score allows for it (some oySongs scores are one page or do not allow you to view more than one page for security reasons).
2. Change MIDI listening device. This option depends on the quality of your computer's sound card.
3. Playback Controls. Play / Pause / Stop. You can also simply click the score to begin/stop playback.
4. Fast Forward/Rewind.
5. Change Tempo. Adjust how quickly the score plays at your will. The default is the score's original tempo.
6. Change Instruments. Here you can change a lead or accompanying instrument - perhaps an oboe or clarinet will sound better to you than the default piano tones.
7. Change Key. This one brings it all home. When you purchase and print your score, it will come out of your printer in the key of your choice!! To print a tune for Bb instruments, raise the key by a whole step; for Eb instruments, lower the key by a minor 3rd.
8. Print. Before you purchase a score, you can print a watermarked sample to make sure your printer is working correctly. After you test the printing and purchase the score, use the links to return to the score. Switch to "Live print mode" by clicking "Click Here to switch to Live print mode" and print away! oySongs allows (and encourages) you to purchase and print multiple copies for your band or choir - it's the legal way to go.Download Sibelius Scorch.

Why can't I transpose or play some of the sheet music?

The majority of oySongs sheet music can be interacted with.  However, there are some catalogs that generated from "legacy content" - that is, music whose digital files are not available.  These are scanned from original paper sources and converted into medium-resolution, flat files.  They can still be printed out and you can examine each page, but the Transpose and Play features are not available.  Fortunately, this makes available some older catalogs.

Other questions? Contact us anytime.