Archive for January, 2012
Importance Of Licensing In The Music Industry
Music is an art. It is generally loved by almost every person in the world. It helps people to get a fresh mind away from all tensions. Music helps in relaxing. It is also used as a medicine to cure various physical, mental, emotional disorders in human beings. Music is very vast. There are many forms of music. Now we will discuss Music Libraries.
Music Libraries can be explained as a place where music related materials are stored. There may be collections of digitized music or audio recordings in music libraries which are generally non-print materials. A music library contains print materials as well which include printed music, dictionaries and encyclopedias, bibliographies, indexes and directories, music serials and other contents related to music literature. Such music libraries are generally for patron use and therefore use of these materials may be confined to specific patron groups. Music Libraries are of four types. They are:
1. Music libraries in Universities or Colleges to support their music departments;
2. Music libraries to support conservatories and schools of music;
3. Music libraries in public libraries;
4. Music libraries developed as independent libraries for music organizations.
Music Libraries are used in other ways also. There are libraries producing music which give license to television, films, and radio productions for using their copyrighted music. Libraries for performance provide space to music groups for performing music. Digitized music libraries provide space to preserve digital music records in electronic form. This preservation requires procedures in order to avoid decay and loss.
Licensing Music can be defined as the way by which the copyrighted music can be used by using a license. Licensing music makes sure that the developers of music get payment for their work. The media on which the music is stored can be owned by the buyer of recorded music, but not the music and thus the buyer has limited rights to reuse or reproduce recorded music. Broadcasting, in licensing music is the playing of the previously recorded or live music for public other than the buyer who is licensed. The broadcasting of music in stores and other pubic places requires the purchase of such service the organizations which offer it.
Radio stations also have to make payment for the rights for broadcasting music by paying fees for it to the licensing bodies. The fees that is paid for the rights for broadcasting, is calculated by periodic auditing of the music that is being played. Licensing issues also arise when television programmes or films use copyrighted music and are released on DVD format. The main point is that for using copyrighted music a fee has to be paid.
By Licensing Music copyrighted music can be used and reproduced by the licensed purchaser. If any copyrighted song is used without license then legal claims can be made against them for illegally using the song. Music Libraries preserves music for which special procedures are laid so that the precious composes of music does not get obsolete and destroyed.
Immerse Yourself In The Music, Dance And Storytelling Culture Through
Immerse Yourself In The Music, Dance And Storytelling Culture Through North India Cultural Tours
Diverse is one word that comes to mind when one thinks of Indias culture. There are twenty eight States, all vastly different from each other in terms of language, customs, traditions, cuisines and way of dressing. Each region has something unique to offer. A cultural tour is a great way to understand the enigma called India. North India in particular has a lot to offer on this front. North India cultural tours give you an opportunity to explore the diverse culture of this area.
Dance is an art, a way of expression, and unique to a culture. North Indias classical and folk dances are world-renowned. Kathak, a classical dance form, uses elaborate footwork, Mogul costumes, and the defining accessory ghungroo. Folk dances are the creation of different socio-economic setups and traditions. Performed on occasions like festivals and weddings, they are full of colours and energy, and express joy. Each state in the north has its own dance like Dumhal of J&K, Hikat of Himachal Pradesh, Chholiya of Uttar Pradesh, and Bhangra and Gidda of Punjab. The various dance forms give an insight into Indias rich culture and are highly entertaining too. A north India cultural tour is an excellent chance for all dance lovers to see the various dance forms.
Music has for centuries been captivating us with its soul-stirring melodies and foot-tapping beats. North India is the home of Hindustani classical music, which is the mix of Hindu and Persian musical concepts. The major vocal styles are Khayal, Bhajan, Tarana, Drupad, Dadra, Ghazal, Geet, Qawwali and Kirtan. There is folk music too, unique to every state like Bihu of Assam, Uttarakhandi music, Haryanvi music and Rabindra sangeet of Bengal. Music is deeply rooted in the Indian culture and tourist on a North India cultural Tour must take out time to explore the various music forms.
Music and dance are ways of expressing joy and telling a story. India has another art of storytelling which is as integral a part of the culture as the songs and dances. Puppetry has for ages been pursued and enjoyed by the masses. Traditionally used for religious education and as a good luck charm, it is now used as a means of entertainment and spreading social awareness. Puppetry is best enjoyed in a village setting with the company of locals. The various dance and music forms, however, can also be enjoyed while sitting in a city like Delhi, where there are several institutions devoted to the promotion of rich Indian culture.
To be able to make the most of the culture of north India, tourists can choose from a variety of North India cultural tour packages like Colours of Rajasthan, Taj Mahal Tour Package etc. The tourism departments of all states have special packages that include the cultural highlights of the region. Tourists can take up one state at a time. While enjoying the various cultural activities, tourists can also savour the different regional delicacies. Each area has its distinct flavour and signature dishes. No two states in India are exactly alike and a north India cultural tour is a great way of witnessing that. The diversity is indeed mind-boggling, but that is what India represents- unity in diversity, and order in chaos.
How To Sell Music Online With Digital Music Sales Software
How To Sell Music Online With Digital Music Sales Software
How do you sell music online? Once you have recorded your album, song or other type of audio file (you may be selling story books or motivational speeches) and made them into a type of file that is supported digitally (ie. MP3), the next step is to begin selling them on the internet. One way to generate income through your music, is to begin selling your files digitally on your personal or band website.How To Sell Music Online On a Personal/Band Website1. Begin with a website.If you already have the domain name and website where you want to sell your music from then you are one step ahead of the game, and can skip the next 3 steps. Go all the way to step 5.2. Choose a domain name.Most bands and musicians will try to find a domain name that matches their band/artist name exactly. For example, if your name is Johnny Rhythm, then a great domain name would incorporate this into it. Type in Google, ‘domain name search’ and you will be presented with a list of companies. They are all similar in prices and should cost no more than about 10-12$/year for your domain name.3. Choose a web hosting service.These will be the people that are in charge of providing you with the ‘space’ for your website. You can find a good web host for about 7-10$/month.4. Design your website.Really you have 3 choices here on how to do this.1. You or a friend may have web design skills, and can get this done for minimal cost. However, be aware that if you are just learning this skill, things may take a bit more time, but you will learn a lot in the process. If you have a friend of a friend doing this, be very clear in your communication so you know exactly what they plan on doing, and how much support they are willing to give you once the initial design is finished. If things seem unclear, sometimes it is better to simply pay the money for a professional.2. Pay a professional.3. Skip the web design and just install the digital music vendor software. Music vendor comes with an attractive storefront already which allows you to enter the title of your band name, and all the categories you need. Later on, when you have the finances, you can add more bells and whistles to your site.5. Purchase and install music vendor software.For under 50$, you can buy the software needed for a digital music store on your website. Music vendor stores will allow you to upload your songs and albums into categories that you create. Your customers can easily browse your store and listen to samples of your songs before they buy. Once they do decide that they like the way you rock out, they can purchase and download your music instantly.6. Get the word out!Just because your store exists on the website does not mean that you will be a famous artist over night. You have to promote your website through word of mouth, posters, concerts, facebook, blogging and so on.
How to Make Music – Beginners Guide to Music Making,
How to Make Music – Beginners Guide to Music Making, Remix and Software
VST and Steinberg comes as one, when you are in the world of music-making. This simply means Virtual Studio Technology was developed by Steinberg. It has revolutionised the possibilities of creating and recording your music on your personalised computer. Its the software solution to all that pricy and cumbersome hardware that has been utilized way back to attain basically the same results. Utilising the VST plugins is the complete answer for the small organizations or individuals to make their personalized instrument sounds.
At present is the perfect time to start becoming in this music venture because the required tools such as the VST plugins are available at a moderate price. Remember as you’re publishing your music that it must not merely be fabulous to you, but to be truly successful it should be pleasing to others as well. The only individual requirements that’re necessary is time and dedication. You don’t have to be a musician to get outstanding results.
VST plugins are very easy to use. This is a drop-dead easy-to-use method to start churning out music tracks so YOU can start rolling out these beats, loops and samples effortlessly even if you’re doing them for the first time.
It is as easy as PUSH-BUTTON. Just run and software and load the plugins and effects and it’ll all come together and work for you.
When you become involved with making music on your computer you are as a matter of fact becoming involved in the technical meaning of electronic music production. The wonderful feature about this is you are not going to need a bunch of very pricey hard-ware equipment. You are going to require to set up a few type of studio and you’ve several fundamental choices to do this. For a truly standard lay out, youre going to need a somewhat up to date comp and numerous music soft-ware. This is where your VST plugins are going to become a genuinely precious commodity.
Don’t get dragged into buying a bunch of excess items when you are making your purchases. You can always add to your set-up as you become more involved in it. Your very introductory step is studying everything about your VST plugins. If you are not well versed in their capabilities then youre not going to be able to utilize them to their max potential.
Once you feel comfortable with the software then begin trying out. Dont be overly hard on yourself when at first you do not get the results youre looking for. VST plugins are a marvellous aid to what you want to attain but in the long run, youre the composer.
Alternatively, you can hire a professional to produce your own music. This however, is a costly option. If you have lots of money you would listen to your favourite songs and call the guys that produced it. If however you are looking for a small studio with big talent you will need to start by making sure the producer understands your music style inside and out.
The best way is to learn how to do it yourself and have fun in the process…
How to Make A Wedding Music Box
Copyright 2006 Monique HawkinsMany love music boxes. For the music box and antique collectors who are creative and like trying new things, making their own music box creation would be a great way to test their creative ability. In addition, if one knows a friend or relative who is soon to be married, the gift of a hand-made wedding music box would be unique and special. This special gift would be sure to bring very special memories for years to come. Here are step-by-step instructions for making a "Hawaiian Wedding Song" music box taken from Sharon Ganske’s book, "Making Marvelous Music Boxes".Materials NeededFor the base, Including Music Box Accessories: Teddy Electronic miniature movementDecorative Accessories for Music Box: Coordinating fabric, 3"?x7" Matching Thread
Tools: Iron Sewing MachineStep-by-Step AssemblyStep One: Make a pouch for musical movement by turning and pressing both 3" edges of fabric under 1/4". Turn over another ?" and press again. Using a sewing machine, sew a ?" seam on both edges, with matching thread.Step Two: Fold fabric, right sides together. Sew another ?" seam along both unfinished edges. Finish off raw edges and turn right side out.Step Three: Using a medium zigzag stitch, and stretching waistband, sew one folded edge on pouch on the inside waist on teddy, halfway between center and side seams. Insert electronic musical movement so the button is facing outward.Note: Remove musical movement before laundering.Music Box VariationsAlter this music box for any number of gift-giving occasions.
-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into the waistband of a festive pair of boxer shorts. Place an electronic musical movement into the pouch. This would make a neat gift for Father’s Day or Christmas!-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into the waistband of a Halloween costume. Place an electronic musical movement into the pouch. There are many Halloween tunes to choose from.-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into a child?s pillowcase. This is a cool way to get those kids into bed on time!-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into a child’s winter coat. This provides company for the child on those long walks from school. Change the tunes for different holiday seasons.-Using industrial strength glue, glue an electronic musical movement at the back of a photo frame for a wedding or baby shower gift.-Using industrial strength glue, glue an electronic musical movement in a jewelry box lid for any special occasion for mom.-Using industrial strength glue, glue an electronic musical movement in a lunch box-what a fun experience for lunchtime!-Using Tacky glue, glue an electronic musical movement on top of a present. When handing the recipient the gift, press the musical movement and enjoy the reaction!For the music box and antique collectors who also enjoy making their own music boxes to add to their collections, giving the gift of a hand-made wedding music box would be a special treasure to that special someone. Why not try to make your first music box toda——Monique Hawkins is the small business owner of the online music box store, "Monique’s Music Box" located at http://www.my-music-box.com/ She enjoys sharing information with business owners that will help them attain success. For additional exciting information about how Funded Sponsoring Franchise Systems are Revolutionizing the Home Based Business Industry, Whether You Have a Business or You’re Looking for One, visit http://moniquerh.cashflow123.com
How to Learn Spanish From Music Videos
A fantastic way to learn Spanish is to use various media like movies, radio, newspapers, etc. to help you pick up conversational vocabulary, grammar, and phrases. That is, the type of language that’s actually used by native speakers on a normal, day-to-day basis instead of some dry, formal, made-up stuff from a textbook.My personal favorite thing to use is music videos, for several reasons:1. You can pick an artist, music genre, and song that you personally really like, this way the whole process is fun, enjoyable, and doesn’t feel like work.2. Your brain remembers musical rhythms and rhymes better than it does plain old speech–you can probably recite lyrics from songs that you last heard several years ago, can’t you? Well guess what, if you learn a Spanish-language song, you’ll remember the lyrics and their meaning (and therefore the vocabulary and grammar that goes with them) for years and years as well.3. It’s free!! You can get nearly any music video you want on YouTube and the lyrics for it from a free lyrics website (just google “lyrics” or “[your song's name] lyrics”), which will allow you to read the lyrics and look up each individual word that you don’t know. Plus, any questions about what an idiom, phrase, or expression means can be answered by posting a question about it on a language-learning forum such as the Spanish section of the word reference forums at forum.wordreference.comWhat to DoStep 1Play the video once through and listen to it, just for fun and to get a feel for it.Step 2Pull up the lyrics for it (Google is your friend) and look up any words you don’t know for that particular verse (we’re just going to go one verse at a time), I personally recommend SpanishDict.com, they even have a translator there so you can copy and paste whole sentences or verses into it for translation.Put those new vocabulary words and expressions that you’re learning down on flashcards–I recommend you use flashcard software like Anki.Step 3After you know what all the words mean I want you to play that verse back until you can understand what’s being said as it’s being said. You can also try repeating after the singer until you sound just like them–this is an immensely valuable technique that will do wonders for your pronunciation.Step 4Move onto the next verse and do the same thing until you’ve finished the song. Now, go back and play the song all the way through as many times as you have to until you can understand everything being said at full speed without having to pause it.That’s it! Do you see how much Spanish you can learn this way? Just a few videos could give you hundreds of new vocabulary words and dozens of new expressions and ways of saying things, plus it’s all normal conversational Spanish that you can actually use with native speakers!
How To Get Your Music Discovered By Record Labels
How to get your music discovered by record labels is still a difficult process to master, but the opportunities available today are far greater than any that have come before. In the old days of getting in front of the top dogs, you had to develop a regional following and hope that you got big enough to expand. While that is still the case to a certain degree, the power of the World Wide Web has made it theoretically possible to post a sound file on iTunes or a video on YouTube and find your way in front of a big name record executive. Of course, before this can happen, there are certain non-negotiable measures that you must take as an artist or a band looking for that big break.
First of all, you need to pour your heart and soul into the music. Making music for money never worked out for anyone. 99.9 percent of the time it must start with a dream to make the best product you can, and to successfully pursue that dream you will need to craft songs and sounds that you are proud of. Playing music must be “in the blood,” so to speak. That means that even if you never earn a dime from it, you would still be willing to play because you have to. It’s who you are.
If you have a product that you really feel good about, then the next step is making sure that product is presented using the highest quality standards of sound mixing and recording. If you are playing live-and anyone serious about a career in music should be-then it means making the most out of acoustics and the performance as a whole. Sometimes attitude and showmanship can enhance the songs themselves.
Creating solid product and presenting it in the best manner possible are the first steps to music success, but it is also important to make use of all the helpful tools that bands 25 years ago did not have access to. Promote yourself with social media. Network among those you admire in the music industry. You never can tell when a chance encounter with another music professional will lead to an invaluable contact that gets your act in front of the right pair of eyes.
If you are uncertain about how to get started with the marketing aspects of a music career, there are qualified pros out there willing to help guide you. One such provider, Billy Rock, insists that you use every tool you can find because when you’re trying to be discovered, you can never have too much exposure. Just make sure that when the big day comes, you’ve got music and performance skills that stand out from the rest.
Billy Rock is the leading provider of music management services. Get your music heard as record labels are constantly looking for new music.
How to get free music on your portable MP3 player
How to get free music on your portable MP3 player
It’s fun to shop at iTunes, Napster, MSN Music, or at another online music shop and download new songs to the computer and into a portable MP3 player. Most music lovers, however, already have a collection of music CDs full of fabulous tunes that are just waiting to be re-discovered and squeezed into the small MP3 player. When you learn to copy your CDs to the computer as MP3 files and download the songs from there to your MP3 player, you can build a digital music library without any extra costs.
Extracting music from CDs is a fast and easy way to build your digital music library. Copying music from CDs leaves you with the original material as a backup in case any unfortunate incident wipes out your digital music collection from the computer. You can also be rest assured that upgrading to a new computer or to a new portable player won’t make your digital music library obsolete, because you’ll be storing the music in unlocked, universal MP3 format that’s recognized by practically all digital music devices and software.
When you want to complement your music collection with downloads from online music shops, remember that their copy-protection schemes allow you to copy purchased songs to a limited number of computers and MP3 players only. In the future, when you upgrade your computer, change hard disks, get a new portable player, or want to listen to the songs through a car stereo, you have to live with the limited number of copies. We’ll be using MP3 music format in this guide, because it doesn’t have any such limitations.
The following equipment is needed to extract songs from music CDs and for downloading them to your MP3 player:
- An MP3 player: you can have an iPod, Creative Zen or MuVo, iRiver, Archos, Cowon iAudio, or any player that recognizes MP3 music. Practically all digital music players can play MP3 as well as one or two other formats, like AAC, WMA, or Ogg. For advice on individual MP3 player products, check out these product reviews.
- A computer with a CD or DVD drive.
- An MP3 player/recorder software on your computer. This software will be used for copying music from CDs, downloading tunes to the portable player and managing your whole digital music collection. If you are not yet using any music player software on your computer, you may choose to install, for example, one of these free and popular products: iTunes, Musicmatch or Windows Media Player. MusicMatch and Windows Media Player products run on Windows computers only, while iTunes runs on Mac as well. Windows users already have a version of the Media Player on their computers, but we recommend upgrading to version 10 (or version 9 on older computers), because of its improved sync capability with mobile devices.
- Your music CDs. It is possible to convert old vinyl LPs and C-cassette tapes into MP3 music as well, but additional software and equipment is required for this exercise.
Copying music from a CD to a computer
Step one:
Launch the music player/library software on your computer. We’ll refer to iTunes 5, Musicmatch 10 and Windows Media Player 10 running on Windows PC in this guide.
Step two:
Let’s make sure that the settings for recording and organizing your music library are the way they should be:
- Audio quality: Set the quality to 128 Kbps, or higher if you have sharp ears and plenty of disk space.
- Music format: Choose MP3.
- Location of your music library on the computer: for example, you could create your music library on a dedicated hard disk F: or in a folder C:Music that you may want to share for your home network.
- File name information: your music library may grow with time, and for future reference, you should save at least the Artist and Song in the file name.
- CD drive: If the music software doesn’t find your CD drive, you must specify the drive letter.
iTunes, Musicmatch and Windows Media Player have slightly different menus, but you should be able to find your way through the software, or you can find detailed instructions in the Avec Mobile Guide to MP3 Music Players.
Step three:
Insert a music CD into the disc drive in your computer. Tip: if you happen to have copy-protected music CD and the CD drive won’t read it, try inserting the CD into a DVD drive and reading it from there (just make sure that you are not breaking any local regulations before copying it).
Step four:
Now you can begin to record songs from the CD to the computer’s hard disk. When the CD was inserted into the disc drive, the music player software already read some information from the CD and tried to match it with an online catalog of song titles (if you had your Internet connection on). Make sure the titles match the songs on the CD, because from now on, they’ll be your only reference to the growing music library you manage on your computer and on your portable player. We recommend that you type in the titles if the software couldn’t find them for you.
Step five:
You’re now finished with the first phase of the project. Open your new music library and check that the new songs are listed in there:
iTunes: click ‘Library’ on the leftmost column.
Musicmatch: click ‘Library’ button on the left.
Windows Media Player: click ‘Library’ tab on the top.
For copying additional CDs, repeat steps from 2 to 4 and keep an eye on your hard disk that it doesn’t run out of space.
Instructions for copying the MP3 songs to your portable music player can be found at the Avec Mobile Guide to MP3 Music Players.
How To Find Music Gifts For The Musical Maestro In
How To Find Music Gifts For The Musical Maestro In Your Life
Music gifts can make for fun and enjoyable presents for just about anyone. However, buying music gifts for a bona fide musical maestro is another matter altogether. Musical people, tend to be rather eccentric souls who very often eat, breathe and drink their music. Often found humming in a corner or tapping their fingers and thumbs annoyingly on a desk, musical people have melodies, beats and rhythm running through their veins almost literally. As such, they are easy to buy for at Christmas and on birthdays but only if the buyer knows what music gifts are suitable. In this respect, because such recipients take their music very seriously, only serious music gifts will suffice.Therefore, musical mugs, calendars and greetings cards are not suitable music gifts for the average musical maestro, although they do make for excellent gifts for those who simply enjoy music or are not talented enough to make their own, such as music teachers. Joking aside, music gifts for hardcore professional music lovers can prove very expensive. Indeed, the ideal gift would be something along the lines of a top quality musical instrument or a trip to an orchestra or concert. These will usually cost a pretty penny and can be awkward to arrange, especially if the musical maestro is a youngster.However, there are music gifts available that enable the younger generation of musical hopefuls to experience what it might be like if they had a musical career. One of the best examples of such a gift is the recording studio taster pack, which can inspire young adults to reach for the stars. Indeed, the recording studio taster pack comprises an hour long session in a professional recording studio. During this session, the recipient of the gift will be given the chance to sing several songs or concentrate on just one. Towards the end of the session, a track will be compiled from the recordings that will then be used to create a CD of whatever song was chosen. Whilst this gift has all the potential to shatter the dreams of a budding Mariah Carey or George Michael, it could also provide the platform for a career in the singing industry. Indeed, a copy of the CD could be posted to Simon Cowell for approval and, who knows, perhaps it will not be met with contemptuous rejection. Nevertheless, even if there is no pop stardom on the horizon for the wannabe singer, the recording studio taster pack is one of the most fun and enjoyable music gifts available.Furthermore, even if the recording studio taster exposes a few deficiencies in the potential singer’s voice, there is no reason why this should put an end to their aspirations. Indeed, singing lessons make for truly exceptional music gifts that can, turn a horse of a voice into a well-groomed stallion. Moreover, many professional pop-stars today have achieved fame and fortune despite their dreadful talents, so there is always hope for somebody who may need to work a little on their own vocals.Musical instruments, as aforementioned, are probably the finest of all music gifts that can be purchased for a musical maestro. Contrary to a previous contention, not all such instruments are expensive. Guitars, for instance, are often sold at relatively affordable prices and make for exceptional gifts that can be practised and played for hours. Furthermore, a guy who can play the guitar will usually be very popular with the ladies, so this could be the perfect opportunity for an awkward, acne-ridden teenager to break his duck. Guitars will normally be sold in acoustic and bass varieties, with the former being the more classical choice.Other musical instruments that make for perfect music gifts include drums, trumpets and pianos. Indeed, a piano is an ideal present for music lovers at Christmas, if only because it could be wrapped up creatively under the Christmas tree. Well, perhaps not under the tree as such. In fact, maybe all the other gifts could be arranged underneath the piano? In any case, a piano would provide endless joy for the musical maestro and all those who will listen to him or her. Finally, music gifts for those who take their music seriously cannot be undervalued. In other words, the relatively high cost of buying musical instruments or arranging singing lessons must be taken in context. Indeed, buying such gifts for a young musical maestro will invariably turn out to be a considerably worthwhile investment in their future and if stardom beckons, maybe the parents will be able to cash in too.
How To Find MP3 Music Free, Cheap, Legal And Why
How To Find MP3 Music Free, Cheap, Legal And Why
Has anyone NOT heard about the music industries battle to stop illegal downloading of MP3 music. . . . .Sharing copyrighted music by the distribution of digital format music reportedly costs the music industry billions of dollars every year. You have to wonder how valid these figures are. My opinion is that a significant percentage of the illegal downloads are done to try the music before purchasing a legal copy. If I am correct then pirate music downloads actually serve a useful purpose, and aid music sales. I also believe that there is a significant portion of pirate MP3 music that is downloaded simply because it is free. If the person downloading had to purchase the MP3 music they wouldn’t, so there would be no sale. So these downloads really don’t have any net effect on the music industry income. Now I would never condone the illegal sharing of music but surely if downloading MP3 music was to aid music sales it must be looked at closely to find out just who downloads and more importantly WHY! If the industry were to spend a bit less on expensive law suits and a bit more in researching why people download MP3 music illegally, the problem might be resolved in a much more amicable way.The question of why people download music without paying for it is complicated but only by the fact that because it is criminal and nobody wants to tell why they do it in case they are prosecuted for saying so. So no one talks;: the industry is not listening anyway; and there are people out there making money out of pirate downloads – sad state of affairs if you ask me. Most people when they think of pirating music usually think “internet” but there is many ways to downloads MP3 music and other digital formats both legally and illegally. Pirating music can be sharing CD’s tapes and albums with friends connecting and swapping digital format music via connecting portable devices e.g. sharing songs and ring tones with friends by Bluetooth connection of phones. Sharing music on USB thumb drive or memory stick and USB external hardisk with others. There is one group that usually seems to be forgotten in all the mud slinging and lawsuits. They are the people who DON’T seem to be able to afford the expensive lawyers and advertising campaigns telling the world about how they lose revenue from all the pirating that goes on. They are the people that actually make the music. They’re the people that make the industry big shots the big fat incomes to lose – yeah! the artists, regardless of wether they are a big name or not, someone still makes the music, and they have a right be paid for their efforts. If you like the music you listen to make sure you give something to keep that music maker fed and clothed so you continue to have MP3 music that you like to listen to.The internet takes sharing digitised data and MP3 music to a whole other level with some tricky technology that the law is struggling to understand much less legislate for. The internet introduces new ways to share your music with friends and even people you don’t know. Lime wire and Imesh were early mediums to share music (and Viruses) with. These days there is a host of Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing arrangements, not fully intended for music, Skype, Facebook and many others as well as Torrents. Torrents are a dedicated file sharing system somewhat different to P2P although is often called P2P.So the question is how do I find music I like to listen to without paying for it and stay on the right side of the law?Can it be done? – well yes it can!When you look around there are lots of music websites that provide music for sale (legally for sale) and most of these sites like to tempt new customers by allowing you to try the quality and ease of use of the site with free downloads. Of course some sites will limit you to incomplete songs some will only allow 1 or 2 complete songs to be downloaded and I’ve even seen sites that that will allow many songs but the music will only play on the sites proprietary software player. Your favourite artists they will most likely have a website that will allow you to download their music at a lower cost than buying the CD’s. You may be able to buy CD’s from the site at a lower price or they may give you discount vouchers to purchase their CD’s at your local store at a cheaper price and they will usually allow some free downloads as well.I think everyone would have heard of Itunes, the players and downloads are quite expensive and not to my personal liking. After having lost some of their major sponsors such as Sony (who set up shop round the corner in opposition to them) and Pepsi (who left the Itunes table to sit with another competitor) I think that Itunes probably needs to reign in the cost of the service or they’ll find themselves toppled from their pedestal. The Itunes software is complicated and awkward to use. I have many customers who ask “is there any way to use my Ipod without having to use the Itunes software” there seems to be a lot of agreement about issues with Itunes software. Although Itunes do have free downloads I think the cost to be in the Itunes club is out of my budget. There are alternatives to loading up your Ipod using Itunes – check my website.The sites that I like for downloading music provide music at very competitive rates. Not only is the music price low but they use standard MP3 music digital formats that can be played on virtually every MP3 music player on the planet even really cheap players. These are the music providers that do a fantastic job of supplying huge range of music at really reasonable rates examples of these would be Amazon and Emusic and both provide free downloads. They should be offering discounts and bonuses and to keep me as a customer they would give me incentives to offer their great service to other people I know. Emusic will allow 45 free downloads of any music on their site and they have over 6 million songs available. Not all the music is popular artists but there are some of the best in the business available for download at the same prices as the unknowns. Emusic also has a great talking book service. Every track on their site can be sampled without downloading and they offer a money back guarantee. Another guarantee is that once you pay for a track you’ll never have to pay again for it. they have all kinds of bonuses and incentives to use their service.Amazon have free downloads and CD’s and MP3 Music and over 13 million songs. They have all the popular artists and you can even download the Amazon. MP3 Music player for your PC for free. The fact that you can purchase CD’s means that there is no argument about copyright infringement. So Once you have the CD home you can rip it to MP3 Music legally and put it away in the cupboard to stop it getting damaged, Anyway there is still some great stuff at Amazon and at amazingly good prices it’s a place that I like to shop at.To conclude I think we should all consider the ethics of cheap and free MP3 music and how we acquire that music. After all it comes down to you and your choice. The survival of your favourite artists will be determined by many small choices that you make as music lover in getting the sounds that you like to listen to. We all to one degree or another make our MP3 music purchases with passion. . . and budget.