Music should be free

[music]

sorry, if this is not interesting for you, but i want to discuss the problem of free music in the internet.

there are many sites where you can
download music.
You don't have to pay for it because you can find free music downloads.
there is a kind of war between singers that don't like free online music
and people that doesn't want to pay and looks for free mp3 music download

i think that music must be almost free because lot's of people just can't afford buing music and they try to dowload music for free.

may be not every music download must be free
i can't imagine one who looks for free piano music. if it is really qualitive it may cost money...

but if you download pop music you should not pay

so what is your opinion on this subject?
do you download online music

i used so many links just to check BB-code... actually i've neevr used it before...
there is nothing interesting there. don't click.

[bandinfo]

So, you're saying that musicians shouldn't be paid for their work? Do you work for free?

[Gordo]

I'm happy to rip off the big music companies since I know how they exploit musicians.

[gitrgrrrl]

if u rip off the music companies your ripping off musicians like me

[bandinfo]

In this day and age, if a band feels like going the record industry route to get their music to the masses, that's their choice. But said band should realize that if their music is good, people will download it, rip it, share it, regardless of what laws are in place. They can't stop this. Arresting and/or fining these individuals is futile, and a stupid way to thank your fans for liking and appreciating your art, exposing your work to others.

I think real fans appreciate the work and effort that goes into writing lyrics and tunes, practicing them, getting them recorded and getting them distributed. Real fans will want to be sure the musician is paid for their work so that they can continue to do it. You don't have to 'go the record industry route' to get paid - you have to join ASCAP or BMI.

Really, what percentage of album sales typically go directly to the artist?

Depends on the agreement with the distributer. Plays are dependent upon whether you're with ASCAP or BMI.

I'm not saying that an artist shouldn't copyright their work. Of course they should. And other artists should respect that by not stealing the work of others (recording, or using material commercially without permission).

Of course.

Musicians and artists have so many tools, that have come a long way technologically, to record and propagate their work at an independant level, without sacrificing quality, and ultimately increasing integrity. Getting your tracks online costs little to no money, and grants you a potentially worldwide audience. If you have a website with booking information, a strong work ethic, and people really like what you do, you stand a good chance to make a great living off of touring and performing, merchandising, and liscensing.

That's true. Unless people steal your tunes without paying for them.

So many artists fall into the trap of owing their label for the "generous" advance they recieved to record their album, and end up washing some record industry execs car for the next ten years. I don't support an industry that operates that way, and I don't mind taking down anyone who does.

I think we all want to see musicians get paid. Unfortunately, the part of the industry you're talking about does exist, and we continue to hear stories of musicians ending up bankrupt because of those deals. Moral: read the fine print before signing with anybody.

Free music distribution levels the playing field, and I think that's what alot of sub-par musicians and artists are afraid of.

I'm confused. On the one hand, you complain about people signing record contracts and not getting paid by the record companies, then you advocate handing away music for free. At the same time, you say that good musicians can make a good living. Perhaps you can explain how if they shouldn't sign record deals and give their work away for free.[/quote]

[Stella_Polaris]

Been a musician for many years and it has always taken as much $ as it gives back - when you consider the following: Hours of personal practice, hours of rehearsal with other band members, cost of maintianing rehearsal space, cost and maintenance of equipment/instruments, cost of getting to and from gigs, hours devoted to composing new material (if thats your thing), cost of memberships with pro organizations, cost of legal advice if your negotiating a contract and on and on.

So when I hear someone say, "Music should be free", I think to myself, WOW! they sure generous as hell with my time and money....It's not free for musicians to make music - why should it be free to the fans? The musicians who are signed and financed by big companies have to pay back every penny of their advanced royalites, and any marketing costs that the company incurs from the sales of thier CDs.
Musicians/performers/composers/songwriters have families to support and mortgages to pay....get a clue please. And I mean that in the nicest way possible
cheers
mel
Stella Polaris Project