Feb
17
2010
Five Great Sites For Public Domain Music
Author: Deb Trotter
Have you ever had the need for music in a video? I’m talking about music in The Public Domain.
In my very first video I would have loved to have used Suzy Bogguss’s version of “I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” After all, that is the song that inspired my artwork. Using it would have made perfect sense – right?
WRONG!
It’s copyrighted, pardner. Just like every other song I love with a western theme.
You may have seen gazillions of videos on Youtube that (knowingly or otherwise) use music ‘illegally.’ But as tempting as it is, I’m not going to be the cowgirl who jumps on that bandwagon. I admit I am not the all-knowing-Oz by any means … but I try my best to play it safe & respectful-like.
I spent a day on the internet in search of music in the public domain. I found some cool sites, offering everything from New Age all the way down to Country. Most offer music as downloads (and/or CD’s), so grabbin em is about as easy as ropin a baby calf. And while none of them are ‘free,’ they are reasonably priced (unless you go for the whole album.)
Now I have songs in my iTunes library I can use (without worry) that are perfect for my original Cowgirl-Western themed ‘movies.’
You may find just the music style you need too. Whether you want to project nature’s serenity, mystery and suspense, or the rockin’ wild side of life, you’re bound to find something that will make your videos literally ’sing.’
No matter where you find your public domain music, make certain that if it wasn’t created especially for public domain/royalty free use, that it was recorded before 1923. All the sites you’ll see here meet that criteria.
My 5 top favorites are:
1. PD Info – quick downloads, great styles … plus you own the ‘buy out’ to the songs you order. My video music came from this site.
2. www.stockmusic.net – similar to #1 in scope. Great songs created for highly specific subjects.
3. RoyaltyFreeMusic.com -access to more than 12,000 downloadable tracks & sound effects
4. Open Source Music – free legal Mp3 downloads
5. PDSounds.org – (fabulous library of sound effects!) free sound clips, royalty free sounds, & public domain sounds
Now, make like a cowpoke and ride the trail to your own creativity!
Deb Trotter ~ Cowboy’s Sweetheart Artist
