Download Music: Easier and Cheaper Than a Music Store
Anyone with an Internet connection can download music files
safely and legally. Artists offer free downloads to increase exposure and boost
album sales. Distributors offer low cost memberships to download songs and
albums.
Security and the Law
We hear it all the time. Download songs online and you could be sued, fined,
or go to jail. Or we could download a virus and crash
our computer. But music downloaded correctly is both safe and legal.
The greatest danger is free file-sharing. The technology is legal and there
are many services available, but sharing music files often violates copyright
laws. And since we rarely know who uploaded the file, there is some risk of
getting something we don't want.
Tons of Free Music Downloads
First we need to know which songs we can legally download.
Many musicians want to share their music and offer free downloads. Why?
It increases the artist's exposure and increases CD, concert and
merchandise sales. It also boosts their image and popularity.
A great source for low or no cost downloads is web sites created for a particular genre of music. Their mission is to promote the
artists' work. Sites are usually supported by advertising, donations or fees, and visitors are free to download
all the songs they want. Many artists host their own sites for the same reasons.
Downloadable Music is an Excellent Value
Fifty years ago record shops sold 45 RPM "singles" for about a dollar, and 33
1/3 RPM albums for five to ten dollars. Factoring in
inflation, that 1955 single would cost more than $7, and the album at least $36
today!
Considering download prices range from 69 to 99 cents for a
single track and complete albums around $7 to $10, it's not a bad deal at all.
Think about it... In 1955 the average price of a loaf of bread was 18¢.
How much did you pay on your last trip to the market? With CDs selling in the $15 to $20 range,
paid music downloads really are a bargain.
Most music download sites offer a free trial period. During the trial you can
download perhaps 50 to 100 songs at no cost. Cancel before the trial ends and
the songs cost nothing. Of course they hope you'll stay and pay, which as we
just pointed out, is a cheap way to build a music collection.
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