PUBLIC DOMAIN CLASSICAL MUSIC HOW TO

This timeline doesn’t apply to all works published before the cut-off date, but most. Under United States copyright law, most works published before 1923 are in the public domain.

PUBLIC DOMAIN CLASSICAL MUSIC HOW TO

How to determine if a composition or its sheet music is in the public domain Some of the links provided below will give notice whether a composition or specific sheet music is in the public domain in your country (copyright laws vary by country). We’re going to help you manage both – but we’re not lawyers. the right for your students (or you) to perform the works publicly.the right to provide sheet music to students.They present a bar, theoretically, to two common ways you want to use music:

That’s right – these are two separate rights.

the right the publisher has to its sheet music for that composition.

the right the composer has to a composition.

For purposes here, we’re going to focus on two copyrights: The reason is that “works” has many meanings under copyright law. If this definition isn’t entirely clear, you now understand why there isn’t just a master list of works in the public domain. What is “public domain?”Ī work enters the public domain when no one owns a copyright to it. In this post, we'll clarify what it means for a work to be in the 'public domain,' and provide links to some useful resources that will help you find public domain sheet music. However, using public domain music can save you some money and some headache, so it's worth understanding how to use it to your advantage. Yet, the matter of understanding what's in the public domain can be murky too. In every discussion on copyrights, the issue of works in the public domain comes up as an effective way to sidestep specific copyright issues. Copyrights, which are the rights an owner has to a work or performance which prevents others from using it without permission, are complicated. On top of all that, you have to think about copyright issues, such as how to handle music rights for teaching purposes and recitals. And don’t forget about creating the program around a theme! Frankly, you’ve got a lot going on. You want to present something that balances the students’ skill level with an audience favorites, without being too redundant. for Piano).”įollow these links to proceed with Distributing a Single or Distributing an Album/EP Release on Songtradr.Selecting the right music program for a class or a recital is always a challenge. Versions, Arrangements, and Transcriptions : If a work has been altered from the original composition, this must be noted at the end of the title.įor example, “Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro (Arr.

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G Major, M.

The following group of tracks are not consistently formatted: The following group of tracks are consistently formatted: If an album includes information for one title, the information should be included for all other titles. 620: Overture (Recorded 1954)Ĭonsistency : Track titles should be treated consistently. Recording Dates : If the track title contains the recording date, use the following format: the main track title, followed by the word “Recorded” and the year recorded in parentheses.įor example: Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K. If your Single/EP/Album is not in public domain, click here to learn how to distribute a cover song.įormatting : The album title should include the composers, followed by a colon, followed by the work titles, catalog numbers, or type of works such as Sonatas or Preludes.įor example: Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Op. Holiday music or US works published after 1925.Ĭlick here for more details about public domain and copyright duration by country. The same could also apply for most other public domain songs eg.

In the examples below, we will reference classical repertoire releases. For those looking to release a public domain Single/EP/Album, make sure to properly enter the titles of your release to pass our Distribution review process and ensure your music is available on your release date.

Public domain classical music