Where to Download Songs Free

Downloading music can be an engaging way to explore your musical tastes and learn more about new artists and musical cultures. If you are flexible with your musical demands, you can download free music legally on several commercial and independent music websites.

MySpace

Local and national artists often have profiles available on MySpace.com, and the artist can choose whether to offer the song for free download.

Band Fan Clubs

Band websites and artist fan clubs often offer free downloads. They're normally on the band's web page, but sometimes are sent by exclusive email announcements to members of their mailing lists.

ITunes

Rising commercial musicians often distribute free iTunes downloads, and there are blogs such as freeitunessongs.blogspot.com/, which give reports on free iTunes downloads they find on the web.

Considerations

Free music downloads were popularized by the Napster download program, which was the first illegal file-sharing program. Since then, Napster has changed into a pay site.

Independent Artists

Music promotion sites such as reverbnation.com and artistserver.com have artist-offered downloads, and some of the artists give you permission to use or remix their music.

Warning

Downloading music can infringe on the copyright of the artist and can be illegal. If you are downloading music using a torrent program or p2p file-sharing program, there is a good chance that you are illegally downloading music. If caught, you could be sued or have your Internet service canceled.

References

• Napster
• Reverbnation: Artist Music Profiles
• Artistserver.com: Free Music Downloads

Resources

• Recording Industry Association of America
• Free iTunes Song Download List