| Music downloads are highly compressed audio files | | | | Some vehemently rail against the practice, |
| transferred onto a personal computer from an | | | | claiming that to download free music is to |
| Internet website or P2P (peer to peer) program. | | | | disrespect the artist that created it. Even bands |
| From IPOD's to MP3 players galore, music | | | | unconcerned with the financial aspect hate free |
| downloading is seen as the fastest way for a | | | | music downloads simply because they allow their |
| musician to get his or her work out to the public. | | | | records to be leaked, or made available before |
| Many musicians have developed world-wide | | | | the official release date. But others see no |
| followings by adding downloadable music files to | | | | problem with free music downloads, some even |
| their web sites.It's a trend reaching nearly | | | | completely embrace them. In fact, many cite the |
| epidemic proportions; music downloads are | | | | exorbitant costs of records as justification alone |
| everywhere. Websites all over the Internet offer | | | | for free music downloads. Music downloads and |
| music downloads of particularly rare or | | | | the users that either embrace or condemn them |
| hard-to-find songs, and computer-savvy music | | | | are a hotly contested topic; it's an argument not |
| fans have been known to spend hours searching | | | | likely to end anytime soon.For the musician, |
| through the mountains of downloadable material. | | | | however, music downloads are an absolute |
| They also function as a godsend for new or | | | | breakthrough technology, allowing, for the first |
| underground musicians; who needs a record label | | | | time in history, for a musician to develop a |
| when strategically placed music downloads alone | | | | following without ever leaving his or her house! |
| can garner you a dedicated following? Even | | | | Marketing possibilities are unlimited for the |
| cell-phone companies have grabbed themselves a | | | | musicians who avail themselves of this wonderful |
| piece of the pie by offering music downloads that | | | | new technology.Duane Shinn is the author of over |
| serve as ring tones. The sound quality is often | | | | 500 music books and music educational materials |
| superior, the P2P programs easy to use -- music | | | | such as DVD's, CD's, musical games for kids, |
| downloads are one of those rare pop-culture | | | | chord charts, musical software, and piano lesson |
| phenomena embraced by nearly everyone.But | | | | instructional courses for adults. His courses have |
| despite (or perhaps because of) their | | | | been written up in hundreds of newspapers and |
| overwhelming popularity, music downloads have | | | | magazines. His book-CD-DVD course titled "How |
| stirred quite the controversy. Many P2P programs | | | | To Play Chord Piano" ( has sold over 100,000 |
| allowing users to transfer music directly between | | | | copies around the world. He holds advanced |
| computers offer music downloads for free, much | | | | degrees from Southern Oregon University and |
| to the chagrin of several recording artists and | | | | was the founder of Piano University in Southern |
| labels. Fearful of losing money to music fans | | | | Oregon. He has also logged time as an assistant |
| downloading the songs instead of buying the full | | | | music therapist, piano tuner, and working piano |
| record, bands and labels have set out to stop the | | | | player. He is the author of the popular free |
| users from obtaining their music from free | | | | 101-week e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing |
| programs. A virtual witch-hunt for frequent | | | | Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord |
| downloaders and the threat of lawsuits led many | | | | Progressions" with over 55,000 current |
| P2P programs to begin charging for their services, | | | | subscribers. Those interested may obtain a free |
| though several sneak under the wire by making | | | | subscription by going to This article was assisted |
| that payment optional.The ethical implications | | | | by Mollie Wells. |
| involved in free music downloads are complicated. | | | | |