24.6.12

How Free Beats And Instrumentals Help Aspiring Musicians Develop Their Talents

By Peter Smith


Advanced digital technology makes creating high-quality recordings possible without having to set foot in a studio. Anyone with a reasonably powerful personal computer can now run software that gives up-and-coming musicians the capability of combining original vocals and other tracks with the free beats and instrumentals that are now being offered for download.

Many of these downloads are ideal for practicing a spontaneous flow of words, and for learning good vocal timing. Most have been originally produced by established artists, and are offered without charge simply to encourage younger musicians to develop their talents. Their material is usually offered royalty-free, which means that the original musicians do not expect payment each time the music is used.

While there are many different styles of beats or instrumentals, the majority are useful to those intent on recording hip-hop or rap. Any artist serious about the future, however, needs to become aware of the legalities surrounding these no-cost music downloads. The original artist may not expect payment, but standard copyright protection still exists.

Downloaded material often comes with an attached digital voice tag that cannot be removed without violating the law. Some recordings may be used in an actual production, but credit must be always be given openly to the producers who originally distributed them. While there may not be a charge, that music is still owned by the originator, not the user.

In other instances, artists give permission for downloading, but bar recordings that incorporate their material from appearing on any website that sells music. Some sites permit their downloads to be used on a non-profit, one-time-only basis. This might include a special student school project, a personal tape mix, or any other not-for-sale creative attempt.

There actually are an increasing number of downloading sites that allow their tracks to be used for commercial purposes, but only if the music has been altered. A musician seeking to market original material that includes downloaded beats or instrumentals must also add a vocal or some other type of music. Stand-alone commercial use of a downloaded track is not allowed.

Regardless of the complicated legal concerns, free beats and instrumentals are an excellent way to learn from the professionals. While some musicians create their own, it takes time, knowledge and skill, and downloading them allows talented artists to concentrate on perfecting their performance skills.




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