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