While I’m away here is something to write about and discuss. What are your thoughts on photocopying music and copying CDs? Do you think it’s OK? Why? Or why not?
I’m offering a prize to the most thoughtful or interesting or funny or prolific …… of a nice flute CD (original of course, not copied). The CD is worth having, Madrid Sessions by Philippe Barnes and Tom Phelan. Excellent flute and piano performances of original material/arrangements by Philippe (I used to teach him) and Tom. If you don’t believe me ask Gareth McLearnon.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on the subject when I get back.
7 Comments
Photocopying -
I think that photocopying is alright if it’s just to practise a small part of something or just to see if you like the piece.
The amount of times I have bought a book, to play the piece but never use it in a concert or exam, because I don’t really like it.
I think that for practise parts and to try out things its OK, but if you do like the piece and intend to study/play it for some time, then you should definitely buy it.
CDs
I think that copying CDs is worse than photocopying a part, but again I think it depends what you are using the copy for. If you want one track just so you can listen to how something is played, then I think it is alright to borrow it from someone else – especially if its copied off an original CD.
I think if you want the whole CD to put on your iPod to listen to all the time, then you should either download it off the net, where it is cheaper, but still legal or take it off an original CD.
Cathy
Not many comments yet! Been thinking about this…
I used to think it was okay to photocopy but was unaware of effect it has for lots of people.
This is my understanding of things (completely fictional scenario):
Imagine that Flutewise has been sponsored to find someone to design a glossy poster to advertise Flutewise. The sponsor will pay the winner £1 for every poster that is sold. Fantastic. You set to it and come up with a masterpiece after lots of hard graft, blood (well, perhaps not), sweat and tears. At last you are finished and you send off your entry.
After several weeks of waiting, a letter is delivered to say that YOU have won the competition, your poster will go on display (and sale) in music shops and on the Flutewise website and magazine. All is fantastic. Lots of people buy one and things are looking very positive and your piggy bank is getting heavy with your £1 commission for each poster sold. Then sales begin to dry up but you begin to see posters around that aren’t the same quality as yours – flimsier paper, not as vibrant colours etc. YOU REALIZE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PHOTOCOPYING YOUR CREATION and you haven’t been getting paid. How do you feel?
This wouldn’t be your job but for those creative people who compose or arrange music it is their livelihood. For every photocopy made it is one less book sold – the writer, editor, publisher, music retailer (sorry if I’ve missed anyone out) all earn less and it is their job!!!! Some of you, in the future, may get a part or full time job in a music shop to earn some extra cash – illegal photocopying might affect how much you get paid, because of turnover of music sales is falling – or they might not be able to afford to employ you at all.
THINK BEFORE YOU PHOTOCOPY.
I hope this is thought provoking.
“It’s only for a little passage that I want it for” – if it has one passage that is you really need, it will probably have more that will help your playing too. Buy the book or the sheet music, it will also begin to build up a library of music that you may need in the future!
Barbara
The only things I think it’s OK to photocaopy are: pages if it’s a bad page turn, and parts from a score to practice from.
Though occasionally I’m asked to copy things by my teachers – which I find hard to refuse.
CDs – only for your use, eg, transfering onto a mp3 player – but not to share with friends.
Rachel :0)
The only things I think it’s OK to photocaopy are: pages if it’s a bad page turn, and parts from a score to practice from.
Though occasionally I’m asked to copy things by my teachers – which I find hard to refuse.
CDs – only for your use, eg, transfering onto a mp3 player – but not to share with friends.
Rachel :0)
Yes Rachel that is a good point – page turns are acceptable – but you have already bought the book or the sheet music. I wish that some publishers would think more carefully about placing necessary turns!
I got some music delivered from June Emerson yesterday (fab looking wind quintets – but that’s beside the point). On the front of the envelope says…
‘For some reason people who steal copyright from composers and publishers don’t experience the same sense of guilt which troubles some shoplifters”
It’s a bit heavy but does make you think…..
Barbara
That’s a really good point that June Emerson make on their envolope: you wouldn’t walk into a music shop and steal a piece of sheet music (o atleast most people wouldn’t), yet many of those same people would photocopy it with out thinking.
The more I dicuss theis topic, the more wrong it seems.
Rachel
Hey
I think photocopying should be allowed when you start a new piece of music as it’s a waste of money to buy a piece then never play because you don’t like it for some reason. However, if you like the piece, buy the book as i know a friend who took photocopied music into an exam (not allowed anyway)and he had put it in the wrong order! Well it was his fault partly, but i think he should have bought the book. it was quite amusing to hear that he’d done this though as it was it G8 Clarinet exam.
As for CDs, i know what my dad would say and i agree with him that if you’re copying to put onto MP3s and iPods then yes but if you’re copying so your friend can have a free copy, then no! if they want it, they can go out buy it or save up and buy it at least. And it’s nice to have a new CD once in a while.
Well, i hope you like this
Ellie xex