Here’s the general gist of Public Domain:
- Copyright protection doesn’t last forever.
- Published before 1923: Public Domain.
- Between 1923-1978: In general, 95 years (1923 works enter the public domain in 2019).
- 1978-Present: Life of author + 70 years, not to exceed 120 years.
Where are places you can find free [legal] music? Here’s a list to start with:
- Choral Domain Public Library
- IMSLP – Petrucci Music Library
- free-scores.com
- Band Music Library
- Free PDF Sheet Music (Downloadable in other formats with purchase or membership)
- Free Piano Sheet Music
- Piano Public Domain
- Violin Sheet Music
- Mutopia Project
- Finale Showcase (need Finale)
- WIMA: Werner Icking Music Archive
- JSB Chorales
- Project Gutenberg Sheet Music Project
- Wikifonia
Special thanks to UnrealBook’s FAQ Page and the Recordare Web Page for many of these suggestions. If you have additional favorite sites for free, legal music, please send me an e-mail!
Technology in Music Education 