|
The Public
Library
When did you
last go to the library? Chances are, you didn't know that most
libraries now have hundreds, if not thousands of CDs available
for loan. Most are free! You might want to be careful with
copyright infringements though. If you don't delete the music
from your computer when the CDs are taken back to the library,
you could be in some big trouble with the RIAA.
SED-HDTV
LP Records
You can buy
hardware and software specific for importing all of your old
LP records into iTunes. This is a time-consuming process
though, as the music needs to import in real time.
iTunes Music
Store
With over two
million tracks available for purchase, the iTMS is your
gateway to a huge music collection. It costs 99c per song, and
$9.99 per album. It's a great way to purchase music, with
loads of exclusive tracks, without leaving the iTunes
application!
Torrenting
Torrenting is
illegal, but you can find many unsigned, legal for download
albums up on torrent websites. Torrenting is a fast way to
download full albums and discover new talented artists.
Emusic.com
eMusic has
thousands of songs available for legal download. They offer 50
free downloads. After that you pay $9.99 a month for 40
downloads (they have more expensive packages that lower the
cost of each download even more). A pretty decent price, if
you're interested in the non-mainstream tracks they have to
offer. Amazon
Amazon has a
download section of the site with thousands of tracks from
unsigned and upcoming bands. They also feature cool remixes
and mash-ups for download. Worth a good look at!
Download.com
Download.com is
the ultimate software and wallpapers on the Internet. Not many
know they also have a great sub-section dedicated to music
downloads. These are all legal and many of the tracks are from
actual commercial artists who post exclusive studio
recordings.
But the thing
is, these are only the ways to “obtain” your music. Where do
you actually find music that is worth keeping? Here are some
ideas:
Listen to the
radio. Not any of the stations that play music in the Top 40.
Instead, check retro stations playing songs that didn't hit
the big scene. Sometimes, these can be the best songs of all.
Another way to
find music that might not occur to most people is to find out
the favorite artists of the artists you already listen to. Use
the Internet to find bios of the musicians you like, and find
out which bands they enjoy listening to. Chances are, if you
like their music, you'll like music that they like as well.
Enjoy your new
music collection! But before you start, make sure you have the
right reason in mind about music. Music is for personal
enjoyment. Not to beat someone else's track count. Keep in
mind this motto. “Killer not Filler”. Enjoy! |