Copyright and Music Education

[jjb5985]

I’m majoring in music and get various copies of music for class. I’m not sure if some of this is violating copyright. I know there are certain allowances for fair use, but it is often times a full copy of a piece. I don’t know if the teachers have gotten permission to do this. For my “normal” classes, I’d hope they would have. For a private lesson this week however, the teacher asked me if I wanted to go make copies of have him send them to me. I had him email them to me. I think the book is out of print so it may be ok, but I’m not sure what to do if he gives me something that is copyrighted and is still in print.

Does anyone have any advice? I guess I can always ask them about it. Nevertheless, there are things I need to work on in the meantime. I don’t want to do anything wrong if I’m not supposed to have these copies. Thanks.

 

[LittleRose]

My understanding of fair use is that copies can be made for educational purposes, so long as they are made “spontaneously”. I think there may be some limit to how they can be distributed as well.

With music, some compositions are public domain and may be freely copied and distributed by anyone. This is true of many classical, renaissance, and medieval pieces, for example.

 

[m134e5]

I’m majoring in music and get various copies of music for class. I’m not sure if some of this is violating copyright. I know there are certain allowances for fair use, but it is often times a full copy of a piece. I don’t know if the teachers have gotten permission to do this. For my “normal” classes, I’d hope they would have. For a private lesson this week however, the teacher asked me if I wanted to go make copies of have him send them to me. I had him email them to me. I think the book is out of print so it may be ok, but I’m not sure what to do if he gives me something that is copyrighted and is still in print.

Does anyone have any advice? I guess I can always ask them about it. Nevertheless, there are things I need to work on in the meantime. I don’t want to do anything wrong if I’m not supposed to have these copies. Thanks.

Rehearsal copies are fine- that can save you from having to carry a ton of books around. It’s also fine if you are making copies to make page turns easier. When you perform the piece (like in a recital or something), the purchased copy has to be with you. (this only applies to copyrighted material- there is a great deal of literature out there that is public domain). This sounds like it is fine, since these copies are probably just rehearsal copies- it may be difficult to borrow them if you need them for juries and/or a recital.

 

[jjb5985]

Thanks. My worry is that many things aren’t classical pieces (public domain) or things that we are in any way required to purchase. I know the school in general is careful to follow copyright laws. I’m just not sure about some of the teachers, particularly when it comes to private lessons. Maybe I should just ask about it. My only problem is I’m a little scrupulous and I feel like I would always have to bring it up every single time I feel it could be an issue.