Now that practically everyone has a portable MP3 player of some sort, the market for audio CDs has shrunk considerably while the market for individual song downloads has vastly expanded. It's just so much more convenient to be able to get online, find the song you want, and grab it for $.99. But even this model, which was made popular by the Apple iTunes store, can get expensive after a while -- especially when you consider how some folks have literally thousands of songs on their iPods. That's why it's nice to be able to download free music when you're fresh out of cash.
Of course there are some people out there who think those of us who download free music must be doing so illegally. After all, there's seemingly always a story in the news about the RIAA going after an individual in the courts for copyright infringement. Yes, this kind of piracy is a real concern for the industry, but there are actually several ways to download free music legally.
For example, one way to download free music is to keep an eye out for special promotions from your favorite bands. Quite often well-known artists such as U2, Coldplay, Eminem, Kings of Leon, and others offer complimentary downloads of a single from an upcoming album release. These promotions are usually for a limited time only, but can be a great way to get some tunes from major acts without having to pay a dime. Visiting your favorite artist's website or signing up for a fan newsletter will keep you updated about future giveaways.
Another great way to download free music is by checking out some lesser-known bands that are trying to catch their first big break. Most of these smaller acts use MySpace or similar social networking websites to promote their songs and get their name out there in an effort to attract the attention of a major label. You can often find some amazing new tunes this way, and might even "discover" that next hot band before they enter the mainstream. It does take some time to sift through all the stuff on MySpace, but there are other sites that offer specific recommendations to guide you.
And finally, you can always go for public domain pieces that are no longer copyrighted. This usually means classical works from composers like Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Vivaldi. Though these minuets and concertos might not be your usual taste, it's nice to add some variety to your MP3 play list!
As you can see, just because you download free music that doesn't mean you'll set off alarm bells, receive threatening letters from your ISP, or face lawsuits from the RIAA. There are a number of ways to do this legally, so go get some new songs right now!