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9/18/2008, 8:45 AM
Public Domain
How do you know if a song if public domain? I work as an organist at a church and adore some of the hymns that I play, most are rare Danish hymns from 1600-1700s. I'd love to record some of these on the organ. Are most hymns public domain?
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9/20/2008, 4:40 PM
Hi Wendy Just in case you did not know. Even if the song is not in th PD all you need to have is a "Mechanical License" these don't cost much if you sell less than a few thousand copies. You can get ML form the Harry Fox site. By the way that is a good idea for a recording project. The pipe organ has many devoted listners. Have you heard of an Estonian composer Arvo Part he uses it better than anyone else I have heard.
9/20/2008, 9:59 AM
Before 1922 they are in the public domain. Songs not in the public domain won't be in the public domain for a long time, maybe another 75 years You can go check here http://www.harryfox.com click on "HFA Song File" and then click on public search type in the title of the song, title, or author It can be confusing because people will do a song in public domain and copyright their version of it...so this is a very hard thing to figure out. There is also a web site if you google public domain you will get it but you have to pay a fee to find out if the song is in the public domain.
9/20/2008, 9:57 AM
Before 922 they are in the public domain. Songs not in the public domain won't be in the public domain for a long time, maybe another 75 years You can go check here http://www.harryfox.com click on "HFA Song File" and then click on public search type in the title of the song, title, or author It can be confusing because people will do a song in public domain and copyright their version of it...so this is a very hard thing to figure out. There is also a web site if you google public domain you will get it but you have to pay a fee to find out if the song is in the public domain.
9/18/2008, 3:07 PM
crackajack - thanks for the comments about the organ. I'm a pianist posing as an organist lol. This is my fourth year playing at the church and I am still learning tricks. The organ we use is very small compared to most, and not a true pipe organ. I haven't recorded anything yet on the organ but will once I acquire use of a lap top. Larree - thank you for the input. I will check out the reference you gave me! And woot, I can do a whole album on hymnal covers. Some of the Danish ones are truly beautiful pieces of music,