musically challenged.
September 23, 2010 · Personal
No fiber of my being is musically talented. I played the flute in 5th grade music class. Then got demoted to the tambourine. True story. Thankfully I wasn’t too scarred by this lack of musical achievement to affect my music listening pleasure. Although not musically inclined myself, I have complete respect for artists and their craft. There are artists out there that have already expressed and conveyed similar feelings or thoughts that I wouldn’t dare compete with. Plus, listening to music makes me feel better. I can create a playlist to set the tone for my day. When I’m feeling melancholy, I have plenty of songs that share in my sorrow and can lift my spirits. When I am feeling happy, a quirky ditty gets my body to do a silly dance.
When I was working on my website [with my darling and oh-so-patient husband], I did a lot of research to find out what aspects of a photography website were most effective. I must have scoured hundreds of photography sites. And most these sites had music to add ambiance and compliment their photography. Really, Jack Johnson was everywhere!
So why no music on my website? Here’s why…
- Songs are copyrighted material.
- Because those artists have worked incredibly hard for their art. As an artist myself, I understand that your heart and soul goes into your craft. I myself would not want one of my photos to be used without my permission.
- I do not have the kind of mullah to pay for copyright licensing.
- People usually have their own music playing and it sounds awful when two different songs are playing. Coworkers don’t appreciate the unexpected burst of sound either.
- Using songs on a website is like a company using a song for a commercial (Like the CocaCola Co. using the Temper Trap in their new Diet Coke commercials. Exquisite choice Coke.) The song is being used for marketing purposes – far from the Fair Use clauses which allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship. (“US CODE: Title 17,107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use”. law.cornell.edu. 2009-05-20. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html.) [These are my college paper writing skills. Oh yeah.]
If I did have the money though, I would use the song by She & Him – Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
On another note, I want to come back as Zooey Deschanel in another life. She’s like a walking Anthropologie ad that probably didn’t have to play the tambourine in grade school. ;)
As always, please feel free to share your thoughts on this matter. Or any matter.
And because no post is ever complete without a picture…My buddy Blaine is a musician and is part of Saints The Band. Check them out! They’re pretty awesome.
