Public Domain Music for YouTube Videos: 8 Must-Visit Sites Every Content Creator Should Know

Navigating the search for public domain music to use in your content can be tricky. Public domain music is public free, meaning it is available without any charge. This article provides a straightforward path to finding diverse, legal tunes that are safe to use, ensuring your creativity flows without any legal shenanigans.

Overview of Public Domain Music Platforms

The term ‘public domain music’ refers to music that is not bound by any exclusive intellectual property rights. In simpler terms, it’s copyright-free, allowing anyone to use it for any purpose without permission.

Numerous platforms provide an array of public free music collections encompassing both Creative Commons licensed and public domain music. So, it’s crucial to carefully examine the licensing details for each music track you intend to use so you understand the specific permissions associated with it.

Platforms like the Free Music Archive and Moby Gratis feature great music, yet license conditions differ, making it necessary to be aware of individual music track restrictions.

On the other hand, dedicated public domain sites like FreePD ensure that you’re using music that is truly in the public domain, offering a hassle-free solution for content creators.

Understanding Copyrights in Music

For YouTube content creators it’s a good idea to become au fait with copyright basics given their impact on music usage in videos.

In the realm of music, two types of copyrights often come into play: PA (Performing Arts) and SR (Sound Recordings). PA copyright refers to the musical work and includes the composition, arrangement, and lyrics of a song, while the SR copyright covers the actual sound recordings themselves, such as records, CDs, and mp3s.

Music enters the public domain either after copyright protection expires, which happens 70 years after the composer’s death for PA, or 100 years after release for SR in the United States, according to state law.

A composer may also voluntarily decide to give up their copyright and put their works into the worldwide public domain. They can do this using a Creative Commons Zero license(CC0) or public domain dedication.

Outside the public domain different entities can hold PA and SR copyrights independently. For instance, someone might own a song’s music and lyrics but not the recording. This becomes relevant when clearing copyright and using tracks by well-known artists who often have both music publishers (dealing with PA copyright) and a record label (that holds the master license for the recording).

However, this isn’t something you need to worry about when using music in the public domain since the copyright protection for PD music has either expired or has been voluntarily surrendered by the composer or copyright holder.

It is important though to know the difference between the two copyrights and what that means when selecting public domain music.

Here’s what I mean..

‘Jingle Bells’ is in the public domaiin, so there is no PA copyright protection. There are also historical sound recordings of Jingle Bells (pre 1924) which are in the public domain, so there is no SR copyright protection either, which is all good if you want to use pre 1924 sound recordings.

However because of the 100 year rule for SR copyright, currently if you wanted to use sound recordings of Jingle Bells that were released in 1925 or later, you would need to pay the SR copyright holder’s fee in order to use it.

Fortunately for content creators there’s no need to go hunting for historical sound recordings because there are hundreds of sound recordings of ‘Jingle Bells’ that you can find on royalty free music sites, and for a small one-off fee, you can purchase a royalty free license and use it forever.

So with music copyright basics understood, the following sites provide true public domain music for youtube videos and any other content, that is free to use, in any way you like, with no legal issues in sight.

Hey there! Just a heads-up: some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only suggest products I genuinely use and trust, or those I believe could truly benefit you. So, feel free to explore, and only grab something if you feel it's right for your needs!

FreePD.com – Best for Easy Downloads

Pros:

• Provides direct download links for tracks

• No requirement for users to create an account or log in

Cons:

• No search function

• Website contains many ads

Simplicity is the name of the game at FreePD.com. This platform offers:

• Direct download links for tracks

• No requirement to create an account or log in

• A diverse range of public domain music tracks, composed by various artists including Kevin MacLeod

• Each track is marked with its duration for user convenience.

Despite its user-friendliness, FreePD.com does have its drawbacks. It lacks a search function, and the website is laden with ads, which may impede user experience. Regardless, for content creators who value quick and easy downloads of a wide variety of music, FreePD.com is worth checking out.

Open Music Archive – Best for Vintage Audio Collections

Pros:

• Provides a unique collection of vintage audio

• Offers instant downloads and streaming audio via SoundCloud

Cons:

• The search tool is old and clunky and may hinder precise search queries

• Be sure to verify if UK copyright laws align with those in your own country when using tracks from this site.

The Open Music Archive is a collaborative initiative by artists Eileen Simpson and Ben White, focused on sourcing, digitizing, and making available out-of-copyright sound recordings. The archive specializes in rare and forgotten sound recordings, serving as a reservoir of musical history from various genres such as:

• blues

• jazz

• country

• British music hall

The Open Music Archive provides public free access to a unique collection of vintage audio.

However, the platform’s search tool is not the best and can be frustrating when searching certain music categories.

The Open Music Archive offers:

• An uncomplicated approach to music access without the need for a user account

• Streaming audio via their SoundCloud page.

• A detailed tagging system that facilitates exploration of vintage audio collections

This platform is a goldmine for content creators looking for vintage audio collections.

Overall, Open Music Archive serves as both a platform for historical audio preservation and a space for future collaborative projects in the creative community. If you’re in need of an authentic sound and recording this is a great site to spend some time.

Musopen – Best for Classical Music

Pros:

• Offers an extensive collection of classical music

• Allows users to preview music before downloading

Cons:

Free accounts only allow a maximum of five downloads per day. This limitation may impact users with high download requirements.

Free accounts only allow downloads of lower quality audio files.

Musopen stands out for its:

• Vast collection of public domain classical music

• User-friendly interface that allows instant streaming via a classical music radio

• Ability to easily browse and find music by applying filters such as composer, performer, instrument, form, or time period.

• Source public domain music instantly by choosing the public domain filter in the licenses drop down box.

However, free accounts on Musopen are limited to five downloads per day, and users may need to opt for a paid plan for unlimited and high-definition recordings.

Despite this restriction, Musopen’s platform boasts a variety of useful features, including:

• Music preview before downloading

• Identification of different audio quality options via color-coded links

• The ability to add tracks to a favorites list accessible from the user’s profile page

This makes Musopen a prime choice for content creators looking for classical music, offering a balance of quality, variety, and ease of use.

Freesound – Best for Collaborative Database

Pros:

• Provides a large collaborative database of audio snippets and samples

• Offers advanced search capabilities

Cons:

• Some samples may not be in the public domain

Freesound is a platform that offers a sizable collaborative database with a library of over 620k sounds, providing samples under various Creative Commons licenses including Public Domain (CC0), Attribution (BY), and Attribution Noncommercial (BY-NC). This platform offers advanced search capabilities using keywords, tags, and location, and recently introduced ‘Freesound Taxonomies’ for community-driven categorization as well as a map view for search results.

Despite its extensive database, it should be noted that not all Freesound samples fall under the public domain, hence users should always confirm the license prior to use.

But there’s a handy Licenses filter section which will instantly provide you with Creative Commons CC0 licensed tracks that are in the public domain.

Freesound’s commitment to community engagement, including annual statistics, significant UI updates, and promotion of collaborative projects through Freesound Labs, makes it a valuable resource for content creators looking for a wide variety of sounds and samples.

International Music Score Library Project – Best for Sheet Music

Pros:

• Offers a vast archive of sheet music and audio files

• Allows free download of scores and recordings

Cons:

• Primarily focuses on Western classical music

• Public domain recordings are in mp3 format only.

• To listen to Commercial recordings needs a paid subscription

For those in search of sheet music, the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) is a treasure trove. Founded in 2006, IMSLP hosts over 480,000 scores by approximately 17,700 composers. This site provides free access to a vast archive of sheet music and audio files, with free download availability to anyone with an internet connection.

IMSLP primarily focuses on Western classical music, but it does include works by more obscure composers from around the world and of various genres.

There’s so much content that it can take a while to find the recordings that you can download. The easiest way is to search by composer and click on one of the alphabetically listed compositions. This brings up a page containing details of all the public domain recordings for listening or for download, any commercial recordings and a list of available sheet music.

Note: At this time the IMSLP is trialing a new skin on their website which makes sourcing music easier. After choosing a composer, use the ‘With Recordings’ slider which filters all works that have availabel music downloads.

A paid monthly or annual subscription is needed to listen to commercial recordings.Despite these limitations, IMSLP’s massive collection of free downloadable public domain music makes it a valuable resource for YouTube content creators.

Digital History – Best for Historical Music

Pros:

• Provides a diverse collection of historical music from various periods and genres

• Ideal for educational content creators

Cons:

• Simple website interface with no search functionality

Digital History offers a unique collection of historical sound recordings from various periods and genres, including:

• 1920s

• American Revolution

• Great Depression

• World War II

• Blues music

• Jazz

• Negro Spirituals

• Patriotic music

Digital History provides public free access to a diverse collection of historical music, making it an invaluable resource for those interested in exploring various music collections and audio files.

The platform’s website interface, while simple, lacks a search function, which could make it challenging to locate specific tracks.

The links to all the music is on one single page and can be hard to find. Clicking on a link takes you to a preview of a music track that you can download.

Despite this, Digital History’s vast archive of public domain music makes it a great resource for educational content creators. If you’re creating content that takes your viewers back in time, the historical sound recordings from Digital History can add authenticity and depth to your YouTube videos.

Pixabay – Best for Genre-Specific Music

Pros:

• Provides free public domain music

• Categorizes music tracks by various tags

Cons:

• None

Pixabay is a platform better known for it’s royalty free graphics and photos but it also provides free public domain music. Users can stream or download music without the requirement of creating an account. The platform categorizes music tracks by various criteria such as:

• Duration

• Genre

• Mood

• Theme

This assists users in finding suitable music for their projects.

Pixabay is a handy resource for copyright-free genre-specific music. The easiest way to find PD music is to choose music in the dropdown menus on the far right of the search bar and then simply input public domain music. This throws up hundreds of results which you can then filter further with the various filter tags.

If you’re a content creator who needs to locate music that aligns with the mood and theme of your YouTube videos, Pixabay could be a valuable resource for your YouTube channel.

Public Domain Information Project – Best for Proof of Public Domain

Pros:

• Offers reprints of public domain songs from 1928 or earlier

• Provides proof of public domain status

Cons:

• The royalty free music for instant download function is currently no available.

The Public Domain Information Project offers a unique service: reprints of public domain songs from 1928 or earlier, including proof of their public domain status. This collection can be a valuable resource for users who need to verify the public domain status of a particular song before using it in a project.

At this particular time the ability to download royalty free music tracks versions of their public domain library is not yet up and running as they move to a new web server. But for content creators who need to be absolutely sure of their music’s public domain status, this platform is a valuable tool.

How to Choose the Right Public Domain Music for Your Videos

Choosing the right public domain music for your YouTube videos is an art that involves several key factors. First, consider the intended atmosphere of your video. Is it a fast-paced action sequence or a serene nature documentary? Use any search filters that allow you to search by emotion to match the music with the theme of your video. Secondly, ensure that the chosen public domain music specifies usage rights for different platforms such as YouTube, and settings including theaters and ads. Thirdly, make sure the public domain copyright protection is relevant to your particular country.

A composer may voluntarily decide to give up their copyright and put their works into the worldwide public domain. They can do this using a Creative Commons CC0 license or public domain dedication. Choosing music tracks with this license allows you freedom in how you use them. While it may take some time to find the perfect track, with a bit of patience and the right tools, you can elevate your YouTube content with the right public domain music.

Summary

Navigating the world of public domain music can be a challenging task, but the rewards are well worth the effort. From the vintage collections of the Open Music Archive to the genre-specific tracks of Pixabay, there are diverse platforms catering to various needs. Whether you are looking for classical music, historical soundtracks, or sheet music, these platforms have got you covered.

The key is to understand your needs, consider the intended atmosphere of your video, and ensure that the music you choose is indeed in the public domain. This way, you can avoid copyright conflicts and enhance your YouTube content with the perfect soundtrack.

So why wait? Embark on this exciting journey into the world of public domain music and unlock a world of possibilities for your YouTube content creation.

Frequently Asked Questions