Using my backing tracks
My tracks can be used in a variety of settings, be it for private purposes, music lessons, covers, public performances, radio, TV or film productions, and more.
Private use
You can use my tracks for free for private purposes, for example:
- rehearsals at home;
- small performances for at most 20 people.
Educational use
Music teachers can use my tracks for free in their lessons, either online or offline as follows:
- Online use: You can stream the tracks from YouTube and other streaming platforms during your lessons so that each time you use them it counts as a view on my channel. Using my tracks online is the way you pay me for their free use and to help me grow my channel.
- Offline use: You can purchase a legal copy of the audio tracks from Apple/iTunes, which you can then use offline in your lessons. If you wish to use the video version you can do so with a YouTube Premium subscription which allows you to download the video for offline use. Other ways to download the videos are not legal.
Public performances
It is possible to use my tracks for public performances. The conditions depend on the size of your audiences. In general, a fee is due if you want to perform for more than 50 people. No fee is due if you perform for smaller audiences, but you still need to comply with some minor conditions. More information can be found here.
If you want to use a specific track for a performance on a specific occasion for more than 50 people, you can get a license for €4 by filling out a simple registration form.
If you want to use more than one track, or perform for more than 50 people on more than one date, you can get a one-year license starting from €6. More information can be found here.
In some cases I may give permission to use my tracks free of charge for larger audiences than 50 people, but this is usually restricted to performances in an educational setting. Examples are:
- end of year concerts at music schools and conservatories;
- performances in an educational setting for a non-paying audience.
Radio Broadcasts
Through Apple iTunes, radio stations can acquire the right to play my music as part of their programming. If your radio station is interested in broadcasting my music, please ensure you follow the appropriate reporting guidelines set forth by Apple iTunes.
Sync licensing
Synchronization licenses for TV and film productions are managed by CD Baby. Some producers may also find it helpful to access my music through their syncing software provider, Synchtank. If you are unable to locate my music via those channels or have any other question, please don't hesitate to contact me for further assistance.
Covers
You can use my tracks to make your own YouTube cover. If you want to monetize your cover, you can acquire a license against payment of a one-time fee of €35 per track. If you don't monetize the video and the video is free of sponsored content, you can acquire a license against payment of a one-time fee of €10 per track. In either case you have to comply with the following conditions:
- You must own a legal copy of the track which you can purchase from Apple/iTunes.
- A cover must be you, optionally with others, singing over the original backing track in a traditional operatic style, without the addition of other instruments or manipulation of the backing track. Purely instrumental "covers" are not allowed. Please inform me once you have uploaded your video.
- Credits must be given in the video itself and in the description of that video. The correct way to credit me is:
"Backing track by Aberforth D, www.thesoundofopera.com" - You can also post an extract of at most 60 seconds on other social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) with reference to the full cover on your YouTube channel. The full cover, however, must be exclusively hosted on YouTube.
If you want to make a YouTube cover, please contact me to acquire a license.
Smule
Alternatively you can showcase your talents for free on Smule where I also post my backing tracks. In that case I strongly recommend that you first practice on YouTube before recording on Smule.
Spotify
My tracks are also available on Spotify and some other platforms. You can use them within the rules of those platforms.