Music and Sounds
 

Everything on the World Wide Web is automatically copyrighted, including sounds.  Even though it's fairly easy to find sounds on the web, you may or may not be able to legally use them.  

If you want to use a sound in a project, you need to either get permission from the copyright holder or be sure that you get your sound from a web site that specifically gives you permission to do so.  You can use sounds in "in-school" projects, such as PowerPoint presentations, if you follow the "Fair Use Guidelines."

Below are two lists of web pages.  The first list contains pages with music and sounds that you can use without asking for permission (though you should still credit the source).  If you find music or sounds on the second red list, you'll need to carefully read the "usage guidelines" to be sure you can use them.

Have fun!

Music and Sounds that Students and Teachers have Permission to Use for Non-Commercial Uses: 
3D Cafe A collection of free sound effects.
Animal Sounds A collection of free animal sounds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Boogie Jack's Sound Effects Be sure to read the "Terms of Use" on the right side of the page.
Free Music Directory An searchable index of many web sites with free, "copyright friendly" music.  Not all the music on these sites is free, so be sure to read the "Terms of Use" on each page.  Use the buttons at the bottom of the main page to select MIDI files, MP3s, or WAVs.
Microsoft Clip Library A searchable collection of thousands of items, including sounds.  (Select "Sounds" in the Search pull-down menu near the top of the screen.) Licensed users of Microsoft products are free to use these items for non-commercial purposes. 
Music Resources for Teachers. Midi and Music Technology Resources for teachers compiled by Cynthia Shirk in Minnesota.  Be sure to read the "Terms of Use" on each page

Web Sites with Some Restrictions on Use:
Sound Sources A list of links to several sources of sounds.  NOTE: You need to verify that you have permission to use any clips you find.  See the Copyright/Fair Use page for more information.


This page was created by Barbara Gill and updated by Steve Webster

For comments or questions please e-mail itemail

This page was last updated on 04/10/07
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