can you use classics in your game?

Question

i have a project in which i'm making my own game (website's http://www.bfwgame.com) and i wonder, can you use classics like mozart and/or do they cost any money??? please post every detail tyvm
Guillermo A.

i have a project in which i'm making my own game (website's http://www.bfwgame.com) and i wonder, can you use classics like mozart and/or do they cost any money??? please post every detail tyvm
Guillermo A.

---EDIT---

Yeah right now i'm cheering since i know nocturne from chopin so tyvm

Guillermo A

Answer 1

If you use a pre-recorded source such as a commercial record, tape, CD, etc. you will have to get mechanical/performance rights clearance (ASCAP, BMI, etc.) and pay a fee because they are still under copyright.

If you take the original music and do your own midi arrangement or record your own group then you should be OK. After about 1900 make sure the music is not still protected by copyright (anything before Jan. 1 , 1923 is OK in the US).

Musician, composer, teacher.

Answer 2

If you're planning to use music, it is better to use classical music because

1. they're free and
2. there's so many mood of music to choose from.

However, you need to look for music that's really free - in a sense that performances you can download from the websites require you only to ask for permission and/or only use the music for non-profitable works, i.e. you're not going to get money from it.

There are a lot of websites that offer free classical music you can download. My favourite is classiccat.net. Just be sure to read and/or contact the person who performs the piece to see whether they will agree on the terms of use.

If you have no idea which music to choose - not only because there are lots of music out there, but the range of emotion it can convey vary from personal perspectives - you can always come here and ask again! I'm sure lots of people will want to help.

Answer 3

Sure, you can use Mozart...Glad you are for a game.
If you want, I have a Library of music (in Windows Media Player) I can e-mail you some songs for the game, I don't have Mozart..
I have Beethoven's Symphonies
Grieg's music.
Rachmaninoff
Stravinsky
Holst
Some Debussy
some Satie
and other random stuff heh.
[e-mail]
-matt

Answer 4

Most compositions form the 18th and 19th century are in public domain -- i.e. they are fair game. Once you get into the 20th century beyond 1923, you run into problems.

BUT

The recordings of performances by orchestras, pianists, etc. are NOT in public domain -- they are under copyright.

SO

You can use those older pieces in your game just as long as you create the performances yourself, or you get permission from the artists and/or recording companies to use their versions -- and they will expect compensation.

Answer 5

See: http://www.classicalarchives.com/ for free and limited or cheap and unlimited classical music downloads.