u/EdinKaso

Am I crazy in saying that? I feel like it sometimes...

I posted this in the r/piano subreddit but thought to maybe post here to maybe also get a different perspective.

Here is the post below

___

I am a composer and I make a modest living as a musician.

I recently had this very unpleasant conversation with someone who honestly believes he is entitled to my free copyrighted sheet music.

Now I understand as a musician and pianist myself sheet music can be costly, but there is SO much sheet music available in the public domain. And I always try to do regular giveaways as a courtesy, considering yes some people can't always afford sheet music. And heck, even when someone people ask nicely and they I discern they genuinely can't afford it... I am happy to share!

But do living composers really need to provide sheet music completely FOR FREE all the time? We also need to make a living! It's hard enough as it is in this crazy landscape (and now we're even getting our music trained on and plagiarized by AI AND on top of that buried under all the AI slop invading the internet).

We put in so much work and time and passion into our craft. And people just expect that they have the right to take everything we do for free???

As musicians and as pianists, I really think we can do better. Even as broke as I am, I am MORE than happy to purchase and buy other living composer's sheet music (especially if they are smaller musicians).

I understand there are many pianists even here that can't afford sheet music all the time. And I empathize. But I really really don't think that gives us a right (speaking as a pianist now and not a composer) to expect other living composers to work completely for free! And in this specific scenario to even re-distribute said composer's sheet music.

Am I wrong? Is that too much to ask? Pls enlighten me, because sometimes I feel crazy.

Anyway rant over. But this is so frustrating sometimes.

___
Said interaction:

His complaint: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aI7pMYezUjYp8ctJGaJxgQnqo8TjrmZ/view?usp=drive_link

My response: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Osm8Jh74oW7grz6Sn25_dL-I0tRlWbY/view?usp=drive_link

His last response before I blocked him: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fsJKjLIbkACwcgRcJ5exp7xMz1evxsps/view?usp=drive_link

Mods, pls let me know if I need to blur out any names or anything. I'm not sure how those rules work in this sub but I'm happy to comply. I thought his username was vague enough it honestly really didn't matter

Am I crazy in saying that? I feel like it sometimes...

I am a composer and I make a modest living as a musician.

I recently had this very unpleasant conversation with someone who honestly believes he is entitled to my free copyrighted sheet music.

Now I understand as a musician and pianist myself sheet music can be costly, but there is SO much sheet music available in the public domain. And I always try to do regular giveaways as a courtesy, considering yes some people can't always afford sheet music. And heck, even when someone people ask nicely and they I discern they genuinely can't afford it... I am happy to share!

But do living composers really need to provide sheet music completely FOR FREE all the time? We also need to make a living! It's hard enough as it is in this crazy landscape (and now we're even getting our music trained on and plagiarized by AI AND on top of that buried under all the AI slop invading the internet).

We put in so much work and time and passion into our craft. And people just expect that they have the right to take everything we do for free???

As musicians and as pianists, I really think we can do better. Even as broke as I am, I am MORE than happy to purchase and buy other living composer's sheet music (especially if they are smaller musicians).

I understand there are many pianists even here that can't afford sheet music all the time. And I empathize. But I really really don't think that gives us a right (speaking as a pianist now and not a composer) to expect other living composers to work completely for free! And in this specific scenario to even re-distribute said composer's sheet music.

Am I wrong? Is that too much to ask? Pls enlighten me, because sometimes I feel crazy.

Anyway rant over. But this is so frustrating sometimes.

___
Said interaction:

His complaint: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aI7pMYezUjYp8ctJGaJxgQnqo8TjrmZ/view?usp=drive_link

My response: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Osm8Jh74oW7grz6Sn25_dL-I0tRlWbY/view?usp=drive_link

His last response before I blocked him: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fsJKjLIbkACwcgRcJ5exp7xMz1evxsps/view?usp=drive_link

Mods, pls let me know if I need to blur out any names or anything. I'm not sure how those rules work in this sub but I'm happy to comply.

Am I crazy in saying that? I feel like it sometimes...

I am a composer and I make a modest living as a musician.

I recently had this very unpleasant conversation with someone who honestly believes he is entitled to my free copyrighted sheet music.

Now I understand as a musician and pianist myself sheet music can be costly, but there is SO much sheet music available in the public domain. And I always try to do regular giveaways as a courtesy, considering yes some people can't always afford sheet music. And heck, even when someone people ask nicely and they I discern they genuinely can't afford it... I am happy to share!

But do living composers really need to provide sheet music completely FOR FREE all the time? We also need to make a living! It's hard enough as it is in this crazy landscape (and now we're even getting our music trained on and plagiarized by AI AND on top of that buried under all the AI slop invading the internet).

We put in so much work and time and passion into our craft. And people just expect that they have the right to take everything we do for free???

As musicians and as pianists, I really think we can do better. Even as broke as I am, I am MORE than happy to purchase and buy other living composer's sheet music (especially if they are smaller musicians).

I understand there are many pianists even here that can't afford sheet music all the time. And I empathize. But I really really don't think that gives us a right (speaking as a pianist now and not a composer) to expect other living composers to work completely for free! And in this specific scenario to even re-distribute said composer's sheet music.

Am I wrong? Is that too much to ask? Pls enlighten me, because sometimes I feel crazy.

Anyway rant over. But this is so frustrating sometimes.

___
Said interaction:

His complaint: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aI7pMYezUjYp8ctJGaJxgQnqo8TjrmZ/view?usp=drive_link

My response: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Osm8Jh74oW7grz6Sn25_dL-I0tRlWbY/view?usp=drive_link

His last response before I blocked him: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fsJKjLIbkACwcgRcJ5exp7xMz1evxsps/view?usp=drive_link

Mods, pls let me know if I need to blur out any names or anything. I'm not sure how those rules work in this sub but I'm happy to comply. I thought his username was vague enough it honestly didn't matter

Edit 1: Since this is kind of blowing up but I notice quite a few people are also downvoting it, I wanted to say: please if you don't agree with what I am saying, I am OPEN to understanding your viewpoint. I am not necessarily saying all sheet music must always be paid for. No that's not what I'm saying. Just pls let's all be respectful. My issue is with the sense of entitlement is if it's a constitutional right. But I'm open to conversation on the topic.

Not from the area, but was wondering... Had plans to go here tomorrow but not sure how it is after heavy rainfall. Figuref would ask locals

I composed and recorded this piece a few years ago, but never notated it until recently... I've finally finished it after much work on it the past couple weeks.

I'm looking for any critique especially on the engraving/notation (critique on other areas such as actual composition, sound, performance, etc are welcome too)

I've put a lot of work into the engraving/notation because that's something I'm trying to really improve on and ideally I would like to get my engraving skills to proper publisher level one day.

___
Title: "Saigai". Saigai means calamity in Japanese. This was a piece inspired by JRPG post-apocalyptic settings and my take on how I would compose for such a scene.

Score: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qhF9flDfV_8iAjpFLMuf9Yvp0_EcM4cu/view?usp=sharing

Audio (for reference to follow with sheets): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McBaH6KEoOc

Audio also on streaming (if that's easier to listen on): https://edinkaso.ffm.to/saigai

Note: I do have Elaine Gould's Behind Bars by the way, which I regularly use. Pls feel free to make any references from there too! Thank you! :)

I wrote this piece a few years ago, but never notated it until recently... I've finally finished it after much work on it the past couple weeks.

I'm looking for any critique especially on the engraving/notation (critique on other areas such as actual composition, sound, performance, etc are still welcome too!)

I've put a lot of work into the engraving/notation because that's something I'm trying to really improve on. Ideally I would like to get my engraving skills to publisher level one day.

___
Title: "Saigai". Saigai means calamity in Japanese. This was a piece inspired by JRPG post-apocalyptic settings and my take on how I would compose for such a scene.

Score: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qhF9flDfV_8iAjpFLMuf9Yvp0_EcM4cu/view?usp=sharing

Audio (for reference to follow with sheets): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McBaH6KEoOc

audio also on streaming (if that's easier): https://edinkaso.ffm.to/saigai

Note: I do have Elaine Gould's Behind Bars by the way, which I regularly use. Pls feel free to make any references from there too! Thank you! :)

I really hope they do...I'd love it if they'd do that and be happy to support with my wallet

Thought I'd just re-experience it since it's been so long and I forgot most of it 🤷

I decided to restart a new file recently, and deleted (regretably) my main file.

So I'm starting from scratch, but would love to use some new characters from the expansion