How do I download free music?

To download free music legally, you can use several websites that offer a wide range of music from independent artists and various genres. Here are some of the best sites for downloading free music:

Free Music Archive

• Founded by WFMU, this site provides a vast collection of free original music uploaded by independent artists. You can browse by genres and sub-genres, create playlists, and download tracks under Creative Commons licenses13.

SoundCloud

• SoundCloud allows artists to share their music, and many offer their tracks for free download. To download a track, hover over it in the player, click the three-dot "More" button, and select "Download file" if the option is available12.

Bandcamp

• Bandcamp is an online storefront for independent artists. While it doesn't have a built-in feature to browse for free music, you can search for "free downloads" to find tracks that you can download for free or name your own price (including zero dollars)1.

The Internet Archive

• This nonprofit digital library offers a vast audio archive with music, concerts, and other audio content. You can browse by various filtering criteria, and when music is downloadable, you have multiple file format options1.

NoiseTrade

• NoiseTrade allows you to download music from artists in exchange for your email address. You typically download entire collections from an artist in a single zip file1.

ReverbNation

• To find free music on ReverbNation, use the site's search page and check the "Free MP3s Required" checkbox. This will show you tracks that artists have made available for free download1.

Last.fm

• Although Last.fm no longer offers streaming services, it still has a small catalog of free music that you can download. The music is listed on the "Download Free Music" page, though it lacks genre or style indications1.

Pixabay

• Pixabay offers over 70,000 royalty-free music tracks that are free for commercial use and do not require attribution. This site is particularly useful for background music for videos, vlogs, and other projects4.

Additional Tips

• When using these sites, ensure you respect the terms of use and any licensing requirements. For example, some tracks may require attribution or have specific usage restrictions35.
• Some sites, like SoundCloud and Bandcamp, may also offer music that is free to download but still requires crediting the artist if used in projects5.