Case Studies/Steven Arntson
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Overview
Steven Arntson is a Seattle-based writer and composer who releases recordings on The Free Music Archive, and publishes scores at the Petrucci Music Library, both linked to through his website at stevenarntson.info, and available under the Creative Commons BY-NC license.
License Usage
I allow derivative works because I'm a firm believer in the folk process, from which so much of our traditions spring. AP Carter goes into the woods and hears a song, adds verses, and releases it; Woody Guthrie hears the Carters' song, and writes new words; Dylan hears Guthrie, makes his own changes, forever.
Motivations
I felt trepidation at first about releasing work for free, because I put so much time into it. But there's a line in the Communist Manifesto that reminds me of this situation, where Marx asks (I'm paraphrasing here), "All of you who are so upset about not being able to own property--how many of you actually own any?" Similarly, being worried about money is a little ridiculous--my work doesn't have much commercial appeal, and never will. I should focus on the sharing that is one of the reasons I became involved in music-making in the first place.
Media
- Sheet Music: I release sheet music in PDF form, and host it at the Petrucci Music Library.
- Audio Recordings: I release albums under by-nc, and host them at the Free Music Archive.
