It is difficult to teach anything of substance about music without referring to actual music, so the music lessons in Connexions often include various printed and audio (and sometimes even video or animated) examples of music. Some of these were created by the author, and these, like other information in the lessons, fall under the Creative Commons license. Some short examples and excerpts fall into the "fair use for educational purposes" category. In other cases, performers have graciously agreed to allow an excerpt to be published at this site for educational purposes; this does imply that they have given up any of their rights to the piece or the recording. In general, you should not assume that an excerpt at this site implies that a piece or a performance falls in the public domain.

However, in some situations, the lesson author has decided to include in the lesson a piece of music that is in the public domain, or an alteration or arrangement of that piece. This is done as a service to the instructor; if there is no other music available for you to use for the lesson, you may feel free to copy the public domain piece and use it in any way you wish. If it has been significantly altered or arranged by the author, you can consider the arrangement to be covered by the Creative Commons license; feel free to use it as long as you give appropriate attribution. You will find below more information about specific public domain pieces used in these lessons, as well as a list of where to find them, in case you are searching for public-domain music..

It is important to understand: Even though a song is in the public domain, many versions of it may still be under copyright! Please respect the rights of those who have gone to the trouble of arranging and publishing the music; if you want to be free to copy and use a song, make sure you are using a version that is in the public domain, or, like many of the arrangements here, under a license that allows a variety of uses.

This is not legal advice! If you are uncertain whether something is in the public domain, or what is allowed, please consult a lawyer, or check one of the websites, such as the Public Domain Information Project, that specialize in giving advice on public domain music. Please also note that, as the author of these modules is working in the U.S., "public domain" means "considered by the U.S. government to be in the public domain in the U.S.". If you live elsewhere, the rules for printing, copying, distributing, and performing music may be different, so you should check local laws before using these materials.

Aloha Oe - The version of the tune used in Keys and Scales are Sets is from Folk Songs of Many Peoples.

Caroline - This song, used in Calypso and Found Percussion, is not of Caribbean origin, so don't use it if you are looking for authenticity. Apparently, U.S. music collectors and publishers had no interest in "island" music until after 1922 (the present cut-off date for public domain in the U.S.). If anyone knows of a version of any traditional Caribbean folk tune that is clearly in the public domain in the U.S., please contact me. Meanwhile, I have chosen two relatively unknown folk tunes that were easy to alter to give a Calypso rhythmic feel. "Caroline" was published in the Liberty Chorus Song Book, which listed it as a "black Creole" song. The Creole culture, centered in Louisiana, while distinct from the various Caribbean island cultures, did share some musical influences. I altered the melody by lowering the key and making the rhythms more syncopated. The Liberty Chorus version has a nice four-part harmonization, which I can include in the lesson if there is sufficient interest.

Freut Euch des Lebens - The entire arrangement, used in Germanic Music: Folk Songs, is from Songs of Germany. H.G. Chapman's English translation, from that book, has been altered slightly for modern usage by the module author.

Get on Board, Little Children - The tune is taken from Religious Folk Songs of the Negro. The verses for the Harmony with Drones, Parallel Harmonies, Simple Chordal Harmony, and Counterpoint Activities are also taken from Religious Folk Songs of the Negro, although they have been updated to modern standard English. The verse in Independent Harmonies has been added by the author, in case you wish to perform all the versions of the harmony in a single performance and want more lyrics. You may use the author's verse and any of the arrangements under the Creative Commons license terms.

God Save the Queen / My Country, Tis of Thee - The version of the tune used in Keys and Scales are Sets is from the Liberty Chorus Song Book.

Marianina - This song, used in Calypso and Found Percussion, is not of Caribbean origin, so don't use it if you are looking for authenticity. Apparently, U.S. music collectors and publishers had no interest in "island" music until after 1922 (the present cut-off date for public domain in the U.S.). If anyone knows of a version of a traditional Caribbean folk tune that is clearly in the public domain in the U.S., please contact me. Meanwhile, I have chosen two relatively unknown folk tunes that were easy to alter to give a Calypso rhythmic feel. "Marianina" was published in the collection Folk-songs and other songs for children, which simply lists it as a folk song, with no information on its origin.

Merrily, Merrily - This simple, four-part round used in Counterpoint Activities: Singing Rounds was published in the Glee and Chorus Book.

O Tannenbaum - The tune and English translation used in Germanic Music: Christmas Carols were taken from the Liberty Chorus Song Book. You may use the author's arrangement under the Creative Commons license terms.

Rio Grande - The tune and words are taken from English Folk-Chanteys. A variety of arrangements, with one verse each, appear in Harmony with Drones, Parallel Harmonies, Simple Chordal Harmony, Counterpoint Activities and Independent Harmonies. You may use the author's arrangements under the Creative Commons license terms.

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) - The tune and English translation used in Germanic Music: Christmas Carols were taken from the Liberty Chorus Song Book. You may use the author's arrangement under the Creative Commons license terms.

Student's Delight - The entire arrangement, in Germanic Music: Folk Songs, is from Songs of Germany. H.G. Chapman's English translation, from that book, has been altered slightly for modern usage by the module author.

Swiss Song - The entire arrangement, used in Germanic Music: Folk Songs, is from Songs of Germany. H.G. Chapman's English translation, from that book, has been altered slightly for modern usage by the module author.

Three Blind Mice - The version of the tune used in Keys and Scales are Sets is from the Liberty Chorus Song Book.

White Sand and Gray Sand - This very simple round, published in Counterpoint Activities: Singing Rounds, was taken from Folk-songs and other songs for children.

Botsford, Florence Hudson. Folk Songs of Many Peoples. New York City: The Women's Press, 1922.

Dawson, W. J. The American Hymnal. New York: The Century Co., 1914.

Faulkner, Anne Shaw. Liberty Chorus Song Book for Home, School, and Community Singing. Chicago: McKinley Music Company, 1920.

NeCollins, J. E. Glee and Chorus Book. New York: American Book Company, 1911.

Radcliffe-Whitehead, Jane Byrd, ed. Folk-songs and other songs for children. Boston: O. Ditson, 1903.

Sharp, Cecil J. English Folk-Chanteys. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Co., LTD., 1914.

Spicker, Max, ed. Songs of Germany: Eighty-One German Folk and Popular Songs. New York: G.S. Schirmer, 1904.