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public domain Christmas songs

S

Swindel

Can I use any version of Silent Night in a short film? I'm not sure if I have to use a version made before 1922. Thank you
 
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The song is in PD. The recordings of the song are not.

I would suggest you research the specific recording you want
to use or record one yourself.
 
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Only if you have the rights to use the recording.

There's plenty of free and cheap stock music about. I actually legally downloaded a royalty-free piano instrumental version of Silent Night for free last week!
 
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Another option is to find someone on youtube who is playing the song (of course make sure it's a good enough quality of recording for you). Then just send them a message asking for permission to use their recording. Also, be sure to ask them if they wrote their own arrangement because if they are working off of sheet music a particular arrangement could be under copyright.

But, like the others have said, the melody and words for Silent Night are public domain, so you can always make a simple recording of it yourself.
 
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Swindel said:
Do you think I can use an instrumental version and have someone sing over That?
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Not if the recording of the instrumental version in still under
copyright. Most recordings of the song, even if the lyrics are
not sung, are copyrighted. Find the specific version you want
to use and find out who owns the copyright.

You must know someone (or know someone who knows someone)
who can play the piano or a guitar. Are you in school or near a
high school or college? Does that school have a music department?
 
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