[HANASHIR:14365] Re: online sheet music at totshabbat

[Eric Komar <Eric...>]

Robin and list,

(See responses throughout)

> When I post public-domain music I will include only the bare basics:
> melody, lyrics, and guitar chords, with no other markings (e.g. for
> tempo and dynamics.) That is all I have included in the pages I typeset
> and I will ask volunteers helping out to do the same. Tonight I'll attempt
> to remove all extra markings from the pages already online.
>
> I will also add links to show site visitors where they can purchase copies
> of the Complete Shireinu.
>
> Eric, will that be sufficient to address your concerns?
>
First, thank you and Adrian for dealing with this issue expeditiously. Again
I emphasize my understanding that all your intentions are honorable and
meant to provide a useful service. I am not in a position to speak on
Transcon's behalf, but your steps sound OK by me. My only concern was that
totshabbat.com was undermining, rather than complementing, CS as a
copyrighted publication and universal musical resource.

> The Complete Shireinu is a hugely valuable resource and a must-have for
> every Jewish songleader in America. Unfortunately, its high price tag ($59
> plus shipping) makes it impractical for every Jewish family to own a copy.
>
> By contrast, a free online archive of Jewish music provides wide access at
> an amazingly low cost. For a total investment of $65 out-of-pocket I've
> purchased a whole year's worth of web-hosting and distributed a modest but
> growing library of Jewish music to literally thousands of people around
> the world, in more than two dozen countries, reaching well beyond the
> hanashir community.  It's the best $65 I've ever spent.  If I had used it
> to purchase traditional media, I could have bought ONE copy of the
> Complete Shireinu *OR* four CD's.  That's quite a price comparison.
>
I do recall last year at HN and for some time after, Transcon offered CS for
around $48. Still, for a 400+ page music book it's a bargain. Even you are
paying $65 per year out of pocket to launch your site. In two more years,
you will have shelled out close to $200. You have decided to do a tremendous
amount of work for no compensation and people should consider themselves
lucky it's free.

Incidentally, we should be grateful that Transcon's Managing Director Joel
Eglash takes the time to be accessible and address people's comments on this
list about songbooks, etc. Can you picture the CEO of any company doing
this??? It's not like any of us are shareholders. (And for those people who
insist on digging up ca-ca long ago settled on this list, try filling Joel's
shoes for a day.)

Thank you again, Robin, for all your efforts. See you and everyone else at
HN.
- Eric

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