A great tip when downloading music is to preview similar artists on itunes. Most of the time, itunes will show a dozen of similar songs and artists on the right whenever you highlight a song in your library. This can be a great way to discover new music that you like.

A great tip to use when thinking about downloading music is to start using pandora radio. Pandora radio can be a great way to discover new music that's similar to music you already like. You simply create a station based around a song or artist you like, and it will playback similar music for you.

Check out the legal free music from established music download sites. Many big online music retailers like iTunes, MP3.com, Amazon,com, and more have free music sections. You can legally download these free tracks from some artists that you like or some new ones that you would like to listen to for the first time.

Try using previews before buying entire albums. The previews allow several seconds of listening to each song before deciding to buy it. They won't cost you a dime and can be found on most sites that let you download music. This prevents you from buying an entire album you thought you loved, but actually dislike.

When downloading music, look at the actual size of the file before you attempt to open it. It can be easier than you think to download something you didn't intend to. This is definitely dangerous to the health of your machine. Check the file size before you download. If it seems rather large or too small, don't open it - delete it.

Be careful with music download sites that force you to download files prior to getting the music you want. Often times these files are nothing more than spyware that will hijack your computer. It'll mean lots of pop-ups and strange software behaviors. It's best to choose an alternative solution to protect your machine.

Aside from the legalities of downloading free music, you also have something else to worry about when choosing free music files from different sites. Hackers often offer these files, so think twice before you join the bandwagon and download free music. It's much better to legally get your music by paying for it the right way.

If you plan to download music online, be sure to install a reputable antivirus program. This will ensure that all songs you download don't contain any malicious code. You don't wan to end up ruining your computer just to get a free song! Antivirus software protects you from that fate.

If you love several songs from one artist, consider purchasing the full album. It is usually much cheaper to purchase by the album, regardless of which site you choose to use. You also have lots of music to explore and enjoy. Who knows, you could end up discovering a new favorite song.

Be sure to check the file format before downloading any music. You've got to be sure that the file you get is compatible with whatever system you are using. If unsure, a good bet is to stick with MP3 files. This file extension is about as universal as they come.

Prior to downloading music, make sure you are on a broadband connection. Music files are not the same mammoth size as video files, but when you download lots of them, the overall download size can add up pretty fast. If you're on a slow connection this can eat up a lot of time.

Torrents are still around for sharing all sorts of files. If you are looking for songs which are hard to find but posted by their authors, that's a good place to look for legal MP3s. You can find a great deal of independent artists that way, exposing yourself to new music.

Now you see how easy this is? music marketing be something that seems overwhelming and dissatisfying. These ideas will help you grow your collection. You'll learn that these things aren't hard to work with. Once you have a nice selection of your favorites, you can start listening today! This ensures your collection can grow.