Recordings & copyright in lessons

Two rights, two questions

A recording raises two separate questions: may the piece be recorded and shared (copyright)? And may the recorded person do so (personal rights)? Both must be answered yes.

Much uncertainty arises because these two levels are mixed up. Considered separately, both become clearer.

The copyright on the piece

Sheet music and compositions are protected by copyright. For teaching there are leeways – such as playing a piece as part of the lesson. Recording and sharing becomes tighter: whoever passes on or publishes a recording moves outside those leeways.

Rule of thumb: recordings for internal lesson use are usually unproblematic; public sharing or publishing is not.

The rights of the recorded person

Whoever is heard or seen on a recording has a right to their own image and voice. Sharing a recording against the person’s will is problematic even when the piece is unproblematic under copyright.

A short consent – verbal or written – clarifies that before the recording is shared.

Practical rules for everyday life

• Use recordings only for teaching, not for public sharing
• Ask briefly before sharing whether it suits the recorded person
• For third-party works, respect the sheet music terms of use
• Store recordings securely instead of spreading them in open chats

Set the purpose, access and retention period

Before making a recording, clarify its purpose: is it documenting a passage, acting as a reference or enabling specific feedback? A narrow purpose makes it easier to decide who needs access and how long the file is useful. Do not keep a recording indefinitely just because storage is available.

Also decide where the file will be stored and how access is protected. A private messenger, shared device or publicly accessible link can unintentionally widen the audience. Check sharing settings before sending a link and remove it when the teaching purpose has been fulfilled.

Ask for consent in clear, specific terms

Consent is useful only when people understand what it covers. Explain whether the recording will simply be made or also shared, who will receive it and whether it may later be used publicly. Permission for lesson feedback does not automatically cover marketing or social media.

Keep a record of the decision so it can be found if needed, and respect a refusal without disadvantaging the student. If the purpose changes—for example, an internal recording becomes a performance video for a public page—review the situation again and obtain fresh permission where required.

Choose sheet music and arrangements carefully

For protected works, permitted use depends on the source, amount, licence and context. Buying an edition does not automatically grant permission for every kind of sharing or digital publication. Check the terms for the specific music, particularly before making excerpts available in a course space or on a website.

Your own arrangement may also involve rights in the underlying work. If you want to use an arrangement, scan or recording beyond individual teaching, review the specific use. When uncertain, the rights holder, a collecting society or a qualified legal adviser can help.

A short check before sharing

• Can the work be used for this purpose?
• Do everyone audible or visible know who will receive the recording?
• Is access limited to the people who need it?
• Is there a date or reason to remove the file later?

If an answer is unclear, do not share the recording yet. Resolve the question before a useful teaching file becomes a publication that is difficult to take back.

How MUSIRIS frames recordings

In MUSIRIS recordings are part of the protected lesson space: they attach to practice entries and assignments and are not shared publicly. That keeps them within the frame where lesson recordings are straightforward.

You can try MUSIRIS for free. If you use recordings, keep them in the protected area – and clarify sharing briefly beforehand.