A Story About Two Dollars Just for Music
A few weeks ago, a composer I admire shared something surprising.
He had just released a new piece of solo piano music online. In one week, it got more than 1,000 streams on a popular music platform.
When the payment report came in, the total earnings were less than a cup of coffee.
But in the same week, a listener bought the same track directly from his website for $2.
That single purchase gave him more support than all 1,000 streams combined.
Two dollars.
That’s all it took to make a real difference.
Why 2 Dollars Matter
When you stream music on big platforms, the artist earns only a tiny fraction per play:
- Spotify: about $0.0003–$0.0005 per stream ( sometimes $0.005–$0.005 )
- Apple Music: about $0.001 – $0.01 per stream
- Direct website purchase: the artist keeps most of the payment — often 100x more per song than streaming
It’s not that streaming is bad — it’s an amazing way to discover new music.
But when you really love a piece, buying it directly is like telling the artist:
“I believe in your music. Please keep going!!!”
1. You Keep the Music Coming
Composing, recording, and producing solo piano music is not just about sitting at a piano.
There’s:
- Renting or maintaining a high quality instrument
- Uncountable Studio time for recording
- Professional mixing and mastering
- Cover art and distribution costs
- Promotion
These things take a huge amount of time and money.
A few dollars from direct purchases help cover these expenses so artists can keep creating contemporary piano music instead of taking on unrelated work just to pay bills.
If you’ve ever learned piano at home, followed beginner piano tips, or enjoyed piano tutorials online, you know how much time goes into each piece of music.
Direct support helps ensure that time is spent making more music for you.
2. You Get Better Quality and Sometimes Extras
Streaming platforms often compress audio, which can remove subtle details from emotional piano music.
When you download directly from a composer’s website, you often get:
- High-quality audio files (lossless, uncompressed)
- Bonus tracks or alternate takes
- Sheet music to learn piano at home
- Personal thank-you messages from the artist
Think about it like buying a painting from the artist’s studio instead of a poster from a store.
The experience is richer, more personal, and more meaningful.
3. You Become Part of the Story
When you buy directly, you’re not just getting music — you’re joining the composer’s journey.
Some artists share:
- The inspiration behind a piece
- Personal stories connected to the music
- Updates about upcoming projects
It’s a human connection.
Have you ever listened to a piece of music and felt it was speaking just to you?
Imagine hearing the backstory directly from the composer. That’s the kind of closeness direct supporters often experience.
4. You Help Independent Music Survive
The truth is that very few musicians can live from streaming alone.
A 2023 music industry report found that only about 1% of artists make more than $10,000/year from streaming. Most ( we are talking about the 99% ) need other income sources — teaching, performing at events, or taking other jobs.
When you choose to spend just $2 directly on music you love, you are helping keep an entire world of independent music alive.
You’re also supporting diversity in music — allowing unique voices and original pieces to exist alongside commercial hits.
A Real-Life Moment
When Gianluca Fronda released his track In Mio Sogno, he was thrilled by the streams it received. But when he saw the actual payment, it was almost nothing.
Then came one email notification: “New purchase from your website – $2.99.”
It was a small amount, but it meant the world.
Not just financially, but emotionally. It told him:
“Someone values your work enough to go beyond clicking ‘play’.”
Discover more by Gianluca Fronda and see how you can be part of that story.
Why People Think Streaming Is Enough
Streaming is easy. It’s convenient. And it feels like support.
But the truth is:
- 1,000 streams on a major platform might give the artist only $3–$4.
- The same number of direct purchases could be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Streaming is like applause from the audience.
Buying directly is like buying a ticket to the next show.
Where Your 2 Dollars Go
When you buy directly from a composer, your $2 doesn’t get split a hundred ways.
Here’s what it can do:
- Help pay for piano tuning
- Cover part of the electricity bill in the recording studio
- Fund lessons for students in need
- Buy new sheet music or recording software
- Helps the musician focusing just on making music instead of spending 8 hours a day for an office job or other works.
These may seem small, but they keep the creative cycle going.
Music as More Than Sound
Solo piano music has a way of touching the heart.
It can bring peace after a stressful day, help children focus while studying, or make family dinners feel warmer.
Have you noticed how a certain piece can bring back childhood memories or make you dream about the future?
That’s the power of emotional piano music.
When you buy it directly, you’re not just paying for sound — you’re investing in a feeling, a memory, and a shared human experience.
5 Simple Ways to Support Artists You Love
- Buy music directly from their official store — like Gianluca Fronda’s Website
- If not from the website, purchase from Amazon Music (here) or Apple Music (here)
- Share their music with friends or on social media
- Attend their online concerts or live events
- Subscribe to their YouTube channels:
But What If You Can’t Spend?
Not everyone can afford to buy music regularly — and that’s okay.
You can still:
- Stream their songs often
- Add them to your playlists
- Share them with people who might buy
- Leave positive comments and reviews
Every action adds up.
The Bigger Picture
If 100 people each buy a $2 track, that’s $200.
It could pay for:
- A day in the recording studio
- Professional mastering for an entire EP
- Printing and shipping sheet music for fans
- Having extra time for brand new music!
And if 1,000 people do it?
That’s enough to fund an entire album.
Your small act becomes part of something much bigger.
Final Thoughts
Two dollars may seem small, but for an independent composer, it’s a sign of hope.
Streaming is wonderful for discovering music. But if you find a piece that touches your heart, consider going one step further — buy it directly.
You’ll get better quality, a deeper connection, and the joy of knowing you’ve kept beautiful music alive for someone else to discover.
Because behind every note of solo piano music or contemporary piano music is a person — and your support is what lets them keep playing.
Call-to-Action:
Visit Gianluca Fronda’s Website today and make a $2 difference. Every purchase helps create more art, more lessons, and more moments of peace for listeners everywhere.