3 Ways Direct Downloads Support Your Favorite Artist

The Music You Love Deserves More Than Pennies

Picture this.
You’re sitting in your living room, a cup of tea in your hands.
A soft piano melody begins to play — each note feels like it’s speaking directly to your heart.

Now imagine this:
That same musician you’re listening to… earns less than $0.0003 for that song you just streamed.

It’s not a typo.
That’s way less than a tenth of a cent per play.

To make just $100, they’d need more than 300,000 streams.
And yet, a direct download from you — just $1.99 or $2.50 — can mean so much more.

This is why direct downloads matter.
When you buy music straight from a musician’s own website, or even from platforms like Amazon Music or Apple Music, you’re making a difference that streaming alone simply can’t match.

Here are 3 powerful reasons why your direct purchase is more than just a transaction — it’s a lifeline.

 

1. Your Money Goes Straight to the Artist

Streaming services are like giant cities.
Lots of people, lots of music, but the rent is high and the artists get only a small share.

Here’s what really happens:

  • Streaming (Spotify, etc.): $0.0001–$0.0003 per play 
  • Direct Website Sale: Artist keeps 85–95% of the price 
  • Amazon/Apple Purchase: Artist earns far more than a stream 

If you buy a $2 track directly from the artist’s website, most of that $2 stays in their pocket.
That money could cover piano tuning, music production costs, the electricity bill that keeps their studio running or it could even become the main source of income! 

Think about it — would you rather your $2 go toward an artist’s next piece of solo piano music or vanish into a big company’s pocket?

 

Real-Life Impact

A musician can use one $2 purchase to:

  • Pay for a new set of strings in their piano 
  • Cover part of a studio recording session 
  • Buy sheet music for their next project 

One sale might seem small, but for an independent artist, it’s a direct, meaningful boost.

 

Question for you:
If you knew your $2 could keep your favorite music alive, would you still just stream it for free?

 

2. You Help Create More of the Music You Love

Every beautiful track you hear takes work — and money.
It’s not just about sitting at a piano and playing.

Creating contemporary piano music means:

  • Hours of composing and experimenting 
  • Professional recording sessions (costing $50–$200/hour) 
  • Editing, mixing, and mastering the sound 
  • Distributing the music online 

Streaming income rarely covers these costs.
But a steady stream of direct purchases? That can fund entire albums.

When you buy directly, you’re saying:

“I want more of this. Please keep creating!”

 

A Story Worth Sharing

Some artists cut corners.
They record covers of famous songs without paying the original composers for the license.
It’s illegal — but it makes them money.

Others, like Gianluca Fronda, choose the honest road.
They create original, heartfelt works and play by the rules.
It’s a harder path… but it’s one that preserves the purity of the music you love.

Your direct purchase tells them you value that integrity.

 

Question for you:
Wouldn’t you want the artist who moves your soul to have the freedom to keep creating without compromise?

 

3. You Keep the Artform Alive for Future Generations

Piano music is more than sound.
It’s tradition.
It’s storytelling.
It’s emotional healing.

When children grow up hearing emotional piano music, they experience:

  • Better concentration while studying 
  • Reduced stress and anxiety 
  • Inspiration to learn and create themselves 

A 2023 study found that listening to piano music for just 20 minutes can lower stress levels by 14%.
Now imagine a world without it.

If independent artists can’t survive from their music, fewer will choose music as a career.
That means fewer concerts, fewer recordings, fewer moments when music brings people together.

Your $2 purchase isn’t just a download — it’s a vote for the kind of world you want in 10, 20, or even 50 years.

Small Actions, Big Difference

  • One direct download = A better payday than hundreds of streams 
  • Twenty downloads = Enough to cover a recording session hour 
  • A hundred downloads = Funding for an entire music project 

It’s proof that small acts of support add up to something powerful.

 

Why Solo and Contemporary Piano Music Matter

Piano music is timeless.
From a gentle lullaby to an inspiring melody, it can change a mood in seconds.

Benefits of listening or learning piano include:

  • Joy and creativity — especially for kids 
  • Peace and focus — perfect for studying or working 
  • Emotional connection — it can heal, inspire, and bring back cherished memories 

If you’re just starting your musical journey, exploring piano tutorials, or searching for beginner piano tips, supporting artists directly ensures these resources and performances will still be here for you in the future.

 

How to Support an Artist You Love Today

  1. Buy directly from their website – The biggest share goes to them. 
  2. Purchase on Amazon Music Amazon Music Artist Page 
  3. Purchase on Apple Music Apple Music Artist Page 
  4. Stream and share – Exposure helps, even if streaming pays less. 
  5. Watch and subscribe on YouTube 

 

A Final Note from the Heart

Every song you love exists because someone believed it was worth creating — even if it wasn’t the easiest path.

Direct downloads are more than sales.
They’re thank-you notes.
They’re encouragement.
They’re the reason an artist sits down at the piano again, ready to pour their heart into the keys.

Next time you hear a melody that makes you pause and close your eyes, remember:
Your small act of support could be the reason the next one exists.

Discover more by Gianluca Fronda and join the movement to keep solo piano music alive.

© 2025 Gianluca Fronda — All Rights Reserved