This article was originally published in issue 14 of Computer Music magazine. Some sites and technologies have changed since this feature was published - prices for Webby things are generally lower now, and most record companies are selling digital music.

Getting your music heard has always been a frustrating process, and it seems to be harder than ever for artists to attract new audiences. Record companies only sign a few artists each year and, now they've all merged and sacked half their staff, A&R departments are playing it safe. Radio stations avoid new music, preferring "golden oldies", while your local Radio Fab FM isn't interested in anything other than B*Witched and boy bands. No wonder many musicians are turning to the Internet instead.

On the face of it, the Internet is the answer to every musician's prayers. With an estimated 10 million users in the UK alone, forward-thinking musicians can put their music in front of a global audience. You don't even need to be an expert - every day, we get press releases from new sites that offer to showcase your music for free. Some of them will even make and sell CDs on your behalf, taking care of everything from taking payments to shipping your music to your customers.

Unsigned musician "Mr Jones" has put his music on the Internet (http://www.gototheend.com) in the firm belief that it's the way forward. "There is no-one between you and your potential audience, no waiting around for phone calls or the postman once the demos have been sent out, no A&R telling you guitar groups are out, no manager telling you the Boston gig is cancelled", he explains. "I control my work, how I present it and how it's distributed; I put my trust in myself, not in someone who wants me to smile for the cameras, dress in a spacesuit for the video or make the songs more upbeat for the 'pop' market".

London band Stargirl has sold more than 4,000 CDs over the Internet, and the band's Web site (http://www.stargirl.co.uk) gives visitors the ability to buy CDs by credit card. Guitarist Seb Lee-Delisle also uses the Internet as a source of information. "There's so much on the Internet that will meet even your most specialist needs. For example, when I first got a new AKAI S3000 sampler, I checked the AKAI official and unofficial sites. I joined an email chat forum and found many people there who were willing to help me out".

There are plenty of useful sites for musicians. You'll be familiar with Computer Music's site (http://www.computermusic.co.uk) already, and Samplenet (http://www.samplenet.co.uk) is a good source of quality samples. Getsigned.com (http://www.getsigned.com) features useful information on DIY recording and promotion, while the National Band Register (http://www.bandreg.com) can help you choose a name that won't get you sued. Most music hardware and software manufacturers have their own sites with busy forums, and users can share hints and tips from all over the world. As Seb from Stargirl notes, "It doesn't matter whether you're into samplers, guitars, drums, singing, programming, synths or hand percussion, you'll find websites and chat forums that can help you".

Part 2: promotion