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Getting an artist cut, even with great songs, is extremely difficult, with very low odds of success. Remember, the artists have a stable of established writers and it’s a pretty closed part of the business. I don’t want to burst your bubble if this is your life dream but that’s reality. My personal opinion, FWIW, is you’d be better off pitching these songs for Film/TV, through music libraries that place vocal songs. To that end, keep the lyrics fairly universal- no specific names, dates, places, etc., focusing on common emotions and themes.
Solo jazz piano done well are marketable. There are scenes that take place in a hotel or cocktail lounge which need these tracks. Can be good source music material. I would research libraries and check out what they show on their website. Google is your friend as well as signing up here, even if for a day, to read up on some libraries.
If you know what library placed it, I would start by contacting them.
Given all the intellectual property theft that goes on in China, I don’t think I’d sign any music to libraries there.
Anyone?
When you say “Covid” songs do you mean specifically about Covid (e.g. Covid, pandemic, lock down, virus, etc.)… I don’t *think* that would be in much demand. I do think there is still some demand for universal upbeat songs about getting through bad times, surviving the worst, making it through together, etc. If universal, they can be used for getting through the pandemic, relationship problems, etc. As far as which libraries, I would think any of the ones that do vocal songs for sync like Cru. Upbeat and anthemic songs of survival could be pitched tons of places. HTH.
They like to play games with our minds as far as cue sheet counts. 😉
I’ve gotten a few library deals from their listings. As with anything, you have to look a each potential deal on its own merits. I’ve turned a number of them down because I didn’t think it was worth it. I don’t respond anymore to any indie film listings that say “low budget” as I don’t think it’s worth my time and money.
Just create multiple free tunesat accounts. The price is too expensive for me, as I am only 2 1/2 years in.
I have to strongly disagree with that. It is theft and total disrespect for their business. As composers, we certainly don’t want others to skirt the rules to pay us less for our music. We should treat others and we want to be treated ourselves. It’s also a violation of Tunesat’s terms of service which could get you permanently banned. Regardless, think of the morals and ethics.
For the overwhelming majority of us, paying for a Tunesat account doesn’t make sense as the cost would far outweigh any benefit. You’d have to have a MEGA-HUGE catalog out there to make it worthwhile. I use the free 50 track account just for the fun of getting a heads up on some tracks being used.
Davey
HGTV is a Scripps channel. You won’t see any PRO money in most cases. 🙁Congrats Davey! 😀
So many variables as to who will have good quarters (or years) vs. not so good. What type of music, what libraries, what shows placed on, what channels, what time of day the broadcasts were, vocal vs instrumental (BMI), featured or background, a lot of reruns in this quarter, and so on. A major network placement can give you a big bump one quarter but never rerun on that major network so the big stuff from it is short lived. But a placement on MTV’s Catfish or The (ugggh!) Kardashians on cable will pay for years and years as they rerun the crap out of those.
All you can do is keep feeding the machine and be patient.Thank you Lee for that explanation! Much appreciated!
Just google “master synchronization license contract”. Lot’s of sample contracts come up.
Congrats & Good Luck!
Music1234
Actually, if you look at the contracts in most cases, there *is* a clause that covers it. I know in SK’s contract there is something that covers it. It may not be clear at first but it’s there. What makes it tough is there are libraries that have made me good money with real paying placements and also Scripps placements paying me nothing. Pulling out makes a statement but it cuts off my own nose. I don’t think I’d sign a NEW contract with any library that doesn’t agree not to do non-PRO blankets or at least says they’ll share the blanket fees with composers.