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split sheet question
 Moderated by: Troy33, SundownSam, RainyDayMan, Dennis Railey
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 Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 08:49 pm
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fxcraig
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I have interest form a producer on one of my songs...He wants to contribute with some revisions in the lyrics..which I'm ok with for the most part. He wants me to sign an 85%-15% split...and hE will also absorb 15 % of the production cost(s).

Is this typical?

Please advise.

JC



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 Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 11:02 pm
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fxcraig
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is anybody in here? does anyone know what is typical for songwriter split from a producer who wants to change up lyrics and pick up part of production for his contribution. Anyone?



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 Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 11:07 pm
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Dennis Railey
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 I don't have a clue... what are his plans for the song after it's recorded?  Are you paying 85% of the production?  If so I'd forget it and move on.



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 Posted: Tue Jul 27th, 2010 11:25 pm
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He is going to place in his catalog for publishers and artists that he knows in the business.  I was just trying to see what the standard was. Yeah, I think I would have to pick up 85% of the production costs. I am thinking maybe if he really thinks the song is good that he can pick up 100% of the production for 15% of the song.

I am just getting started so I definitely do not want to blow an opportunity, but do not want to get scammed either. Any other help or advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JC



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 Posted: Wed Jul 28th, 2010 01:33 am
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Troy33
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If this producer is involved with the studio and has any gains from you spending money, be careful! Many industries like music and modeling and acting have businesses that need to make a profit. They need customers and will tell inspired artists anything. What better way to get customers in a studio. They tell artists their dreams are just about to come true..... but........... all they need to do is spend on this... and then that .... and if they borrow grandma's money... on this. 

Bottom line is: If someone really has power and conections, they will pay your way and not ask for anything but you signing a contract giving them a standard percentage for their efforts if success is found.

-Troy 



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 Posted: Wed Jul 28th, 2010 12:57 pm
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Thank you Troy...I don't mind some of the subtle changes he made to the song..but some of them totally take away from the song...I was thinking that I should register song as is..and if he wants to produce with his lyric revisions as a second version of the song I might be willing to split 85-15 but he absorbs 100% of the production costs. Do you think that would be the way to go here?



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 Posted: Wed Jul 28th, 2010 11:56 pm
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Troy33
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I'm sorry, but I honestly don't have enough knowledge of such contracts/agreements to advise you. I don't want to pretend to and steer you in the wrong direction. All I can say is take your time, keep researching online and be careful. I hope you find a good resource out there to guide you in these matters.

I wish you the best of luck with your song.

-Troy



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 Posted: Thu Aug 19th, 2010 02:54 pm
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James Ryce
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I'm not sure what to suggest either in this case as I know nothing of the legal way of doing things.  But, as mentioned, check in to things such as, if he is willing to pick up 15% of the cost for production, but he is also the guy making the money from the production (in other words, the studio), all he is doing is basically giving you a 15% discount while at the same time, getting a small part of your pie, which to be honest and from what a lot of us learn, ain't going to be much or anything at all.

Here is the thing I would suggest if your new to all this song writing stuff.  Don't go paying big money to have your song(s) produced until you are sure they are at least worth doing so.  And even then, you need to be ready to accept the fact that after you spent a lot of money to have some songs produced, all you have to show for it in the end is some (hopefully) well recorded demos of songs you have written.  Unless, of course, you did manage to get a song picked up, but there are millions of songs out there.

Take your song, post the lyrics and if you can do a simple recording of guitar and vocal (or more if you are able) and post to forums like here.  Then, once you have gotten some responses on what people think and maybe some suggestions as to what to change, if you want to pay to have it recorded then do so.

When you say that this guys changes take away from the song, maybe they do, maybe they don't.  When others start adding or taking away from your song, you have to be able to step back and re-think your song.  I've left many lines I thought were great out of a song because of suggestions.  I've also kept some and ignored the suggestions.

Don't be taken by the sharks out there.  Check your song structure and lyrics with folks like here first.  And don't worry about people stealing your lyrics.  There are tons of great great writers out there to steal from before they get to us little folks.

Hope this helps in some way, James.



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