The Music IndustryRecord Labels and Music Publishing

Music Publishing

What does a Music Publisher do?

• Finds new and talented songwriters

• Supports songwriter and composers to develop their skills

• Promote songwriters and composers to musicians/companies that need music for adverts/films/tv

• Issue licenses for the use of original music

• Collect money from the royalty collection agencies for their songwriters/composers

Music Publishing

Songwriter or composer writes

original music and copyrights it

Songwriter signs contract with music

publishing company

Music Publishing company sells the song

to an artist or record label or film maker

The music publisher registers the song with

royalty collection agencies so that the songwriter gets paid every time the song is

used

Music publishing companies promote the song to lots of different companies to maximize

the money made

The publishing company

normally takes 50% of the money

made and the songwriter gets

50%

Self - Publishing

Songwriters do not have to register with a music publishing company. If they copyright their song properly then they also own the publishing rights. If an artist does not have a contract with a publishing company they are said to self-publish.

The songwriter then promotes and sells their song themselves.

What does a Record Label do?

• Record and produce songs

• Scout for new artists and talent to perform

• Sign artists to perform songs

• Promote artists and records

• Collect performance royalty payments each time their recorded songs are used on the radio, tv, film etc

Record Labels

A&R person at the record label scouts

for new talent (performers)

Record label offers contract to

performer to sign to their label

Record label helps the artist to record and produce the track

Record label promotes artist and track

Record label collects payments every time the

track is played

Record label pays the artist either a

set fee or a percentage of the money collected (often less than

10%)

What are the advantages of signing to a major record label?1. They have lots of success and experience at recording and

promoting artists.

2. They are able to spend lots of money on promotion.

3. They have talented and experienced staff work for them.

4. They have lots of connections.

5. They have good reputations

6. They can offer support to the artist.

What are the disadvantages of signing to a major record label?1. No creative control for the performer/artist

2. Contracts are not artist friendly

3. Will drop the artist quickly if their music doesn’t sell

4. ‘Small fish in a big pond’ – lots of artists signed to a label all wanting attention

5. Label takes a massive percentage of he money made from the artist performances

What are the advantages of signing to a major publishing company?

• If they have signed you they must like your work – confidence boost!

• They have lots of experience

• They have lots of resources

• They have lots of connections in the industry

• They have money to help promote your work

Answer question 11 on the google form.

What are the advantages of self publishing?

• You have all the control yourself

• You can set the deadlines

• You don’t get rejected

• You can promote your own music in the ways you want to

• You can prioritise yourself

• Social media is a quick way to get noticed

What Have You Learnt?

1. Create a mind map, table or diagram that highlights the advantages and disadvantages for an artists of signing to a major record label.

2. Create a list of advantages of signing a contract with a major publisher for a songwriter/composer.

3. Create a mindmap to show the disadvantages of signing a contract with a major publisher and the advantages of self-publishing.

Exam Style Longer Question

Matt has been writing and producing his own music for some time. Recently he has been in talks with a major publishing company who wish to offer him a major publishing deal.

Discuss the implications of Matt accepting and signing a contract with a major publishing company compared to remaining freelance.

How to answer the question?

1st paragraph – advantages of signing to a major publisher

2nd paragraph – disadvantages of signing to a major publisher

3rd paragraph – advantages of remaining freelance

4th paragraph - disadvantages of remaining freelance

5th paragraph – what you think Matt should do and why.

Good Luck!