How Do Songwriting Splits Work? (Standard Agreements For Songwriters)

[@fireandlife6523]

Just sos you know, I basically use this video every time I do a co-write with someone new-to-me to recommend doing an even split: thank you for making this video!! What a great tool!!

[@OfficialFCMusic]

We're so glad you found this useful! Stay tuned for future videos to help with your songwriting!

[@Ston247]

But what if nobody else is writing anything, yet they feel they should get an even share ?

[@therealpolobrothers]

Thank you for the advice ! Most hiphop producers start off with making music with their friends so it makes sense to use the split even strategy. I find it super efficient too because its a quick way to deal with the business and allows more time to focus on the song

[@OfficialFCMusic]

Glad you enjoyed our video and found it useful! Be sure to subscribe and follow along for more industry advice to come! : )

[@bassemghabrous2400]

Finally a valuable channel with useful videos, thanks!

[@OfficialFCMusic]

Glad to hear that! Thanks Bassem!

[@foto21]

I'm a songwriter. Sorry, but I write so much I don't need to worry about whether someone will write with me. I do have musicians play on my songs however, and yeah, if I want to give them a share of publishing, that should be stated up front, or just pay them to play for a session, I suppose, but then, they may feel cheated that way. The issue is whether you can pay a session musician points of publishing without them using that as a lever to claim they co-wrote when they didn't even though they may play a key lead or drum part that gives the song a distinct character. This is the area where many of these debates go astray because writing words, riffs and arrangements is MOST of the songwriting, however, the character of performances is also SORT OF like songwriting, but in no way should it be construed as critical as writing the lyrics, riffs, and possibly arrangements.

[@MadaAtoms]

How does the publishing work with producers share do they get BMI or publishing side?

[@TheHarmonicaBarge]

Hey , great video thanks very much! Could I ask, if the spilt is equal and the band breaks up- who gets to continue playing the songs?

[@allisononyoutube5794]

I'd suggest splitting the groups split equally. If there is a thief among the band members, get an attorney to help fairly split the rights. 😊

[@GlamChat]

how do you suggest one deal with help with situation were you got help with adlibs or background vocals, even though all of the verse and chorus were wrote by the artis

[@OfficialFCMusic]

You can create a work for hire agreement with the contracted performers and pay them up front rather than from a percentage of the song.

[@CliffConway]

I'm a little confused and was wondering if anyone can help me. If a song is created by a band trio, do all three members of the band sign up with ASCAP or BMI? Or should all three members have their own publishing company? For example, my band has three independently released albums in the last decade, but they're all registered under the singer's publishing company he made up called Resonant Music. I never questioned it as I told him it was ok to put under his since I didn't have one and wasn't sure how it worked. Is there anything wrong in this situation? Should all three of us (drummer and bassist as well) have created our own "publishing companies" and also registered the same songs under ours? Or should we all just use the one company "Resonant Music"? Does it allow you to split up between multiple people even if you use one single company name on ASCAP or BMI? All of our releases are through Tunecore which pays to one account anyway which we all share. So far our band has made very little in streams or sales so there hasn't been any kind of issue at all. Please someone help me with this if you happen to know this type of situation! Thank you for your time!

[@icadrums]

Thanks for the information! :)

[@jubaszn]

Thank you

[@OfficialFCMusic]

Our pleasure!

[@Tubulous123]

Thank you!

[@adamkovacs2763]

I can't understand how nowadays one song has 4-5-6 writers and producers...i mean all the egos in the pool... just getting over any frustration... i bet a lot of relationships went south because of that... :D

[@foto21]

And the songs aren't any better, in fact, generally they are worse.

[@jimmiychinngey2944]

im hoping this question will be answered. after the split sheet is signed do you have to submit the forum or send it to some sort of facility? if so to who or where do you send?

[@OfficialFCMusic]

You just need to have a written agreement and that can be as simple as an email. You just want some kind of written acknowledgment of what the split on the song is.

[@jimmiychinngey2944]

@@OfficialFCMusic thank you so much for this information, your response means alot to me. i have one more question if you dont mind answering. the artist ive been collaborating with has been receiving 100% of the compensation from our project and he is too lazy to go through these steps for the split check. when i get him to sign one i created, will he also need a PRO for a valid submission or can i still include his percentage but only include my PRO for my portion? thank you for your time :')

[@SKYSTAR26]

Nicee work keep it up