Why Record Labels STILL Suck!

Here is my take on the current state of music business.
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[@AdamNeely]

I have to bend over backwards with ridiculous production tricks (pitching, time stretching) in order to even play 10-second snippets of music on my videos. The algorithm is literally preventing people from learning music.

[@AdamNeely]

Fun fact, UMG has decided they own the monetization for all of my fractal videos, as well as my All Star, but It's the Rite of Spring video. Actually, not fun fact. Fuck them.

[@ziggydeath9397]

Glad to see you pop up here, Adam. Your channel rocks as well! Bummer on the other stuff for both Rick and you.

[@VinnyLePes]

Adam Neely Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't you both be protected under fair use?

[@HazeAnderson]

Yes, how is not Fair Use not protecting us all here?

[@DCeeMusik]

You're damn right! Luckily, I had family that listened to jazz and taught me about the greats. These days, not so much. The one outlet everybody goes to for information is being blocked because the music industry don't understand that free promotion can help bring record sales. Idiots!

[@demondik]

I watched a guitar lesson video with Dave Mustaine that he had done for some guitar magazine and he was trying to explain and show a certain technique he used on the song "Wake up Dead" but due to copyright issues he said he couldn't play the actual riff on the video! This is from the guy that wrote the frickin riff in the first place! LOL Yeah, they do suck!

[@erpaloinen]

In that video he had two examples: Wake up dead by Megadeth, and Ride the lightning by Metallica. He wouldn't play the Metallica song.

[@srrings]

i think its time for Ourtube

[@danilobatista1329]

@@srrings ah ah! Best comment, yes mate OURTUBE!!! Someone out there who has IT skills please start it!

[@taotuhao5969]

@@danilobatista1329 If someone did start it, no one would go to it. People are too set in their ways. If I Ourtube survived it might take 10 years to have enough content to appease the masses and by then it would be sued out of business. These companies are the #1 reason why people download illicit music.

[@srrings]

@@danilobatista1329 yes it would be great Ourtube and it already has a ring to it....youtube is ran by nothing but profit and sponsors and it is a natural progression for most any company even Ourtube in the end ;)

[@RickBeato]

One thing that will help is to share this video and Adam's on Reddit r/videos, up vote and comment. UMG and KZbin are not going to do anything if our videos don't have some serious views. If enough KZbinrs complain and there are some real view counts behind it, there is a story to write about. You tubers with a lot of subscribers and content do you have power but not nearly as much is a good story in the press. My son Dylan's first and second perfect pitch videos each had articles written about them on BuzzFeed because the first one had 22 million and the second 13 million views all within four weeks on Facebook. That's the only way to get anyone's attention.

[@JesusArmasOficial]

Rick Beato Hi Rick, hope you're great! According to your video, what do you think about services like CD BABY! I probably guess that you know what it is, and of course, you know even more than I do about the subject! And yeah, Record Labels sucks!

[@Korento]

I think it would be more efficient if you’d share them yourselves(perhaps separate from Adam’s) and then give us a link to upvote(containing a link to Adam’s post). Backing you. This is ridiculous.

[@SRSOS]

Bro, all someone has do is put up something, anything. Here's an instance: A guy puts up public domain NASA sounds and images. I then copy the video and repost it to YT. He then files a copyright claim against me for "stealing" his video. KZbin then prima facie honors his claim. THAT is what is wrong here. And it happens all the time.

[@SRSOS]

@Texas Chainsaw Jesus Agree. Personally, I like West Coast Jazz. East Coast Jazz makes me feel nervous for some reason.

[@numanuma20]

This sucks.

[@dawoudkringle7423]

In the late 90s, I was offered a record deal by a label who will remain nameless. They wanted 100% of the publishing of my entire catalog past, present, and future, complete control of the recording, and I'd have pretty much no say in anything. My royalty would be $0.17 per CD sold at retail. The advance was to be $150k; but the recoupable was ONLY coming from the artist's royalty. I'd have had to sell over 889,000 CDs before I saw a profit of 17 cents! Needless to say I didn't sign it. I make my own CDs (and sometimes manage to sell a few) for about $1.40 each, and sell them for $10 (cash, usually) at my shows. And I keep 100% of my publishing.

[@V4Now]

A hard road but you made the right choice for you.

[@dawoudkringle7423]

@@V4Now No regrets!

[@Kramden429]

I'll bet it was that greedmonger Capitol.

[@GodsUnrulyFriends]

@@Kramden429 After some investigation, I found sufficient cause to suspect that they were connected to an Italian American subculture whom it would be prudent not to become involved with.

[@robertturtle]

"You agree to sell us your soul and that of your male children up to the 7th generation". It was in the fine prints, did you read that?

[@Cambodia69]

UMG is the Monsanto of the music industry.

[@rob1248996]

I wish I had thought of that term first!!!!

[@EmiTheLoomistar]

more like EA amirite? no no wait, more like Nestle xdxdxdLOLOLOLOLLlllllllllo

[@ripoffscoots8159]

Except Monsanto actually does some good things as well

[@rob1248996]

@@EmiTheLoomistar You're way over my head.

[@rob1248996]

@@ripoffscoots8159 You're right I forgot about Fritos and Betty Crocker cake mix when they're not making poison gas.

[@Lamo2100]

Hey Rick I actually WENT OUT and bought Mccoy Tyner's album from a record store on vinyl because of that video you made.

[@ZacGibsonMusic]

Good call. That album rules

[@noi5emaker]

You are what is right with the world, Jay!

[@WINTERGRIFT]

Universal can go suck a fat one tbh

[@alessandroarcuri209]

In retrospect, you should have dowloaded it! :-D

[@davemorriscucamonga3038]

@ Justin But the question is, "Was it new or used?" New? Good job. Used? Only the store profited, the artist made nothing and you're actually part of the problem. Re-sellers and Napster killed the industry. Labels/artists get paid on the first sale only. Stealing, errr , I mean sharing a file/record/CD means only one sale was made... The first one.

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Amen, love you Rick!! Great video. We need more smart dudes like you on the internet :)

[@jaydenhoward8670]

David DiMuzio I love your music how do I work to be successful without a label ?

[@donthatethetruthisbait1433]

and in the world!

[@psychowsky]

I can relate! I left SoundCloud when they were continuously taking down one of my own tracks, as soon as I uploaded it, claiming that it was from another artist. As for UMG the latest news about the destruction of their "vault", a slum that didn't even have the most basic fire protection, shows how much they respect their own artists.

[@digitalcomplexity]

Umg owns SoundCloud too

[@psychowsky]

@@digitalcomplexity we re doomed! It's total censorship, like in a dictatorship, and its all about their money!

[@TheOwl22]

You know what, how about we sue UMG?

[@TheOwl22]

In fact I'd say it's about time we make sure UMG is punished for the damage they have done to the music industry since this lawsuit will expose them of 1. Stealing music from independent artists. 2. Lying about several incidents and covering them up. 3. False striking videos that supposedly "had" music that they "owned" even though some of the music they've listed in their strikes were not their music.

[@deadbabiesinvomit]

I bet you they never lost any masters. Don't believe the hype

[@PurpleSixBeats]

File the disputes. It happens, but UMG is the worst, they throw claims on everything. We appreciate Your videos and lessons. :)

[@mgscheue]

Doesn't your channel get whacked if you file too many (as defined by them) losing disputes?

[@PurpleSixBeats]

If You know the content id is right, then ofc You dont file a dispute, but if the content id is wrong, I have always won a dispute.

[@TheShadowblast123]

So he can dispute the "John Coltrane" album... still has 2 correct claims

[@PurpleSixBeats]

2 is better than 3. But if the 2 remaining claims does not share revenue or allow video to be up without limiting audience by location. I would delete the video and be more cautious next time. :) If the revenue is shared or they let to keep up the video but only they earn from monetizing, its still cool in KZbins eyes tho and channel is safe.

[@TheShadowblast123]

I forgot to mention the part where they claim the bit again under the correct album my bad

[@KingMaloneBars]

Labels approach me all the time, and say they want to take 100% of the monetization from my channel in exchange for promotion. LOLLLLLLLLLL

[@Memento_Mori_Music]

Fucking shameless.

[@jockojohn3294]

Yes........but they let you live another day...... :)

[@sbp4215]

"I'll pay you in exposure!"

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

Dont sell out dude

[@allen6924]

They still believe there are suckers out here. Because there are some that would think that's a great deal, until all the money on your "hit" goes right pass your hands into theirs.

[@currencylad7125]

I'm around Rick's age. I've had first hand exposure to the music industry since I was 8 years old through my brother in law (he still manages artists, the poor sod). I even worked in Sony Music's manufacturing plant in the late 90s to early 2000s (just as the industry's business model was beginning to tank). I got to see the know-nothing divas that run these gin joints first hand. So the fact that the music industry sucks (and always has) isn't news to me. But hearing Rick rant about it is just priceless.

[@AllenPendleton]

"WE ARE UMG." They sound like the Borg from Star Trek.

[@rontomkins6727]

lol, I know right? I thought the same thing: They sound like a cult. Or like the Ruler from an Orwellian world. "WE ARE UMG. WE OWN YOU. EXPECT US. FEAR US"

[@monacaravetta]

Resistance is futile

[@AD-Dom]

Bandcamp is a saviour for many of us indie bands. Fair use do not exist to a company named Universal.... Sad.

[@Lucid_Mask]

Agreed. Best site ever!

[@fleshtonegolem]

Bandcamp changed my life!

[@RutgerGrotius]

But nobody really uses bandcamp..

[@guerschonauguste9762]

True!

[@noi5emaker]

Absolutely. I'm on bandcamp and have found some great artists there.

[@codyleggett4636]

This is one of the reasons why if I was an artist I would not want to sell the rights to a record company for a shit load of money: sellout. I believe that the copyrights should be in full control of the artists who make the music.

[@Microtonal_Cats]

I got dropped from Warner Brothers after one record. So I was really tickled when Napster happened.

[@DuncanHarrist]

Yo dude! So cool to see you pop up here. Loved all the books! If you ever feel so inclined, check out "Sad Girl" (song) on my channel here or on Spotify. Thanks for preaching to the Artists.

[@locusmortis]

Napster was pretty much the publics revenge against record companies for years of price gouging.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

@@locusmortis i had just hooked up with cable internet in 1999. There was hardly anyone on it, at first, so I had ridiculous download speeds that were similar to a T3 hookup. I was downloading 100 songs at a time for weeks on end. So yeah...I got my revenge.

[@ofAwxen]

Self-publishing is the future. There are many ways to do it these days.

[@brandink2416]

absolutely true but it will be years before the grip of publishers lets up. It just works too well for too many people aside from artists/writers

[@christopherolivo6787]

Rick, I specifically purchased "The Real McCoy" due your recommendation after watching your video! Without you playing the sample and recommending it I would have never bought the album!

[@JimmerSD]

Fight it Rick. Your videos are educational. Especially the ones that do a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of a composition. Also too many copyright violations can endanger your channel.

[@TheShadowblast123]

That would mean appealing to UMG, not youtube. Neeless to say the only one he can fight is the Oleo one, and then they could manually flag it for the correct version

[@dsnodgrass4843]

The point is, he shouldn't have to fight these things out every time they happen. He's not "stealing" anything from UMG; if anything, he's adding value to their back catalog. They're too hung up on their immediate profit/possession to perceive that; and profit more by merely getting out of the way.

[@Matmus]

You can't fight it that's the problem cos there's no one to arbitrate the decisions.

[@wakeupscreaming9883]

I've heard you can play 6 seconds of a song without infringement? Is that true? i uploaded a 20 minute video of my families vacation in Hawaii to KZbin. One clip is of my sister talking about our day. We happened to be in one of our favourite bars/lounges. The clip is only 19 seconds long. And there HAPPENED to be music being played over the bars sound system while my sister talks -- it's completely background noise. Well the song happened to be a Beach Boys song, which KZbin's algorhythms picked up on and it was flagged. And all of a sudden, for a 20 minute video that I shot completely myself, and edited, this music corporation was now getting any royalties from ad revenue from MY VIDEO. Completely hostile if you ask me. It's not like they bought the camera, followed us around on location, and edited the video together. They did NOTHING. Considering I might get a 100 views on my videos, I don't think it was much. And guess what? They ultimately took my video DOWN, and KZbin gave me a copyright strike. i'm not F-ing joking.

[@orangetoes223]

that's literally insane. we need a few big youtubers to try and move to vimeo or something for the sake of sticking it to youtube.

[@locusmortis]

if everyone moved to vimeo then the labels would go after vimeo big time, it's not just a youtube problem, the labels are full on attacking the concept of Fair Use.

[@ConsumerTeamPete]

Keep fighting the good fight Rick. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate your educational videos as well as your style! I’m not a musician but spent decades connected to the industry when I was working in radio as a DJ, music director, salesman and general manager. You’re helping me ‘connect the dots’ on many issues. Thank you!!

[@atquinn1975]

I regret that I only have one like to give

[@fleshtonegolem]

Your channel is my favorite music related channel on youtube! Keep doing what you are doing, your work is priceless to so many of us!

[@meesterJos]

The music industry is losing money since 1999, by their own fault, by the way. Rick is doing a great job of promoting songs and therefore encourage people to buy the songs. Not only the music industry is shooting itself in the foot (again), but KZbin, with their "protective" algorithms, is currently digging their own grave with moves like this. What are supposed to do, when everything is blocked? Eventually we would go find an alternative, maybe even underground, so to speak. We, the public, have let the big industry (which include Google's KZbin) get away with these annoying practices too long. I've said farewell to TV programs and magazines, newspapers a long time ago. Maybe it is time to wave off KZbin and similar "blocking-content- sites" as well. Blocking video's because of a snippet piece of art is silly.

[@xanderscores6880]

Thank you so much for your great videos - and rants. Every now and then the world needs to hear how those big companies mess up.

[@RedBlaze02]

Yep, $18 for a CD that they often mastered from worn out LP and cassette masters because they wanted the quickest and cheapest way to make the most profit. No care for quality. Ironically, in many cases, they sound better than the ultra-compressed remasters issued later on.

[@SteveBello]

I think it was Jeff Berlin who said the definition of a professional musician is someone who makes money for other people. The music industry is the ONLY industry where you don't/can't make any money. It's very disheartening but when you're passionate and committed to your art, you keep plugging away, record labels be damned.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

What? There are thousands of music artists just in my city making a living off of their art. With the internet you do not need as much money for promotion so most of the middlemen are getting cut out more and more. The 1% of artists that are signed to some label, who cares? it is now possible for anyone with zero budget to be as big as anything from a major label. If you never make it big, you are still way more likely to make a living since all music spending used to go to the few songs that were played on the radio but now people spend more money on music overall and it gets spread out into more hands.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

@@0ooTheMAXXoo0what city are you talking about? Most artists in my city have to work a day job.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

@Steve Bello In 1990, I made 100 - 150 bucks at club gigs. The club owners would say good musicians were an integral part of their club's success. In 2020...thirty years later, I still made 100 - 150 bucks at club gigs. The club owners would say good musicians are entitled, self- important whiners who are afterthoughts to their business.

[@evanjohnson5480]

All one has to do is look at the current state of music to see what the industry has done to it. Sad. Keep doing what your doing Rick. Your great.

[@andrewmcgee1001]

Bravo Rick! Well said..sad, but all too true...thank you so much for all you do...I enjoy your videos and think it's a damn shame the record labels are that ignorant in thinking someone is "getting something over on them".

[@aguitarrman5867]

Rick, I love your channel! I always learn alot! You are sincerely dedicated to the art of music and how it enriches people's lives. Keep it up my friend! You're doing a great job! I really appreciate it!

[@MusiciansOnTheRecord]

Love the 'mic drop moment' at the end Rick! Agreed, the business side is ridiculous, and how many thousands of stories of musicians, (ya know, the people who actually make the music), are there about musicians getting screwed in their contracts by the music business. The movie business and other industries have done a much better job of shifting (& enforcing), out of pirating their products. Thanks for the video!

[@briandietrich1373]

Hello Rick. Thank you for the videos. I sure do greatly appreciate the hard work you put in to helping us. Please keep it up!

[@efa0tz]

Rick you are a modern legend keep doing the good work.

[@DanielSutfin]

Totally agree with you Rick. I've gained a greater appreciation for what goes into good music and how songs are made. Thank you.

[@drinkspecials]

People will never discover this music because of this. Old music is as good as gone. You would think they would appreciate the attention. I've bought music because of the light you show it.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

All the time you are watching user generated content is time / attention / money you would be spending on paid content in the past. The big companies want all user generated content to die. People are spending way more time with user generated content than they do on paid content and that is a serious threat to these big businesses.

[@DaniTorresOfficial]

Mr. Beato, THANK GOD, you are here, amking these videos for the benefit of humanity and us musicians. I learned a lot from you, and processing your book, which is also fantastic. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@donkeyfacekilla1]

Love your channel. thanks for your hard work!

[@leroyjenkins3895]

I can't tell you how many songs I've bought because I've heard them on you tube. Its the greatest advertising outlet in the world and for the artists and labels, its free! Rarely do you tube videos get watched more than once outside of the original artists videos. IMO the labels are being penny wise and dollar foolish.

[@BlindEyeJones]

When Clive Davis, in an interview, said that there is no talent out there (referring to the general public), I knew he was full of it. There are tons of talented people and getting signed is not really about talent. In other words, what they do with you after you get signed can be another horror story altogether. You have no idea how a record company sees you: a tax right off; signed too late so that nothing happens because the budget is spent for the year; signed so that you sit on a shelf because they haven't decided whether they want to get behind you and push your product or not; etc. Basically, the moral of the story is this: the musician has no power. And then, whether the musician is signed or not, he invariably raves at the lying, corrupt, incompetent industry; raves at his cursed fate. So Rick is providing a value service for all the musicians out there to rave at their cruel fate and maybe learn a lesson. My advice is that the odds are better if you buy lottery tickets, because there are two million dollar winners every week with Lotto 649 in Canada. There are no two new Elton Johns or Taylor Swifts coming up every week in the record industry.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

THAT was an EPIC rant!!! And you still do it with love...lol More of these please!

[@jamesmcgathey9085]

Your passion about music shines through!! Thank you!!

[@KitoRodriguez]

Hey Rick! Mambos, a local restaurant/ live music venue here in Glendale, CA (very good live music with integrity) is being forced to not host live music anymore because the PRO's are making them pay exorbitant fees. The same PRO's that dont give real artists the time of day when they need clarification on the pennies we earn. Its so f'ing stupid and frustrating. Why does the industry constantly shoot itself in the foot? Thanks!

[@alfredditomasso5355]

---"Music".---"What a beautiful art,----what a sad profession".---///---(Paganinni)...

[@jasonmeyermusic5639]

Wow !

[@deadbabiesinvomit]

Tis why I love being a punk

[@Myl1ttleworld]

OMG. I try so hard to show this to people. I personally know people way more talented, than what the public is exposed to. Bless you for doing this video, the world needs it bad!!

[@scius327]

LOVE the rage - the rant is right! LOVE the dramatic exit - perfect!

[@sharifalhumaid8537]

Taking down your Jazz video is nonsense! Instead of figuring out how sell music they're taking their aim toward educators spreading awareness and hobbyists with genuine love of music. I am 99% sure your video is taken down by a direct HUMAN complaint. Computer algorithm can detect exact songs (like preset finger prints) not renditions. Otherwise tons of false positives. I fully support your effort to spread awareness about rich content music as the music industry is moving towards selling songs with chord progressions similar to lullabies. It takes lifetime effort to be a best selling musician, and most performers are not not paid fairly in my opinion.

[@Kramden429]

Agreed. But here's a correction: Columbia Records s owned by Sony Music Entertainment, *not* Universal, and Concord Music (which I believe is independent) owns Prestige, a division of Fantasy Records. I always thought Capitol - before EMI collapsed and was rescued by UMG - was *the worst* offender. One example was when they made 45's in the 90's they had that "For Jukeboxes Only" B.S. - and I *do* mean B.S. - printed on the label to trick gullible record buyers into purchasing the cassette single or CD single. I saw right through that, and as long as 45's were still being made, and a song I liked was available that way, I bought them. Simple as that. Speaking of jukeboxes - thanks for the warning. I just got a 1976 Seeburg Sunstar juke restored and the first record I want to play on it is the 1967 hit "The Rain, the Park, and Other Things" by the Cowsills; as it's a stereo machine, I have the reprint of that hit in stereo (along with "Hair" on the B-side) on Polydor Timepieces, which naturally is now owned by UMG (explanation: "The Rain, the Park, and Other Things" was originally released on MGM Records. When the parent Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. was in financial trouble in 1976, the record division was sold to Polydor, Inc., the MGM label was discontinued, and most of the classic MGM hits were reissued on Polydor; Polydor became part of the PolyGram empire in the early 80's, and in the late 90's PolyGram was purchased by Vivendi/Universal). I guess - thanks to UMG's greediness - now I won't be able to post a snippet of my juke playing that Cowsills hit, especially since the stereo effects on it perfectly demonstrate how great the Seeburg sounds. Thanks (sarcastically), UMG. But *real* thanks, Rick, for exposing *the truth!*

[@GMacYo]

Play anything you want now, their utter incompetence burned the only true evidence months ago. Utter fannies that they are.

[@Kramden429]

@@GMacYo I believe you're referring to the fire on the Universal lot where UMG stored the masters of all the labels they own now. *Quite true* - UMG couldn't do anything about said fire, and now we're suffering because of their laziness. Sad.

[@Jamsville]

Who needs record labels when you have KZbin?????? They're just teaching new artists to never sign with a label....

[@jeancarlocarmona6489]

Jamsville Yeah by monetizing your songs on KZbin people could even make more $ rather than in a record label.. .. right? If you know about the topic please correct me. I just come up with it haha

[@Jamsville]

Jean Carlo Carmona exactly, and you're in total control and have a direct connection to your audience. Labels love to make money just for being middlemen now. With the internet you can bypass them

[@mulljacob]

Yup no need for record labels. KZbin has gotten pretty sucky too. There's dtube and Steemit where the listener can directly pay the artist.

[@mulljacob]

But I don't listen to radio stations.. I get your point though. Peace.

[@user-zw7oe4jv3j]

Michael Estrela Unless an artist wants to be Katy Perry radio is not worth it anyway. As Rick already explained in his Parmalee video, only reaching top 20 already costs mountains of money, and that is not mentioning the "politics" of the business. All of that so you reach an audience that mostly doesn't care about who's playing, they'll take what the radio offers. An artist can't make a living like that, it needs an actual loyal following. 10 000 true fans are better than 100 000 that don't really give a damn. After all, to be an artist you need to tour and sell merch, thus the need for a following. But that's another of the labels' big trick, the 360 deal. They don't give a damn about the artist, and radio is just a tool for them to bait naive artists. Getting in radio "honestly" happens, but don't count on it. The honest people are guys like Rick, who work hard to spread music and have a family. Executives work hard to screw artists and feed their luxuries. To do that they need their cookie cutter artists who all have the same opinions and the same songwriters. As Zappa said, modern music is heading towards the bank. If it weren't for guys like Rick they could have already dropped music from its name, cause they sure only care about the industry. Radio is just another tool amidst all that, it's no longer about music, so it's not the best measure for an artist's worth.

[@ralphguzzoactorproducercom4417]

I love your channel. It's great on all levels. Amateurs , pros and those inspired to kick ass through any creative expression! Thank you Rick!

[@andrewrwhitfield]

Awesome Rick!! Love your channel.

[@toothbrush5190]

Labels have been getting progressively worse since the 70's. In the 70's labels would invest time and money looking for long term results. Those days are gone

[@Digmen1]

Rick, well said. You think they'd be thanking you for promoting such old records. Also when I read of how the record companies screwed so many artists in the 60's and 70's it makes me cry. They gave them advances and then took all of their money, and kept the ownership of the songs!

[@flash001USA]

That was probably one of the most informative videos you could have ever put out exposing these people. You're better off doing it by yourself these days and if you got something worth promoting there are a lot of platforms that can make it happen and happen almost for free... I liked the way you ended it and once again, you were spot on man!. Great video!

[@GeorgeGrosman]

Thank you Rick for being a voice of reason - as well as being an awesome teacher, of course (not to mention your guitar chops!) Record companies have probably always sucked but I recall that in early 1978, I was able to secure an interview with someone at Muff Winwood's office at Island Records in London just based on a phone call. Later on, in the early 80's I was able to do the same thing (get a meeting based on one phone call) with a couple of A&R guys in NYC (can't recall the companies' names) and in the late 80's, the A&R person of the Toronto branch of Warner wrote me a personal note suggesting changes to my demo. In other words, things were somewhat less anonymous and de-personalized. Perhaps letters (and polite phone calls) had a bit more impact than emails. What you're describing - basically preventing you from using music as a teaching tool - is criminal. LOVE your channel

[@dentoncrimescene]

A carpenter doesn't get paid every time someone sits on a chair he made, it's ridiculous.

[@jasonschindel1180]

People also don't download his chair and use it for free.

[@metadaat5791]

> People also don't download his chair and use it for free. Not *yet*. But let's imagine in the future 3D-printing gets there and we do. Who do you suppose will strike down upon us with great vengeance, furious anger and legislation? The carpenters ... or IKEA? (btw The Carpenters are owned by UMG)

[@NautilusGuitars]

This is why intellectual property is bullshit. If you can't hold something in your hand, you can't "own" it. What Jason said: "People also don't download his chair and use it for free.", made this point without even intending to. If you can replicate something without affecting the initial source, it's not theft or pirating. With a chair, there's only one physical copy of *that* chair, it cannot be used by multiple people at once, or be in multiple locations. Thus it can be owned. You can make a replica of the chair, but it requires new materials, new work, etc, and the product of that is another individual item that can only be used in one location in one time. The blueprint for the chair is another matter. It can be replicated without any diminishment of resources, and in several places and times, thus it can't be owned. This is the entire point of ownership. It's the same with music. One last thing to address, I know the next argument. "Then what stops people from unfairly using music I wrote?" We live in a day and age where it's easy to keep track of who did what first, and even easier to call people out publicly for misusing things. If you write a song, post it on KZbin for example, and some guy rips your song off and makes money from it, you can prove it, and the public backlash would ruin him. People always look to the gov't for answers and "solutions", but society is entirely capable of dealing with these issues much more effectively and ethically on their own.

[@bguen1234]

Some house framing carpenter, years ago, invented the very popular "california corner", he doesn't get paid every time someone builds a house. Archimedes doesn't get paid every time someone uses a lever. Euclid doesn't get a dollar every time someone uses geometry. By what twisted logic is some huge corporation getting money every time you play a 50 year old song that's built upon all the music theory and songs that came before it?

[@gonepickin990]

@@jasonschindel1180You enjoy the song by listening to the song. You enjoy the chair by sitting in the chair. But my neighbor or me can copy and/or sell the chair and don't owe the seller/manufacturer etc. a frickin dime. 'Hey that's a knockoff of a 1974 late year straight backed kitchen chair with a padded vinyl seat with a vintage crosshatch pattern on a diagonal you have in your garage under all that krapp, you owe us money for that chair! If you sell that chair or enjoy it in any way you owe us more money. If you use it at a family gathering for an additional place to sit, you owe us money. We estimate 12 other people owned that chair before you so they also owe us money.'

[@AVPROJECT1]

Totally agree!!!! I love to learn as much as possible about music...your was an amazing educational video...they have to pay you for that...they are stupid blind managers detached from the reality

[@mattpryokra2245]

I've been watching you for a while.... I love your honesty and advice so.... Subscribed!!

[@ronniedrummerguy1127]

Agreed on all fronts brother! Kudos to you and all you do.

[@ArchdukeOfBelgrade]

I used 9 seconds and they claimed 20 vids. Deleted all them. Disputing is pointless because UMG is making decision. KZbin's fault. They dont care about their creators. Law is protecting You but UMG dont care, YT care even less.

[@jeremygonzal8603]

KZbin doesn't care because once they start caring, they become liable to the big corporations. Either they risk themselves against them big corporations, themselves being one of them by the way, or they can risk themselves going against the small youtube creators. Not much of a choice.

[@kaiyote4717]

What a bunch of goons. They don’t make a lot of friends do they. Love your channel keep it up!!!

[@The5thGen]

You are a breath of fresh air, Rick. I always wanted to make a career in music. Attended Berklee for two years. Decided to not to finish. Got a new career and still would've loved to have a music career.

[@DanJohnson]

Here's an idea Rick, why don't you produce a video as a direct message to the industry which unites yourself Adam Neely, Andrew Huang and other prominent KZbinrs and get all of the subscribers to each channel to comment and share until the companies HAVE to do something. People power can still work when shaming corporations, they fear public humiliation and I can think of no better way to try and set about change.

[@RickBeato]

+Dan Johnson that probably wouldn't do anything but it would be fun!

[@DanJohnson]

Do it! :-)

[@Shadow_Warri0r]

that would be fun

[@NautilusGuitars]

"People power can still work..." Hell, in this day and age, our power to communicate, congregate, and take collective action, is much more than it ever has been. I think there's a chance of bringing constructive attention to this issue through a call to action or a hard hitting documentary/video series. Rick, I just found out about your channel thanks to Adam, and I just subscribed and am looking forward to enjoying your content and seeing what becomes of this situation. I'll stand with you all if the time comes. I've had plenty of my own frustrations with UMG blocking content and have always found it abhorrent.

[@danielrose703]

We have moved into the age of idiocracy.

[@utubehound69]

All part of the deep rot in america Corporate Greed.

[@mace9930]

"....because Brawndo has electrolytes" becomes "because Universal has algorithms"

[@danielrose703]

like out the toilet?

[@mace9930]

The algorithms are retarded because music industry leaders went family style on them one too many times. Plus, the industry people like money.

[@ipsurvivor]

Daniel Rose - yeah, just checked, water coming out of the faucet is blue.

[@hazor777]

Keep PUSHING & producing , Rick - you do a great service to music fans everywhere

[@jahnnyquest]

Superbly delivered...especially the paper toss. Thanks Rick

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Preach it, Rick!

[@paulhenty]

It's worth disputing/appealing. Using excerpts for education clearly falls under the 'Fair Use' exemption. The bots can't detect context, so it needs human review.

[@lloydthehuman6922]

Paul Henty the problem is UMG also still manually demonize videos and the appeals that the videos are fair use all go to them so they often just ignore/reject them

[@JeremyHamaker]

UMG is in charge of deciding whether to honor the fair use challenge... for the piece that UMG just blocked... There really is no actual appeal.

[@un7ucky]

except youtube doesn't bother, they just hand off "human review" to the company making the claim

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

Fair use does not force KZbin to give your video a platform. None of these are legal actions. It is just a company deciding what videos it wants on its own platform. UMG may use copyright as a reason to give as to why a video was taken down but it needs no such reason in order to remove whatever video it wants to.

[@gingernichols8419]

@@0ooTheMAXXoo0 that's very convenient for them. same with twitter and facebook, who was promoted on every single media outlet until they became popular world wide... but now they can claim it's their platform exclusively to control like we're in nazi germany

[@Ninjametal]

This is one of the most prolific posts ever. Great points; all of them. Thanks for sharing your music knowledge, and for doing what you do.

[@MaebyBaby486]

Rick, Spot on. As usual. Love your stuff. I can't really understand everything you talk about (even so, I can't stop watching these) but THIS one I got 100%. :-)

[@HazeAnderson]

4:55 So why take down a video that tells people to go out and buy albums ... that no one buys? Because there is a grand conspiracy to create the largest generation gap the world has ever seen, and any connections to good music for the new generation might prevent that from happening. You are doing GOD's work man, keep it up. :)

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

User generated content is the biggest threat to the big content producers. They would like all user generated content to go away since that is where most of the consumer time is being spent that would otherwise be spent on paid content.

[@ssbsnb1200]

Rick Beato is from the same bloodline as Anthony Bourdain, the Fonz, and Einstein

[@leomignonneau1765]

Wow, where did you get this info from?

[@Bonno460xvr]

I hear ya. Love your channel. As a guitar player I learn a lot from your channel and it’s very educational. Glad to absorb your music knowledge

[@eddieduarte]

Love your work Rick, please keep it up!

[@sbp4215]

One thing that I can't get over... Do these companies not understand that they were _always_ going to be a temporary institution? Throughout human history, different professions have come and gone, only existing for as long as they are needed. But then there are _these_ companies, who artificially extend their life cycle with terrible, anti-competition business practices. They hold on to the fabric of what they're used to - what they already know how to make money off. And instead of liquidating their assets and reinvesting that money in the new standard, they cling desperately on to that fabric until there's nothing left but a few pitiful strands. Everyone started laughing at them long ago, and only pause their laughter to push their claws off when the poor Record Company tries to drag them back. UMG should have died in that fire that destroyed half their Masters.

[@Electric0eye]

These companies are a cancer. No, literally, that's what cancer is. A very short, oversimplified explanation is that cancer happens due to corrupted, harmful cells attempt to preserve their own life at the cost of everything around them, slowly killing the body in which they live just to keep itself alive a little longer. Pretty familiar concept.

[@BigSurJay]

You would have to be either insane or desperate to sign with a major label

[@gomes_freitera]

You are the master man!, thanks for all your great job teaching us this wonder things about music! We in Brazil loves you

[@canindianofficial4790]

Love the Rant. This needs to be heard. More rants please. Thanks for sharing. Much Love.

[@user-tx2si2zp1i]

I like how everyone just takes this information and just agrees on it. Rick is right that labels sucks. But what he is talking about is KZbin problem. Current system on YT is just bad with no doubt about it.

[@cmdrsocks]

I believe that commercial ownership of copyright by any person or corporation OTHER than the original creator IN PERSON should be subject to a $250 per year registration fee after an initial period of 7 years. Original creator should continue to have a life interest in their creation, but it should die with them, after that any extension of the copyright becomes commercial, as above. Any works licensed under Creative Commons or other suitable open distribution model should have a $0 registration fee even if it is also dual licensed for commercial gain (i.e. a work can be used freely by anyone on a non-monitised KZbin video for educational purposes and also streamed on iTunes, etc by the rightsholder for money), which reverts to $250 as soon as the licence changes to a non open model. This would provide a suitable balance between public interest (freely available for education/critisism, etc) and protecting the income earning ability of creators (royalties/licence fees) to encourage further creative effort. The corporate rights holders would have to consider the actual commercial value of the rights in deciding whether a work was worth another $250 fee, I am guessing that as much as 80% of the catalogue of UMG earns less than that per year. The reason UMG got so big is that all those labels that they own went bust and they were able to acquire the trademarks and catalogue for cheap. The reason that the labels went bust is very simple, they failed to develop a business model for monetising back catalogue efficiently, because they were focussed on physical media and broadcast rights exclusively and did not have the imagination to create a new business plan for the internet. Now the big secret that will ensure that UMG itself eventualy goes bust like all the labels that they bought, or will dramatically shrink is this: The vast majority of that enormous back catalogue of music that they own is worth exactly $0, nothing, nada, zip, etc, BECAUSE THE ONLY BUSINESS ASSET WORTH INVESTING IN IS ONE THAT PRODUCES AN INCOME and most of the works that they own DONT and never will in the future, because they don't have an audience. In the meantime, it is obvious that they are practising a business model of creating artificial scarcity, they don't want to monetise Rick's videos, they want them gone so that the only way to get to the music is through a channel that UMG controls, so that they can control the price and convince their shareholders that their business model isn't a big lie. Now the best way to combat UMG is very simply ignore them, don't buy, stream, licence, or even pirate (just think why Microsoft doesn't stamp out pirate copies of Windows - they could ) any of UMG's properties until they grow a public interest licensing model. If you really want to make a difference campaign for limited commecial copyright and fixed fee annual extensions. The music labels, film studios, book publishers, etc wouldn't make less money with the above model, but it would force them to stop hoarding copyright on commercially unproductive works. Who knows maybe they would even stop being a massive bag of dicks. (Disclaimer: this last item cannot be guaranteed by changes to intellectual property law)

[@jjsmith706]

There should be no such thing as saleable copyright, only licensing agreements. That way, companies end up working for the artist. And $250 is way too low for a record company to pay. Any registration fee should be based on ability to distribute (profit-percentage-based, probably).

[@mordentDA]

Rick: Thank You, your educational videos have helped significantly in my own efforts to improve my skills and ear. Please keep up the good work.

[@descargamusicalny]

We appreciate every Thing you do Mr. Beato.

[@channel_3790]

The 99 who dislike this video must have been Universal executives LOL

[@TheOwl22]

Or automated bots.

[@deadbabiesinvomit]

Hahaha! FTS!

[@he1ar1]

recommended in 2019 after the umg fire got in the news

[@teem5945]

Rick, May you live forever Bro. We appreciate your efforts. Learned a lot here.

[@Scarlet_Host_Guitars]

Love your content Rick and your rants! Top stuff \m/

[@DJGodaryD86]

"Don't buy our products please" This message has been brought to you by the music industry.

[@PierreLewin]

I'm a musician and tune writer. I'm totally against copyrights in music. First because it's not protecting the composer, but the one who owns the rights. For instance a starving genious might sell cheap the rights of his music to survive... and the "owner" will get all the profits, even ignoring later the composer's declining health! Second, because that's how an entire parasite business got in the way of real creativity. Just like you are saying Rick: copyrights is a way to control and censure and that's not even a good strategy... Design and fashion don't have copyrights and both are far from dead!

[@cmdrsocks]

Look at what Steve Vai says about this in one of his interviews (you can find it on KZbin): Register your rights in your original work and NEVER SELL your publishing rights. Only licence them on non-exclusive limited term basis, always include a use-it-or-lose-it clasue in your licence if they insist on an exclusive period and NEVER give exclusive licence without guaranteed minimum quaterly payment (do not acept percent of sales only, do not accept annual payment) and never for longer than 5 years at a time. Always reserve the right to self publish at all times, exclusive just means you won't use another third party label or promoter. Be as hard a bastard as the music company execs and lawyers - if your music is good and commercial they will take it on your terms if that is the only way to get it, never give it on theirs.

[@PierreLewin]

cmdrsocks I"m starting my own publishing company right now.

[@cmdrsocks]

Good luck. Seriously, when you look at all they ways you can self publish these days, I am amazed that anyone still takes the rip-off deals that the traditional labels offer.

[@iqi616]

cmdrsocks Great advice.

[@michaelabresch6905]

Creedence

[@TheHitsJustKeepComin]

Love it, Rick! Keep the faith!

[@dangerics]

Good stuff. The problem is also the platforms we share on, KZbin, FB, etc. They block, take down content, close accounts for maybe violations of vague policies and there’s practically no recourse for content creators.

[@okaravan]

Content creators can use their personal web-sites and web-services. Of course it is money, but not that big even for musicians. The more reliable and cheap solution for digital content delivery is decentralised storage protocols like Bittorrent, because all massive data are stored at the user's devices and transfered between them directly, so the cost of server and internet channel bandwidth is radically reduced. But this approach requires from musicians to allow free downloading and payment becomes a separate service, more looking like a donation than payment.

[@monsterovich]

Du Du hast UMG_MK

[@dimitriskorontzis8699]

We have to find the way to make everything by our selves and let the Records labels slowly die

[@TheOwl22]

Do a massive boycott against the record labels.

[@jamesmartin9104]

You are absolutely right, Rick. Keep on truckin! The industry will never kill rock and roll!

[@muttley918]

You’re a gem. You’re passion runs deep.

[@mdtmusic]

The dinosaurs who run these labels still haven't understood the incredible marketing benefits of this whole "internet thing" yet. They don't understand that this is basically a free promotion for their product. If I hear a song sample and I like it from an artist or band I've never heard before I would go out and check out more of this artist and eventually end up buying the music. Nintendo does the same thing with blocking the let's play videos. That's free advertisement for their games but they say it's their intellectual property (which it is) but fail to understand that you most likely sell more copy of a game if people actually talk about it and show samples or game play footage. Same with music. Movie reviewers have the same issues here on youtube. Your videos here Rick should be flagged as "fair use" since it's clearly just for educational purposes.

[@user-zw7oe4jv3j]

mdtmusic Oh they get the internet, they're just greedy beyond our comprehension! The stereotypical "dinosaurs" that were in charge until the 80s took more risks than the new "hip" executives ever did. Don't get me wrong, it has been a dirty biz for a long time, but they managed to make it even worse. We were better off with the dinosaurs than the cool trendy hippies and yuppies

[@seiph80]

wow! they really have a stranglehold on the artists even they made no money on them; I can totally sense your frustration, Rick, and I'm not being sarcastic. It's sad that even for educational purposes they won't give up one iota of their so-called ownership. Believe, your videos have taught me SO much is the reason why I've picked up learning piano on my new keyboard.

[@lordviewer7305]

Your channel is top notch. You indeed educate people about music!

[@InTheLifeOfAnArtist]

Good dramatic paper flying in the end! I see your point Loud and Clear! :)

[@dougp2917]

A "Sound Off" episode with Rick hosting Lucian Grainge (CEO of UMG). Gloves off. I'd be all over that like slobber on a bulldog.

[@RickBeato]

+Doug P Yeah!!

[@WishfulSinful1969]

You should do a comparison on Greta Van Tribute Band and Led Zeppelin.

[@NaCl_AQ]

I bought the 'The Real McCoy' after listening to your video and was looking for the jazz etude album too. Hope something can be done about this, it is a very informative video.

[@dayvid60van]

RIGHT ON ! well said loved your epic finish

[@americanpancakelive]

UMG is evil. Thanks for what you do and thanks for this video.