T
ThreeDogg
New member
Hi.
I usually don't post here (main read), but I feel that I have something constructive to add to this. When I'm not at my day job (video editor) I'm at home writing music intended for sale. So far, I've had fair to good luck with it, although I'm not quite at the point where I can quit my day job (I wouldnt , anyway). I guess you have to decide what you want to happen with your music. Are you writing instrumentals, show tunes, movie scores, etc.? This can really make a difference.
I gave up long ago on trying to be a rock star or the next Hans Zimmer and decided to take the next best approach, which for me was "working" music or production buyout music. You don't have to sacrafice any artistic integrity and you can write in ANY style that you prefer. But, I found the best way to get noticed/listened to was to not rely on some faceless "music promotion" company and wasting money at it, but to actually get off my ass and do some legwork.
I immediately had results and found people receptive to my music. I started by going right to video production houses and offereing my music to them for reasonable/competitive rates. I found that I didn't need to spend thousands of $$ get CD pressed, etc., but that I could simply hand over a well produced/mastered CD of my work. Video houses are ALWAYS looking for cool music and as an editor, I can tell you that it sucks to spend $40 - 80 bucks for a production music CD from someone like Gene Michael Productions (although, they are one, if not the best provider, whom I've actually written music for) and only use one or two of the songs on the CD. The great thing about shopping production music is that you DON'T lose any copyrights when you sell it, because it's actually a non-exclusive mechanical license agreement, which allows you to resell that song to as mant people as you can (always get a written agreement state this, or you could get screwed)!
Also, you HAVE to network!!! Join the MCA-I and GO to the meetings. Schmooze, give out biz cards, sample CD"s, etc. This can only HELP you! You'll find that you have an open market with people ready to use your services, and you'll make lasting connections with folks who could potentially bring businesss to you. It looks liike my hard work might have paid off. I have just recently finalized an argeement with the makers/distributers of the TAEBO series of workout videos to deliver as many songs to them as I can per week, all under a non-exclusive mechanical license agreement, which means that I still own and can use the songs for other things (with the help of an entertainment lawyer, of course). This deal has increased my income by a large amount.
Anyway, what I'm getting at is; you don't need to use someone else's scheme that "might" get you noticed. Try getting out there and doing some real legwork. And for those who can afford one, an agent might really help, too. But if you find yourself in a position that could open up your music making career, always get an entertainment lawyer to look over and explain to you- in plain english- the exact meaning of ANY contract/agreemnet you might be required to sign. Always protect you rights. Even if you don't make a million bucks at it, it can be a lot of fun- it you allow it to be AND stay fun.
Later,
ThreeDogg
I usually don't post here (main read), but I feel that I have something constructive to add to this. When I'm not at my day job (video editor) I'm at home writing music intended for sale. So far, I've had fair to good luck with it, although I'm not quite at the point where I can quit my day job (I wouldnt , anyway). I guess you have to decide what you want to happen with your music. Are you writing instrumentals, show tunes, movie scores, etc.? This can really make a difference.
I gave up long ago on trying to be a rock star or the next Hans Zimmer and decided to take the next best approach, which for me was "working" music or production buyout music. You don't have to sacrafice any artistic integrity and you can write in ANY style that you prefer. But, I found the best way to get noticed/listened to was to not rely on some faceless "music promotion" company and wasting money at it, but to actually get off my ass and do some legwork.
I immediately had results and found people receptive to my music. I started by going right to video production houses and offereing my music to them for reasonable/competitive rates. I found that I didn't need to spend thousands of $$ get CD pressed, etc., but that I could simply hand over a well produced/mastered CD of my work. Video houses are ALWAYS looking for cool music and as an editor, I can tell you that it sucks to spend $40 - 80 bucks for a production music CD from someone like Gene Michael Productions (although, they are one, if not the best provider, whom I've actually written music for) and only use one or two of the songs on the CD. The great thing about shopping production music is that you DON'T lose any copyrights when you sell it, because it's actually a non-exclusive mechanical license agreement, which allows you to resell that song to as mant people as you can (always get a written agreement state this, or you could get screwed)!
Also, you HAVE to network!!! Join the MCA-I and GO to the meetings. Schmooze, give out biz cards, sample CD"s, etc. This can only HELP you! You'll find that you have an open market with people ready to use your services, and you'll make lasting connections with folks who could potentially bring businesss to you. It looks liike my hard work might have paid off. I have just recently finalized an argeement with the makers/distributers of the TAEBO series of workout videos to deliver as many songs to them as I can per week, all under a non-exclusive mechanical license agreement, which means that I still own and can use the songs for other things (with the help of an entertainment lawyer, of course). This deal has increased my income by a large amount.
Anyway, what I'm getting at is; you don't need to use someone else's scheme that "might" get you noticed. Try getting out there and doing some real legwork. And for those who can afford one, an agent might really help, too. But if you find yourself in a position that could open up your music making career, always get an entertainment lawyer to look over and explain to you- in plain english- the exact meaning of ANY contract/agreemnet you might be required to sign. Always protect you rights. Even if you don't make a million bucks at it, it can be a lot of fun- it you allow it to be AND stay fun.
Later,
ThreeDogg