How much do you really know?

It is very important for musicians to know exactly what it is they are talking about. It can be very easy for record labels to take advantage of recording artists if they don't. With all the confusing legal talk, musicians can sign over all the rights to their songs without even realizing it.

source:http://www.artbywicks.com/contemporary%20art%20figures.htm

Where did these guys come from?!

Most of the greatest bands of rock and roll history appeared out of thin air. My favorite of these great bands, and arguably the best of all time, is the Beatles. They were four young school boys from Liverpool. Three were average teenagers when they formed the band. In just ten short years they changed the way music sounded forever.

Source:http://www.thebeatles.com/#/history

Source:http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/the-beatles

So you really think you're dedicated?

It is common for bands to be very popular and at the same time very broke. They might be riding across the country touring in a beaten down old bus. On average a recording artist might only make $.75 on every record sold. Making it big in the music business takes dedication and most bands to not realize that. It is a business not just a rock and roll concert. The legalities of the industry are very complex and most bands do not understand them. In order to be a rock star, you must first be a business man.

Source: http://ethancramermusic.blogspot.com/2011/09/record-contract-do-you-really-want-one.html

 Source: http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/152/8/8/dedication_to_music_by_wind_blown_wolf.jpg

You've made the great, times to sign the dotted line

Recording contracts can be scary to deal with for inexperienced bands. Mainly this is because contracts are binding. Once you sign you are legally obligated to do whatever the contract states. Record labels will try to make the language very complicated and this can confuse band members. It is very helpful to hire an entertainment lawyer to decode the contract. The lawyer can also help negotiate the terms of the deal. However, ultimately the leverage lies in the record label because they can choose to say "take it or leave it".

Source: http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/recording-contract1.htm

Source: http://ethancramermusic.blogspot.com/2011/09/record-contract-do-you-really-want-one.html

How do record labels work?

I am interested in how new talent is discovered. In my research I found out that record labels have a department called A+R. This stands for artists and repertoire. Their jobs are considered the most glamorous position in the record label. These are the people responsible for finding new talent and signing new artists. They are also responsible for as much as song selection, to choosing the song producers.

Source: http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/record-label1.htm
 Source: http://recorddealmarketing.com/KSL/

Who gets what from recording music?

First to answer this question, I must explain what a royalty is.  A royalty describes the percentage ownership of future revenue from a given product. In the music industry, royalties are not always earned the same way, meaning the way a recording artist earns royalties is different than the way a songwriter/ producer earns royalties. For the most part the recording artists get only a small portion of the royalties unless they are "hugely successful commercially".

Source :http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/music-royalties1.htm

source:http://www.imtglobalinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Recording_Studio.jpg

Synthesis and Plan

Recording music can be a bit pricey. Most small young bands do not have the money needed to record their music. also it can be very hard to sign a record deal with little popularity.

Questions:

• How did famous bands start out/ gain popularity?
• Do a lot of bands sell out to gain popularity?
• Do record labels have complete control over the bands they sign?
• Who has the rights to the music?

What are the expenses of recording music?

Who pays to record music?

Unfortunately for unsigned bands, the expenses of recording music is on them. If a record label releases your album they do not have to pay you back for the recording costs. Some of the costs may be negotiable when singing deals with record labels, which may in fact cover some of the costs. Usually however, the labels say "you record it, well release it" leaving the costs solely up to the band. It is a big risk for an unsigned band to record as the prices of using professional recording instruments can be quite pricey. But young bands serious about making music always find a way to over come this challenge.

So if for the most part the bands are paying to record the music, who has the rights to the songs?

Source: http://musicians.about.com/od/beingamusician/f/recordingcosts.htm

Source:http://frank.itlab.us/photo_essays/wrapper.php?may_06_2011_b_a_wunc.html

What are the expenses of recording music?

Right now I know almost nothing about the recording process. I am interested in learning about this because I am crazily passionate about music. I would love to learn about how the ideas that become songs go from the minds of the songwriters to the headphones in my ears.