Music Online Resource

Music Online Info

* Music download store - Apple Computer
* Way into Music
* Free Music Downloads
* Free Mp3 Downloads
* Napster
* Download classical sheet music and midi files
* Napster

Tips For Musicians

How many songs should we put on our demo tape?

The industry really rarely likes to see more than three or four songs on a demo tape. It should be three or four of the best songs that you have with the best song first. If you have only one good song, then put that song on the demo.

How do we get our demo to a record company?

While many record companies accept "unsolicited material", sometimes it is necessary to go through a manager or a lawyer that the record company is familiar with. Unsolicited demo tapes can be sent via courier, mail or delivered personally.

How do I copyright a song?

Copyright, in most cases, arises automatically under The Copyright Act in the absence of any formality such as a registration. The song however, must be original, that is, not copied from another copyright protected work.

How much are your rates?

Lawyers' rates vary depending on the service to be performed. Some rates are flat rates on routine matters and some rates are billed at hourly rates. Our rates currently range from 85.00 an hour for a paralegal to 225.00 an hour for the most senior associate.

What is music publishing?

Simply put, music publishing in the business sense, is the exploitation usually by way of licensing rights to musical compositions with a view to making money. In the legal sense, music publishing means issuing copies to the public. Copies may be in the form of a tape, sheet music or records, for example.

How do I find a manager?

Finding a manager can be a difficult task. In most cases, if an Artist has commissionable earnings, a record deal in hand and a publishing agreement, managers often come to the Artist. A manager can be solicited much like a publisher or a record company. Often managers find artists and not the other way around.

One of our band members has left the group. Can we still use the songs we wrote together? Can we still use the band name?

Both of these are complex legal questions and skilled legal advice should be obtained. Under The Copyright Act in Canada, the general rule is that the songs that were co-written cannot be exploited without consent of the other co-writer, so if there is a dispute as to exploiting the songs, it may be difficult to use the songs that were co-written. Use of the band name triggers a complex trademark issue and skilled legal advice should be sought.