Quote:
Originally posted by Sofa King
Ok let me make my original question somewhat clearer.
In my personal production history I’m always trying to decide myself and or negotiate with the artists, what is covered under my production fee, and when I should be credited as an author.
The typical bands I work with are high level Indies looking to be picked up by the majors. They’re usually in need of a musical over haul, so the preproduction period is pretty invasive and lengthy.
As a producer, I feel my job is to point out specifically where I feel the problems lie within a song or performance, and then I make general suggestions how to solve those problems.
Leaving to solution to the artist.
My belief is, when I start making specific solutions, singing melodies or changing chords, that is composition, not production.
Hopefully that clears up my post a little
Take care, |
Okay, got ya. I'm not a songwriter, but my wife is and does that for a living, so I hear the frusterations and what not....
and I believe there should definately be an etiquette.
Like you said, as far as producing, the role should be to point out things that should be worked on, but not to actually make them yourself (from a song perspective), unless BOTH PARTIES ARE VERY VERY CLEAR.
What you should do, is define your role as prouducer/engineer and let them know that (as you said) you can make suggestions of WHERE they can make the song better.
If they are still having trouble and they are aware of it, then you can say, "I can try and help you, BUT this is SONGWRITING, not producing or engineering...and we just need to be clear on that".
Then if you do a section, you split up what it's worth and if someone helped you, etc. But obviously, significant lyric changes and melody changes, are songwriting.
However, since moving into the "huge production/programming age" I think that a lot of producer/programmer/engineers may have a hard time differentiating what is SONGWRITING and what is ARRANGING. Arranging parts does not mean anything and is not worth anything usually songwriting wise (unless it's a old song of public domain). Arranging could include catchy string lines or guitar parts, counter parts, etc.
So I think you got it right sofa king, just be upfront about it, because I know of producers that will try and jump in without being asked and expect songwriting credit (usually overestimated % as well) and this will piss off a writer like nothing else and is quite rude.
hope that confirms your thoughts