Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

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ErinC
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Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by ErinC » Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:04 am

I co-wrote a song last year. The song is great but the arrangement isn't working. We currently have a split sheet for 50/50 of writer's share but I want to take it to the team of musicians I work with often and totally rearrange it. If I pay for all of this out of my pocket and am the producer how do I approach co writer and make an offer. I want them to still get something of course but I think half is too much. Do I make a new split sheet? What would be a fair or market offer? Thanks for your advice in advance.

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cosmicdolphin
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Re: Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by cosmicdolphin » Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:36 am

Tough one...technically if you co-wrote the song and agreed to own half each a new arrangement using WFH shouldn't change that IMHO

This is what I would do. Talk to your co-writer, explain the situation. Tell them you can share the out of pocket expenses between you and retain the orignal 50-50 deal.

Or - You stump up for the new arrangment on the premise that you will re-coup it first from any sync fees before any splits are made. That way you can get your money back and your co-writer loses nothing. Once you've recouped your costs the orignal deal stands.

Tread carefully depending how much you value your co-writer and the song.

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VanderBoegh
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Re: Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by VanderBoegh » Tue Jan 31, 2023 3:45 pm

Sounds like choppy waters to tread in, that's for sure. Not sure how I would handle the business end on this, so you know what I would probably just do instead? Write another (better) song!

~~Matt

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Re: Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by ErinC » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:54 am

Great tips. Thank you for your time :) I do value my co-writer and certainly am not interested in screwing anyone.

cosmicdolphin wrote:
Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:36 am
Tough one...technically if you co-wrote the song and agreed to own half each a new arrangement using WFH shouldn't change that IMHO

This is what I would do. Talk to your co-writer, explain the situation. Tell them you can share the out of pocket expenses between you and retain the orignal 50-50 deal.

Or - You stump up for the new arrangment on the premise that you will re-coup it first from any sync fees before any splits are made. That way you can get your money back and your co-writer loses nothing. Once you've recouped your costs the orignal deal stands.

Tread carefully depending how much you value your co-writer and the song.

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cosmicdolphin
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Re: Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by cosmicdolphin » Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:50 pm

VanderBoegh wrote:
Tue Jan 31, 2023 3:45 pm
Not sure how I would handle the business end on this,
I guess you would use strong arm tactics....

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Re: Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by Casey H » Wed Feb 01, 2023 4:13 pm

cosmicdolphin wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:50 pm
VanderBoegh wrote:
Tue Jan 31, 2023 3:45 pm
Not sure how I would handle the business end on this,
I guess you would use strong arm tactics....
:lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: Question about rearranging and recording without cowriter

Post by VanderBoegh » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:23 pm

I guess you would use strong arm tactics....
Bwahahaha too funny, Mark!

~~Matt

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