What exactly is a "Deal"?

[pianopro]

I'm new to these forums and considering signing up. I hear all these stories about potential deal signings and what not. What exactly does this entail? What are the terms and how much money can these generate for you?

[matto]

It just means some music business entity offers you a contract. What type of contract it is, and what type of money the contract may be worth varies too widely to make a generalized statement.

[pianopro]

Does anyone feel like providing some specifics on deals they've signed?

[Tree]

Here's a great thready about this question that gets asked all the time. http://forums.taxi.com/topic7671.html.

Like matto said, every deal is different. You can sign a deal but never get money from it, or you can sign a deal and make tens of thousands. So many factors weigh in.

[mazz]

Here's a great video to watch and after you watch this one, there's more in the series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FguwMMsDZA


Generally if it's a music library that contacted you via a TAXI forward, they are going to be referring to the song or instrumental that was forwarded to them (the one you submitted to the listing) and they will be interested in signing it to their catalog. At that point, you will probably receive an agreement from them to look over. The agreement will be either exclusive or non-exclusive and will have several clauses in it that you may or may not be able to understand at first reading. This is where things diverge from any semblance of a "standard" deal and you'll need to have already made yourself familiar with these types of contracts or be prepared to hire an attorney to explain them to you. ( In addition, after you have signed with them, if you decide the deal works for you, then you will be able to submit more music to them pretty much as you wish, because you're now "in" with them.)

In addition to the video series linked above, a simple Amazon search for "music business" or "business of music" will turn up several good books that will help you learn the language and basics of the business side of the music business.

Many people think that the music business is different from other businesses because it deals with this exalted and "special" thing called "music" which traditionally has been placed on a pedestal in western society. In reality, the business aspect of music is, in a bubble bursting way, no different from selling shoes, burgers or financial products. The most successful people in the music business are the ones that are able to realize that the business side of music is as creative as the musical side, and just as important.

So you are asking a very basic question and by asking it, you are setting yourself on the path of a journey, and depending on your attitude towards it, a very frustrating or a very rewarding journey. Avail yourself of all the information being passed on by those that have gone before you, and also realize that the nuts and bolts of the business is not rocket science, by any means, and it's really just like any other business, it's about relationships.

I hope you get many deals in your career!

Mazz

[fusilierb]

Mazz nailed it. But here is another way of thinking about a deal. A deal is an opportunity. It means your music made it through a chain of people and the end result was that the last person in line wants something to do with it. What that something is depends on the deal. Around here, it's usually producer's or music libraries who are looking to fill genre's with new music that they can pitch. Without a "deal" they can't pitch you.

So what happens if they pitch to someone who want's it? Again, that depends on who wants it and what they want it for.

Deal's are opportunities. Lot's won't go anywhere, but some will. And each one will take you somewhere a bit different.

To sum up:
Write good music that you love
Submit to listings
Get forwarded
Get a Deal
?????


hth's
B

[matto]

Yes, it should be pointed out that the type of deal mazz explains above, or the thread tree has posted a link to refers to, is only one tyoe of deal taxi members have signed (although it's the most common one): a contract with a production music liobrary that would pitch the music to film, tv and other media production opportunities.

Taxi members have also signed record deals, staff writing deals with publishers, representation deals etc. Hence my generic answer above.

[coachdebra]

In addition, getting one of these deals is one of multiple income streams that you can develop from your music. One of the key concepts that Mazz and Matto and others touch on is that there is no one deal/opportunity that will "make" or break your business.

Is TAXI the right place for you as an artist and professional in the music business. Maybe, maybe not. In my opinion the opportunities for education (both about the business and craft of music), support, feedback and exposure to opportunities are worth way more than the price of admission, even if you don't get that deal.

Attending the Road Rally alone is worth 2 or 3 times the price of belonging to TAXI and its included in your Membership. I speak at music conferences across the country - and I've never seen anything that comes close to the Road Rally for continuing your education or networking and exposure opportunities.

Of course, I could be biased, being one of the speakers and mentors

Also, in my experience - the TAXI Members that intentionally and consistently take advantage of the submissions opportunities and the feedback opportunities (including the forum) as well as participating at the Road Rally - end up more consistently successful with their music, even if that success doesn't come directly from TAXI.

Debra