Sheet Music Publishing sheet music

[Moz]

I have recently been to a saxophone course and while I was there I got the professionals to play a piece I had composed; a piece for saxophone quartet in five movements. The playing went fairly well considering that it was sight-read and that some of the sections are quite fast and I was happy with it's first outing. Later, I spoke to the said professionals and asked for their honest opinion if -- after sorting out the minor problems of dynamics and expression -- it was worth going for publishing to which they replied that it was ( I was a bit pleased at this point).

A bit of background: It is a piece of semi-classical music with elements of medieval fanfare, andante sections followed by lively interludes and a classical dynamic finale. It comes with a story to connect the movements and give more meaning to each section.

Now let's assume for a moment that I have polished the piece to the point where it would be fit for publication, what do I do now?

In my imagination, I see it as a piece of sheet music that people might buy for their own pleasure or performance rather than something I might perform or have someone else do so. Anyone got any ideas as to what I do next?

Regards

Martin

 

[Clivey]

I suppose the first thing is to have it protected properly. I personally know of 2 cases where inexperienced composers have had material nicked simply by sending them to record/publishing companies in the hope of generating financial interest.


I cant remember exactly how to go about DIY copy-writing. This is the kind of stuff that we should all know.

 

[stefank]

I suppose the first thing is to have it protected properly. I personally know of 2 cases where inexperienced composers have had material nicked simply by sending them to record/publishing companies in the hope of generating financial interest.


I cant remember exactly how to go about DIY copy-writing. This is the kind of stuff that we should all know.

Here in Australia, once you have it in material form (eg written or recorded), it is automatically protected by copyright. I don't know what the situation is in the UK, but I believe in the USA it is necessary to register a piece for copyright. Once it is protected in your own country then it should be covered in all others which are a party to copyright treaties/conventions.

 

[Bari251]

Hi Moz
You may be interested in how Anne Dudley publishes/markets her compositions. I recently bought music from the Jeeves and Wooster TV programme. The web site is
www.buffalomusic.co.uk
Malcolm

 

[kevgermany]

Just put a link to the pdf here, it'll be all over the web in no time - and the act of publishing is your copyright. But whether you have the resources or time to enforce the copyright/catch the offenders....

 

[Der Wikinger]

A Yank answer:

http://legalzoom.com. There may be some form of automated barrister in the U. K. Here in the States, this is good enough that no one can steal your arrangement.

 

[Moz]

Hi Moz
You may be interested in how Anne Dudley publishes/markets her compositions. I recently bought music from the Jeeves and Wooster TV programme. The web site is
www.buffalomusic.co.uk
Malcolm

Yes I see. The site seems dedicated to Ann Dudley music and therefore I might presume it is her company or some other such arrangement.

Re some other replies, the copyright thing was discussed extensively a few weeks ago on another thread and I think I have that covered now. What I am after is how does one go about finding a reputable music publishing company that might be interested in any particular music genre. Is there a list somewhere is it just a question of finding similar music and seeing who published it?

Martin

 

[kevgermany]

I guess you want not only publication, but also marketing and distribution. Pete may be your best bet.

 

[jonf]

Copyright is a right under English and Welsh law. The clue's in the name. It doesn't have to be regsitered to have effect in the way a Trade Mark does. Enforcement of your right is helped enormously by making it clear the item is your copyright. Put "© 2010 Martin Whateveryoursurnameis All rights reserved" on every page. File a copy with someone you can rely on, or even better your solicitor so he/she can testify that you asserted your copyright prior to any potential infringement. You can then sue the posterior off any git who infringes your rights.

 

[stefank]

The small amout of pieces of mine that are published commercially are aimed squarely at schools/students, where there is a bit of a demand. Ultimately a publisher is not going to be interested unless there is a fairly good chance of making a profit from your music, and no matter how good the music may be, that also depends on the size of the market.

An alternative is DIY web based marketing. I'm too lazy for that, so I just give away most of the other stuff here: http://karpiniec.net/stefan/freemusi.htm

I still derive a few perfomance royalties (mainly radio and television) from them.

 

[814jazzer]

Here in Australia, once you have it in material form (eg written or recorded), it is automatically protected by copyright.... but I believe in the USA it is necessary to register a piece for copyright.

Actually, it's the same in the U.S.: once you somehow "fix" your creation, be it sound recording or notation, it is protected by copyright. Registering with the Library of Congress is primarily for archival purposes — and it can offer an additional layer of protection in a litigious situation.

This info was from a session I attended by ASCAP attorney (and musician) Alan Bergman.

~ Rick