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A Songwriter's Glossary: Key Terms in Music Publishing

Writer's picture: monetunesmonetunes

Updated: Jan 29


Glasses rest atop a well-used music publishing glossary, suggesting a moment of study and reflection in the world of musical terminology.


What is the Songwriter's Glossary?


Music publishing is a crucial aspect of a songwriter’s career. Understanding the terminology and key concepts can help songwriters navigate the industry and ensure they are compensated for their work.


Whether you're just starting or have been writing songs for years, familiarising yourself with the language of music publishing can be a powerful tool for protecting your rights and optimising your earnings. 


In this glossary, we’ll define some of the most important terms every songwriter should know.


Copyright


Copyright is the legal protection granted to the creator of an original work. For songwriters, this means having exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and perform their compositions.


Why It Matters? - Copyright ensures you, the songwriter, maintain control over how your music is used and compensated for.


Mechanical Rights


Mechanical rights refer to the right to reproduce and distribute your music in physical formats (like CDs or vinyl) and digital formats (like downloads or streaming).


How You Earn: Mechanical royalties are generated when your music is sold or streamed on platforms like Spotify or iTunes.


Tip: Register your songs with a mechanical rights agency to collect these royalties.


Performance Rights


Performance rights allow for your music to be performed publicly, including live performances, radio airplay, and streaming.


Key Organizations: Performance rights organizations (PROs) such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC collect performance royalties on behalf of songwriters.


Why It Matters? - As a songwriter, performance royalties are a major source of income, especially from radio plays and live performances.


Synchronization (Sync) Rights


Sync rights grant permission to use a song in conjunction with visual media, such as movies, TV shows, commercials, or video games.


Opportunity for Songwriters: Sync deals can be highly profitable, offering substantial upfront payments for licensing your music for visual use.


Royalties


Royalties are payments made to songwriters whenever their work is used. There are several types, including:


  • Mechanical Royalties (from physical or digital copies)

  • Performance Royalties (from live performances and radio)

  • Sync Royalties (from use in visual media)

  • Print Royalties (from sheet music sales)


Pro tip: Ensure you’re receiving all royalties due by using royalty tracking platforms such as monetunes.


Publishing Deal


A publishing deal is an agreement between a songwriter and a publisher, where the publisher helps manage, promote, and license the songwriter’s music in exchange for a portion of the royalties. 


There are several types of deals:


  • Full Publishing Deal: The publisher controls the song and takes a majority of the royalties.

  • Co-Publishing Deal: The songwriter and publisher share ownership and royalties.

  • Administration Deal: The songwriter retains full rights, while the publisher handles administrative tasks.


Tip: Always carefully read the fine print before signing a publishing deal.


Split Sheet


A split sheet is a document used to determine how songwriting credits and royalties are divided among co-writers.


Why It’s Essential? - A split sheet helps avoid disputes later by clearly defining each contributor’s share in the composition.


PRO (Performance Rights Organization)


A PRO is an organization that collects performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. A few examples:

  • ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (USA)

  • PRS for Music (UK)

  • SOCAN (Canada)


Pro Tip: Register your music with a PRO to ensure you’re paid for every public performance of your work.


Work for Hire


In a work-for-hire agreement, the songwriter gives up the copyright to the music they create, transferring ownership to the hiring party.


Caution: Work-for-hire contracts mean you will not receive royalties for the music you create.


Advice: Be sure the payment is enough to justify relinquishing rights to your work.


Catalog


A catalog refers to the collection of songs owned or managed by a songwriter or a publisher.


Value of a Catalog: A strong catalog can provide ongoing income and can be sold for substantial amounts.


Tip: Keep careful track of your catalog to ensure proper royalty collection and management.


Music Supervisor


A music supervisor is the person responsible for selecting and licensing music for use in movies, TV shows, and commercials.


Why It Matters? - Sync placements can be a major source of income for songwriters. Music supervisors often help get songs placed in high-visibility projects.


Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive License


  1. Exclusive License: Grants one entity sole rights to use a song for a specified purpose.

  2. Non-Exclusive License: Allows multiple entities to license and use the song simultaneously.


Tip: Be mindful of the implications of each type of license on your song’s future use and earnings.


Master Rights


Master rights refer to the ownership of the recording of a song, distinct from the composition (lyrics and melody).


Important Distinction: If you wrote and recorded the song, you own both the composition and the master. If someone else records your song, they own the master, while you retain ownership of the composition.


Cue Sheet


A cue sheet is a document that lists every piece of music used in a film, TV show, or commercial, including details about the song’s usage and duration.


Why It’s Important? - A cue sheet helps ensure you receive performance royalties for your music’s use in visual media.


Sub-Publishing


Sub-publishing refers to the practice of working with local publishers in different territories to collect royalties and manage licensing rights.


Global Reach: Sub-publishing ensures that songwriters can earn royalties from their music worldwide by having local entities handle distribution and royalty collection.


ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)


An ISRC is a unique code assigned to a specific recording of a song to track sales, streams, and radio plays.


Why It’s Necessary? - An ISRC helps ensure you receive the appropriate royalties when your music is streamed or downloaded.


Advances


An advance is an upfront payment made by a publisher or record label to a songwriter, typically against future royalties.


Caution: Advances must be paid back from future earnings, meaning you won’t receive additional royalty payments until the advance is recouped.


Blanket License


A blanket license gives an entity, like a radio station or streaming platform, the right to play a large catalog of music for a set fee.


For Songwriters: Blanket licenses help PROs collect royalties from entities that play music regularly.


Moral Rights


Moral rights protect a songwriter’s personal connection to their work, including the right to prevent unauthorized alterations or misattribution.


Metadata


Metadata refers to the information embedded in a digital music file, such as the song title, artist name, and writer credits.


Why It’s Crucial? - Proper metadata ensures you receive credit for your work and helps with royalty tracking.


To hit the final beat:


By understanding these key terms, you’re taking an important step toward protecting your music and securing your future as a songwriter. Remember, knowledge is power—and in the music industry, it’s the key to success. 


Stay informed, stay empowered, and let tools like monetunes help you take control of your royalties and your career.

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