online vocal training - what are the Ways to Obtain Mechanical Licenses for Legally Recording and Distributing Cover Versions?

There are various aspects online vocal training that should be considered when choosing songs for performance, which have nothing to do with the type of repertoire or creative ability, but are directly related to the current state of the music industry and the career choices the performer wishes to pursue.

The creative artist will often find themselves in a quandary, whether to compromise the musical integrity and perform cover versions to earn a living or try and become established using their own original material.

Of course there is no reason why the artist cannot do both, but sadly there are some people within the music industry who feel that a singer or band who performs covers are not suitable for signing consideration.

As children our first attempts at creating sounds are formed by copying our parents and the noises around us. Singing and music teachers use similar principles instructing their people by using songs as well as scales and other exercises whilst self taught musicians and singers spend hours singing along with their favorite artists before they find their own style.

At some point the majority of these people have performed a cover in front of an audience, to some this may only be their mum or a bunch of mates, but many artists and bands start their career in this manner. Performing covers does not prevent a singer or musician from also being competent at writing creatively.

Many singer or song writers work with other musicians and bands performing covers to support themselves and whilst also pursuing a deal. Although balancing the time between rehearsals and gigs with the need to write and record can be tricky, it can be achieved.

Whether you choose to follow this course entirely is up to you but at least you are signed to a contract that states otherwise. The majority of venues in the UK concentrate on booking acts that perform cover versions of popular artists or bands.

For an act who wishes to find work in these establishments, this means that there are thousands of potential paid bookings available to pursue regardless of the style and genre of the music they perform. Wages vary considerably depending on the size, experience and popularity of the act plus some artists are limited to venues that specialize in promoting a particular style of music.

Although it is competitive a good singer or band can find work with self promotion or the help of an agent or manager. These days there is resurgence in popularity of artists and bands re- recording cover versions of songs that have previously been successful hits

This is good news for singers who do not write their own songs and there have always been record labels who are happy to sing and artist who is willing to record songs they suggest or have written specifically for them. If they didn’t then there would be no need for non performing songwriters.

These days it is harder to earn a living as a writer and performer of songs that you have created yourself. Sadly there are fewer venues in the UK who encourage and promote unsigned acts, many cannot, or will not pay the artists and some even charge the act or band for the dubious privilege of performing, but it is possible to become established and gain music industry attention which would lead to signing a deal and getting paid gigs.

Some bands and artists have managed to cross over the pub and club circuit by building a good following or performing a mixture of covers and original songs which may also be recorded and sold at gigs. Act is with management or recording contracts may have some or all of their engagements booked for them, which can include supporting established acts.

The level of success or recognition gained varies on the commercial viability of the songs, popularity of the artist and amount of exposure that they or their representatives can attract. Thanks to the internet, the pigeon hole mentality that has influenced the state of charts is slipping.

Entertainers who may previously been rejected by established companies due to inability to categories their music or style can post their demos or promote and sell their music from their own websites and sites that offer promotional or broadcasting services free or at low cost to musicians, bands and singers. 

This allows anyone with a PC  and internet connection to find, listen and buy new music from unsigned acts worldwide, without being limited to what the industry currently considers commercial.

The drawback for cover artists is mainly financial, a performing artist will only receive performance related fees unless they have also written the song and if they wish to record and release the cover version will be required to seek permission and pay royalty fees to the publisher or songwriter.

The singer or songwriter receives royalty payments for the rights to perform, recorded and publish the work. The artist and band who writes records and performs will earn more money and retains more control over the choice of songs performed or who performs them depending on if they are signed and the terms of their contracts.

This doesn’t mean that artists performing covers cannot earn a substantial amount throughout their career and in many cases are far better off financially than a lot of signed recording artists, who may not see any actual cash from their royalties for several years if at all.

Whether you choose to perform online vocal training songs by other artists or your own material is a matter of taste and what you are trying to accomplish. Cover acts may earn more to begin but reach a limit to how much they can charge per performance. Original artists have to work harder but gain satisfaction from performing their own material and can earn a higher income when signed if they become successful. Now if you want to know what are the Ways to Obtain Mechanical Licenses for Legally Recording and Distributing Cover Versions? Then please visit here.