[spanishbuddha]

I've noticed alot of muse members have had their lyrics placed to music by organizations they pay to make demo tapes and they then post them to get exposure. I've read that any pro that listens to those demo tapes will be able to tell they came out of a demo paper mill, so to speak, that basically will apply music to any lyric good or bad for a price. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a group usually out of Nashville place a melody, music to someone's lyrics only. Would I be wasting my time and how much is a reasonable price?

[Roger]

If you have to pay somebody to put music to your lyrics (or words to your music), congratulations...you've just been ripped off. That's not the way it gets done. Best case scenario is it gives you a vehicle to play your portion of the work for someone who might be interested in legitimate collaboration, but even that's a stretch. I'm aware that this seems like an attractive option to one-dimensional writers (lyrics only or music only) but I've yet to hear a true success story that ever came from one of these "send us your lyrics & we'll put music to it" deals. You would be much better served to find a local collaborator who can handle the part of the writing that you can't - if you are going to pay somebody for a service, it needs to be a hell of a lot more than just "I'll finish your song for you".

[Neal K]

I agree with Roger - it's one thing to have a demo service record your song if it is already written (music and lyrics). It is another thing to contract them to write your melody. They might do an ok job that sounds good to an unsophisticated listener, or that is good enough to feed your ego, but it probably won't be very original or good. Roger's advice is spot on - find an co-writer to help you with the melody. Save your money... then when you finish your song, well, maybe then you can spend your money on getting a demo done.

Neal

[porcupine]

The only way I would even think of paying for something like this is in a situation that happens for me. I am not a drummer, but have good knowledge of what I want. I sometimes hire a drummer to play in the studio for me, they'll sign a work for hire release, where they do not have any rights to the tune or future $'s.

I can, like Roger, see how attractive it is for someone who is just a lyric person to do this, but not only is it a waste of money, but time to, since they may miss the mark on what you were looking for genre, feel wise. I've heard a demo or two that didnt sound quite like what the lyric was saying.

Find colabs on this board, they will help you better and for free in most cases.

Porcupine

[FunkDaddy]

I've never heard a "for hire" melody that was impressive in the slightest, they're always very generic, and very boring. You will probably never get what you "hear" when you read your lyric.

"For hire" productions though, can be great. If you have a melody and lyric but just don't have the facilities or know-how to put together a good demo, then these demo houses can give you a solid product.

As everybody else has said and probably will say, get yourself a musical collaborator who you can work with to find your sound. A good song that you share the credit on, is better than a crap song you can claim as your own (or worse, that you still have to share credit on because it was part of the "for hire" deal).

[Neal K]

spanishbuddha, on 10 January 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

Would I be wasting my time and how much is a reasonable price?

I thought about this more after posting my answer, and I guess the real answer depends on what your intentions are for your lyrics. If they are for your own personal enjoyment, or sharing with family and friends, then hiring someone to come up with a melody might not be a bad idea. Expect to pay no more than $150 for a guitar- or piano-based track with a vocal. Don't pay any more than $500 for a full band production, and even that's a little much.

If your goal is to get other artists record your songs, do the collaborator route. Even this way your odds are 2 million to one, but at least you'll be pitching something original.

Neal

[spanishbuddha]

Roger, Neal, Porcupine, FunkDad : Thanks guys for the feedback! I'm not a composer. I write lyrics only and while it would be nice to have a demo for personal enjoyment, I think the collaborator route is my best option at this time. Ultimately, I'd like to see an artist record lyrics I have written that have been placed to music in a complete song.