MelodyTrack FAQs
Welcome To MelodyTracks – the only collaborative site that fills a HUGE void for Lyricists and Poets who aren't composers. We know being able to participate in the creation and co-write of a Song as the lyricist and poet is not easy. For so many lyricists and poets, collaborations with composers or songwriters are extremely difficult to find and then continue.
MelodyTracks create instant collaboration with composers; where any lyricist or poet can come to listen to melodies, get inspired, and collaborate with that composer by giving that melody lyrical life in the creation of a New Song. We know there are Lyricists and Poets worldwide who have NEVER had this opportunity, and to be able to provide that wonderful creative experience is the primary reason MelodyTracks exist.
PRO or Amateur, the opportunities here are unlimited. We wish you creative joy in giving these melodies your own unique lyrical touch!
1. What is a MelodyTrack?
If you are a Lyricist or Poet, a MelodyTrack is to you what an IndieTrack or PROTrack is to Songwriters and Artists. However, instead of professional instrumental tracks awaiting a melody and lyric, MelodyTracks are the same fully produced instrumental tracks with predominant melody lines in search of a Lyric!
2. How do MelodyTracks Work?
Listen to each MelodyTrack until you find the melody that inspires you. Download that MelodyTrack and write your Lyric to the existing melody (just like co-writing with a composer in the room!). You must then return that Lyric to Songsinc for "Vault Dating" (protects it as yours) against the MelodyTrack. Once the Lyric Vault Date has been established, we will send you an MP3 of the clean instrumental Track (with the instrumental melody line removed) to use in the vocal production of the new Song you just co-wrote! If you would prefer, we can produce your co-written New Song Demo for an additional Demo fee.
3. Do the Lyricists have to pay for the "clean" Track?
No. The download fee of the MelodyTrack includes receiving the clean MP3 of the instrumental Track after the Lyric Vault Date has been finalized.
4. Do Lyricists own the Instrumental Track?
NO – ALL Tracks on Songsinc are licensed to you as a "sample" to be used in the production of your New Song Demo Master only. You NEVER have any rights to the Track by itself, nor can you forward that Track to anyone else.
5. What is a Lyric Vault Date?
We date stamp and file every lyric created to a MelodyTrack when we receive it to help protect your copyright. Our Lyric Vault Date can act as evidentiary witness of your Lyric submission in the event of a copyright dispute. Our Terms and Conditions require a Vault Date before your newly created co-written Song can be recognized - for your protection as well as the TrackOwner and Composer of the melody.
6. What RIGHTS as the Lyricist do I have to the New Song I create?
Full rights as the Lyricist co-writer of any Exclusive or New Derivative Work Song, within our normal TrackWriter agreement.
7. What is a Derivative Work and Exclusive MelodyTrack?
A Derivative Work MelodyTrack is a MelodyTrack that is offered to multiple lyricists and therefore multiple Songs may be created with the same melody but different Lyrics. For MelodyTracks that are not Exclusive, any new song written with those tracks (adding a lyric) creates a "derivative work" of the first Original Song that melody came from.
An Exclusive MelodyTrack is a MelodyTrack in search of 1 Lyric. In the near future, Lyricists will have the opportunity to submit lyrics against that MelodyTrack for a chance to be selected as the Lyric. Once the Composer agrees on the 1 Lyric, that MelodyTrack will be removed from the site and the Lyricist and Composer will be co-writers of that Original Song, which is NOT a derivative work.
DERIVATIVE Work Song created by adding your lyric
TrackOwner retains 20% Writer Share
Songsinc retains 20% Publishing Share
Lyricist: 40% Writer Share and 40% Publishing Share
MelodyWriter: 40% Writer Share and 40% Publishing Share
The Composers (MelodyWriters) of all our Derivative Work MelodyTracks release administration control over the New Song to you, the Lyricist. This means you will not require permission from the Composer to work or place the Song you just created with your Lyric.
You are always required to keep Songsinc informed of any and all deals so we can properly administrate and file the Song correctly.
EXCLUSIVE Work Song – Your lyric is chosen by the Composer
If your Lyric is chosen for an Exclusive MelodyTrack, you will be put in direct contact with the Composer and you both will share administrative control and a standard industry 50/50 co-writer agreement.
8. What are the advantages (or disadvantages) to creating a Derivative Work Song?
This question could be, is the glass half full or half empty? We see the value of lyrics in sync pitches (TV, Film, Ads, etc.) all the time, and we know songwriters who – often by request of the music library who is pitching their music - change the lyrics to one of their songs to make the song perfect for an opportunity. Example: A song might be about a love, but the ad agency wants a song about a dog. Keep the same melody, change out the lyric and make it about a dog and send it in! Yes, this happens all the time, and it works. So your LYRIC could be the key to an opportunity, and it won't matter your song is a derivative work – especially within the Songsinc agreement with the TrackOwner and Composer who want you to succeed and give you the rights to do so!
9. Can the Lyricist alter the Melody a bit to fit a Lyrical phrase or verse?
Yes, but the integrity of the melody must remain. Just as TrackWriters are allowed to embellish an Indie or PRO TrackShop Track (add instrumentation; add a chorus or shorten a verse), Lyricists can do the same with the original melody as long as the integrity of the Melody is in tact. What this means is the melody can be altered slightly to fit a lyrical phrase – you don't have to fit lyrics into the EXACT melody on the MelodyTrack, although MOST of the lyrics should match the instrumental melody line.
10. What rights do you have to your Lyrics after creating a Derivative Work Song?
Full Rights. The Derivative Work Song you create is a co-write, and the composer relinquishes control and certain rights to you as stated above (#7 above). However, you always retain 100% copyright of your Lyric and the right to offer that Lyric to another composer or for another opportunity.
11. I'm a Member. Can I download a TrackShop Indie or PRO Track, add an original instrumental melody line to that Track and then send it back to you for you to put up as a new MelodyTrack?
Yes! In fact the TrackOwners and Songsinc encourage Members to do this. You then become the composer / MelodyWriter of that MelodyTrack and can earn royalties (share 40% of every download fee with TrackOwner!).
12. What rights do Composers / MelodyWriters have to their Melody after creating a Derivative MelodyTrack?
They always retain 100% copyright of their Melody and the right to use that Melody as they wish. The use of a melody in a Derivative Work MelodyTrack is non-exclusive . However, once a Derivative Work Song is created with that MelodyTrack, the Lyricist, Songsinc, TrackOwner and MelodyWriter are bound by the Shares, Splits and Rights of that one Mixed New Derivative Work Song - as fully detailed in the terms and conditions.
If you have more questions, please feel free to e-mail them to: info@songsinc.com