What Music Agreement Do I Need? A Plain-Language Guide

The short version

Music has a lot of agreement types, and it is not always obvious which one fits your situation. Here is a plain map: figure out what is actually happening, and the right agreement follows.

Start with what is happening

Someone helped write a song with me. You need to document who wrote how much of the song, or the split. Use a split sheet for a quick record of the percentages, or a songwriter agreement for the fuller deal with credit protection and warranties.

Someone produced, or is producing, my track. You need a producer agreement, covering their fee, whether they get points, who owns the master, and their credits. If they also co-wrote the song, add a split sheet to clarify how much they co-wrote.

Someone is performing on my track but not writing it. If they are a hired player behind the scenes, use a session musician agreement with a flat fee and work for hire provision. If they are featured with their name on the track, use a featured artist agreement covering the fee or royalty, credit billing, and promotion rights.

I am hiring someone to create something I need to own. Use a work-for-hire agreement, so what you pay for belongs to you.

Someone wants to use my music in a video, film, or ad. Use a sync license, granting permission to synchronize your music to their visuals, with a fee and a defined scope.

I am about to share something confidential. Use an NDA, to keep unreleased work or deal terms private.

I just need to get paid for work I did. Use an invoice, a simple bill for your services.

The rule that clears up most confusion

Ask yourself: is this about the song (composition), the recording (master), or something else?

• About who wrote the song: a split sheet or songwriter agreement
• About who made or owns the recording: a producer agreement, session musician agreement, or featured artist agreement
• About using existing music in media: a sync license
• About keeping something private: an NDA
• About getting paid: an invoice

Most "which agreement?" confusion dissolves once you know whether you are dealing with the composition, the master, a use-license, or a business matter.

When you are still not sure

Sometimes a situation needs more than one agreement. A producer who co-writes needs both a producer agreement for the master and a split sheet for the composition. When in doubt, mapping out everyone involved and what they contributed usually reveals what you need. And for anything high-stakes or unusual, a quick conversation with an entertainment attorney is worth it.

How keysig helps

keysig has all of these agreements in plain language, and a guided picker that asks what is happening and points you to the right one, so you do not have to already know the answer. Start from your situation, and keysig helps you land on the correct agreement.