Selling Scores online

[baton999]

I've got quite a few original symphonic band and symphonic pops scores for sale online. Question 1) To Sell or to Rent? - Question 2) Send as hardcopy or have PDF files to download?
Thanks for any advice. E-mail directly if you'd like-baton999@comcast.net

Bo

[m2]

IMHO
The sell vs. rent question is an issue of licensing. Do you want the buyer to have a license to perform your piece into perpetuity or is it a one time deal like doing a high school musical where often you must return the parts to the licensing holder once the preformance is over.

Generally band music is an open ended license that once you buy the score and the parts you own a COPY for performance and study forever. You do not have the right to resell or loan out the music to a 3rd party for their uses. Only the original buyer/School owns that license. You must be specific when you sell the music what the deal is up front.

A far as the media question: you should print out parts and ship them to the buyer. It's way safer than something on the web where who knows if someone is able someday to hack your site and be printing off all the copies they want - like a music store. It happens. Plus it's way more professional.

I had a small publishing Co. for school Jazz band charts for several years with a cadre of other writers. It was fun, but a big pain after a while.

[m2]

You do not have the right to resell or loan out the music to a 3rd party for their uses.

The "You" here I mean to be the buyer I should have said "The buyer does not have the right to resell or loanout the music to a 3rd party. . ."

[johnnytucats]

If the scores aren't your originals or arrangements of public domain material, you've got a few more hurdles to jump.

[m2]

posted May 07, 2005 03:13 PM                      
If the scores aren't your originals or arrangements of public domain material, you've got a few more hurdles to jump.
Posts: 22 | Registered: Oct 2004  |  IP: Logged

TRUE!