I wrote a song to a pro backing track.12 bar blues.The lyrics and melody are original.Is it legal if sold?

Question

I wrote an original blues song over a generic 12 bar blues backing track. It's a standard slow blues backing which is performed by all blues artists.The melody,lyrics are original .If I copyright song and then sell to recording industry is there a problem because I'm not playing the backing parts?The lead guitar is played by me.

Answer 1

Copyright is only for the fixed form of the music, the tabulature, not your recording or performance. Write out the sheet music showing melody only, and then add a notation "to be played over standard 12 bar blues". That way you are not claiming ownership of the backing track, and you are establishing your composition and lyrics as original. You can also register your copyright this way as well.

Answer 2

I would suggest that you contact the Performing Rights Society at www.prs.co.uk to see if they can help. Personally I don't think it should be a problem after all it's only a basic blues scale which all blues are based on. Good luck with the record, it's nice to here of a few new blues musicians coming along. Most of the current crop are oldies like myself. We need some new blood. Gary Moore rules OK.

Answer 3

It is easier for me to write lyrics first because they just happen. All my notebooks are filled with random lines I end up thinking of, including all my notebooks for school. So when it comes crunchtime, all the lyrics are already floating around for me so I work on the instrumental aspect, and then mold the lyrics around the instrumentals depending on how the instruments end up sounding. BQ: Cooperation. Unless you are a one man band, and one man recording artist and producer. Then by all means be a jerk. BQ2: Either acoustic guitar as you said, violin, or saxophone. I really love a good sax even though I certainly can't play one myself.

Answer 4

i think that you should speak to citizens advice about this!

legal and stuff!