Contracts built for Musicians
Music industry contracts that protect your creative rights, define performance and recording terms, and ensure fair compensation — whether you're performing live or recording in the studio.
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Contract templates for Musicians
Every template is customized to your specific situation — not a generic fill-in-the-blank form.
Music Recording Agreement
Covers studio sessions, master recording ownership, and royalty arrangements between artists and producers.
- Master recording ownership and rights
- Royalty splits and accounting schedule
- Recording session terms and studio time
Performance Contract
Book live performances with clear terms for venues, promoters, and event organizers.
- Performance date, venue, and set length
- Fee, deposit, and payment schedule
- Technical rider and hospitality requirements
Music Licensing Agreement
License your music for use in film, TV, advertising, games, or streaming.
- Sync rights and master use rights
- Platform and territory restrictions
- One-time fee vs. ongoing royalty structure
Band / Collaboration Agreement
Define ownership, revenue splits, and decision-making between band members or collaborators.
- Revenue sharing for performances and recordings
- Intellectual property ownership of band name and catalog
- Member departure and dissolution terms
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Why Musicians choose contract.diy
Built for your industry
Contracts tailored to the specific situations musicians actually face — not generic forms you have to adapt.
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Common questions from musicians
- Who owns the rights to a song I co-wrote with another artist?
- Joint authorship means co-creators each hold an undivided interest in the whole work by default. Without a written agreement, either co-writer can license the song without the other's consent (in the US), though accounting for the other's share is still required. A collaboration agreement prevents costly disputes by defining ownership splits and decision-making rights upfront.
- What should a performance contract include?
- At minimum: the date, venue, start time and set length; the fee and payment schedule (deposit + balance); technical requirements (sound system, stage size, lighting); hospitality rider (meals, accommodation, transportation); cancellation policy with refund terms; and force majeure provisions.
- Can a venue cancel my performance without paying me?
- Only if your contract allows it. A well-drafted performance contract includes a cancellation clause requiring the venue to pay a kill fee (typically 50–100% of the agreed fee) if they cancel within a specified period. Your deposit should be non-refundable upon signing to compensate for holding the date.
- What's the difference between a sync license and a master use license?
- A sync license grants the right to use the underlying composition (melody and lyrics — usually controlled by the publisher or songwriter) in a visual work. A master use license grants the right to use a specific recording of that song (controlled by the label or artist who owns the master). Both are required to use recorded music in film or TV.
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