Session musician: advice

Gordon

Hi, I have been playing on a mate of mine's tracks for some years: guitar, keyboard, percussion etc plus a fair bit of editing. I have always been adding my own creative input into the songs, adding special riffs and phrases that really make a lot of the songs more unique and give them much more of a sound. I do this because I enjoy it and I want to help my mate out with his tracks.

The problem is: now he is close to getting a record deal and he will want to keep me on doing session and adding "ideas" to his tracks. Ok, that's not such a problem - I'll charge him more! But what is a problem with me is the credit. I will only ever get a "played by" credit: Guitar - by Gordon, for example. Which is all very nice but really I don't think that justifies my input. Judging by the last time I made a complete piece for him, he will never share ownership as he believes that making a piece of music to fit a certain feel/criteria is not basis for ownership - it is the feel/criteria that is given that is the ownership - if you get me? But that's a long story which I won't go into.

So to cut a long story short - are there any session musicians out there firstly? And if so - do you simply play what you are told or do you give your own musical ideas and simply receive basic payment for it?

Thanks,
Gordon

Tuitser

Yo man, ya gotta chill!! Ya said you wanna help your mate out with HIS tracks!! Just do your thing and be happy knowing that he would never have gotten record deal without you!

If he`s nearly signed up then the chemistry you guys have got goin must work so don`t go changin it!! When his CD comes out and you get little credit, just be proud inside yourself knowing that it`s your music and you`ll enjoy it! It doesn`t matter if anyone knows it or not!!

Doctor J

I think it's pretty big deal if oyu make a significant input to the overall sound of the track. A session musician would generally play what they're told, read off a chart or whatever and that's their contribution. If you are actually creating parts which shape the song then I'd say you are entitled to a songwriting credit and, therefore, a percentage of future royalties, so yeah it is a big deal. What you are doing is more than mere session work. In fact, if your work is shaping the song that much you could realistically claim production credits. If this guy is your friend he should recognise your input, both personally and professionally, and your part in making his music as good as it is.

eoin5

It depends, look at Clare Torry, Pink Floyd gave her pittance to sing over great gig in the sky, she sued them saying that she came up with the singing and not them so she won a bunch of money, then theres bob dylans backing band who were only happy to add their ideas, but they knew thats what they were there for. it comes down to an understanding between the people involved I guess.

Gordon

Hmm, thanks for that, a very nice comparison there eoin5. I was thinking myself that it was a very grey area and I guess your examples prove it.

Tuitser, it's a bit more complicated tbh, I can't really get into more detail about it here. What I can say is that it is quite frustrating being a trained musician creating ideas for a musician that doesn't know chords, can't play a great deal of his songs and has no idea how to create harmonies for singers.. bleh I could go on. Was just wanting some experiences from people, I won't be ruining the relationship, no problem there.

Thanks a million