The Ultimate Guide To Music Licensing For Businesses

In the vibrant world of business, sound and music play a critical role in the narrative told to customers. From the warm melody that greets you upon entering a store to the background beats of a commercial, music has the power to elevate brands and enhance customer experiences. But with this power comes responsibility — understanding music licensing is a vital step for any business, content creator, or musician looking to leverage the potential of sound in their work while staying on the right side of the law.

Introduction

Music is a universal language that resonates deeply with all of us. In the business world, music is not merely a soundtrack but a strategic tool used to foster environments that encourage purchasing behavior, underscore content, and promote brands. This guide uncovers the intricacies of music licensing, empowering you to harness the true potential of music in your ventures.

 

 

 

Understanding Music Licensing

Definition and Types of Music Licenses

Music licensing for Commercial Royalty Free Music is the process of obtaining the rights to use copyrighted music for various purposes. For businesses, this often entails securing a public performance license to play background music in commercial settings. There are several types of licenses, including mechanical, synchronization, and performance rights, each covering a specific use case.

Legal Aspects and Compliance

The labyrinth of copyright law can be daunting. It is crucial to understand the laws governing music usage to ensure compliance. Businesses must also be aware of the consequences of unauthorized music use, which can range from hefty fines to legal action.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Enhancing Customer Experience

Music for Music for businesses has an unparalleled ability to set the mood and create an atmosphere that aligns with a brand’s identity. From high-energy playlists in gyms to laid-back tunes in cafes, music can significantly impact customer perception and dwell time.

Building Brand Identity

Consistently using the right music can help solidify brand recognition. By incorporating music that resonates with the brand’s ethos, businesses can establish a more powerful and memorable connection with their audience.

Avoiding Legal Issues

Securing proper music licenses shields businesses from the financial and reputational risks associated with copyright infringement. It provides peace of mind and a clear conscience, knowing that artists are rightfully compensated.

Benefits for Independent Musicians

Revenue Streams

Music licensing is a lucrative revenue stream for independent musicians. It offers a way to monetize their work beyond traditional album sales, especially through avenues like sync licensing, where music is paired with visual media.

Exposure and Recognition

Licensing allows independent artists to reach new audiences they might not access through conventional distribution channels. Exposure in commercial settings or popular content can lead to increased recognition and fanbase growth.

Fair Compensation

Fair compensation not only financially supports musicians but also validates the artistic value of their work. Licensing fees and royalties ensure that creativity is rewarded, contributing to a sustainable ecosystem for music creation.

Benefits for Content Creators

Enhancing Content Quality

The right music can dramatically improve the quality of content by reinforcing the intended emotional impact, emphasizing message points, and increasing viewer engagement.

Avoiding Copyright Infringement

Using licensed music protects content creators from the legal ramifications of using copyrighted material without permission. It instills trust with audiences and platforms, maintaining a clean and respected brand image.

Collaboration Opportunities

Music licensing often involves collaboration between content creators and musicians. This partnership can lead to innovative content that benefits both parties and provides unique experiences for the audience.

The Ultimate Guide To Music Licensing For Businesses

How to Obtain Licenses

Licensing Platforms and Agencies

There is a wide array of platforms and agencies that facilitate the licensing process. These organizations act as intermediaries, connecting businesses and musicians while handling the legal requirements.

Negotiation Tips

For custom uses or large-scale projects, negotiation skills come in handy. Knowing the value of the music and being clear on usage terms can aid in reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties involved.

Licensing Cost Factors

Several factors influence the cost of a music license, including the popularity of the music, the size of the audience, the duration of the use, and the platform or technology used. Understanding these variables is key to budgeting effectively.

Case Studies

Examples of Successful Music Licensing Strategies

The power of a well-crafted music licensing strategy is evidenced by numerous success stories. Businesses and content creators that have aligned music choices with their brands have seen significant boosts in customer engagements and sales.

Conclusion

Music licensing is an invaluable cog in the wheel of business, branding, and content creation. It provides a fair exchange between artists and businesses, delivers enhanced customer experiences, and safeguards against legal pitfalls. By recognizing the importance of music licensing, you open the door to a world of creative and strategic possibilities in your ventures.

In a world flooded with content, the right music not only captures attention but leaves a lasting imprint on your audience. It is the unsung hero in the symphony of marketing, bringing life to your brand narrative. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to rejuvenate your retail space with a new playlist or a content creator searching for the perfect track to elevate your video, understanding music licensing is a powerful step forward in your creative and entrepreneurial journeys.

To explore the diverse musical landscape and its potential for your business, the quest for music licensing begins here. It’s not merely a legal necessity but a gateway to a world where sound meets strategy, creativity aligns with commerce, and your brand’s essence finds its perfect pitch in the hearts of your audience.

If you are a business looking for high quality music at an affordable price, check out these two wonderful royalty-free websites. Purchasing a standard license from them for commercial use is very easy.

https://www.FreeMusicPublicDomain.com  & https://www.Epic-Royalty-Free-Music.com

 

10 Great Songs You’ve Never Heard

10 Great songs You've Never Heard10 Great Songs You’ve Never Heard

 

Ever wonder how many great undiscovered artists are out there? How many beautiful songs have been written and recorded but never gone mainstream?
We’ve heard the stories of the great ones who tried and tried, overcoming failure after failure until they finally got their break. Well what about those who tried and tried but never got that lucky break?
I bet there’s literally thousands of talented artists and great songs out there that nobody has heard. How could you possibly know? They’re obscure. Their hidden. Hidden from the mainstream. In a way, being un-ubiquitous is the beauty of their being. They’re rare and precious gems waiting to be discovered. Waiting as the hour glass slowly empties and the sands of time bury them deeper and deeper into obscurity.
Did you know- Vincent Van Gogh was an artist who died penniless. 100 years later, his paintings sell for $100 million apiece. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was buried in a pauper’s grave. He is now known as the greatest classical composer of all time.
We’ve all had that excitement of finding something wonderful and new and the unbearable desire to share it with someone before we burst. We can’t wait to tell our friends and family of the magical treasure we’ve discovered.
I’ve compiled a list of the 10 greatest songs you’ve never heard – songs that are truly hidden gems. Songs that beg to ask “Why hasn’t this sold a million copies?” I think once you listen to them, you’ll ask the same question. You’ve heard of ‘One hit wonders’? Well these are ‘No hit wonders’. They deserve a lot more credit than they receive. Who’s to say if these artists won’t get the same kind of recognition decades from now? I leave it to you, the listener, to decide.

(You can find these songs by clicking on the links below)

The 10 Great Songs You’ve Never Heard

1. What a beautiful Sunset! by Angelwing
2. Images by Lost European
3. Tammy by Stan Devereaux
4. Better be Ready by Morgan Greig
5. Tears of Joy by Angelwing
6. China Doll by Lost European
7. The Calling by The Lemming Shepherds
8. Book by Lost European
9. Take the Dare by Steve Blakeley
10. Jet Black Rose by Lost European

Finding The Perfect “On-Hold” Music

Finding The Perfect “On-Hold” Music

Whether you have a large company or a small business on Main Street expanding your customer service call-in line, you’re likely either thinking of just having repeated messages, or better yet, looking for the best on-hold music for people to listen to.

But looking for music to play is a bit dicey these days, especially with artists and the copyright offices coming down hard on people who replay music over the air illegally. So, while it might be tempting to pull out your phones or MP3 players and play the stuff you have on those devices, that’s considered “rebroadcasting,” and it’s illegal.

Replaying Music & The ‘Copyright Police’

“How is it illegal?” you may be asking. Good question. Sure, you might have purchased the music, but replaying the music over your on-hold service without asking permission, etc, means that the artists won’t get royalties for their work, and to be fair, they are professional musicians. Music is what they do for a living, and if they’re not super-popular, Top-40 artists, they may not get as much money as you might think they do, even if their music is truly amazing.

Plus, if you replay music without permission, you can easily be slapped with a hefty lawsuit, and don’t think that just because you’re a small business that the “copyright police” won’t find you at all. They will, eventually, especially since they’ve been trying to crack down on smaller businesses as well as the large ones. Your business, as well as your reputation, will be in jeopardy, and we don’t think you want that. So it pays to get, and stay, legal with any music you use, from on-hold tunes to marketing videos.

Your Options

“So, what are my options for properly licensed music?”

One option might be playing an FM radio station aimed at your demographic but guess what? You are obligated to pay royalties for that music too. ASCAP and BMI, the 2 agencies tasked with tracking that stuff can fine you for using “their” music without permission.

Another option might be the best of all, to you and your customers: Royalty-free, legally licensed music. “Wait, how does that work?” Glad you asked!

There are two types of royalty-free licenses: Standard, and Creative Commons. The Creative Commons license, which is free of charge, is something of an “open-source” or “fair use” license aimed at amateur video or film makers, or other audiovisual artists not seeking to make money just yet, if at all.

The Standard License for royalty-free music, however, is for businesses, and usually it tends to be a reasonable price. FreeMusicPublicDomain has this particular license on offer for about $25. Also, they have lots of great tunes on their site that could be used as “on-hold music,” but they do, however, have a particular selection of works that might just have your customers thinking they don’t mind being put on hold.

Most of the tracks on their “On-hold music” page are down-tempo, chill or jazzy, and certain to lower anyone’s blood pressure and help them calm down, but one song is fairly up-tempo and will put listeners in a happy, silly mood.

How the process works: Select the song you want, complete the license purchase via Paypal, and then return to the license page to download the license agreement. It’s just that simple, and since it’s only $25 per song, you can get quite a bit of music for all your needs, whether it’s any kind of “telephone-wait” situation, or even your marketing video efforts. If you’re a relatively new company, you can even get a jump on the holiday “on-hold” music, as FreeMusicPublicDomain.com has a Christmas category.

With a standard license and royalty-free music, you’ll have the best of both worlds: Great music for customers to listen to, and no legal worries on your end.

 

 

 

The Top 5 Mike Oldfield Albums

The Top 5 Mike Oldfield Albums

 

Mike Oldfield is a brilliant musician and composer whose career has spanned over 40 years.  His most famous work ‘Tubular Bells’ was his very first album and sold millions of copies and launched his career at the young age of 19. This is a list of the top 5 Mike Oldfield albums.

There are a lot of list out there that attempt to rate his albums. Most of them are compiled purely on individual taste, as music is an art form and not science. I wanted to create a list to put things in perspective based on the ‘essence’ of what a Mike Oldfield album embodies.

Oldfield’s earliest influences and childhood training were in folk music.  Oldfield himself states that his conceptual intent for Tubular Bells was to try and create a mix of rock and classical music. The piece was written as one continuous song consisting of a number of movements, similar to a symphony. It had to fit the format of the industry standard of the day, which was the LP or ‘long playing’ record. This limited the artist to about 25 minutes per side.

If you break that down to a simple summary, the essential Oldfield album should be a single musical piece, based on folk roots and consisting of rock in a classical format.

the top 5 Mike Oldfield albums

Mike Oldfield

  1. Tubular Bells

The simple fact that every list compares all of Oldfield’s works to Tubular Bells is pretty convincing evidence that this is the gold standard of Oldfield albums. It set the format for his style, sound, musicianship and originality.

  1. Ommadawn

Ommadawn is pretty much the exact same format as Tubular Bells, down to the final track that features a short little ending or ‘dessert’ for the ears of the listener. What makes this album so powerful is the strong melody or theme that continuously runs throughout.

  1. Songs of Distant Earth

Oldfield had a subject on which to base his music- Arthur C Clarke’s science fiction work ‘Songs of Distant Earth’. Although this album is subdivided into ‘songs’ similar in a way to Tchaikovky’s ‘the Nutcracker’, the entire work itself runs seamlessly so it still fits within the framework of a textbook Oldfield album. What sets this album apart is the incredible moods, melodies and overall vibe of the music. It is mainly based on spacy sounding synthesizers but still has plenty of great guitar parts as well.  This album is definitely a concept piece and not a bunch of individual songs compiled together.

  1. Islands

Islands diverges from the standard Oldfield album in that the second side consists of a few standard format pop tunes instead of a long musical work. Oldfield had previously diverted from his standard format with his 5th album ‘Platinum’ and continued with this new format for a number of albums.

However, Islands took this new format to a higher level with some great songwriting. In particular, ‘North Point’ , ‘The time Has Come’ and ‘Islands’ are brilliant and catchy songs while the long instrumental ‘the Wind Chimes’ takes up the entire 1st side and is up there with his best stuff.

  1. Voyager

Voyager is a group of Celtic style folk songs played on acoustic and classical guitar. Although it does not fit the standard Oldfield formula, there is a cohesiveness of the songs that make it seems like an entire work and not just a grouping of songs. The musicianship is top notch and the melodies are beautiful. This is Oldfield getting back to his deepest folk roots and showing his incredible talent as an accomplished guitarist.

 

Honorable Mentions and why they come up short.

Crises

Crises has a very strong melody and has the classic Oldfield format with the first part taking up the entire side. Side two is a series of individual songs with the hit ‘Moonlight Shadow’ as the featured song. The other songs are definitely weaker melodies even with guest singers like Jon Anderson from Yes and Maggie O’Reilly which knock this album down a few notches. Of exception is the instrumental ‘Taurus 3 which is a particularly impressive classical guitar piece.

Hergest Ridge

This was Oldfield’s follow up to Tubular Bells. It has many merits and fits the Oldfield format beautifully, however it is lacking in 1 thing- the main theme or melody is just not very strong and kind of slow to build. It sold a ton of records but was riding on the coat tails of Tubular Bells’ success.

Amarok

Oldfield says this is probably his favorite album but if you read his autobiography, it’s pretty clear there’s a very thin line between madman and genius. Although the genius can produce great works of music, the madman is not a very good judge of his own music.

This album is a burden to listen to because it constantly borders on the psychotic. It’s hard to listen to for the same reason no one listens to the theme music for Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ for pleasure, even though it’s a brilliant piece of music.

Return to Ommadawn

Return to Ommadawn is Oldfield’s newest release and a throwback to the earlier Oldfield albums. It could have been titled ‘Return to Hergest Ridge’ because there are a number of similarities to that as well. The melodies are a bit more subtle but the guitar playing is some of his best.

The downside is the arrangement. It’s pretty obvious that Oldfield played every instrument himself because it’s more of a series of solos bouncing back and forth as opposed to a group of musicians gelling together. Tubular Bells, Ommadawn and earlier albums have the feeling of a group effort even though Oldfield played almost every instrument himself.

 

About the writer

Rick Costello is a songwriter and musician who currently owns the Royalty Free Music website ‘FreeMusicPublicDomain.com’
He is the primary songwriter and guitarist for the bands Angelwing, Lost European and The Lemming Shepherds. He has written and performed on a number of albums which are heavily influenced by Mike Oldfield as well as other artists such as Renaissance, Pink Floyd and the classical composers.

If you like the music of Oldfield, I suggest you have a listen to Angelwing and the Lemming Shepherds in particular. All the songs are available for free download on https://www.freemusicpublicdomain.com/royalty-free-music/

If you are ‘old school’ and prefer the actual CD, there are few still available which offer the music is the original sequence and context. I highly recommend you check it out.

https://www.freemusicpublicdomain.com/product/angelwing-the-nymphaeum/