Draft of a session musician’s contract

This post is a guide to what should be included in a session musician’s contract.  Before drawing up any contract you should seek legal advice.  The main elements of a session musician’s contract are in this draft.

Contract for the engagement for a recording session of an individual musician.

This agreement is made this day of………..between…………….”the performer” and ……………”the producer”

Studio/Location

Session date or dates

Contracter, if any 

Titles recorded

1. title 1
2. title 2
3. title 3
4. etc.

Fees ……………….plus VAT ………………..TOTAL  ……………….

Payment of all fees and VAT, where applicable, shall be made to the performer within 28 days of the date of this contract.

The performer hereby agrees that upon payment in full of the fees set out above he or she will grant to the producer such performer’s consents as may be necessary pursuant to Part II of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 for performer’s performance of the titles listed above to be recorded by the producer for the purpose of producing an audio or audio visual recording for one of the following uses:  (indicate which apply)

Either – Incorporation into a commercial gramophone recording for:

a. supply to the public

b. public performance and broadcast to such extent as is licensed

OR Non-broadcast archive/promotional audio or audio-visual recording

OR  Incorporation into the soundtrack of a cinematograph film or a television programme

OR  Incorporation into a videogram recording for sale or rental to the public

OR  Incorporation into a recorded advertisement

Producer’s signature………………………..  Date  ………………………

Performer’s signature………………………  Date  ……………………….

Performer’s MU membership no  …………………….  Pamra/Aura/PRC no  ………………………