Free Music Contract Templates for Bands 2025

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: These templates are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Every situation is unique, and laws vary by location. Consult with a qualified attorney before using any contract template.

Essential Band Contracts

1. Band Agreement Template

What It Is: A comprehensive agreement between band members covering ownership, finances, decision-making, and member departure.

When to Use:

• Forming a new band
• Adding new members
• Before recording original music
• When making significant investments

Key Sections:

• Band member information
• Ownership of band name
• Song ownership and royalties
• Financial arrangements
• Decision-making process
• Member departure terms
• Dispute resolution

Download: See our comprehensive Band Agreement Template resource

Customization Tips:

• Adjust ownership percentages
• Define decision-making thresholds
• Specify financial splits
• Include specific roles
• Add genre-specific clauses

2. Performance Agreement (Gig Contract)

What It Is: Contract between band and venue/promoter for a specific performance.

When to Use:

• Every paid gig
• Private events
• Festival appearances
• Any performance for compensation

Key Sections:

PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT

This agreement is made on [DATE] between:

ARTIST: [Band Name]
Address: [Address]
Contact: [Phone/Email]

PURCHASER: [Venue/Promoter Name]
Address: [Address]
Contact: [Phone/Email]

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
Date: [Date]
Load-in Time: [Time]
Sound Check: [Time]
Performance Time: [Start] to [End]
Venue: [Venue Name and Address]

COMPENSATION:
Payment Amount: $[Amount]
Deposit: $[Amount] due by [Date]
Balance: $[Amount] due [before/after] performance
Payment Method: [Check/Cash/Transfer]

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- [List PA, backline, lighting needs]
- [Stage size requirements]
- [Power requirements]
- [Other technical needs]

ADDITIONAL TERMS:
- Cancellation policy
- Force majeure clause
- Liability and insurance
- Merchandise rights
- Recording/photography rights

SIGNATURES:
Artist: _________________ Date: _______
Purchaser: ______________ Date: _______

Important Clauses:

• Payment terms and schedule
• Cancellation policy
• Technical requirements
• Liability and insurance
• Merchandise sales rights

3. Producer Agreement

What It Is: Contract between band and producer for recording services.

When to Use:

• Hiring a producer
• Recording an album/EP
• Production collaborations

Key Sections:

PRODUCER AGREEMENT

PARTIES:
Artist: [Band Name]
Producer: [Producer Name]

PROJECT:
Title: [Album/EP Name]
Number of Songs: [Number]
Delivery Date: [Date]

COMPENSATION:
Option A - Flat Fee: $[Amount]
Option B - Royalty: [X]% of net receipts
Option C - Combination: $[Amount] + [X]% royalty

PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Pre-production meetings
- Recording sessions
- Mixing
- Mastering coordination
- [Other services]

ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide rehearsed material
- Cover recording costs
- Provide timely feedback
- [Other obligations]

CREDITS:
Producer credit as: [Name/Alias]
Credit placement: [Album liner notes, streaming]

OWNERSHIP:
Master recordings owned by: [Artist/Split]
Producer retains: [Rights specified]

SIGNATURES:
Artist: _________________ Date: _______
Producer: _______________ Date: _______

Key Terms:

• Payment structure (flat fee vs. royalty)
• Deliverables and timeline
• Credit requirements
• Ownership of masters
• Revision policy

4. Split Sheet (Song Ownership)

What It Is: Document recording who wrote what percentage of a song.

When to Use:

• After writing any original song
• Before recording
• Before releasing music

Template:

SONG SPLIT SHEET

Song Title: [Title]
Date Written: [Date]
Copyright Registration: [Number if applicable]

WRITERS AND OWNERSHIP:

Name: [Writer 1]
Role: [Lyrics/Music/Both]
Ownership: [XX]%
PRO: [ASCAP/BMI/SESAC]
IPI#: [Number]

Name: [Writer 2]
Role: [Lyrics/Music/Both]
Ownership: [XX]%
PRO: [ASCAP/BMI/SESAC]
IPI#: [Number]

[Add additional writers as needed]

TOTAL: 100%

PUBLISHING:
Publisher: [Name or "Self-Published"]
Administrator: [If applicable]

NOTES:
[Any special arrangements or agreements]

SIGNATURES:
All writers must sign and date:

_________________ Date: _______
_________________ Date: _______
_________________ Date: _______

Critical Points:

• Complete immediately after writing
• All writers must sign
• Keep with song files
• Register with PRO
• Update if arrangements change

5. Work-for-Hire Agreement

What It Is: Contract where a musician is hired for specific work without ongoing ownership.

When to Use:

• Hiring session musicians
• Commissioning specific work
• One-time collaborations

Key Sections:

WORK-FOR-HIRE AGREEMENT

HIRING PARTY: [Band Name]
CONTRACTOR: [Musician Name]

SERVICES:
Description: [Specific work to be performed]
Instrument/Role: [Specify]
Date(s): [When work will be performed]
Location: [Where]

COMPENSATION:
Fee: $[Amount]
Payment Due: [When]
Expenses: [Who covers what]

WORK-FOR-HIRE TERMS:
- All work created is owned by Hiring Party
- Contractor retains no ownership rights
- Contractor may not use recordings without permission
- Hiring Party may use work in any manner

CREDIT:
Contractor will be credited as: [Name]
Credit location: [Album notes, etc.]

SIGNATURES:
Hiring Party: ____________ Date: _______
Contractor: ______________ Date: _______

Important: Clearly establishes no ongoing ownership or royalties

6. Management Agreement

What It Is: Contract between band and manager defining relationship and terms.

When to Use:

• Hiring a manager
• Formalizing management relationship

Key Terms:

• Management commission (typically 15-20%)
• Term length
• Manager responsibilities
• Band obligations
• Termination clauses
• Post-term commission
• Expenses

Warning: Management contracts are complex. Always have an attorney review before signing.

7. Booking Agent Agreement

What It Is: Contract with booking agent for securing performances.

When to Use:

• Hiring a booking agent
• Formalizing booking relationship

Key Terms:

• Commission rate (typically 10-15%)
• Territory (geographic area)
• Exclusivity
• Term length
• Agent responsibilities
• Minimum performance guarantees

8. Merchandise Agreement

What It Is: Contract for merchandise production, sales, or licensing.

When to Use:

• Working with merch companies
• Venue merch deals
• Licensing band name/logo

Key Sections:

• Products covered
• Pricing and payment terms
• Quality standards
• Territory and exclusivity
• Term and termination
• Approval rights

9. Recording Studio Agreement

What It Is: Contract for studio rental and services.

When to Use:

• Booking studio time
• Recording projects

Key Terms:

• Hourly/daily rate
• Included services
• Equipment provided
• Cancellation policy
• Master ownership
• Payment terms

10. Collaboration Agreement

What It Is: Agreement between artists for a collaboration project.

When to Use:

• Featuring on another artist's track
• Joint releases
• Collaborative projects

Key Terms:

• Each party's contributions
• Ownership splits
• Revenue sharing
• Credit requirements
• Approval rights
• Release timeline

Where to Find Templates

Free Resources

1. Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

• Free legal templates
• State-specific resources
• Legal clinics
• Website: vlany.org (and state chapters)

2. ASCAP/BMI/SESAC

• Split sheet templates
• Copyright resources
• Member resources
• Educational materials

3. Future of Music Coalition

• Contract resources
• Educational guides
• Artist resources
• Website: futureofmusic.org

4. Sound Exchange

• Rights management resources
• Template documents
• Educational materials

Paid Resources

1. Music Law Contracts

• Professional templates
• State-specific versions
• Regular updates
• Prices: $20-100 per template

2. LegalZoom

• Customizable templates
• Legal review options
• Prices: $50-200

3. Rocket Lawyer

• Template library
• Attorney consultation
• Subscription: $40/month

Attorney Services

When to Hire an Attorney:

• Major contracts (record deals, publishing)
• Complex agreements
• High-value deals
• Disputes
• Customization needs

Finding Music Attorneys:

• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
• Local bar association
• Music industry referrals
• Online directories

Contract Best Practices

Before Signing

Do:

• Read everything carefully
• Understand all terms
• Ask questions
• Get legal advice
• Negotiate unclear terms
• Keep copies

Don't:

• Sign under pressure
• Agree to unclear terms
• Skip the fine print
• Assume standard terms
• Sign without understanding
• Lose your copy

Key Contract Elements

Every Contract Should Have:

• Parties' full legal names
• Clear description of services/goods
• Payment terms
• Timeline/deadlines
• Termination clauses
• Dispute resolution
• Signatures and dates

Optional But Recommended:

• Force majeure clause
• Confidentiality terms
• Non-compete clauses
• Indemnification
• Governing law

Negotiation Tips

Remember:

• Everything is negotiable
• Ask for what you need
• Be willing to compromise
• Get changes in writing
• Don't be afraid to walk away

Common Negotiation Points:

• Payment amounts and timing
• Ownership percentages
• Term length
• Termination rights
• Exclusivity
• Territory

Record Keeping

Maintain:

• Signed originals
• Digital backups
• Related correspondence
• Payment records
• Amendment documents

Organization:

• File by type
• Date all documents
• Create summaries
• Regular backups
• Secure storage

Common Contract Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

1. No Written Agreement

• Verbal agreements are hard to enforce
• Memories differ
• No proof of terms

2. Vague Terms

• "Fair share" - what's fair?
• "Reasonable time" - how long?
• "Industry standard" - which standard?

3. Missing Signatures

• Unsigned contracts may not be enforceable
• Get all parties to sign
• Date all signatures

4. Ignoring State Laws

• Laws vary by location
• Some terms may be unenforceable
• Consult local attorney

5. No Exit Strategy

• How to terminate?
• What happens to assets?
• Post-termination obligations?

Special Considerations

For Minors

Requirements:

• Parent/guardian signature
• May need court approval
• Special protections apply
• Consult attorney

For International Deals

Consider:

• Currency and exchange rates
• Governing law
• Jurisdiction for disputes
• Tax implications
• Language barriers

For Digital/Streaming

Address:

• Digital rights
• Streaming royalties
• Social media content
• NFTs and blockchain
• Future technologies

Conclusion

Contracts protect all parties and prevent misunderstandings. While templates are a good starting point, customize them for your situation and consult with an attorney for important agreements.

Quick Recommendations:

• Most Important: Band Agreement and Split Sheets
• For Every Gig: Performance Agreement
• Before Recording: Producer Agreement and Studio Agreement
• When Hiring: Work-for-Hire Agreement

Remember: A good contract protects everyone involved and makes the relationship clearer and stronger.

Resources:

• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts: vlany.org
• Future of Music Coalition: futureofmusic.org
• ASCAP: ascap.com
• BMI: bmi.com
• SESAC: sesac.com