MU106 Great Composers
Sixties British Songwriters
Schedule: Class 1
Song Form
The song recording process timeline:
| Who | What |
| Creation Stage | |
| Songwriters |
• React to cultural environment and musical tradition • Start with bits of text, melody, chord progression, and/or rhythmic groove • Songwriters modify and refine materials, including rhythmic/stylistic groove • Describe/coach initial performances (demo recordings) |
| Musicians | Initial realizations |
| Songwriters/Musicians | Conversations about tempo, chords, and words resulting in modifications to the materials |
| Studio Owner | Assemble facilities, equipment, and personnel and maintain the equipment |
| Songwriter |
• Pay for demo recording. • Walk the demo recording around to different publishers, many of whom are located on the single block Denmark Street near Soho. |
| Publisher |
• Listen to material and then accept, reject, or give advice. • If you accept material, take it to the artists and repertoire departments of the major record companies (EMI, Decca, and Pye) or directly to the artist-and-repertoire managers (or their assistants) of individual labels. |
| If an artists-and-repertoire manager accepts your material (or shows interest), move to the next stage. | |
| Pre-production Stage | |
| Artist and Repertoire [A&R] Managers |
• Work with publishers to audition songs. • Consider production and market possibilities. • Either reject or accept materials. • Match performers to material. • Set date/times for the recording session. Standard recording slots were 3 hours from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 2:30 to 5:30, and 7:00 to 10:00 PM. |
| Music Directors [MD] | Assist A&R manager and performers in musical realization. Work with singers to establish the best key for them. |
| Arranger | Create musical arrangements that reflect the artistic goals of the A&R manager and MD while staying within budget. |
| Contractor | Hire session musicians |
| Studio Owner | Own and maintain facilities, equipment, and personnel. |
| If and when all arrangements are in place, proceed to next stage. | |
| Production Stage | |
| A&R Manager |
• Assemble resources necessary for production: session musicians, studio time, materials, • Ensure that the recording session unfolds efficiently and positively |
| Musicians | Arrive prepared to perform material |
| A&R manager, MD | Coach performers in realizing material |
| Conductor | Rehearse musicians and obtain best possible performance |
| Engineers |
• Obtain optimal sound from the musicians and instruments by understanding the limitations and possibilities of the equipment • Cue tape and "drop in" music at correct points • Make acetate test recordings for A&R manager, feature performers, artist management, and record company consideration. |
| If material is satisfactory, move to next stage. | |
| Post-production Stage | |
| A&R manager | Select best performances and sometimes splice parts of different performances together to create a new composite performance. |
| Engineers | Assist A&R manager with obtaining the best possible recording and splicing material. |
| A&R Manager & Engineer | Listen to recordings, set the best possible balance of musical parts, and then create a master recording from which the plant will manufacture disks |
| When disk is ready for manufacturing, move to the next stage. | |
| Manufacturing and Distribution | |
| A&R Manager & Engineer | Participate in the cutting of master disks on the factory lathe, monitoring balance and quality. Consult with the factory managers on the production of the disk. |
| Marketing & Promotion |
• Decide which material will receive the company's attention and promotion. • Write material and obtain photos (if important) promoting the artist and the material. • Contact industry publications and encourage them to publish your material. |
| Distribution |
• Convince record stores to buy the disk and to place it appropriately on store shelves. • Trucks and personnel ship the disk to stores. |
| When disk is about to arrive in stores, move to next stage. | |
| Promotion | |
| Musicians | Tour to promote disk. |
| Artists Management |
• Work with venue agent for performances. • Contact radio and television programs to attempt to arrange airplay and performances. |
| Agent | Contact venue owners and set up performances |
| A&R Manager | Contact radio and television programs to attempt to arrange airplay and performances. |
| If the disk is successful, move to next stage. | |
| International Distribution | |
| A&R Managers | International markets often expected to be able to remix recordings. |
| Marketing and Promo | Creation of new compilations and presentations of artists. |