Etiquette re cover version?

[Fliss]

There's a song I'd like to learn. The artist/writer of it is a professional folk singer who I don't know personally other than having met them briefly - I saw them perform at a folk festival, bought their CD and have been listening to it a lot. I sent them a friend request on MySpace and they accepted.

I'm working on trying to learn the song by ear, and hopefully should be able to manage it since it's in C and I think it's fairly straightforward. The lyrics are published on the artist's website, so that's easy enough (but not the chords!) Also on the artist's website he does say anyone can feel free to perform the songs subject to the appropriate credits/royalties.

However, the questions I have are:

- based on the above, if I'm going to perform the song purely on an amateur basis and perhaps post my version on the web to share with friends (maybe even on my MySpace page) is there any issue re royalties, since I'm not making money on it or recording to on a commercially produced CD? I can't imagine there being a problem with me singing it at the folk club, for example, but I'm unsure about posting a recording on the web.
- would it be courteous if I send the artist a message through MySpace to let them know my intent and ask if it's okay with them?
- would it also be courteous (or would it be cheeky?) to ask if they'd let me have the chords so that I can check my own guesses?

Opinions/suggestions welcome :)

Fliss

[markt]

Hi Fliss,
the best thing to do is to contact the artist and ask them, most level headed artists would be happy to give you pointers on chords etc when they have the time, and they will let you know if they are happy for you to electronically distribute your take on thier song.

[ljguitar]

...the questions I have are:

- based on the above, if I'm going to perform the song purely on an amateur basis and perhaps post my version on the web to share with friends (maybe even on my MySpace page) is there any issue re royalties, since I'm not making money on it or recording to on a commercially produced CD? I can't imagine there being a problem with me singing it at the folk club, for example, but I'm unsure about posting a recording on the web.
- would it be courteous if I send the artist a message through MySpace to let them know my intent and ask if it's okay with them?
- would it also be courteous (or would it be cheeky?) to ask if they'd let me have the chords so that I can check my own guesses?
Hi Fliss...

Royalties only come into play when recordings made and released, and are paid to an agency not directly to the artist in most cases
You don't need permission to perform published music unless otherwise stated by the artist
It would be fun to ask them for chords and see if they respond - some artists enjoy interacting with fans


Keep us posted

[Fliss]

Thanks guys, I knew you folks would know :)

Okay, I'm going to go for it and contact him - wish me luck, and I'll let you know how I get on :D

Fliss

[Fliss]

I got a really nice reply from the artist :)

He said no problem, he just has to work out what the chords are!!! He plays it on a mandocello in what he described as a "strange tuning" - since I'm looking to play it on a cittern/bouzouki also in a strange tuning, I think it should work out well! He said he's on tour this week but will try and work it out and get back to me when he gets back.

Fliss

[stoney]

Hi,

Great story. If this artist is who I think it is, he is always easy to approach and very helpful.

How about a contest; guess the mystery artist. I'm thinking first name Tim...

[Fliss]

Thanks Stoney :)

There's no reason for me not to name the artist, especially since he does seem to be such a nice chap. You're close with your guess, but it's not Tim, it's Tom Bliss.

Fliss

[stoney]

I was way off! I thought it was Tim O'Brien! Everything fit. Oh, well...