How to Get Paid · Chapter 07 of 9
Split sheets and band agreements
Money fights end bands. A one-page split sheet per song and a short band agreement, signed while everyone is still friends, prevent most of them.
Facts last checked
The split sheet: one per song
Fill it in the day the song is finished, not the day it gets popular.
| Field | Copper Kettle’s answer |
|---|---|
| Song title, and any alternate titles | Porch Light |
| Date written | 2026-03-14 |
| Writers, with legal names | Ana R. (lyrics, melody, chords), Ben T. (bass hook), Cass M. (bridge) |
| Each writer’s share must add up to 100% | 40% / 30% / 30% |
| Each writer’s PRO and IPI | BMI 123456789 / ASCAP 987654321 / joining |
| Each writer’s publisher, if any | none / Ben T. Music (ASCAP) / none |
| Samples or other people’s songs used | None |
| Signatures and date | All three |
Common ways to split: equal shares for everyone in the band, which is simple and suits bands that write in the room, or by contribution, as Copper Kettle did. Both are fine. What matters is that you write it down and that the same numbers go to the distributor, the PROs and The MLC.
40 / 30 / 30 at BMI but 50 / 25 / 25 at The MLC causes conflicts and frozen payments. Copy the split sheet into every form, exactly.
The band agreement: one for the band
A short document covering the things that aren’t on any split sheet:
- Who owns the recordings? Equal shares, or whoever paid for them? Copper Kettle: equal thirds.
- Who owns the band name? What happens to it if someone leaves?
- What happens when someone leaves? Usually they keep their share of the songs and recordings made while they were in the band, and get nothing from later ones.
- Who runs the accounts? One person usually runs the distributor and the SoundExchange rights-owner account. Write down who, and that everyone can see the statements.
- Session players. A friend who played on one track: do they get a recording share, a flat fee, or a credit only? Decide before release.
- Big decisions, like sync deals, licensing or selling the catalogue: unanimous or majority?
Keep both documents where every member can reach them, such as a shared folder.
Questions
What is a split sheet?
A one-page record of who wrote a song and what share each writer gets, signed by every writer. The shares must add up to 100%. The same numbers then go to the distributor, the PROs and The MLC.
When should a band fill in a split sheet?
The day the song is finished, while everyone still remembers who wrote what and is still friends. Not the day it gets popular.
Should a band split songs equally or by contribution?
Both are fine. Equal shares are simple and suit bands that write in the room. Splitting by contribution suits bands where one person brings most songs. What matters is writing it down and using the same numbers everywhere.
What goes in a band agreement?
Who owns the recordings, who owns the band name, what happens when someone leaves, who runs the accounts, how session players are paid, and how big decisions like sync deals or selling the catalogue are made.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules change: check the official site on the day you sign up. For a big deal, such as a sync offer, a label contract or selling a catalogue, pay a music lawyer for an hour.