Know what you are splitting
A finished song usually involves two separate things that can be owned by different people:
- The composition: the melody, chords and lyrics. Co-writers split ownership of this, and it earns publishing income.
- The sound recording: the specific recording, often called the master. Whoever paid for or owns the recording usually owns the master, and it earns income from streams, sales and licensing.
When people say "split," they should say which one they mean. A producer might receive a share of the master but not the writing, or the reverse. Writing down both removes the confusion.
What the law says if you do not agree
Rules differ by country, so check yours. In the United States, if people create a song together and have no written agreement, the law generally treats them as equal co-owners of the song, whatever each of them contributed. Co-owners can then each license the song non-exclusively, which gets complicated quickly. A short written agreement is almost always better than relying on the default.
Common ways to divide the writing
| Method | How it works | Works well when |
|---|---|---|
| Equal split | Every writer gets the same share. Two writers get 50/50, three get 33.3% each. | The work was shared and nobody wants to count lines. It is the simplest and the most common. |
| By contribution | Shares reflect who did what, such as lyrics, melody and chords. | One person clearly did most of the writing and the others agree. |
| By element | Splits are weighted: for example half for the melody and lyrics, half for the track, then divided inside each half. | A beat maker and a topline writer each created a distinct side of the song. |
| Flat fee, no share | The person is paid once to contribute and takes no ownership. This is often how session musicians work. | The contribution is a performance on a part you wrote, not writing. |
These are examples, not rules. There is no formula that is right for every song, and what matters is that everyone agrees before the song is released.
Who usually gets a share?
- Writers of the melody and lyrics: a share of the composition.
- Producers and beat makers who wrote musical parts, a beat or a chord progression: sometimes a share of the composition, and often a share of the master or a fee. Agree which.
- Featured vocalists or rappers who wrote their own parts: a share of the composition for what they wrote, and a share of the master or a fee for the performance.
- Session players who perform a part someone else wrote: usually paid a flat fee and not given a share, unless agreed otherwise.
What to put on a split sheet
- The song title and the date it was finished.
- The full legal name, address and contact details of every contributor.
- Each person's role: writer, producer, performer.
- The percentage of the composition each person owns. These must add up to 100%.
- The percentage of the master each person owns, if shared.
- Each writer's performing rights organization and member number, if they have one.
- Who may license the song, and how decisions are made.
- Signatures and dates, with a copy for everyone.
Our Artist Resources page has a template to start from.
When to agree
As early as you can, and no later than when the song is finished. People agree easily when nothing has been earned yet, and with difficulty once a song starts earning. If the song changes a lot after you sign, update the sheet and sign again.
After you agree: get paid
Splits only matter if the money reaches you. Writers can register with a performing rights organization (in the United States: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or GMR; other countries have their own) and register the song with them. Recordings released on streaming services earn from several different sources, including mechanical and performance royalties, and they are collected by different bodies. Look up the organizations in your country, and ask a music lawyer or an organization that supports musicians for current rules.
If you disagree
- Talk first, calmly, with the written facts: who did what and when.
- Check any messages in which you agreed to terms. A message trail can matter.
- If you cannot settle it, a music lawyer or a mediation service can help before it becomes a legal fight.
Ready to find someone? Post what your track needs and get replies with samples.
Join free and post a request Find a songwriter on CollabWavMore guides
- Where to find singers for your original songs
- How to collaborate with a music producer remotely
- How to find musicians for a band or recording project
- All artist resources
This is general information for musicians, not legal or financial advice. For a contract that matters, ask a music lawyer.