How Composers Make Money from Their Music? 4 Main Sources of Income
- Rafael Piccolotto de Lima
- Feb 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
A composer's career can be a great adventure beyond the notes on the score. Like any other job, there is a great expectation regarding how to monetize the work: income generation! It is necessary to have a financial return so that the musician can dedicate a large part of his time and dedication to this art. After all, if it is not profitable enough, the chance of becoming just a hobby becomes real.
While this article focuses specifically on income generated directly by musical works, composers often develop additional professional activities throughout their careers. If that topic interests you as well, I recommend reading my article Beyond Composition: 7 Income Sources for Composers.
When we look specifically at income generated by musical works themselves, four sources tend to be particularly important for composers.
Do you know what they are?
1 - Copyright | Royalties
Royalty payments include copyrights on your composition recorded by an artist (and played on the radio, streaming platform, etc.), including as a soundtrack to a film or television show or if played in a concert. You are supposed to get paid every time someone uses one of your compositions commercially. There are institutions dedicated to inspecting, collecting and distributing payments related to this, such as ASCAP and BMI.
2 - Commissions
Orchestras, groups, and artists can commission one or more pieces from you. Some clients arrive with a specific concept, while others provide only general artistic guidelines and leave most creative decisions to the composer.
For example, I have a section on my website dedicated to commissioning new works. Click here to visit.
3 - Sale (or rent) of sheet music
If a musician or ensemble knows your work and likes your composition, they can buy or rent the score to play your music in a concert or event. In this case, the composer receives both the sale of the score and royalties.
For example, I have a section on my website dedicated to my catalog of compositions with scores for sale. Click here to visit.
4 - Original projects
Using your compositions as part of your musical productions is both a direct and an indirect form of remuneration. At the same time that you have the potential to earn money as a producer/performer of the project itself, you also avoid spending on third-party copyrights. Additionally, by doing this, you can expand the reach of your work, generating possible new projects and sales.
The beginning of a composer’s career is often financially challenging. Most composers start with a small catalog, few performances, and limited opportunities for royalties or score sales.
For that reason, it is important to think long term. Every composition, arrangement, commission, and project contributes to building a body of work that may generate future opportunities and income.
Young composers benefit from understanding how the profession works and from approaching their careers with realistic expectations, planning, and persistence.
In practice, most professional composers combine several sources of income. Royalties, commissions, score sales, and original projects often work together rather than independently. Over time, the composer’s income becomes the result of a growing catalog, professional relationships, and consistent artistic activity.
About the Author
Rafael Piccolotto de Lima is a composer, arranger, music director, and educator. A Latin Grammy-nominated composer and recipient of 13 DownBeat Awards, he teaches, mentors, and supports musicians in the areas of composition, arranging, musical creativity, and artistic development.
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