I acknowledged composers who participated in the Tangent Shores project on its website. My intention is to honor everyone and extend my appreciation. I can even see introducing features on composers and adding links to their websites and online samples. I want people to feel as if their participation in the project continues to promote and support them in some way.

Composers, tell me how you feel about that. Do you prefer that I take that page down?

I received my certificate of incorporation today. When I released my first CD, Hayner Resounding (available at www.jeffryes.net and iTunes), I operated my independent record label as a sole proprietor. My accountant went over with me the advantages of incorporating and now it's done. My label is now certified as Steel Wig Records, Inc.

I published a blog post entitled, "Ready for Your Pie," in which I encouraged composers to be prepared to license their work. I still think that is good advise in case I or anyone else wish to license your music.

However, I also said that for my current project I will procure compulsory mechanical licenses. I was mistaken about that. Compulsory mechanical licenses are available only for musical works which have already been released at least once on a commercial recording. My current project will include only music which has never been recorded before. I will be the original artist, so the compulsory mechanical license will be unavailable for me.

Still working on how I clear the rights. I inquired with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. I'll post news when I learn more.

If you are a composer, it's your music, your property. I run an independent record label. When I record your music, I pay for the use of your property.

When it is time for your slice of the pie, are you ready?

Here is a great article outlining what composers need to have in place in order for me to pay them for recording their music, Mechanical Licensing for the Maladroit.

When I release Tangent Shores CDs, I will clear the rights through Limelight. If Limelight can procure the mechanic license for me, I'll buy it and you get your money for as many CDs as I manufacture. For me to be able to record your music, I'm going to have to obtain that license.

I have gone through about 100 of the nearly 400 submissions to this project. I have already identified enough cool selections to record several CDs (and I might do that if the first one moves well).

If you are a composer who submitted work to this project, the next best step you can take is to ensure the money can find you if someone wants your music. If you haven't done it before, start investigating how to offer licenses for your music so you'll always be ready.

One generous composer offered his music to me through Creative Commons via a comment on this site. I appreciate the intention! However, that license was for non-commercial use and therefore does not apply to this use, which is commercial. This CD will be offered for sale. Besides, a message on a website isn't a binding agreement. I need a mechanical license to release a recording of a composer's work.

Don't miss opportunity when it knocks! Know how to license your work.

The Tangent Shores 2014 call for piano scores is closed. Thanks and gratitude go to all the composers who submitted. There were 390. I acknowledged each submitter on the Composers page at www.TangentShores.com.

The deadline nears for submissions to my call for scores. The interesting music is abundant. Can there be too much of a good thing?

The call was limited to 3-12 minutes of. music. Almost everyone helped me by abiding by that request, which is a good thing because the submitter count is turning out to be just about 400.

Several submitters sent me music well in excess of a half hour or even 45 minutes and invited me to select 12 minutes I liked. I'm sorry, I just can't do it. I wish I could help out like that, but I can't.

That was one lesson learned from this call. I must spell out that I am unable to edit submissions to bring them within the time limit. When you submit to other calls, I recommend you consider the spirit of time limits. It helps those considering your work to give you a chance.

A shout out to composers. I didn't ask this on the call for scores, but the question will come up when I begin recording. Who administers your mechanical licenses? I would like to understand how composers of concert music are doing it these days.

I won't be dealing with ASCAP or BMI when producing my CD since those are performing rights organizations and pressing a CD isn't a performance. What I need is music clearance for mechanical licenses for your music.

However, I know ASCAP members, for example, get a discount on Limelight for music clearance services. So how many of you composers use ASCAP and Limelight? How much of the music for Tangent Shores will I be able to clear through Limelight?

I'm up to 50 submissions in my listening and reading. I will respond to all composers when I have feedback. I enjoy the music very much. I know already that I like more of the music than I will be able to record on one CD and it inspires me to look for ways to extend the life and reach of the Tangent Shores project.

I opened the website for Tangent Shores today. I started a project with a call for scores and it turned into something so big, I wanted to give it its own life.

In Spring 2014 I was looking for solo piano music not yet recorded commercially. I posted a call for scores online and tweeted about it. I thought I was casting into the waves a message in a bottle. I didn't know who would receive the message and what would come back.


What came back was a tsunami! I have received music from all over the world; the United States, Malaysia, Spain, Greece, South Korea, it's endless. Tangent Shores is about the seemingly distant creators who turned out to be right at my doorstep and sitting at my piano, who have blotted out distance and touched me with their inspiration.


My plan for the project is to record a CD of my favorite submissions. However, I have received so much music, it is clear to me the possibilities for Tangent Shores extend far beyond the scope of one CD. I don't want to see the project end there. At the very least, I wish to announce on this site all of the composers who have shared their work with me so generously.