Hope everyone has a great new year

My question is why do they not sell just the music from a song
would it not generate a revenue stream for performers
sell one album with the vocals
sell one album without

really impressed with the goodies we have received
Thanks to everyone who put in the effort and time
Wish everyone could get along a little nicer

all the best to everyone

Korgrog

 

don't take this as gospel, but my interpretation would be....

Most singers do not write the music (we know this clearly, top 40 for example)

their music is created by producers/ghost producers. sometimes credited sometimes the instrumental is sold to the label.
it then becomes the property of the label and why would they release an instrumental for rihanna for instance, SOME people want to buy rihanna's music because they like her/her voice and don't really pay too much interest in the actual music behind her voice.

and then lets take another example a rock band.

the vocalist isn't a separate entity to the band all together they are A BAND and perhaps releasing an album without the vocalist wouldn't be respectful or a good choice really because then you could end up with edits without drums, and then another album without bass.
i don't know, that could get complicated and singers are enough hassle as it is.

i have seen examples of "mc's" for example who create their own music and vocals release instrumental versions of their releases as well as separate acapellas for use of remix's


but maybe their just isn't a big enough market, when cd's were popular it would of been a huge cost to duplicate and publish instrumental versions of each release, bit easier with iTunes, Spotify etc..


probably not the best answer, but a few answers nonetheless


Happy new year

 

NI's stems format is somewhat shooting in this direction, but i'm a bit sceptical if it will gain enough tracktion to become 'standard'...

 

Thanks for the answers
That's what I was thinking now that music is online
you think they would look at it as a revenue stream
you can buy whatever parts of the song you want

 

Some bands do that. For example Nightwish. CD1 is with vocals, CD2 is without. Two Steps From Hell has some extra songs like that. I also remember one Linkin Park album is released as instrumentals and acapellas. So, it's a decision.

 

As much as I'd like for this to happen for EVERY song, some entities would not like you to remix a song&/ for copyright reasons.

 

... and 70% of the songs you thought were great would sound dull and repetitive without vocals. I'm sure most bands wouldn't want that released.