Producing for a secular producer / help copywriting songs

[kodacolor]

There's this local producer I'm thinking about working with, but I'm not sure because he does secular.  He can do gospel if he wants to, but he advertises himself as a secular hip-hop guy so I doubt he will wait around for a curious gospel artist to wander in before using my stuff. 

Music isn't my major.  It's something I do for God and for my productions (film/tv related).  However the experience could be worth it.  Maybe I should find a gospel producer and work with him/her.  But still, before even thinking twice about it, I told him I'd work with him.  I don't like going back on my word.  I just feel uncomfortable about the whole thing.

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Part two:  Copywriting

Is there a program that will allow you to connect an electric guitar to the computer and make sheet music from the chords you play?  Do you have to have sheet music in order to copywrite?  Should your music be copywrited before you see a producer even though you know you'll probably leave the studio with better version of the song you copywrited?  (Ex:  You go in with an acoustic version of a song and leave with a fully orchestrated version of your song.  Maybe you added a vamp or something else to it.  Wouldn't it be better to wait until you do those modifications to copywrite it?)

[Mrandrew]

There's this local producer I'm thinking about working with, but I'm not sure because he does secular.  He can do gospel if he wants to, but he advertises himself as a secular hip-hop guy so I doubt he will wait around for a curious gospel artist to wander in before using my stuff. 

Music isn't my major.  It's something I do for God and for my productions (film/tv related).  However the experience could be worth it.  Maybe I should find a gospel producer and work with him/her.  But still, before even thinking twice about it, I told him I'd work with him.  I don't like going back on my word.  I just feel uncomfortable about the whole thing.

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Part two:  Copywriting

Is there a program that will allow you to connect an electric guitar to the computer and make sheet music from the chords you play?  Do you have to have sheet music in order to copywrite?  Should your music be copywrited before you see a producer even though you know you'll probably leave the studio with better version of the song you copywrited?  (Ex:  You go in with an acoustic version of a song and leave with a fully orchestrated version of your song.  Maybe you added a vamp or something else to it.  Wouldn't it be better to wait until you do those modifications to copywrite it?)

The answer to part 2 is No. You don't need sheet music to copyright you material, just make a recording and  send it the library of congress to get the copyright. You can download the forms on line. If you don't have the copyright before hand just make the recording anyway with a date you composed the material.

To answer part 1 if you really feel uncomfortable, then maybe do one project or song and let him know how you feel about secular music.

[betnich]

To answer part 1 if you really feel uncomfortable, then maybe do one project or song and let him know how you feel about secular music.

Cosign - do ONE song w/the producer and see how it works out, before you commit time and money to a full project.
You can download Copyright forms at http://www.copyright.gov/ - Form PA for the song itself, about $50 per song...they'll accept a demo recording...