The fees indicated are the CLC’s suggested minimum rates, effective January 1, 2024 (3.8% inflation – September 2023)
Creative arrangement fees are based on a standard song of 3-5 min. For rates broken down by the minute, please see the attached full report. Transcription fees are based on a per-bar rate. For a per-minute rate, please see the full report at the bottom of this page.
It is always advisable when negotiating to calculate fees using more than one method and to choose the fee which is most appropriate for the project.
1. Creative Arranging Fees
Basic fees (excluding music preparation fee)
| Number of Staves | Standard Song (3-5 min.) | Over 5 min. |
| Under 5 | $843 | + $199 / additional min. |
| 5 – 8 | $1065 | + $261 / additional min. |
| 9 – 12 | $1309 | + $322 / additional min. |
| 13 – 17 | $1554 | + $366 / additional min. |
| Above 17 | $1775 | + $416 / additional min. |
Fees with music copying added (15% of total)
| Number of Staves | Standard Song (3-5 min.) | Over 5 min. |
| Under 5 | $970 | + $199 / additional min. |
| 5 – 8 | $1225 | + $261 / additional min. |
| 9 – 12 | $1506 | + $322 / additional min. |
| 13 – 17 | $1786 | + $366 / additional min. |
| Above 17 | $2042 | + $416 / additional min. |
Additional Fees
| Type | Standard Song (3-5 min.) | Over 5 min. |
| Transcription Fee (when no original score is provided) | $250 | + $89 / additional min. |
| Piano Reduction (fully notated) | $250 | + $89 / additional min. |
| Rhythm Section (fully notated) | $222 | + $66 / additional min. |
| Audio (MIDI Mock-Up) | $83 | N/A |
2. Transcription* Fees (when not part of an arrangement)
*Transcription is here understood as the transcribing of an existing notated piece of music from one instrumentation to another, either reducing or expanding its instrumentation
| Number of Staves (of transcription) | Rate |
| Under 5 | $6 / bar |
| 5 – 17 | $6 – 14 / bar |
| Above 17 | $14+ / bar |
Negotiables
I. Works over 10 Minutes
Fees for arrangements exceeding 10 minutes in length should be negotiated on an individual basis.
II. Bulk Pricing
The client and artist may consider a lower rate per song if multiple songs are being arranged (‘bulk’ pricing.)
III. Revisions
If substantial revisions and/or rewrites are expected, the arranger may request a higher rate.
Where do these recommendations come from?
This information is based on the recommendations of an independent research report created in summer 2021 by composer and arranger Kevin Lau, commissioned by the Canadian League of Composers.
The full report, including its methodology, other findings, and more information on these recommendations can be read here.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or observations we would love to hear from you at info@composition.org.