Choose a piece of music that you want to use for your own purposes. Determine how you want to use that piece of music. You will be subject to pay different royalty fees depending on whether or not you want to reproduce the music, perform or broadcast the music live, synchronize the music for commercial purposes, or print and publish the sheet music.
Determine who exactly you need to contact to be granted permission to use the music for your own use in exchange for a royalty fee. Depending on how you will be using the musical piece, you will need to look at the appropriate performing rights organization (PRO), recording company, or mechanical rights agency to arrange the transfer of copyright and royalty payment process.
Contact the individual owner of the music, publishing company, agent or record company by phone or email to lay out your request for usage for the music. Clearly describe how you wish to use the piece of music so that an appropriate contract and royalty fee can be drawn up by the owner or record company.
Agree to the terms and conditions and sign the contract after receiving it from the owner of the musical piece. This is referred to as the "transfer of copyright" of the song to the publisher in exchange for payment. Depending on the specifications of the agreement, you may or may not be able to alter the original sound components of the musical piece.
Pay the appropriate royalty fees by credit card, check, or another form of payment as requested by the owner of the music.
Publish the musical piece in accordance to the agreement made between you, the publisher, and the owner or company that owns the piece of music. Follow all terms and conditions. Refrain from using or republishing the music in anyway way that dishonors the specifications of the agreement.