Use this guide as a starting point to research the music business, whether you want to plan a career or earn some money with your musical skills. If you have questions after consulting these resources, see the Ask a Librarian section for help.
This guide answers the following questions:
How do I Break into the Music Business?
While there are many stories of lucky breaks and chance discoveries of musicians, most people need to understand thoroughly the music business before they find success. The paragraphs below list some of the topics you should investigate. The remaining sections of this guide list both library and Internet resources you can use to help you learn about these topics.
If you want to be a performer or recording artist (singer or instrumentalist)
In order to succeed as a singer or instrumentalist, you will need to know about agents, managers, booking agencies and attorneys. Know the business practices of record companies (both major and independent) and recording studios. Have a thorough understanding of the legal aspects of copyright, contracts, performance and mechanical rights, and royalties. Study the tour business if you plan to tour. Find professional organizations that can help you.
If you want to be a songwriter
Being a songwriter is more than writing music. It is also a business. You will need to know how to promote your songs and how the music market works. It is important to understand the legal aspects of copyright, contracts, performance rights, royalties, and works for hire. Understanding the business practices of music publishers, record companies (both major and independent labels) and recording studios also is important. Find professional organizations that can help you.
If you want to be a recording studio owner
You need to know the cost of setting up a studio and how to obtain financing. You also need the skills to set up a recording studio. Find professional organizations that can help you.
If you want to be a record producer
To be a record producer you need to thoroughly understand all aspects of the music business. Learn what is involved in being a record producer and what experience you need. Find professional organizations that can help you.
How do I Copyright my Music?
It is important to protect your work. Copyright is a legal protection, giving artists the rights to insure income from their work. See library resources listed below and the following Internet websites for more information:
What Professional Organizations can Help me?
Performance rights organizations
There are only three in the United States. They keep track of the use of songs and collect royalties from that use. This use covers performances and broadcasts (commercials, radio, TV).
- ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
- BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated)
- SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers)
Mechanical rights organizations
There are only three in the United States. The Harry Fox Agency is the largest. They issue licenses to record companies for the right to record and release music for sale. They also monitor sales and collect license fees which are paid to the publishers who in turn pay the artist royalties.
Professional music organizations
There are many professional organizations; some of the major ones are:
Audio engineering organizations
How do I Market my Music on the Internet?
There are many websites that offer to market your music, for a fee, on the Internet. Be wary of these sites. Investigate them carefully to be sure you are not giving up your legal rights. You may decide to set up your own promotional website. There are many resources - both on the Internet and in the library - about creating and promoting websites.
What Library Resources are Available About the Music Business?
The following books are good overviews of the music business. Clicking on a book title will display information about the book in the library catalog. Scrolling down the page will show a list of libraries that own the book.
MCLS libraries have many other books that explain specific aspects of the music business. Search the library catalog by the subject you are interested in. Suggested subjects to search are:
- sound recording industry
- music economic aspects
- music trade
- music vocational guidance
- popular music writing and publishing
- web sites design (for setting up your own promotional web site)
- Internet marketing (for setting up your own promotional web site)
- sound studios (for setting up a recording studio)
- sound recording and reproducing (for setting up a recording studio)
What Internet Resources Should I Use?
Search the Internet for other music business websites
Search the Internet with the search engine Google using words that best describe what you are looking for. Example: search "how to set up a recording studio" (without the quotes).
The development of this pathfinder was supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. |
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