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Careers in the Music Business
We know that many other professions in life such as medicine, dentistry,
law, social work, and other professions require discipline, research, and numerous hours of study to prove one's worthiness
to participate gainfully in the field. And so, the music industry is fast becoming an area requiring many of the same elements
for participating in it, and making the most of what the business has to offer.
First of
all, let’s define what the music business is.
The Music Business is the commerce part of the music
industry. This commerce or business side of music in America, Canada, Europe and around the world comes from many
different ways to generate income and money for talent, services, companies, retailers, and also venues for performing.
If you are first starting out, you will have to determine what element
of the music business you want to become involved with. Many are gifted, and have a passion and drive to be on the creative;
"talent", performer side of the industry. But, there are numerous opportunities, and people that are more suited
to be on the management, administrative, executive and company support side of the industry.
New
talent and people seeking careers in music must also seriously take a long look at becoming more educated about the business
part of music; how things work in this industry. Why? To avoid some of the tragic mistakes that so many new artists and up-and-coming
producers are making everyday that causes millions of dollars to end up in someone else's pocket. As an on the rise artist,
producer, songwriter, manager, or indie label, you must plan for success. Also - many times, it may be in a person's
best interest to invest in the idea of considering more of a formal education to get a degree through a music business school
or become involved with some type of industry training via college courses.
Advice from Rande Isabella, Instructor
of Music Production and Audio Engineering at Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University in
Nashville, TN.
At
some point in the life of every artist, producer, manager, songwriter, singer or musician, the question of, "how much
education do I need?" arises. This discussion is for the purpose of giving a real world look at music industry academia
and its value and importance in the lives of today's music industry professionals. Should you go back to college? Or are there
alternative ways of obtaining an education sufficient for securing a position within the industry. Criteria for determining the
best course of action for you should not be based on what others have done or what a particular school has developed. Your
particular career goals should dictate the method(s) used for obtaining sufficient education. These solutions should be individualized
and flexible to meet the demands and ever changing dynamics of the career market. Let's discuss music & entertanment industry
education as it applies to you and your specific needs.
Some of the key music industry jobs and
careers in the music business are: Music Producer,
Label A&R, Manager, Publisher, Music Booking Agent, Songwriter, Artist, Composer, Arranger, Engineer, Recording Studio, Entertainment Attorney & Legal Advisor, Talent Agent,
Radio DJ, Music Program Director, Live Music Performer, Radio Personality, Music Business Consultant, PR, Music Marketing
& Promotion, Talent Coordinator, Studio Musician, Touring Musician, Background Vocalist, Concert Promoter, Choreographer,
Label Administration, Business Manager, Talent Scout, Distributor, Video Professionals, and other industry related gigs.
The various ways of generating
money in music come from (but are not limited to) Producing, performing, recording, record production, beats for sale, distribution,
music publishing, record labels, licensing, talent management; artists, songwriters, performers, musicians, and more; promotion and marketing,
sales, concerts, radio, video, tv, film, soundtracks, synchronization, copyrights, legal services, audio professionals; engineers, mixing, mastering services, music education and more.
In an effort of to further educate those who would like to know
and understand many of the terms and common definitions used in the music business, we have put together some of the
common music business terms that should help you.
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