Are you a musician ready to take your career to the next level? Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years, mastering the business of music is crucial for success. But where do you even begin? With so many resources out there, it can be overwhelming to sift through it all. That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a list of the essential reads for musicians looking to build their music business. No matter whether you want to focus on the nitty-gritty of getting a higher cut of your royalties or market your upcoming gig. So let’s dive in and discover the must-read books for mastering the business of music!
Best books on the music business
Here are seven essential reads for musicians looking to master the business side of music:
Cover | Book | Author | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Savvy Musician | David Cutler | This book offers great practical advice for musicians to build and sustain their careers through entrepreneurship and innovation. |
 | All You Need to Know About the Music Business | Donald S. Passman | Now in its tenth edition, this classic book is a comprehensive guide to the music industry. Passman provides insights on topics such as record deals, publishing, touring, and royalties. Donald Passmann is a funny writer and this is not to be missed! |
 | Creative Arts marketing | Liz Hill, Brian Whitehead, Catherine O’Sullivan, Terry O’Sullivan | This book provides a comprehensive overview of marketing strategies and techniques for artists and musicians, including social media, email marketing, networking, and branding. |
 | The Business Model Generation | Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur | A practical guide to developing a business plan for your music career, using visual tools and models to help you define your value proposition, target audience, revenue streams, and more. This book is very popular due to it’s easy way of tacking a hard-to-grasp concept. |
 | Strategic Management in the Arts | Mary Amato | An indispensable textbook on everything to know about management in the arts. Easy to follow textbook examples on business plans, marketing ideas, finance and personal management. if you are starting company or getting into the management side of the music business, this is for you |
 | The Musician’s Guide to Licensing Music | Darren Wilsey and Daylle Deanna Schwartz | A practical guide to licensing music for film, TV, commercials, and more. A very good read if you want to use your writing credits |
 | Effectual Entrepreneurship | Stuart Read, Saras Sarasvathy, Nick Dew & Robert Wiltbank | A comprehensive guide on how to get ideas, use whatever means you have to get your business underway. Full of great examples from all kind of businesses. |
Take the first steps
And that’s a wrap! We hope you enjoyed our roundup of essential reads for mastering the business of classical music. Remember, the key to success in this industry is not just about mastering your craft, but also understanding the business side of things. So, grab a copy of these books and start reading. Take the first step towards building your empire in the world of classical music. Who knows, you might just be the next Dudamel or Hahn, but with even better business skills. Now, let’s raise our batons and toast to a bright future with endless opportunities and lots of standing ovations. Cheers!
