So you’ve decided to become a studio engineer. At first, it might seem pretty intimidating, and no question, there is a lot to learn. But once you get to the point of being able to connect a microphone and start capturing performances, your confidence will begin to grow. Then it’s just a matter of taking…
Many artists aspire to be signed to their dream label, independent or major. Some still view this as the pinnacle of success in the music industry. Being signed has certain advantages, though most are unwilling to do a whole lot for you unless they see you as being a viable money-making opportunity. If they don’t…
Up until recently, an artist could stand out on the merits of the uniqueness of their style of music. When making niche music, you still had to stay within the constraints of what sounded good, even if there were only a thousand people that would ever like it. But you’d be surprised by how far…
How are you marketing your music? There are many experts teaching people how to get the most from their promotion efforts. Unfortunately, I believe the inordinate focus on social media is grossly misplaced. I am aware of the success stories, but they tend to be the exception and not the rule. We just keep talking…
It’s all well and good to delve into the business side of music – necessary, even. But does it ever seem like you have too many tasks on your hands? Do you have a tough time completing them all, and even when you do, dread the thought of having to do just as much work…
Technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, and with it comes new opportunities. Some musicians have found success by keeping tabs on the latest social media platforms or apps and being “first to market”. If you’re the right act with the right sound at the right place and time, this can work. But when…
It’s no surprise that so many people want to be a part of the music industry. From the outside looking in, it looks fun, glamorous, and exciting, though I can tell you right now it doesn’t always look this way from the inside. Make no mistake about it. Starting a business in the music industry…
Finding the perfect band mates can be a challenge. The reality is that even well-known acts like Cream, The Police, and Oasis were full of tension. Somehow, despite their differences, they managed to create great music together – at least for a time. Ideally, you don’t want to be playing in a band where you’re…
A music business entrepreneur is someone that has set up a business to serve musicians, fans, or the industry at large. You may have heard of people like James Moore (Independent Music Promotions), Corey Kohler (Musicgoat.com), or Christopher Sutton (Musical U). These people are all examples of music business entrepreneurs, specifically in the realms of…
You’re not satisfied with playing it small – you want mainstream success in music. Or, at the very least, you want to create music that appeals to mainstream music fans. Does this sound ambitious? That’s because it is. Writing catchy pop songs is not the hard part. Getting them out to the masses is. If…
You’re a guitar teacher. You want to build your reputation, attract more students, and earn a solid income from your efforts. Whether you consider yourself a traditional guitar teacher that works at home, in the studio, or in the homes of your students, or you’re an online instructor with a blog or membership site, there…
These days, terms like content marketing, digital marketing and offline marketing, get thrown around a lot. The objective of marketing is the same no matter what form it takes. The idea is to promote your event, product, service, or project to a specifically defined group of people. These people are sometimes referred to as target…
Performance. Many musicians live for it. If not for performance, I’m not sure I would have ever chosen to pursue a career in music. Once I learned the thrill of performing for an attentive live audience, I was hooked. But in ensuing years, I soon discovered how hard it can be to keep an audience…
Mental health can be a bit of a touchy subject in any setting, but an important one nonetheless. Depression is a common condition, often thought to be the result of something that hasn’t gone well in one’s life. But this is just one type of depression – circumstantial depression, to be exact. We all experience…
What is bluegrass? Well, just like most derivative genres, it’s a mix of things – country, folk, traditional, and jazz. It’s usually characterized by a repetitive and fast “boom-chuck” rhythm, which wouldn’t be the least bit out of place in country or folk tunes. Some people take bluegrass quite seriously, like some people take classical…