New here, and just getting started! What is the best, all-encompassing book?

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New here, and just getting started! What is the best, all-encompassing book?

Posted 2 years ago by FranklinComesAlive

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FranklinComesAlive said 2 years ago

Hello! I've started looking into all of the aspects of putting together a band for my music, and all that goes along with marketing, touring, promotion, and basically just all elements of music law. I want to start my boning up on all the other aspects as I refine my musical craft. I was hoping for some book recommendations for me that cover pretty much everything for the independent musician. I am not looking for the book that tells you how to get signed to a big label, because I would rather control my own destiny instead of waiting for something to happen to me. I have paged through a few books that didn't see, all that useful for today. I want something forward-thinking! The two that I thought might be good are:

Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business

or

Musician's Business & Legal Guide

Anyone have any insight or recommendations? Also, any other good websites that I should be aware of? Thanks so much!
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David J. Hahn said 2 years ago

Hey man -

The go to book used to be Donald Passman's, All You Need To Know About the Music Business, but isn't it outdated now? I see on Amazon there was a new edition put out in 2006, but I haven't read it.

These days I've been reading blogs instead of books. I feel like the music industry is changing so quickly, and in the midst of so much, that a book would be outdated by the time it hit the shelves. Here are some of the ones I like:

Music Careers at About.com - Heather McDonald writes for the blog and she does a great job.

New Music Strategies - Andrew Dubber often has interesting things to say.

Artists House Music - This site has a LOT of great info.

KnowTheMusicBiz.com is also a great site.

Also, check out an article Cameron wrote here at MW:

Top 10 Blogs for Musicians

Join my songwriting newsletter at Songwriter.fm
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Cameron Mizell said 2 years ago

For the most part, I agree with Dave about blogs over books, simply for the fact that the industry is changing so quickly. On one perspective, people might say the business is in turmoil, on the other they'd say it's an exciting time.

I've never bought a book or taken a class about the music business. I had a huge advantage by working at a record label, but when I started out as a temp, I didn't understand anything that was being said in meetings and I wasn't about to start asking the lawyer questions about deal memos or the marketing director about putting together a marketing plan, etc.

Instead, I kept my ear open, took notes about things I needed to understand, and looked them up at home. I found reliable answers to everything online.

A lot of what I learned doesn't necessarily apply to independent artists. We can operate on a smaller scale with leaner means and still connect with new fans. So what I'd recommend, is that you subscribe to music and marketing related blogs and newsletters, many of which I mentioned in the Top 10 Blogs for Musicians article Dave mentions above, and dedicate an hour a day reading and researching the terms, ideas, and theories you don't understand. After a couple months, you'll be up to speed on the industry and have a good idea about what applies to you.

An advantage to this approach over finding a book or two that will cover everything is that you're more likely to find advice from people who specialize in one particular area. Be wary of the books, articles, and websites that promise everything. In my experience, that's impossible.

I applaud you for taking matters into your own hands. Seems like you're taking the right approach so far. Best of luck!

Guitarist & Composer
http://cameronmizell.com

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