Music Business Masterclass: Make a Living as a Musician from Udemy

When I started making music as a young guitarist, the world was a very different place. In order to stay on top of trends, business principals, and legal issues, I had to become an expert in the music business.

Now I teach music business at a university - in fact I run the whole music business degree program - and I walk students through this stuff every day.

In this course, you'll gain insider knowledge and strategies that go beyond what can be found in a simple Google search. Jason Allen, the creator of over 100 top-selling and highest rated classes, brings his expertise and real-world experience to guide you through the intricacies of the music business.

This class has a ton of material. I've put my whole university semester into this class, so buckle up.

Designed for those who want to make a living with music, this course covers essential topics such as copyright, trademark, performance royalties, licensing, merchandise, sync opportunities, and more. By the end of the course, you'll have a clear understanding of the necessary steps to ensure you're properly compensated for your work.

This class contains:

Copyright: The rules, the rights, and how to monetize your copyrights (that you already have)
Collaboration: Who owns what when you are writing with bandmates, producers, collaborators, and other music makers.
Publishing: The secret world of publishing, and why you need to care about it (Its easy. )
Sync Licensing: Getting your music placed into films, TV, video games, and more
Record Contracts: How they work, how to find them, and what to be cautious of
Producer Agreements & Selling Beats: This is a complicated copyright issue - I'll walk you through it here.
Digital Distribution: Getting your music out to the world, and opening doors for the next phase of your career.
And so much more.

Make a name for yourself in the music business and transform your passion into a profitable venture. This immersive curriculum covers the fundamentals of music business, empowering you to build a sustainable career as an independent music artist or industry professional. Don't miss this opportunity to monetize your music, expand your network, and propel your music career to new heights.

Jason Allen, renowned instructor and mentor to over 1 million students, is committed to your success. As an active participant in the course, he personally answers 100% of the questions posted, ensuring you receive the guidance and support you need.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to start your music career now.

Click the enroll button and join the party on the inside.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Making a living as a musician through royalties, streaming, placements, selling beats, and more.
Music business concepts including copyright, royalties, licensing, producer agreements, distribution, and more
How to get started as an independent music artist
Getting paid all of the royalties you are owed, and how to collect them

How music streaming works, and how to get paid for people streaming your music
Getting signed with a music publisher
What to look for in a record contract, how to find one, and how not to get taken advantage of!

Making a living as a musician through royalties, streaming, placements, selling beats, and more.
Music business concepts including copyright, royalties, licensing, producer agreements, distribution, and more
How to get started as an independent music artist
Getting paid all of the royalties you are owed, and how to collect them
How music streaming works, and how to get paid for people streaming your music
Getting signed with a music publisher
What to look for in a record contract, how to find one, and how not to get taken advantage of!

Syllabus

Welcome to Music Business Masterclass!

Introduction

Who am I?

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides insider knowledge and strategies beyond what's easily found online, potentially accelerating a learner's understanding of the music business landscape

Covers essential topics like copyright, royalties, licensing, and record contracts, which are crucial for navigating the music industry and protecting one's work

Explores the intricacies of collaboration and copyright, including ownership when writing with bandmates and producers, which is vital for fair compensation

Examines the role of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, which are essential for musicians to understand how to get paid for their work

Discusses record contracts and deals, including terms, advances, royalties, and merchandising rights, which are critical for artists to understand their rights and avoid exploitation

Requires learners to understand legal disclaimers and regionality, which may necessitate additional research depending on their location and specific circumstances

Reviews summary

Practical music business for musicians

According to learners, this course is a largely positive and essential resource for musicians looking to understand the business side. Students highlight the practical, actionable advice provided, particularly on topics like copyright, royalties, and sync licensing. Many appreciate the clear explanations of complex topics and feel the instructor, Jason Allen, is extremely knowledgeable and engaging. While some note the volume of material, the overall consensus is that the course offers immense value and is highly recommended for anyone serious about making a living from their music.

Covers a wide range of key topics.

"This course covers everything from copyright and publishing to sync licensing and distribution."

"It feels like a complete overview of the modern music business landscape."

"The syllabus is packed with essential information for independent artists."

"A really thorough look at the different ways musicians can earn money."

Explains difficult concepts clearly.

"Jason explains complex topics like copyright, licensing, and publishing in a way that is easy to understand."

"I finally feel like I grasp how royalties work after taking this course."

"The legal aspects were demystified; I now understand rights and agreements much better."

"Breaks down complicated industry jargon into simple terms."

Offers practical, real-world advice.

"The course provides practical and actionable advice for musicians navigate the business side of the industry."

"It gives you tools and strategies you can implement immediately in your music career."

"I found the sections on collecting royalties and licensing particularly useful and practical."

"Finally a course that gives actionable steps to make money with music."

Instructor is expert and engaging.

"Jason Allen is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter."

"The instructor's real-world experience shines through and adds credibility."

"His teaching style is engaging and keeps you interested throughout the course."

"Jason is a fantastic teacher who clearly knows the music business inside and out."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music Business Masterclass: Make a Living as a Musician with these activities:

Review Basic Copyright Principles

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental copyright concepts before diving into the music-specific applications covered in the course.

Browse courses on Copyright Law

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Read articles on copyright basics from reputable sources.
Take a short online quiz to test your knowledge.
Summarize the key principles in your own words.

Read 'All You Need to Know About the Music Business' by Donald Passman

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the music business landscape by reading a highly regarded industry guide.

View All You Need to Know about the Music Business on Amazon

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Read the sections relevant to the course syllabus.
Take notes on key concepts and industry terms.
Reflect on how the information applies to your own music career goals.

Follow Tutorials on Digital Music Distribution Platforms

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Learn how to effectively distribute your music online by following tutorials on popular platforms like DistroKid or TuneCore.

Browse courses on Digital Distribution

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Choose a digital distribution platform.
Watch tutorials on how to upload and distribute your music.
Set up your account and prepare your music for distribution.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Write a Blog Post on Music Licensing

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Solidify your understanding of music licensing by explaining the process and its importance to other musicians.

Browse courses on Music Licensing

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Research different types of music licenses.
Explain the sync licensing process.
Provide tips for musicians seeking licensing opportunities.
Publish your blog post on a relevant platform.

Read 'Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business' by Richard Stim

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Gain a practical understanding of music law and how it applies to running a band or music business.

View Patent Pending in 24 Hours on Amazon

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Focus on chapters related to copyright and band agreements.
Identify potential legal issues in your own music career.
Summarize key legal concepts in your own words.

Create a Music Business Plan

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Apply the concepts learned in the course by developing a comprehensive business plan for your music career or a hypothetical artist.

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Define your target audience and market.
Outline your revenue streams (e.g., royalties, streaming, merchandise).
Develop a marketing and promotion strategy.
Create a budget and financial projections.

Attend a Local Music Industry Networking Event

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Expand your network and learn from other professionals in the music industry by attending a local networking event.

Show steps

Research local music industry events.
Prepare a short introduction about yourself and your music.
Attend the event and network with other attendees.
Follow up with contacts you made at the event.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Business Masterclass: Make a Living as a Musician will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Independent Musician

An independent musician manages all aspects of their music career, from writing and recording to distribution and promotion. This course equips independent musicians with crucial business knowledge, including copyright, royalties, licensing, and distribution. It emphasizes how to monetize music through various channels, along with navigating record contracts. Because the course specifically addresses the steps required to make a living with music, independent musicians will find the course to be directly aligned with their career goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Independent Musician

Music Licensing Specialist

A music licensing specialist focuses on securing the rights to use music in various media, such as film, television, and video games. This course covers sync licensing, a crucial aspect of this role, by explaining how these deals work and what rights are involved. The course's thorough examination of copyright, master recordings, and the various rights associated with music enables one to understand the complex landscape of music licensing. This course teaches the fundamentals required to ensure proper monetization of musical works through sync deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Licensing Specialist

Music Rights Administrator

A music rights administrator manages the licensing and royalty claims for musical works, ensuring artists are properly compensated. The course's coverage of copyright, publishing, and performing rights organizations provides a strong base for performing this role successfully. The course helps the administrator understand how to collect royalties, properly license music, and navigate the complexities of music rights management. This course is essential for anyone who wishes to pursue this career field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Rights Administrator

Music Publisher

A music publisher works to secure and manage copyrights for songwriters and composers, ensuring they receive proper compensation for their work. This course delves into the intricacies of music publishing, detailing how musicians can act as their own publishers and the importance of understanding the various revenue streams this role entails. The course also examines collaboration, performing rights organizations, and mechanical licenses, all topics highly relevant and necessary to be successful as a music publisher. This course will assist in understanding the mechanics of this role, including how publishers collect royalties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Publisher

Music Business Consultant

A music business consultant advises musicians and music companies on various business strategies, helping them navigate the industry and achieve their goals. This course covers crucial topics such as copyright, publishing, licensing, and distribution, providing a consultant with a holistic view of the music business. Understanding diverse income streams, contracts, and royalty structures are essential when working with musicians. This course provides the breadth of knowledge needed to assist clients in the music industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Business Consultant

Music Producer

A music producer oversees the recording process of a song or album, working closely with artists to bring their vision to life. This course explores producer agreements and the complexities involved in the copyright of beats, important knowledge for any producer. It also reviews topics such as record contracts that influence the way producers are compensated and credited. This course offers a foundational knowledge of the business aspects of music that are essential to a producer's career, especially in the digital age.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Artist Manager

An artist manager handles the business affairs of a musician, guiding their career and securing opportunities. This course provides critical insights into contracts, publishing, royalties, licensing, and distribution, enabling the manager to make informed decisions and advocate effectively for their clients. The course's focus on various income streams will assist an artist manager in maximizing the financial opportunities available to their clients. This course offers the necessary knowledge to navigate the complexities of the music business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artist Manager

Songwriter

A songwriter creates original musical compositions, often collaborating with other artists. This course details the essential aspects of copyright, collaboration, and publishing, ensuring songwriters are aware of their rights and how to protect their works. The course explains various revenue streams, including performance royalties, mechanical licenses, and sync opportunities, enabling songwriters to monetize their compositions effectively. This course helps songwriters understand the publishing side of the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Record Label Executive

A record label executive oversees the operations of a record label, managing artists and their releases. This course provides a deep dive into the roles of a traditional record company, such as discovery, production, distribution, and promotion. Furthermore, the course covers the details of record contracts, including advances, recoupment, and royalties. A record label executive in training would find the course extremely informative, learning the ins and outs of the record label business from the artist's perspective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Record Label Executive

Distribution Coordinator

A distribution coordinator manages the logistics of getting music to various sales channels, ensuring artists reach their audiences. This course covers digital distribution, independent label partnerships, and DIY distribution, providing essential insights into the pathways music takes to reach consumers. The course's focus on digital music laws and how the industry has evolved is particularly helpful. This course may help one understand the process of getting music out to the world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Distribution Coordinator

A and R Representative

An artist and repertoire representative discovers new talent and guides artists through the recording process. While this course does not directly cover talent scouting or creative development, its deep dive into record contracts and the role of labels is beneficial for an A and R representative. Moreover, understanding how royalties work, along with the ways that publishing works, informs the A and R representative's decision making process. This course may help develop an understanding of the business side of recording.

See salaries and explore the career path for A and R Representative

Music Marketing Manager

A music marketing manager creates and implements marketing strategies to promote music releases and artists. While this course does not focus on marketing, understanding the music business, including copyright, royalties, and distribution channels will help a music marketing manager. This course's deep dive into the financial aspects of music can help inform a marketing manager's strategy by enhancing their understanding of how different parts of the music industry work together. The course may help give a holistic view of the music business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Marketing Manager

Tour Manager

A tour manager organizes and oversees all aspects of a musician's tour, from logistics to finances. This course does not directly cover tour management, but it does include discussions of merchandising. Understanding how merchandising works and the business surrounding it can help a tour manager. This course may be slightly helpful, as it covers some revenue streams that are related to touring.

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Music Journalist

A music journalist reports on the music industry, writing articles and reviews for various media outlets. While this course does not focus on journalistic skills, the knowledge of music business principles provides a foundation for a music journalist to report accurately on the industry. The course's discussion of legal aspects of the music business may help inform their writing, and may allow them to understand industry trends. This kind of course may help to inform the reporting of a music journalist.

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Session Musician

A session musician works as a hired instrumentalist or vocalist for recording projects. This course does not directly address session work, but understanding copyright and music agreements helps protect a musicians work. The course also allows one to learn how collaborations work and the various rights that all musicians have. This course may assist a session musician in understanding the business side of their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Music Business Masterclass: Make a Living as a Musician.

All You Need to Know about the Music Business

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Is widely considered the bible of the music business. It provides comprehensive coverage of record deals, publishing, touring, and more. It's a valuable reference for understanding the legal and financial aspects of the industry and is commonly used as a textbook in music business programs. Reading this book will give you a solid foundation for the course material.

All You Need to Know about the Music Business

Paperback

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All You Need to Know about the Music Business

Kindle Edition

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Patent Pending in 24 Hours

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Provides practical legal advice for musicians, covering topics such as band agreements, copyright, trademarks, and contracts. It's a useful reference for understanding the legal issues that musicians face and is written in an accessible style. This book adds more depth to the legal aspects of the music business covered in the course.

Patent Pending in 24 Hours

Paperback

Music Business Masterclass

Make a Living as a Musician

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical music business for musicians

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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