Musicians Need To Read Too!- Beyond the Music Sheets

Musicians need to read too… and I don’t mean music sheets.  

Anyone interested in advancing their career regardless of the field; knows that they must do A LOT of reading, research, analysis and put a strategic plan in place. The reading may focus on the technical aspects of the work, the best practices, innovation or reinforcing basic knowledge in the area.  For musicians it is no different!

So, the question becomes what should a musician read? A simple online search suggested the following (which I wouldn’t object to receiving as a gift- Birthday, Christmas, or because its 2016.):

1. Start Your Music Business: How to Earn Royalties, Own Your Music, Sample Music, Protect Your Name and Structure Your Music Business- Audrey K. Chisholm. The title of this book reads almost like a to-do list for the local music industry. Most local artiste and their management/booking agents have very little knowledge in these critical areas. In recent times, the local courts have seen an increase in intellectual rights disputes over songs.  The classic tale goes:  “We was vibezing in the studio and we get ah hook and I ride the rhythm, studying money woulda hinder the vibez, scn”. Sigh. Audrey K. Chisholm is an entertainment lawyer who has worked with everyone across the music value chain, including the MTV Network and shows such as American Idol.

2.  Fans, Friends and Followers: Building an Audience and a Creative Career in the Digital Age- Scott Kirsner. If is one thing local artiste know is “friend ting”. ‘Friend ting” that results in scant attendance at your shows, plenty “likes” but low sales, or worse yet… the same people at all your shows i.e your audience is NOT growing. Too many local artiste STILL don't understand the FULL power of social media and how to use it to leverage other opportunities. Scott Kirsner offers a guide to growing your online fan base. It speaks to the marketing options and how to leverage your assets to achieve financial stability.

3.       How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC- Paul Edwards. Local Rap; where do I start? The thing about Hip-Hop is that it was intended to represent the communities from which the artiste originate. I am personally challenged when I hear certain local rap artiste with foreign accents, singing about or rather mimic the lifestyle of foreigners. I mean, I can’t say with any great surety that artiste X doesn’t actually own the Mercedes Benz that she is standing next to in the music video- despite the fact I have only seen her driving a Tida. This book is considered to be ground breaking research into hip-hop, as the author interviews over 100 artistes including Nelly, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy and Mobb Deep.

4.       Music Marketing for the DIY Musician: Creating and Executing a Plan of Attack on a Low Budget- Bobby Borg. Yes, marketing is PLANNED, it is NOT ADHOC development. A short-term Strategic Marketing Plan is usually three years in conventional businesses. In the music business the plan may be for three years but includes specific marketing activities or smaller plans by song or project. A FORMAL Marketing Plan helps the artiste to FOCUS their resources and activities on the right things- as it creates a direct link to the target market. For the marketing plan to be or remain in fit- the artiste must continuously get feedback from the intended audience. This helps the artiste stay relevant and increases the potential for wealth generation. Bobby Borg is an instructor at the Musician’s Institute at UCLA, he is also a drummer. He toured with bands such as Warrant, Beggars & Thieves and Left for Dead.

5.       Confessions of a Serial Songwriter- Shelly Peiken. Song writers probably have the greatest opportunity to generate the most amount of REVENUES from songs... a fact few are aware of . The writer of the song holds a heap of intellectual property rights that she can retain, sell or even leave to persons in a will. Writers have been traditionally undervalued in the local market and as a result sell their intellectual property rights for almost nothing. Shelly Peiken writes for artistes such as Merdith Brooks, Christina Aguilleras, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion and Selena Gomez. This memoir operates as a step by step guide through the song writing process. 

There you have it! Five possible starts to building your knowledge base on building a career in the Music Business.... oh... don't forget the song sheets.

.........................................................................................................................................

Please feel free to share your comments, views and even rants in the comment section below!