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Songwriting & Music Business Books
- THIS BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING by Jason Blume
A Practical Guide to Doing Business as a Songwriter (Billboard Books)
Learning how to write great songs is not enough. Without a firm grasp of the rudiments of music publishing, and a solid knowledge of how songs generate income, how they may be protected, and how to organize a business, songwriters leave themselves adrift in a sea of obstacles and challenges, unable to navigate the roiling waters of today's music business.
This Business of Songwriting is the first book to demystify the process of doing business as a songwriter. It provides a detailed, comprehensive examination of business-related topics and issues that all songwriters need to understand, and it presents accessible explanations and samples of the contracts, licenses, and legal agreements that songwriters are likely to encounter throughout their careers.
The book also discusses how to get a publisher - and get songs recorded; an explanation of how songs generate income from digital and physical sales, as well as from radio, television, and Internet airplay; and from live performances. Also, the issues of copyright and infringement are addressed. It defines the terms that songwriters need to understand in order to be knowledgeable about the music business; walks readers step-by-step through the process of starting and operating their own publishing company; explains copublishing and foreign subpublishing; and teaches songwriters how to successfully pitch their songs to publishers, artists, managers, A & R representatives, and producers. The unique issues facing performing songwriters are addressed, as well as those who write songs for the Christian, children's, video games, musical theater, and jingles markets. Additionally, the book offers a detailed explanation of how the singles and album charts work; a comprehensive comparison of how performing rights organizations monitor and distribute royalties; and provides valuable information about how to organize a songwriting business.
Readers will learn that the business skills and knowledge they need can be acquired, as the author shares his insights and expertise gained from more than twenty years "on both sides of the desk" in the music business.- THIS BUSINESS OF MUSIC by M. William Krasilovsky, Sidney Shemel
Published since 1964, This Business of Music is recognized as the industry textbook, and Krasilovsky, a music and copyright lawyer, offers broad and deep treatment of contracts, royalties, loans, tax issues, videos, and copyright. The new edition presents the industry in four parts: an overview, the record industry, music writers and publishers, and other aspects of the business. The coverage of technology makes sense of recent and coming changes to the laws affecting the industry, the new music delivery mechanisms, and the impact on the organizations that oversee performance rights. The writing is clear, and Krasilovsky presents complicated legal, financial, and strategic information without oversimplifying. An exceptionally rich appendix reprints important primary-source documents like the Berne Convention and the 1996 WIPO Memorandum. There is also a directory of music industry web sites. The attached CD-ROM contains copyright regulations and registration material along with numerous forms, agreements, and licenses. Both books are excellent references that improve and expand upon the earlier editions. All You Need To Know will be most appreciated by performers and writers, while This Business will be helpful to those who work on the business side.DJoan Pedzich, Harris Beach & Wilcox, Rochester, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.