About this course: This course shares practical tips and strategies to help you take your first step into launching your career as a musical artist. We’ll cover everything from developing your unique identity as an artist and how to lead a band all the way to planning and recording your first independent record with the help of crowdfunding. The course curriculum is modeled from the real-world experience of Leah Waldo (also known as the emerging country artist, Elisa Smith) and features interviews with industry executives, artists, producers, and engineers — all designed to help you navigate the music industry.
Who is this class for: This course is for musical artists or anyone who wants to start performing in public or record an independent record. This course is also for artists who are working to develop their brand and identity. This course would also be helpful for people who work with artists throughout their development, including producers and managers.
Created by: Berklee College of Music
Taught by: Leah Waldo, Course Author
Berklee Online
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/ week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Welcome!
Welcome to Navigate the Music Business! Before you begin the course, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.
1 video, 3 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: What You Can Expect To Learn In This Course
- 练习测验: What do you hope to accomplish?
- 阅读: How This Course Works
- 阅读: Earn a Certificate for this Course
- 阅读: Connect with Your Classmates
Your Foundation
In this lesson, we will begin to lay the foundation for who you are as an artist and a leader. We'll discuss the importance of having a strong sense of your identity, vision, and intention and we'll also how leverage your natural skills as a musician, like intuition and collaboration, to work for you as an entrepreneur. Finally, we'll discuss how to become a better band leader.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson
- Video: Developing Your Identity, Vision, and Intention
- 讨论提示: What's Your IVI?
- Video: Musicianship = Entrepreneurship
- Video: How to Become a More Effective Band Leader
- 阅读: Overcoming An Internal Struggle
- 阅读: About Your Instructor: Leah (a.k.a. Elisa Smith)
- 阅读: Case Study: Elisa Smith's IVI
Graded: Case Study: Elisa Smith's IVI
WEEK 2
Your Brand
Now that you have a strong foundation (your IVI), we'll discuss building your brand and your fanbase. We'll go over tips for building a presence on social media and how to connect to your fans and potential business partners on a personal level by learning how to network effectively. Finally, we'll discuss the trend of artist-brand partnerships and why a brand partnership might be a smart move for independent artists.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Video: What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson
- Video: Building Your Fanbase
- Video: The Art of Networking
- Video: Partnering With Brands
- 阅读: Using Brand Names in Your Songwriting
- 讨论提示: Brand Partnerships
Graded: Case Study; Brand Partnerships
WEEK 3
Your Record
In this lesson, we'll focus on planning your recording project, whether it's a full length album or an EP. We'll discuss the role of the producer and the very special relationship that exists between producers and musicians. We'll also discuss how to cast a vision for your project by choosing the right songs, feel, and instrumentation. Finally, we'll learn how to set up a simple recording budget so you can keep track how much your project will cost.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Video: What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson
- Video: Choosing The Right Producer
- 阅读: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship
- Video: Establishing A Vision and Intention for Your Record
- 讨论提示: Choosing The Right Producer
- Video: Setting Up a Simple Recording Budget
- 阅读: Recording In the Studio
- Video: Case Study: Do You Need A Producer?
Graded: Case Study: Do You Need A Producer?
WEEK 4
Your Money
The majority of this lesson will focus on planning, launching, and managing a crowdfunding campaign. Crowdfunding is a great way to gain support for your music, but running a campaign requires careful planning and preparation. We'll also share a some tips on how to turn your band into a sustainable business.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Video: What You Can Expect To Learn In This Lesson
- Video: 5 Tips for Turning Your Band into a Business
- Video: Crowdfunding: Pre Launch
- Video: Crowdfunding: Post Launch
- 阅读: 10 Tips for Running a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
- Video: Case Study: Successful Crowdfunding
- 阅读: Reviewing Rench's Crowdfunding Campaign
Graded: Case Study: Successful Crowdfunding
Your Career
Congratulations! You've made it through the course content and now it's time to put what you've learned into practice for your final project.
1 video, 1 reading
- 阅读: Launching Your Career
- Video: What do I do next?
Graded: Launching Your Career (Web Presence)
FAQs
How It Works
课程作业
每门课程都像是一本互动的教科书，具有预先录制的视频、测验和项目。
来自同学的帮助
与其他成千上万的学生相联系，对想法进行辩论，讨论课程材料，并寻求帮助来掌握概念。
证书
获得正式认证的作业，并与朋友、同事和雇主分享您的成功。
Creators
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. Berklee serves distance learners worldwide through its award-winning online extension school, Berklee Online.
Ratings and Reviews
Are you missing pieces in your music business understanding? Eliza does a fantastic job of breaking it down to simple concepts, and connecting it all to your dream.
This course seems silly at first But it's an eye opener, Especially to the idea that the business seems a bit off kilter and over enthusiastic
I absolutely LOVED taking this course. It helped me on so many levels - from your personal art to a full-time job! I was also able to see and compare some of the steps I already made in my musical journey - choosing the right producer, being organized, etc. I recommend it to any independent artist who is willing to walk in the Music Industry and become more professional.
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Looks great. It is my first week and it looks like a dynamic and interesting course.