Musicians' FAQ
What are your most pressing music questions? Chances are that if you're wondering about it, someone else has already asked. Check and see if your question is answered in our Musicians' FAQ.
Should I Hire a Booking Agent?
A booking agent can help you plan a tour, and some will be able to get you some concerts you couldn't get on your own, but should you hire a booking agent? That depends on where you are in your music career. Find out if you should hire a booking agent.
A booking agent can help you plan a tour, and some will be able to get you some concerts you couldn't get on your own, but should you hire a booking agent? That depends on where you are in your music career. Find out if you should hire a booking agent.
Who Should Make the Gig Flyers/Posters?
When you book a concert, who is in charge of making the music show flyers? Find out who should make gig flyers when you promote a concert.
When you book a concert, who is in charge of making the music show flyers? Find out who should make gig flyers when you promote a concert.
Should I Play a Showcase Gig?
A showcase gig may give you the chance to show off your music in front of some people who could open doors for you, but should you play just any showcase gig that comes along? Learn more about whether it is good to play music showcase concerts.
A showcase gig may give you the chance to show off your music in front of some people who could open doors for you, but should you play just any showcase gig that comes along? Learn more about whether it is good to play music showcase concerts.
Should I Use a Jewel Case With Demos?
When you send a music demo to a record label, should you use a jewel case or paper/cardboard sleeve? Find out more about demos and jewel cases.
When you send a music demo to a record label, should you use a jewel case or paper/cardboard sleeve? Find out more about demos and jewel cases.
Should I Register My Band as a Business?
Should you register your band as a business? There are benefits to running your band this way. Learn more about setting up your band as a business.
Should you register your band as a business? There are benefits to running your band this way. Learn more about setting up your band as a business.
Should My Label Pay Tour Support?
Should your record label pay tour support if you are hitting the road to support a new release? Find out if record labels have to pay support and how a tour support deal affects you.
Should your record label pay tour support if you are hitting the road to support a new release? Find out if record labels have to pay support and how a tour support deal affects you.
What Happens to a Demo at a Record Label?
When you send your music demo to a record label, what happens next? Find out what happens to a music demo at a record and why record labels turn down demos.
When you send your music demo to a record label, what happens next? Find out what happens to a music demo at a record and why record labels turn down demos.
Should I Pay for Music Promotion?
Should you pay for music promotion? This question is more complicated than you may think. Music PR companies charge for their services - and rightly so - but there is a lot of gray area. Learn more about whether you should pay for music promotion.
Should you pay for music promotion? This question is more complicated than you may think. Music PR companies charge for their services - and rightly so - but there is a lot of gray area. Learn more about whether you should pay for music promotion.
What Does The Promoter Have to Pay For?
If you are booking a tour, what should you expect the concert promoter to pay for? Does a concert promoter have to pay for accommodation? Do they have to pay for food? Do they have to pay for your gear rental? Find out what the gig promoter should pay for and what should come out of your pocket.
If you are booking a tour, what should you expect the concert promoter to pay for? Does a concert promoter have to pay for accommodation? Do they have to pay for food? Do they have to pay for your gear rental? Find out what the gig promoter should pay for and what should come out of your pocket.
Do I Have to Follow the Record Label Demo Policy?
Do you have to follow the record label demo policy when you send your music demo to a record label? Learn why the record label demo policy may actually be your friend and why sticking to the policy could be the best way to help yourself get a record deal.
Do you have to follow the record label demo policy when you send your music demo to a record label? Learn why the record label demo policy may actually be your friend and why sticking to the policy could be the best way to help yourself get a record deal.
Do I Still Need to Press CDs?
Do you still need to press CDs for your album release? Find out if you CD pressing is still required to release a record or if you can go for a digital only release.
Do you still need to press CDs for your album release? Find out if you CD pressing is still required to release a record or if you can go for a digital only release.
How Should I Pick the Cities for My Tour?
So, you've decided to book a music tour, but how do you decide which cities you should target for a gig? Find out how to decide where to play your gigs when you are booking your own concert tour.
So, you've decided to book a music tour, but how do you decide which cities you should target for a gig? Find out how to decide where to play your gigs when you are booking your own concert tour.
Should You Play Music Full Time?
Deciding to do music full time is a big decision. When is time to give up the day job and play music full time? Find out what it takes to make it as a full time musician.
Deciding to do music full time is a big decision. When is time to give up the day job and play music full time? Find out what it takes to make it as a full time musician.
Can I Use a Cover Song on My Demo?
Is it ok to use a cover song on a music demo. Find out if adding a cover song to your record demo will help your case or hurt it.
Is it ok to use a cover song on a music demo. Find out if adding a cover song to your record demo will help your case or hurt it.
Can I Drop My Demo Off at The Record Label?
Is it ever ok to drop your music demo off at a record label? Find out if it is ok to visit record labels.
Is it ever ok to drop your music demo off at a record label? Find out if it is ok to visit record labels.
How Often Should Musicians Practice?
If you're trying to get a music career started, how often should you practice? Find out more about musician rehearsals.
If you're trying to get a music career started, how often should you practice? Find out more about musician rehearsals.
Do I Need an Artist Manager?
As a musician, how important is it to have a music manager on board? Find out more about whether or not you need an artist manager to get your music career off the ground.
As a musician, how important is it to have a music manager on board? Find out more about whether or not you need an artist manager to get your music career off the ground.
What Happens on Gig Night?
Are you worried about what will happen on the night of your first gig? Here's everything you need to know about how concerts run behind the scenes, so you have one less thing to worry about before your first show.
Are you worried about what will happen on the night of your first gig? Here's everything you need to know about how concerts run behind the scenes, so you have one less thing to worry about before your first show.
Should I Go to a Music Industry Convention?
Music industry conventions and trade shows can be great for your music career, but they can also be a colossal waste of time and money. Find out when musicians can benefit most from music industry conventions.
Music industry conventions and trade shows can be great for your music career, but they can also be a colossal waste of time and money. Find out when musicians can benefit most from music industry conventions.
What is the Difference between Mixing and Mastering?
The difference between mixing and mastering confuses a lot of people who are new to recording process. Find out the different between these two important parts finishing touches on your record.
The difference between mixing and mastering confuses a lot of people who are new to recording process. Find out the different between these two important parts finishing touches on your record.
Does Where I Live Matter for My Music Job?
Does where you live make a difference for your music career? Find out if you need to relocate to make it in music.
Does where you live make a difference for your music career? Find out if you need to relocate to make it in music.
Should I Pay for Music Distribution?
Should you ever pay for music distribution? Get the lowdown on paid music distribution services.
Should you ever pay for music distribution? Get the lowdown on paid music distribution services.
Do I Need a Record Deal?
Do you need a record deal? It seems like you can't go a single day without someone talking about how much the music industry is "changing" - but in real terms, what does that mean for you? One thing many musicians wonder about is if they should bother trying to get a record deal at all. Find out if your should get a record deal or release an album by yourself.
Do you need a record deal? It seems like you can't go a single day without someone talking about how much the music industry is "changing" - but in real terms, what does that mean for you? One thing many musicians wonder about is if they should bother trying to get a record deal at all. Find out if your should get a record deal or release an album by yourself.
Do I Need Legal Advice?
Hiring a music attorney can be expensive, so you don't want to spend the money when you don't need to - but this is one expense you don't want to skimp on when you DO need an attorney. Find out when you need music legal advice and when you can skip the music lawyer.
Hiring a music attorney can be expensive, so you don't want to spend the money when you don't need to - but this is one expense you don't want to skimp on when you DO need an attorney. Find out when you need music legal advice and when you can skip the music lawyer.
Do I Need to Hire a Music PR Company?
Music PR can be extremely helpful in getting the word out about your band, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Find out when you should stump up the cash for a professional and when you should try to do your own music promotion in house.
Music PR can be extremely helpful in getting the word out about your band, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Find out when you should stump up the cash for a professional and when you should try to do your own music promotion in house.
Do I Really Need a Demo?
With the changing music industry, the role of music demos are changing, too. Do you really need a music demo? The answer depends on what your goals are. Find out if you should start recording music or if you should go demo free.
With the changing music industry, the role of music demos are changing, too. Do you really need a music demo? The answer depends on what your goals are. Find out if you should start recording music or if you should go demo free.
Do I Need a Professionally Recorded Demo?
A music demo is a demonstration of your songs and your sound, and it is your calling card when you're trying to land a record deal, find a manager/agent, get a promoter to put on your show. A record demo is an important thing to have, but does that mean your demo recording costs have to be through the roof? Find out.
A music demo is a demonstration of your songs and your sound, and it is your calling card when you're trying to land a record deal, find a manager/agent, get a promoter to put on your show. A record demo is an important thing to have, but does that mean your demo recording costs have to be through the roof? Find out.
Do I Need a Work Permit?
Touring can take across many national borders, but what about the legality of those border crossings? Depending on your circumstances, you may need a work visa in place before you play. Find out how entertainment work visas apply to you.
Touring can take across many national borders, but what about the legality of those border crossings? Depending on your circumstances, you may need a work visa in place before you play. Find out how entertainment work visas apply to you.
Music Downloading: Should I Go for a Digital Only Release?
With CD sales falling, many bands and labels are wondering if a digital only release is the way to go. Find out the pros and cons to see if this is the solution for you.
With CD sales falling, many bands and labels are wondering if a digital only release is the way to go. Find out the pros and cons to see if this is the solution for you.
Should I Self Release My Album?
If the labels aren't biting, a self released album could be the way to go. However, self releasing a record isn't as easy as it sounds - could it be right for you?
If the labels aren't biting, a self released album could be the way to go. However, self releasing a record isn't as easy as it sounds - could it be right for you?
Do We Need a Band Contract?
Band member contracts are a tricky line to walk, and a lot of artists feel uncomfortable even considering them. These contracts, however, may be important for your band - find out why.
Band member contracts are a tricky line to walk, and a lot of artists feel uncomfortable even considering them. These contracts, however, may be important for your band - find out why.
Band Photos - Should I Get Color or Black and White?
Good band photos are great for your website, and they also help you get more press coverage, but they can be expensive. Having the right kind of band photos, however, is crucial to getting the most bang for your buck. Find out how to make your band photos work for you.
Good band photos are great for your website, and they also help you get more press coverage, but they can be expensive. Having the right kind of band photos, however, is crucial to getting the most bang for your buck. Find out how to make your band photos work for you.
When Should I Send Out My Press Release?
You know that you need a press release if you want the media to talk about your new album or your upcoming show, but WHEN you send that press release also plays a role in the coverage you get. Find out when to send your press releases for maximum exposure
You know that you need a press release if you want the media to talk about your new album or your upcoming show, but WHEN you send that press release also plays a role in the coverage you get. Find out when to send your press releases for maximum exposure
What is a Session Musician?
Session musicians take part in many tours and recording sessions. Understanding their function, and how they should be paid, can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Session musicians take part in many tours and recording sessions. Understanding their function, and how they should be paid, can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
How Much Should the Opening Act Make?
Many bands get their start as opening acts. How much should you make when you play, and what kind of deal should you avoid?
Many bands get their start as opening acts. How much should you make when you play, and what kind of deal should you avoid?
Should I Quit the Band?
Bands are like any relationship - sometimes they just don't work out. Find out when you should jump ship and when you should stick around to work things out.
Bands are like any relationship - sometimes they just don't work out. Find out when you should jump ship and when you should stick around to work things out.
Who Pays for Gig Promotion Costs?
Is it the bands responsibility to pay to promote their own shows, or does the promoter have to foot the bill? Learn how the cost of shows should be distributed.
Is it the bands responsibility to pay to promote their own shows, or does the promoter have to foot the bill? Learn how the cost of shows should be distributed.
Who Pays Mechanical Royalties?
Who is respsonible for footing the bill for mechanical rights royalties and how are they distributed?
Who is respsonible for footing the bill for mechanical rights royalties and how are they distributed?
How Can I Join BMI or ASCAP?
Royalty collection groups like BMI and ASCAP can make sure you get what you are owed is someone uses one of your songs. Find out how to sign up to get the protection you need.
Royalty collection groups like BMI and ASCAP can make sure you get what you are owed is someone uses one of your songs. Find out how to sign up to get the protection you need.
Should I Ask for a Big Advance?
The lure of a big advance check can be pretty tempting, but is it really all it is cracked up to be? Advances have pros and cons; find out how to make the best choice for your band.
The lure of a big advance check can be pretty tempting, but is it really all it is cracked up to be? Advances have pros and cons; find out how to make the best choice for your band.
Does My Label Owe Me Money?
Your album is selling, but you haven't seen a dime of profits yet. Your label must be ripping you off, right? Not necessarily.
Your album is selling, but you haven't seen a dime of profits yet. Your label must be ripping you off, right? Not necessarily.
Do I Need a Contract?
You're working with a lot of people in your career - bandmates, labels, agents, managers, promoters - do you need a contract for each one?
You're working with a lot of people in your career - bandmates, labels, agents, managers, promoters - do you need a contract for each one?
Who Pays for the Recording Costs?
Should the band pay for recording costs, or is that the responsibility of the record label? Find out whose name should be on that studio invoice.
Should the band pay for recording costs, or is that the responsibility of the record label? Find out whose name should be on that studio invoice.
Should You Pay to Play a Gig?
When you're trying to book shows, you may come across promoters who offer to put on a show for you, if you pay a fee to play. Is this a good idea? Is it ever OK for a promoter to charge you money to play? Find out.
When you're trying to book shows, you may come across promoters who offer to put on a show for you, if you pay a fee to play. Is this a good idea? Is it ever OK for a promoter to charge you money to play? Find out.