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Music Industry Careers

A working route into music as a performer, producer, engineer, manager or promoter: training, rights registrations, releases, royalties, gigs and touring, with the business records that keep the income coming.

Free · Mac (Apple silicon) and Windows · v1.0.0 · Other platforms

Then open the Marketplace in the app, search for Music Industry Careers, and click Install. It goes into your own files, and works offline from then on.

What it installs.

1

Pillar

1

Area

50

Projects

201

Starter tasks

🧰 Professions & Trades

Music Industry Careers

Building a career in the music industry: performing, producing, engineering, management and promotion, rights and royalties, and touring.

  1. Mapping the music industry roles that fit you
  2. Music subjects and graded exams from CSEC to diploma entry
  3. Choosing a music training route
  4. Home studio starter setup on a budget
  5. Artist or company name clearance and handles
  6. Joining a performing rights organisation
  7. Music business bank account and records
  8. Split sheets and a song catalogue register
  9. Electronic press kit and one-page bio
  10. Daily practice on your main instrument or voice
  11. Weekly writing and production session
  12. Release calendar and distribution pipeline
  13. Royalty statement reconciliation
  14. Gig and session booking diary with written terms
  15. Fan mailing list and social content rhythm
  16. Monthly music income close and tax set-aside
  17. Industry contact log and follow-ups
  18. Hearing protection and vocal health routine
  19. Quarterly music career review
  20. Ear training and practical theory for working musicians
  21. Recording, editing and mixing in a DAW
  22. Live sound engineering for venues and outdoor events
  23. Songwriting craft and co-writing etiquette
  24. Composition and master rights in music copyright
  25. Reviewing music contracts with a lawyer
  26. Stagecraft and a rehearsed live set
  27. Streaming and audience analytics literacy
  28. Choosing a distributor for your recordings
  29. Independent release versus a label deal
  30. Publishing administration choice
  31. Neighbouring rights registration for performers and master owners
  32. Setting your rates for gigs, sessions and production
  33. Sync licensing readiness for film, TV and adverts
  34. Funding a music project through grants, sponsors and fans
  35. First single release campaign
  36. Showcase and festival applications
  37. Carnival and festival season release plan
  38. EP or album from demos to masters
  39. Music video shoot on a small budget
  40. Headline show you promote yourself
  41. Applying for jobs at labels, studios and venues
  42. Building a music career around a day job
  43. Supporting a young musician as a parent or guardian
  44. From church, steelpan or community music to paid work
  45. Hotel, resort and corporate function work
  46. Moving abroad for a music career
  47. Planning a regional or international tour
  48. First year managing an artist
  49. Starting a production company or independent label
  50. Catalogue audit and unclaimed royalty recovery

Where it starts.

Each project arrives with its purpose, milestones and first tasks written out. Here is how the first three read.

Mapping the music industry roles that fit you

Most people come to music wanting to be the artist on stage, then discover that producers, engineers, managers, promoters, publishers and booking agents often earn steadier money from the same songs. Spending a few weeks testing which of these roles matches your temperament and skills stops you training for one job when you would thrive in another.

First tasks

  • List every music job you have seen credited on a record or a show poster
  • Message three people in different music roles to ask about their typical month
  • Score your top roles against your skills, contacts and income needs
  • Write down your primary and fallback role with today's date

Music subjects and graded exams from CSEC to diploma entry

Music programmes at college and university usually want evidence of theory, performance and listening skills, and that evidence comes from school subjects and graded exams. CSEC Music, CAPE Performing Arts, A-level or GCSE Music, or North American high school music credits, alongside graded practical and theory exams from bodies such as ABRSM or Trinity, all count differently depending on the programme.

First tasks

  • Find the entry requirements page for three music programmes you would consider
  • Copy each programme's subject, grade and audition rules into one table
  • Ask your music teacher which graded exam level matches your playing now
  • Book the next theory or practical exam that closes your biggest gap

Choosing a music training route

Degrees, college diplomas in audio engineering, short production courses, a mentorship in a working studio and teaching yourself online can all lead to paid work, but they cost very different amounts of money and time. Comparing the realistic options against the role you chose avoids paying for a three-year degree when a twelve-week course and a year of assisting would get you further.

First tasks

  • List two formal programmes and two informal routes into your chosen role
  • Ask each programme where its last graduating class is now working
  • Total the full cost of each option, including equipment and travel
  • Record your chosen route, start date and how you will pay for it

Make it yours.

Install Music Industry Careers, then tell Aurum the date you're aiming for. It checks whether the plan fits the weeks you actually have.

Free · Mac (Apple silicon) and Windows · v1.0.0 · Other platforms

Blueprints are general information to help you organise your own work. They are not medical, financial, legal or other professional advice. See the Terms.