unit 1 the music industry - aylesford school sports college · management is in charge of managing...

UNIT 1 THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Aylesford School Sports College

Music Department

Revision

Notes

Unit 1 The Music Industry Revision Notes

Section1: Organizations in the Music Industry

Venues

Small & Medium Local Venues

Spaces that range from pubs to clubs and small theatres that host music regularly or as part of mixed arts performances

Host a wide range of music, from small niche genres (styles of music that aren’t really popular) to pop and club bands and singers

Local promoters may use the venue for gigs and for club nights

Advantages: Intimate atmosphere, close to audience, more accessible for local bands, caters for the community Disadvantages: Poor sound quality & equipment, smaller audience numbers, less publicity/ promotion

Large Multi-Use Spaces

Includes arenas and sports venues (Wembley Arena, Wembley Stadium, O2 Arena); West-end theatres; and outdoor venues (Glastonbury)

Host touring productions linked to TV programs, rock and pop acts, stand-up comedy, site-specific theatre, circuses, festivals. (X Factor Tour, Dancing on Ice Tour etc)

Advantages: Excellent sound & technical facilities, huge publicity & promotion, higher fee from tickets sold Disadvantages: You have to be already famous to perform at a large venue (less easily accessible), the cost of hiring a large venue, less intimate interaction with audience.

Question As a promotor you have been asked to promote an up and coming folk band in your local area list 3 venues that would be suitable and why.


Health and Safety and Security Concerns at Venues

1. Heating, lighting & ventilation 2. Electrical equipment safe 3. Toilets & drinking water clean 4. First Aid & Emergency exits in case of fire 5. Obstacles appropriately lit/indicated (i.e. stairs) 6. Adequate parking & parking arrangements 7. Flow of people in and out of venue 8. Secure ramps/stage scaffolding 9. Noise levels 10. Control of number of people coming in through ticketing

Some Examples of Relationships Between Venues and the Industry

1. What other organisations would venues need to have links with?

2. What possible qualifications do you think employees need when working at a venue?

3. What are the legal requirements are needed for a venue to hold an event?

Venues

Promoters

Tour Managers


Promotion and Production

Record Labels

Record labels sign up Artists and bands and record, market and distribute their artist’s albums

around the world for a percentage of the money earned by the Artist

Major Record Labels

Record labels that have many artists signed to their label

Big Three (since 2012): Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group

Usually involved in the most popular styles of music (Rock, Pop, Country, etc)

Advantages: Money (huge financial advantage), promotion & connections, large size so best deals on manufacturing, advertising & links to media Disadvantages: Difficult to stand out in such a big pool of artists, artists tend to get less money, more mass media driven than interested in your style of music

Independent Record Labels

Small record labels that have few artists signed to their label

Examples: Southern Fried Records (created by Fatboy Slim for House Music), Pickled Egg Records (Leicester, ‘quirky, retro-futurism), Fat Cat Records (Brighton, Post Rock)

Usually involved in any styles of music

Advantages: Cater to the artist more, Artist earns more money, close personal relationships between Artist and Label Disadvantages: Lack of funds, less publicity & promotion, less organised because more informal, less contacts with media.


Some Examples of Relationships Between Record Labels and the Industry

Question

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of signing with a major recording company.

Question

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of signing with an independent recording company.

Record Labels

Artist Managers

Broadcasters

Distributers


Music Publishing

Often linked with printed music, music publisher’s work with composers/singer songwriters to

develop the music and distribute it to relevant consumer. They can look after any royalties for

composers and singer/songwriters.

Major Publishers

Publishers that have a large number of composers/singer songwriters signed up with them.

Advantages: More distribution of songs (increases sales), quality of design, marketing and promotion, payment Disadvantages: Usually need to go through an agent, harder to have music published when the company is large, more editing to your original work

What do music publishers do?

Create a spider diagram of who do music publishers work with?


Self-Publishing

Some composers and songwriters publish their music online through websites like Soundcloud and their own websites

Advantages: Don’t need to go through an agent (you can send your work directly to them), you are more in control with the editing process, can be a stepping stone to a larger company, may cater to a specific genre that is different. Disadvantages: Less marketing & promotion, less pay, not the same possibilities of distribution of your work.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Publishers and the Industry

What are the legal constrains when self- publishing?

Where can you get legal advice?

How can musicians publishing their own work protect their work?

Publishers

Record Companies

PRS


Promoters

What are promoters?

What do Promoters do? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Promoters and the Industry

Additional Notes:

Promoters

Record Companies

Venues


Marketing and Distributers

What do they do? Marketing: Distribution: What do marketing and Distributers do? 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Marketing and Distribution and the Industry

Marketing

and

Distribution Record Companies

Shops and online shops


Service Companies and Agencies

Royalty Collection Agencies

These are companies that work for composers and songwriters to collect money from any

company or individual that uses their songs

Companies:

PRS

Licenses the composer’s copyright (royalties) for live public performances of your songs. MCPS

Licenses the composer’s copyright (royalties) for sound recordings on any physical format (CD, digital, etc)

PPL

Licenses the right to perform sound recordings & collects royalties for record companies & performers on recordings

Some Examples of Relationships Between Royalty Collection Agencies and the Industry

Who would need a PPL license to play music?

Who would need a MCPS license to use music?

What are the differences between PRS and PPL?

Royalty

Collection

Agencies Record Companies

Shops that broadcasts music


Artist Representation

Management

Management is in charge of managing the artist’s day to day life. They represent the artist by: 1. 2. 3.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Management and the Industry

PR (Public Relations)

Public Relations are in charge of the artist’s relationship with the public. How do they represent the artist by: 1. 2. 3.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Public Relations and the Industry

Management

Record Companies

Promoters

Public

Relations Record Companies

Media

Artist Managers


Agent (also called Booking Agent or Talent Agent)

Booking Agents are in charge of the artist tour. How do they represent the artist during the tour by: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Management and the Industry

Stylists Stylists are in charge of creating a style for the artist. They represent the artist during the tour by: 1. 2. 3.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Stylists and the Industry

Booking

Agent Tour Manager

Promoters

Stylists

Tour Manager Artist Manager


Hire Companies

Many artists will use hire companies to rent really expensive equipment like vans or trucks; rehearsal and studio space; halls for community performances; sound and lighting equipment. Advantages of hiring equipment/space: 1. 2. 3. 4. Disadvantages of hiring equipment/ space: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Hire Companies and the Industry

Transport Companies Many Artists will use transport companies to move equipment and personnel around to different gigs. Transport could include lorries or vans for carrying equipment or buses or sleeping coaches to carry around the artists and other personnel to the gigs. Advantages of hiring transport companies:

1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3.

Disadvantages of hiring equipment/ space: 1. 2. 3.

Hire

companies

Roadies

Sound and lighting

engineers


Some Examples of Relationships Between Transport companies and the Industry

Unions

Unions are trade bodies that are used to protect and promote people in the music industry.

Unions in the Music Industry

Musicians Union (MU) Who do they represent? Musicians, Music Teachers, Instrumental teachers

Equity Who do they represent? Actors, dancers, stage managers, choreographers, directors, backstage crew

BECTU (Broadcast Entertainment Cinematograph Theatre Union):

Who do they represent? Media & entertainment trade union, representing broadcasting, film

How do unions represent their members?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Transport

Companies Tour Manager

Promoters


Trade Bodies

Trade bodies are individuals and companies in a specific type of business or industry who

organise themselves to promote common interests. These trades will work together to

negotiate with governments; negotiate with unions, etc.

Trade Bodies in the Music Industry

MPG (Music Producers Guild)

Who do they represent?

APRS (Association of Professional Recording Services)


PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association)



Section 2: Jobs in the Music Industry

In this section you need to list the responsibilities and skills of each job role.

Musicians

Examples: Orchestral player, vocalist, accompanist, DJ, Programmer, solo artist – self-employed or freelance

Responsibilities:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Skills:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Additional Notes:


Examples of how musicians work with others in the Music Industry

DJ/ Remixer

Examples: Clubs, discos, host concerts, gigs.

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. Skills: 1. 2. 3.

Musicians Sound

Engineers

Producer

Other artists

Managers (once

signed)

Record companies

Media - TV,radio

etc


Example of How DJ/Remixers Work with Others in the Music Industry

Composer, Song Writer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Skills: 1 2 3 4

Additional Notes:

DJ

Club owners

audience

Radio

Studio manager

Technical people


Examples of How Composers/ Song Writers work in the Music Industry

Producers

Example: Record Producer Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Song Writers

Producers

Publishers Recording Companies

A + R


Some Examples of Relationships Between Producers and the Industry

Musical Directors

Example: Conductor Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Skills: 1. 2.

Additional Notes

Producers

Artist

Recording Engineers


Some Examples of Relationships Between Musical Directors and the Industry

Live Sound Technician/Engineer

Example: Sound engineer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Conductor

Orchestras/session musicians

Recording studios Managers

Agents


Some Examples of Relationships Between Live Sound Engineers and the Industry

Roadie

Example: Backline technical support

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Live Sound

technician

Musicians, artists, band

Head Roadie/ Manager/Tour

Manager

Management at venues


Some Examples of Relationships Between Roadies and the Industry

Instrumental support

Example: Guitar tech, drum tech

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Roadie

Music Promoters

Musicians, bands, artists

Management at venues

Equipment hire

/transport companies


Some Examples of Relationships Between Instrumental Support and the Industry

Additional Notes

Inst. Tech

support

Musicians

Engineers Technicians

Front of house

engineer


Management and Promotion Roles

Artist Manager

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Artist Manager and the Industry

Manager

Recording companies

Venue booking agents

Recording studio

manager

Music Publisher


Venue Manager

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Venue Manager and the Industry

Venue management

Media and advertising

The public audience

Artists, bands, groups

Music Managers


Studio Manager

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Studio Manager and the Industry

Studio Management

Promoters

Musicians, bands, artists

Session Musicians

Staff in studio


Promoter

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Promoters and the Industry

Promoter Music

Managers

Bands, artists,

musicians

Media

Venue managers

Advertising agencies


Marketing

Market and sell records locally, globally and regionally Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Some Examples of Relationships Between Marketing and the Industry

Marketing staff

Director of marketing

Promoters

Music stores etc

Media

Music Managers

Publisher companies


Artist and Repertoire (A&R)

Responsible for finding and developing new Artists for a Record Label Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Some Examples of Relationships Between A&R and the Industry

A + R Producers

Managers

Record label companies

Artists, bands

A + R Admin - budgets/costs


Recording Roles

Recording Engineer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Assistant Engineer – “Tape Op” Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Technical Manager

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3.


Tech Support


Maintenance and Repair/Electronics engineer/Installation


Producer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.


Session Musician

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Mastering Engineer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4.

CD Manufacturer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4.


How Recording Studio Personnel Work Together

Producer/Manager

Mix Master engineer

CD Manufacturer/Distributor

Technical Manager

Tech Support

Session Musicians Engineer

Assistant Engineer

Maintenance + Repair

Electronic/Installation

Studio supply companies

Artists, Band


Media and other roles

Music Journalist/ Blogger

Examples: writer, music critic, and music reviewer – full time, part-time, freelance Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Additional Notes:


Some Examples of Relationships Between Music Journalists and the Industry

Broadcaster – TV/Radio Examples: Radio producer, Program/Music director, Radio DJ, Video jockeys

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Skills: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Music journalist

Editors of publications

Managers

Agents

Venue owners

Promoters


Some Examples of Relationships Between Broadcasters and the Industry

Software Programmer/App developer

Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Skills: 1. 2. 3.

Retail and Distribution: Retail

Responsibilities: 1.

Retail and Distribution: Distribution

Moves the finished CDs from Record Company Warehouse to Shops Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3

Broadcaster

DJ

Music Director

Station Owner

Managers


Employment Patterns

Full-time Employment

Standard is 37-40 hours/week. Contract may include pension, paid holidays, sick time. Will usually be a long-term contract. Used for any permanent members of the industry

Part-time Employment Contract which is below the standard 37-40 hours/week. Contract is usually a long-term contract and is used for any permanent members of the industry

Freelance Contract

Self-employed & is not committed to a particular employer long-term. No long-term contract! Used for any work that is not permanent like session musicians or for bands playing in Weddings or at a venue

What are the differences between Full-time long term?

What is the difference between a permanent contract and temporary contract?

How to Get Paid

Before

Before you work, you will normally be contracted.

A contract is a legal relationship where one person, group or organisation enters a formal

relationship with another to complete something.

After

Once you have completed the job, you then produce an invoice to claim your fee. An invoice is

usually a single-page document.

Before – the process of agreeing, negotiating and bargaining takes place before a contract is

issued. Once the contract is produced, it is usually reviewed and studied to ensure that the

contract reflects the negotiation and that this is correctly recorded on the contract. The

contract is not signed until all parties are content with it. However, in many cases the contract

is disputed later on and often-expensive legal battles break out.

After – when a contract is completed, an invoice is drawn up, which claims the money

promised in the contract. In contracts that extend over a period of time, it is usual for the

contract to include payment points and milestones that trigger payments and ensure cash

flow.


GETTING A BREAK & STARTING OUT

You may be asked a question about how to get a break in the music industry. Here is an

example of a 10 point plan to break in the music industry.

1. Be passionate, hard-working, resilient, patient, and don’t give-up

2. Have an instrumental/vocal coach to guide your technique & musical skills

3. Do voluntary concerts in local venues (bars, theatres) to gain experience & put on your CV

4. Send examples of your work (demo) to music agents, record labels & publishers (if

composing)

5. Use social media to promote yourself (YouTube, Sound Cloud, blog)

6. Create your own personal style (music and clothes)

7. Sign contracts with caution and read the small-print (have a lawyer/solicitor for advice) or

join a union

8. Find an agent/manager who will cater to your musical needs & requirements

9. Take care of yourself (healthy lifestyle)

10. Network as much as possible (social media, playing as a preceding act for more famous

artists

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR YOUR EXAMS

Look at how many points there are for each questions. This is how many points you will need

to make in your answer. E.g. if it’s worth 2 marks, write down 2 things!

If the exam says “EXPLAIN” it will normally be worth at least 2 marks. Therefore you need to

state the answer, and then give a reason why. For example, the question might be:

Questions: Explain one reason why it can be a good idea to have a manager.

Answer: It can be a good idea to have a manager because they will be able to find you places

to perform. This means you don’t have to give up as much time on finding venues to perform

and they will make sure there are people there to watch you.


If your questions is asking you to “DISCUSS” means you need to consider different aspects of a

topic and how they interrelate with other areas of the industry. You also need to discuss the

extent to which they are important.

The word IMPLICATIONS may also come up in your exam. This means the consequences of

something and conclusions that can be drawn. You should give the BENEFITS and the

DRAWBACKS of the issues that are being discussed. For example if the questions was:

DISCUSS the IMPLICATIONS of hiring equipment for a concert.

You might discuss reasons what the benefits would be to hiring equipment (less to move to

the venue/cheaper than buying) and then compare it to what might be the drawbacks of hiring

equipment (costs if damaged/condition it may be in to start with).

You may also be asked to EVALUATE something. This is normally looking for you to weigh-up

the pros and cons of something. Always EVALUATE the POSITIVES and the NEGATIVES and say

WHY.

Information from EDEXCEL:

What you need to know about the exam

You will take a written test on the same day and time as other learners – your teacher will

let you know the date of the test. You will have 15 minutes of pre-test time to allow you to

read the test paper through before the test begins and then you will have one hour to

complete it. You should aim to answer all the questions on the paper.

Your written test will contain the following types of questions:

● multiple-choice questions where you are given a list of possible answers and you have

to choose the answer(s) that fit

● short answer questions where you are asked to give a short answer worth 1–2 marks

● long answer questions where you are asked to give a longer answer, which could be

worth up to 8 marks.

Test tips


● At the start of the exam, make sure you have read the instructions, that you can see the

clock and that you feel comfortable to write.

● Watch the time – you should aim to spend about a ‘minute per mark’. Some early

questions may take less time than this and some later ones may take more time.

● If you get stuck on a question move onto the next one and come back to that question

at the end.

● The space given for your answer will show you the type of answer required, for

example, if two answers are required you may see the answer space divided up for two

answers.

● Remember that you can use more paper if necessary, for example, you may make a

mistake or you may need more space for your answer.

● Plan your longer answers – read the question carefully and think about the key points

you will make.

Are there any rules?

You need to treat the written tests just as you would any other formal exam. For example:

● you should not talk or distract others

● you can’t take any materials into the room

● you can’t use any device to store information.

Remember, just as with any other formal assessment, breaking the rules could lead to you

being disqualified.

unit 1 the music industry - aylesford school sports college · management is in charge of managing...

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