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BerkleeX: Introduction to the Music Business

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Learn the latest about the rapidly changing music industry from recording, publishing, and distribution to legal issues confronting music commerce.

6 weeks
2–4 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
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Starts Jan 1, 2025
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Introduction to the Music Business

About this course

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Three things are clear about today’s music industry: The consumption of music is expanding at the greatest rate in history and from the most portals ever imagined, the cost of producing music is decreasing, and the number of artists creating and seeking to expose their work and develop careers through the Internet has increased dramatically. As demand grows and Internet piracy wanes, ad-supported and subscription models will generate unprecedented revenues that will surpass even the best of past earnings. And, many astute “music industry-watchers” predict a steep rise in business activity and trade earnings by the end of the decade.

Whether you’re a music creator, consumer, or facilitator of this process, you’ll want to understand the history, underpinnings, and basics of the music business. This course has been developed to provide students with the latest instruction on the best way for creators, consumers, and facilitators to navigate the resurgence of one of the world’s most exciting industries: the music business. Course author John Kellogg—administrator, educator, entertainment lawyer, performer, and radio and television personality—offers students the opportunity to learn the fundamental principles of the developing new music business, for now and into the future.

Awards

edX Prize 2017 Winner

At a glance

What you'll learn

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  • The history of the recording industry
  • Today's music business structure
  • How to read and understand recording contactracts
  • How toprotect artisitic work with copyright
  • The various roles in the industry, including managers, agents, and attorneys
  • How to build a musical brand
  • How to plan and organize live performances

Syllabus

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Lesson 1: Overview of the Music Industry

  • Overview
  • Music Industry History: 1900-1950
  • Music Industry History: 1950-2000
  • Music Industry History: Napster and Beyond
  • Today’s Music Business Structure
  • Quiz
  • Recap

Lesson 2: Recording Agreements

  • Overview
  • Importance of Recording Agreements
  • Contract Provisions
  • Royalties
  • Advances
  • 360 Deals
  • Discussion: 360 Degree Deals
  • Quiz
  • Recap

Lesson 3: Copyright Basics

  • Overview
  • History of Copyright
  • The Importance of Copyright
  • Registration
  • The Bundle of Rights
  • Infringement
  • Fair Use
  • Discussion: Future of the Bundle of Rights
  • Quiz
  • Recap

Lesson 4: Managers, Agents, and Attorneys

  • Overview
  • Types of Managers
  • Commissions
  • Agents
  • Attorneys
  • Term
  • Fiduciary Relationship
  • Business and Road Managers
  • Regulation of Managers
  • Agents
  • Discussion: Role of the Personal Manager
  • Quiz
  • Recap

Lesson 5: Band and Brand Organization and Protection

  • Overview
  • Sole Proprietorship
  • General Partnership
  • Corporation
  • LLC
  • Trademark
  • Band Names
  • Discussion: Which type of Entity?
  • Quiz
  • Recap

Lesson 6: The Live Performance Market

  • Overview
  • It Factor
  • Fan Engaging Show
  • Promotions: Social Media
  • Live Performance Agreement
  • Entourage
  • Local Personnel
  • The Future of Live Music
  • Discussion: Keeping Informed and Getting Active
  • Quiz
  • Recap
  • Course Wrap Up

This course is part of Music Business: Industry Essentials XSeries Program

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Expert instruction
4 high-quality courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
4 months
3 - 5 hours per week

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Price

$59 USD

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Expires on Dec 27

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