Essay Assignment
The essential aim of any industry is to make money, and the music industry is no exception, and live performance is the heart and the face of this vast and powerful industry.
For audiences, the venue is where music comes to life, where fans can witness first hand, anything from the raw and intimate, to the glamorous and exciting. This experience cannot be burned onto a blank CD to give to your friends, or downloaded on the internet. Fans are making a psychological and emotional investment in the artists and bands that they support. Venues and labels are making a financial one, for them its business and it is one that is filled with competition and risk.
With today’s hunger for instant fame, there is always an abundance of willing new acts, and ‘the next big thing’ is never far behind. The aspiring musician should hope to make a lasting good impression at every show. Whether it’s your first paid gig or you’re busking on the local high street. Through the spectrum of musical styles it is impossible to please all tastes, no matter how versatile the musician. Live performance demands allot of strength and/or confidence from those who choose it as a career. Aspiring musicians must make an investment in themselves, becoming proficient as a musician takes time and practice, and becoming established as an artist and performer takes hard work, commitment and self-belief. This isn’t always easy when the odds are against you. Many young musicians find themselves encouraged towards more practical careers, and those with creative endeavours are no longer held with the highest regard, instead they are often burdened with an unfair assumption of idealism and idleness.
A variety of skills and qualities contribute to the making of a good performer. With so much music available, and trends constantly changing, few of the modern recording artists will have the longevity of their predecessors. Some performers are happy to have their sound and image moulded for the purpose of better marketing, and eager to gain the financial backing that can be provided by a record company. A major record deal may offer a faster or more profitable option, but the artist who retains their integrity and creative freedom will have more lasting success, and gain more respect from their fans.
Many artists manage their own careers, but often as they become more engaged with the music industry the need for management becomes evident. Appointing the right manager may be the most important decision that an artist makes in their career as effective management can be hugely beneficial. An artist may seek the assistance of a manager to help make decisions on all things related to the artists’ progression within the industry. It is fair to say that the manager must be an adaptable individual, as his/her job may include duties similar to that of a booking agent, press agent, business manager, tour manager, promoter, and at times, a personal assistant. The manager’s role is often a complex and extensive one, and varies depending on the needs of the artist. Though not directly involved with the making of contractual agreements, the manager should understand the full implications of the contract for all involved parties, and be able to advise their client (the artist) accordingly.
The record company’s first aim is to locate, sign, and develop new acts. Then coordinate the marketing, manufacture, promotion, production and distribution of new releases. Composed of various different divisions, each serving a different purpose, the record label is a complex business, with a constant aim of increasing publicity and record sales. Most major record labels are large corporate conglomerates with a selection of smaller subsidiary labels operating on behalf of the parent company under a different name.
Because of advances in recording technology, the equipment and software necessary to produce recordings with a professional sound has become far more easily accessible to musicians, and the internet provides a platform for anyone hoping to showcase their work. The rise in online streaming and unsolicited copying has put a huge dent in record sales. More and more artists are choosing to go independent, and the major record label is no longer the gate keeper to success.
It has never been easier to get your music out there, with more and more artists choosing to release their music independently, and the rise in unsolicited copying, the role of the record company isn’t as obvious as it once was. And though the independent approach does allow the artist to retain their creative freedom, it will also demand much more motivation, hard work and expertise. A thorough understanding of the industry is needed, as the artist will have to take charge of matters that would otherwise be the responsibility of the manager, agent or record label. There are great advantages to being signed with a major record label, but they are typically known for rigid regulations and demanding contracts that can prove detrimental to the quality of work. An artist signed to a major record label will often find that they no longer have full control of their music and their style. The record company may provide a much quicker and easier route to fame, but the artists who endure and stay true to themselves will gain greater respect from fans, and often have more lasting success.
For audiences, the venue is where music comes to life, where fans can witness first hand, anything from the raw and intimate, to the glamorous and exciting. This experience cannot be burned onto a blank CD to give to your friends, or downloaded on the internet. Fans are making a psychological and emotional investment in the artists and bands that they support. Venues and labels are making a financial one, for them its business and it is one that is filled with competition and risk.
With today’s hunger for instant fame, there is always an abundance of willing new acts, and ‘the next big thing’ is never far behind. The aspiring musician should hope to make a lasting good impression at every show. Whether it’s your first paid gig or you’re busking on the local high street. Through the spectrum of musical styles it is impossible to please all tastes, no matter how versatile the musician. Live performance demands allot of strength and/or confidence from those who choose it as a career. Aspiring musicians must make an investment in themselves, becoming proficient as a musician takes time and practice, and becoming established as an artist and performer takes hard work, commitment and self-belief. This isn’t always easy when the odds are against you. Many young musicians find themselves encouraged towards more practical careers, and those with creative endeavours are no longer held with the highest regard, instead they are often burdened with an unfair assumption of idealism and idleness.
A variety of skills and qualities contribute to the making of a good performer. With so much music available, and trends constantly changing, few of the modern recording artists will have the longevity of their predecessors. Some performers are happy to have their sound and image moulded for the purpose of better marketing, and eager to gain the financial backing that can be provided by a record company. A major record deal may offer a faster or more profitable option, but the artist who retains their integrity and creative freedom will have more lasting success, and gain more respect from their fans.
Many artists manage their own careers, but often as they become more engaged with the music industry the need for management becomes evident. Appointing the right manager may be the most important decision that an artist makes in their career as effective management can be hugely beneficial. An artist may seek the assistance of a manager to help make decisions on all things related to the artists’ progression within the industry. It is fair to say that the manager must be an adaptable individual, as his/her job may include duties similar to that of a booking agent, press agent, business manager, tour manager, promoter, and at times, a personal assistant. The manager’s role is often a complex and extensive one, and varies depending on the needs of the artist. Though not directly involved with the making of contractual agreements, the manager should understand the full implications of the contract for all involved parties, and be able to advise their client (the artist) accordingly.
The record company’s first aim is to locate, sign, and develop new acts. Then coordinate the marketing, manufacture, promotion, production and distribution of new releases. Composed of various different divisions, each serving a different purpose, the record label is a complex business, with a constant aim of increasing publicity and record sales. Most major record labels are large corporate conglomerates with a selection of smaller subsidiary labels operating on behalf of the parent company under a different name.
Because of advances in recording technology, the equipment and software necessary to produce recordings with a professional sound has become far more easily accessible to musicians, and the internet provides a platform for anyone hoping to showcase their work. The rise in online streaming and unsolicited copying has put a huge dent in record sales. More and more artists are choosing to go independent, and the major record label is no longer the gate keeper to success.
It has never been easier to get your music out there, with more and more artists choosing to release their music independently, and the rise in unsolicited copying, the role of the record company isn’t as obvious as it once was. And though the independent approach does allow the artist to retain their creative freedom, it will also demand much more motivation, hard work and expertise. A thorough understanding of the industry is needed, as the artist will have to take charge of matters that would otherwise be the responsibility of the manager, agent or record label. There are great advantages to being signed with a major record label, but they are typically known for rigid regulations and demanding contracts that can prove detrimental to the quality of work. An artist signed to a major record label will often find that they no longer have full control of their music and their style. The record company may provide a much quicker and easier route to fame, but the artists who endure and stay true to themselves will gain greater respect from fans, and often have more lasting success.