This Business of Music

by M. William Krasilovsky, Sidney Shemel, John M Gross

The bible of the music industry! Now in its tenth edition, This Business of Music has been revised and completely updated to reflect the latest changes in the ever-evolving music business. Every chapter has been revised. An entirely new chapter has been added, asking and answering the question “Are there borders in cyberspace?” The answer is yes, and the book clearly and concisely explains what they are and how to maintain them. Commentary on recent legislation, a reader-friendly summary of the laws on copyright duration, and much more insightful analysis—plus fully updated lists of music organizations and important websites—make This Business of Music indispensable for musicians, agents, managers, marketers, music publishers and groups, colleges and universities, and everyone who wants to make music and make money.

Genres: Music, Business, Nonfiction, Reference

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book every year as it is a text for a class I teach on the business of music. While it is slow and difficult to read, it contains just about all of the legal and business information you will need to navigate the music industry. A great resource.

[Gareth Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy, informative, impressively researched and comprehensive book on the music business, focusing on music law and copyright issues.
Well worth a read if you are inclined to dig that deep.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another music guide I've been using since they first came out - now in it's 10 edition!

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I have an older edition and legalities change in any business, I've referred to this book throughout my career and I know that it will continue to be a good source of information for me.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got a LAW DEGREE and had trouble reading this!

[John Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS BUSINESS OF MUSIC was required for a course I took from jazz legend Jon Hendricks at UC Berkeley in the 70s (yes I just name-dropped, and I’m old). It is a reference book about copyrights, contracts, etc. It looks like it is continually updated to conform with industry changes. If you are entering any field, learn all you can about that field. It is on that basis I recommend it. Rating it seems a little unfair. I’ll put it in the middle.

[Gertrude Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative alongside Passman's All You Need to Know About the Music Business

[The Literary Jedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spouses' business book

[Paul Farahvar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This used to be required reading for musicians and those in the industry but the game has changed. Still a good book I think.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basic reading for music majors and professional musicians. It has more than once been highly recommended to me by serious professionals and instructors and coaches in college-level courses and summer music programs.

Even if much of the material in this book involves considerable detail on legal questions, which makes it a difficult read, the sheer amount of information it contains and conveys is great and provides answers to many questions that musicians will have. It is therefore also a great reference source.

At first glance, the book seems geared mainly toward those working with popular music. Nevertheless, its content actually applies to classical musicians as well. It is worthwhile, interesting, and highly recommended reading, especially if you are just getting into the business side of music and have real concerns about copyright, public domain, negotiating contracts, agents, and so on.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I production-designed a previous edition of this book. An actual hot-shot firm designed the template and provided it to us, but didn't design all the elements, or make style tags. It was kind of appalling! You'd think that by 1999 big design firms would already know how to use quark.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad!