Making Music Your Business: A Guide for Young Musicians (Paperback)

by David Ellefson (Author) "CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN a shot at becoming professional musicians, I think I'm very fortunate to have reached the level of..." (more)
Key Phrases: artist royalties, tour support, tour manager, New York, Los Angeles, Making Music Your Business

Editorial Reviews

Review
How can aspiring young musicians break into the music industry? With the help of this basic beginner's guide, which covers everything from record deals and royalties to promotion, merchandise deals, and working with a management team. Ellefson, bassist for Megadeth, provides practical business tips for making it in a cutthroat industry. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description
Get the inside scoop on breaking into the music industry from former MEGADETH bassist, David Ellefson.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Miller Freeman Books (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087930460X
• ISBN-13: 978-0879304607
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,134,601 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative Guide To The Music Business, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

This book isn't about teaching you to write extraordinary songs. It's not about teaching you techniques or anything similar. This book is a guide to the music business and as such a very good book. David knows his way around the music business and this guide is the best I've read on that subject.

The book is easy and fun to read and it really gives you inspiration when it comes to actually making it as a professional musician. It's only down is that it's a bit short.

Check it out!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent overview of the business for beginners, March 27, 2005

By	Z. William Arkosy (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ellefson gives us a brief overview of how the music industry operates and gives us a few words of advice along the way. Given the amount of success he has achieved with his band Megadeth, he is a credible source. This book is targeted at the amateur musician, since the chapters on each section are usually limited to about 2 pages, which makes them very superficial. Those that have been performing/playing music for a while will most likely see this book as old news. Chances are you won't become successful by reading this book alone, but it's a good place to start & further reading on the subject will most likely also be required.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great starting point for musicians, October 15, 2002

By A Customer

This what it says a guide for young musicians. It is a quick and easy read pertaining to management, attorneys, booking agencies, bussiness management, recording, promotion, touring teaveling, gear and copyrighting. Although this an excellent starter, if you already know about music law then you probably won't read anything new. In fact there are several books that specialize in contract and dealings that this only covers briefly. Yet nonetheless a short read (130 pages) that give beginners insight into starting and being prepared for the long road ahead.