M. William Krasilovsky | Sidney Shemel
1 an important book for understanding the music business
This Business of Music is a very important and comprehensive book to aid one in understanding the music industry. However, I would recommend using the book merely to gain a strong knowledge of the history of the music business, and then to follow up by reading related magazines and journals, since things are rapidly changing. My other advice would be for anyone reading This Business of Music to understand that it is a history and that the reader should keep an open mind to creative, alternate business models that fully take advantage of modern technology. I realize that This Business of Music is updated periodically, but it still seems to be the case that the technology and the norms change more rapidly than the time between revision and distribution.
NOTE: I accidentally rated 3 stars, when I meant to rate five, but the system, for some reason, does not allow me to edit my rating.
2 A Good Reference Guide, but...
This is a great book to have on your shelf when you need to look something up. And it's important that all upcoming artists and music business people understand the concept... But, so much of this doesn't apply to the average band/songwriter in his day-to-day existence. That's not saying that it shouldn't be handled, but don't get too caught up in the academic stuff that this book concentrates on.
3 REQUIRED READING FOR ANYONE IN THE BUSINESS
This is a fantastic book which covers all the essential ground in the music business. The authors have clearly laid out the isues and forces that are shaping the industry, as well as the nitty gritty details about doing business in the music world. This book is helpful to anyone who is an artist themselves, or works with artists as a manager, record exec, or publisher. Run out and get this book now!
4 Sure, it's comprehensive... but it's not accessible.
If you are a scholar or pundit, this is the bible. BUT IF YOU PLAY IN A BAND AND WANT TO FIGURE OUT YOUR NEXT MOVE -- LOOK ELSEWHERE. Try Rich Stim's "Music Law - How to Run Your Band's Business" instead.
5 College Text Quality
Very informative, reads like a college textbook. This book could be used to teach courses. Well worth the money, and will keep you reading for awhile. If you have interest as to how everything works in the business aspects of the music business, this book is for you. I've interned at a few music companies, and this book teaches you everything that I've learned in 2 years all in one book. Again, you won't be disappointed.
6 another boring music business book - it's good though!!
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzz... This book is like "This Business of Music." It's full fo great info, but it's really, really, really boring. This is something you'd read in a college classroom. I think most musicians would be better off getting some of the newer music business books that are out now which concentrate more on getting out there, making a name for yourself, and making money. Get a few bucks together and go buy the Indie Bible by David Wimble to get some contacts going, get How I Make $100,000 in Music by David Hooper to show you how business people think and how to increase your income playing music, and get Buzz Your MP3 to help get your online promotion together. These are all quick reads with really good info and no filler. Once you have read them, come back for this one. You'll understand it a lot better.
7 Excellent Book.....A must have!
This book is the book of all books. If you want to better understand the business of music buy this book!!
8 Unquestionably the most reliable music business source
Without question, the most reliable source for all music business questions, whether you are a tenacious artist, manager or aspiring music industry person. It is a great "reference" book and not the entertaining read that say, Donald Passman's "All You Need To Know" book has. However, if you have a good grounding in music business knowledge, this straight-up book will not steer you wrong.
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"Resources & promotion for independent artists"
9 Essential Legal Reference... ! ! !
Performing, Promoting and Producing music is one thing. Music Law is another - - and when you're not a million dollar record company but just another guy trying to make and promote music, and you can't afford $200.00 an hour for *multiple* legal consultations, you might be at a disadvantage, especially when you're dealing with slicksters who do.
This book for long has been one of the few serious resources available to individuals who need to really understand "the industry" and the laws relating to you and it (including how to protect your own work and performances as well as making agreements with other people, and not infringing copyright law.) About 5 years ago it underwent a major make over to deal with the digital revolution and other chages in the industry (including the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998) and now even has a CD rom with plenty of printable legal documents, including 23 sample agreements.
The book might not have any cute picures and rock and roll stories, but if you need a serious understanding about everything fo contracts, agreements, performing rights, protecting ideas and titles, agents and managers, various legislation and so on and so forth, this is an essential work of reference. It is defitely *not* just another "Cheesy Wannabe Pop Star Magazine Presents : How To Get Your Demo Heatf and Become a Big and Groovy Recording Artist" type book, nor is it written in such legalese, that you need a lawyer to disencipher it... it is basically the definitive reference manual for any individual involved or getting involved in the music industry to have on hand.
10 The best business industry book. Period.
If you want dtailed information on all aspects the music industry, then this is the book you want. It's packed with everything you would need to know, and now it even comes with a CD ROM with contracts and forms, at no extra cost. If you just want fluff that covers only a few areas of the industry that reads like a Harry Potter book, then there are plenty of other books out there for that.
11 Best Reference on the Subject: Owning This Book Is a Must
As the grandson of the prominent composer Nathaniel Shilkret, who left a legacy of several hundred works--many published by the company bearing his name, I was in need of information about the music business, with a presentation that is understandable by the layman. After obtaining several books about the music business, I found that this book uniquely fitted my needs. It is comprehensive, completely up-to-date, clear and very well organized . My relation to the composer placed me in an unusual situation not addressed in other books, but all the details of the recent (1998) relevant law were included and easy to find in "This Business of Music." This information saved me from losing royalty income. This book is not a page-turner novel for an easy night's entertainment; it is a quality reference book to be used over the years by anyone who has a serious need for information about the BUSINESS of music. Also, when I bought the book, I found it included a useful bonus: a CD with relevant laws and, more importantly, relevant sample contracts. I have many useful books in my library that are five or more times the price of this book but do not contain as much information.
12 Mainstay Of The Music Business
As a musician, composer, arranger, producer, recording engineer, audio studio owner, video production chief, theatrical sound designer, record label owner, and university educator, I have been using Krasilovsky's book as a reference since 1971. This is not a book for the casual reader. It requires serious inquiry. This tome is a no-nonsense, meat and potatoes, let's dig in and get the goods resource for the professional, as well as the dedicated wannabees. And now, it comes with a CD which makes life so much simpler for those who want to cut and paste their contracts and agreements with ease. Highly recommended, you would be doing yourself a favor if you use "This Business" to achieve your dreams.
13 Not the Best Resource on the Music Business Anymore
This book is a drag: its old fashioned, long-winded and tedious -there are much better books on the market that tell it like it REALLY is. Besides, it is not a very breezy read compared to a lot of other treatises out there on this topic - I won't name and names, but several other authors are much more up to date and write a more enjoyable read about the business side of the music business.
14 Attention Hip Hop Entrepreneurs:Necessary as a resource!
Success is about having the right information and then knowing how to and actually applying it! This is one of the books we recommend highly in our Hip Hop Entrepreneur Bookshelf on our website!
It's not a "how to", but for those who want the facts about the details of contracts, publishing, royalties, etc. you can't be in the industry and NOT have this in your library..
--Walt Goodridge, President Hip Hop Entrepreneur Association (Walt is also author of Rap: This Game of Exposure and, The Game of Artist Management, The Hip Hop Entrepreneur Lists of Exposure, The Niche Market Report, and other success tools for the Hip Hop Entrepreneur)
15 reasonably useful
This is a reasonably useful book for the novice providing he doesn't make it his only book resource and remembers that most of what he needs to know he will learn by getting involved in the business itself, not by reading books. (He should remember also that he needs to know how to play. For that I can do no better than recommend PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns.)
16 A Must for Music Professionals!
I have been using this book since 1979. Each new edition keeps up with the current trends in the music Industry. I actually negotiated 2 record contracts and a song writers contract using the suggested guidelines out of this book. It is the most accurate book on the music industry I have found. The best money I ever spent on myself!
17 A REFERENCE MUST FOR PERSON ENTERING THE MUSIC BIZ
I'VE BEEN FAMILIAR WITH THIS PARTICULAR INDUSTRY REFERENCE SINCE 1990 (FIFTH EDITION). THEREFORE I FIND IT VERY INFORMATIVE FOR THE NEW BREED AND PROFESSIONAL ALIKE. IT COVERS SO MUCH ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT ITS A MUST HAVE IN ANY MUSICIANS/PUBLISHER LIBRARY.
18 Excellent.
Very,very professional and useful.
19 This Book is a Entertainment Bookshelf Necessity!
If you are breaking into the world of music or if you have been a professional for years - THIS book is one to put at the top of your list for personal reference. It contains about every subject you can imagine you would ever need information about in front of your face. This book will SAVE you time and money. It includes contract forms, licensing facts, copyright guidelines, and live performance facts and information for the peformers that need the information the very most! I have been purchasing this book at least every other year for nearly 20 years.
