Music industry articles & Resources

Westend61 / Westend61 / Getty Images Apple Music has been taking the music industry by storm since its launch in 2015. But what does it really mean for artists and fans?  This infographic takes a unique look at the impact of Apple Music from the perspective of both artists and fans. It breaks down exactly how Apple Music is changing the way we consume music and how it’s giving us more options to discover new music and keep up with our favorite artists.  How Much Does Apple Music Cost

I have a question for you. How many famous uke players can you name? After America’s Got Talent skyrocketed Grace VanderWaal to fame, chances are you can name at least one. The spunky and talented then 12-year old certainly made the ukulele a well-known instrument and showed that you can make a career out of this often undervalued instrument. You may be surprised to learn, however, that there are many other famous musicians who play the ukulele, and some non-musicians whose ukulele playing may

Writing a song is a huge accomplishment. It takes a lot of patience, perseverance, hard-work, knowledge, and sometimes sheer luck. There are many expenses that go into writing and releasing a song as well. Will you hire musicians as session artists? Are you recording at home or in an established studio? Will you mix and master your song or are you hiring someone else to do it? Either way, each one costs time, money, or both. In this article, we will explore different the question, "how do songwr

So you want to be a session guitarist? Maybe you’re wanting to make a few extra bucks. Maybe you want this as a career? In my music career, I’ve worked with artists such as Khalid, John Karpowich (Santana), Jamie Merrill, Eric Boseman, and many others. I will share with you what I think of as a basic session guitarist survival guide. A disclaimer… I don’t do much session work anymore. I am using my time to write and record my own music. However, I have learned a lot, and what works fo

So, you’ve just bought your first violin, and you want to take good care of it.  Or, maybe you’re trying to upgrade your setup in order to maximize the sound of your violin. From violin wall hangers to cases, and humidity; instrument care can be complicated, with too many options, opinions, and companies to count. In this article, I’m going to lay out some of the most reliable companies to buy instrument care products from, and the reasons each product may or may not be necessary for diff

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a grand piano vs. baby grand? Maybe you’re just curious, or maybe you’re in the market for one. You have probably figured that they are different sizes, but there is actually plenty more to it than that! In this article, I’ll discuss the size and the mechanical differences, and explain how they affect the sound and feel of the piano. The Grand Family “Grand” is a term used to describe any style of piano where the strings insid

Vintage guitars are typically defined as the guitars made before the 1970s. They are a common topic of discussion in the guitar community: Why are they so valuable? Do they really sound better with age? Were guitars made with better quality back in the day? These are some of the questions that always come up, but there seem to be varying opinions. In this article, I want to provide a quick summary about the history of vintage guitars and also try to address some of these questions. Quality of W

Are you wondering how pianos are made? The making of a piano is a long and intricate process. More than any other instrument (except, perhaps, the organ) the piano comprises of thousands of moving parts that must be crafted and fitted together to create a beautiful and unique instrument. As a pianist, you should know the parts of your instrument to understand how it works, how to care for it, and what to tell the tuner who comes to maintain your piano. This article will pinpoint the maj

Self-promotion is one of the most important (and difficult) processes that musicians and entrepreneurs experience. As a musician and songwriter, it is challenging sometimes to even get the confidence to put yourself out there in the first place. Once you establish that you are ready, where is the best place to start?  The internet contains a wealth of information about a lot of different things; sometimes helpful, sometimes confusing and conflicting. The good news? You don’t need a hug

Are you wondering, "what are the most common chord progressions in pop music?" If so, you're in the right place.  Today, many pop songs are written by writing the chords first, and melody later. In fact, it would be fair to say that the backbone of the modern pop song is the chord progression. In this way, chord progressions are very important to make the song as memorable, catchy and enjoyable as possible. Pop music has existed at least since the 1950s, amassing a great catalog of music