Music Career Books: Essentials

There are not so many good books to read about the music business. After all, the most effective way to explore any creative field is through action. However, some gems are worth the time to get you inspired or help along the way. Here are my selections of Music Career Books Essentials. All of the books listed I’ve read myself, found useful, and would recommend to any creative friend or musician. So, consider us friends now ;)

Inspiration Shelf

First, let’s take a look at the books that help to light up the spark of creativity. There’s no way to be a professional musician without inspiration. You need it like air. Let’s take a deep breath together))

Tom Moon - 1001 recordings to hear before you die

Everyone has heard about this book if they are somehow related to music, along with a bunch of contrasting opinions about it. I love it for a few reasons. It’s like a full-blown pop music history course provided to your ears. A trained ear is essential, despite the role you take in the music creation. It shows with examples that contemporary music is cool, widely diverse, and can be deep and sophisticated. Take your time with this one; don’t rush.

You can hear it all! Discover how sound evolved and changed through time, what was trendy back in the day, and even catch some ideas on how to create a fresh banger with a retro influence (hello, Dua Lipa!). Also, it might remind you about the slowly disappearing culture of listening to the whole album as one piece. Who knows, maybe you will be the one making a record that brings this tradition back?)

Austin Kleon - Steal Like an Artist

Short, simple, yet valuable book on how to be inspired by others. Any new idea is some kind of combination of existing ones. We all consume and generate images based on our personal experiences. This is why a skill of healthy creative borrowing can be extremely useful, and no book explores it better!

Julia Cameron - The Artist’s Way

This book will awaken your dreams and invite you to make them real! Step by step, with each exercise, you’ll rebuild your connection with the inner child that is responsible for all creative endeavors and imagination. It might take some getting used to, but by implementing techniques from these pages, you will be filled with creativity not only in your career but even in your day-to-day life. And this is when the magic starts! No doubt, some discoveries in the process might surprise you.

David Byrne - How Music Works

A collection of essays revealing what’s going on in the studio while big records are being made. To get a sense of what it’s like to be in one room with A-listers, get inspired by the human nature of music, and take notes on how to navigate your collaboration process.

Music Business Shelf

Now, let’s talk business. These are the only four tried and true, extremely valuable books you need to learn what it takes to be a successful independent musician. All are full of useful information and regularly updated, so it’s best to look for the latest editions. I would consider these the main course.

Ari Herstand - How To Make It in the New Music Business

A comprehensive look at the modern music industry has helped many musicians, including me, to make sense of today’s fast-changing market. This book gives plenty of applicable strategies and tips to navigate your career and get the most out of the resources at your disposal.

Donald Passman - All You Need to Know About the Music Business

This guide is a great companion to the previous one. It masterfully covers various aspects of the music industry, including contracts, royalties, and marketing strategies.

Ariel Hyatt - The Ultimate Guide to Music Publicity

Most musicians roll their eyes when hearing anything about PR, and this golden nugget of a book might change that. A music PR veteran, Ariel will help you understand how to promote yourself and your music to get tangible results with no-nonsense insights based on experience in the field. A simple, approachable, deep dive into the side of the music business many musicians see as too complicated, that will open a whole new area for your creativity.

The Indie Bible

This one is more like a manual that needs to be put to use when the time is right. It’s truly written by other independent musicians, which is helpful in the search for contacts, services, or resources of any kind. Once you’ve figured out your basis and have a plan in action, this book is like your best friend who knows whom to call and where to send your music. Give it time, with some research of your own, and mindful application of this book will take you places!

Specified Shelf

What about the specifics? I’ve got you covered! Here are the books that are related to a particular niche of music-making that will be useful, depending on what you do or if you just want to expand your horizons and understand your fellow musicians even better. Maybe you’ll discover a passion for something you didn’t try before. Like I, being a composer-producer to my core, did with songwriting.

Gerald Klickstein - The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness

This book is a must-have for those who perform or aspire to. It offers practical advice for musicians on improving practice habits, overcoming performance anxiety, and maintaining physical and mental health.

Steve Barden - Writing Production Music for TV: The Road to Success

Production music nerds, search no more! This book is the only one you need to get your craft working for you full-time and find the flow in making music for media. Get in sync!

Robin Frederick - Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting Level 1-3

A valuable addition, whether you write songs for sync purposes or want to expand your arsenal of techniques in songwriting overall. A collection of exercises that help to free your creativity as well as get your songs more «in sync,» if you wish.

Are you into songwriting? Cool! Berklee College of Music is a go-to when it comes to contemporary music degrees for a reason. This little selection of books by known songwriters-educators will help you hone your songwriting skills and become a pro at it.

• Andrea Stolpe, Jan Stolpe - Beginning Songwriting

• Andrea Stolpe - Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling 

• Pat Pattison - Writing Better Lyrics

• Pat Pattison - Songwriting Without Boundaries: Lyric Writing Exercises for Finding Your Voice

Some gems are also made outside of academia. A few great books focusing on melody writing and exploring the art of catchy hooks will pique your interest if you want to become the next Max Martin or simply increase your chances of getting your songs to the charts.

• Clay Mills, Bill O’Hanlon - Mastering Melody Writing

• Friedemann Findeisen - The Addiction Formula

Worthy Additions Shelf

Just a little extra for some true enthusiasts!

Michael Michalko - Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking

Brainstorming themes for a new song or seeking a fresh video idea? This book will jumpstart your creative flow and help to keep it going! Many techniques listed inside are extremely useful in a wide variety of ways for enhancing your creative thinking and training problem-solving skills. It can come in handy for anyone, not just creatives.

Rob Biesenbach - Unleash the Power of Storytelling

Any art is a form of storytelling. We use it daily when recalling what happened to us and sharing about our day. Pay attention, and you’ll see that stories are all around you! It’s an incredible power, and this book will show you how to tame it to your advantage, no matter if it’s your music, songs, videos, socials, or even a pitch meeting.

Donald Miller - Building a StoryBrand

Following up with the previous one, this book will help to reveal the creator behind your music. If you don’t feel like you have a story worth sharing, I assure you that you just need more time to find it. These pages will guide you through the process of discovering your personal history and finding exciting ways to share it with the world. Everyone has a story - it’s time to tell yours!

Paulo Coelho  - The Alchemist

Surprise, we have fiction in our library! A true classic that is a must if unread, or worth re-reading from time to time if you’re already familiar. The creation process, your career, and life in general are a journey, and there’s no better novel to immerse yourself in to feel it. This book has changed how I view my life, but I had to grow into it. The first time, I couldn’t pass through a few pages, and after a few years, I fell in love with it! So, are you ready to embark on a new journey?

Even after reading all of these books and beyond, the most important thing is to put your knowledge to use. Plant the seeds of knowledge and grow them through action. Stay open to new ideas, places, people, experiences, and… books. Be patient, with time, your creative endeavors will bring the harvest.

Be well, stay tuned!