Should I Start a Nonprofit?

by Daniel Wood First off, I have to confess that I’m not a lawyer.  I was the jury foreman once, but don’t think that counts.  So please don’t take my advice and quote me in a court of law.  They would probably laugh anyway.  However, I did start a not-for-profit performing arts corporation in California and have acted as its executive director for the past ten years so I have learned a thing or...

New (School) Year Resolutions

Believe it or not, it’s back to school time again!  Before things get too hectic, here’s a question for music students (and professors, and the rest of us): What specific actions will you take this academic year to advance your career?  Sure, you’ll improve playing and other artistic specialties.  But from a professional point of view, how will you be closer to life goals next May...

The Most Virtuosic Instrument – French Horn?

Marc Papeghin is no ordinary horn player: I am a crazy French Horn player from France who once had this weird idea of playing some progressive metal stuff on the horn. First attempt was a section from Dream Theater’s Dance of Eternity. I recorded a little section from it, track by track, playing over myself each time. Finally all the tracks mixed together would give the impression of a horn...

A Better Strategy for Your Recordings

“People just don’t buy music (recordings) anymore.  I poured my heart and soul into making this disk, along with a ton of money.  But 2000 CDs (or whatever number) are collecting dust in my basement, and download sales are just as pathetic.  The music business is completely broken!”  Now there’s a bitter cry of despair I’ve heard from many-a-musician.     My book The Savvy Musician, blog,...

Why Entrepreneurial Musicians Take Less Risk than Non-Entrepreneurial Ones

Risk taking. Everyone knows that’s an essential trait for entrepreneurial musicians.  In fact, “takes risks and is willing to fail” is #5 of 20 essential characteristics describing entrepreneurs listed right on page 5 of my own book The Savvy Musician. But I can think of one group that takes much bigger gambles.  Epic risks, the proportions of which are so enormous, no entrepreneur would touch them...

Fan Funding: Financing Recordings & Other Artistic Projects

There are quite a few ways to fund recordings and other artistic projects.  Consider the following options: Record label backing. In today’s world, with major labels quickly going the way of the dinosaurs, don’t count on this option unless you’re really famous and have a huge fan base (and are 14 years old). Grants.  There are some grants available specifically earmarked for...

Does Conservatory Really Prepare for Business Success?

Everything I Know about Business, I Learned at the Conservatory is the title of a recently posted TSM article by Brian Pertl.  In it, he argues that his (enormous) successes as an employee with Microsoft were the result of Conservatory training.  Here are 5 attributes Pertl claims are valuable to the business world and developed in music schools:         Focus Self-motivation Collaboration...

Opportunity for Independent Teachers and Music Professors

Are you or someone you know an independent music teacher or professor doing something extraordinary?  I’m working on a couple of projects now that will feature case studies of these kinds of individuals.              Private Teachers Looking for independent music teachers with: Good business models Income streams other than private teaching Interesting marketing strategies Independently...

Everything I Know About Business, I Learned at the Conservatory

by Brian Pertl My guess is that the title of this blog caught your attention, because it seems so incredibly unlikely. The world of business and the world of music appear to have very little in common. What on earth could playing a Mozart symphony have to do with leading a budget proposal meeting? Most of us would say, “absolutely nothing at all.” At one point in my life I would have agreed, but from...

Lady Gaga Plays Bassoon

You probably know Lady Gaga for her dance-pop party songs, outrageous costumes, and risqué “shock art” videos.  Of cause you know about her singing, and maybe even piano playing abilities.  But did you realize the Gaga is also a master of the bassoon?  As unlikely as that may seem, we have evidence to prove this point in the video below, which features a medley of Telephone, Poker Face,...