This page provides information and tips for independent musicians - including women - who are doing their own recording, promotion, distribution and marketing. Our Recording and How-to Articles pages provide additional useful information.
Recording Best Buys!
Announcements!
Independent How-to
Duplication Equipment And Services
Legal Advice
MP3 Resources
Online Recording Collaboration
Promotion How-to
Women's Resources
Recording Best Buys!
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Announcements!
AudioFanzine: Home Studio Gear News, Reviews, Forums, Classifieds A new online magazine for musicians and sound engineers where you can find daily audio and music news:
TicketPrinting.com has provided the following marketing articles written with unsigned bands in mind. The articles cover topics such as social networking, email marketing, press releases, forum creation, blogging, and other step-by-step guides.
Mutopia Project Similar in spirit to Project Gutenberg, Mutopia provides free download of sheet music that's in the public domain.
Music of the United States From Wikipedia, a wealth of information about the nation's diverse array of music styles, including rock and roll, country, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
Garritan Orchestral Libraries is offering a free orchestration course online, using an interactive edition of "Principles of Orchestration" based upon Nicolay Rimsky-Korsakov's classic text and examples from his own works.
If you're interested in some very fascinating and useful information about Blues Music and its origins, we strongly recommend visiting the PBS network's pages about its 7-part TV series, The Blues.
The Artist Series Books are comprehensive business opportunity and start-up publications for DJs, musicians, bands and videographers. Full details.
Black Steel Music This new and growing information resource for musicians is focused mainly on the ever-expanding and complex field of music hardware and related information.
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Independent How-to
1212.com i-Music Production Guide This database of music industry-related Web information from over 50 countries helps visitors to find everything from legal assistance to session players, and much more.
ASCAP The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Useful info about the business side of music.
Audio Courses Online Audio Production School This online distance-learning school offers a variety of audio production courses, plus an audio forum.
Band Radio Articles, music biz directory and database, law resources and contract samples, music biz Q&A, and much more.
Bandname.com Find out if your band's name is already being used. If it's not, register it for free. Also, British legal advice for bands, and more.
Berklee Today This online magazine, published by Boston's prestigious Berklee College, an institute for the theory and practice of contemporary pop and jazz music, offers technical articles about composition, arranging and songwriting, and interviews with prominent ex-students and successful songwriters (think Quincy Jones, Melissa Etheridge, and Branford Marsalis).
Berkleemusic Online music school, music career center, and music jobs from Berklee College of Music.
BluesLessons.com Blues lessons offered for various instruments, plus instructional materials.
BMI Broadcast Music Incorporated. Variety of music business info. Songwriters take note - BMI has launched Online Song Registration for BMI songwriters, composers and independent music publishers.
The Dance Music Business Resource Info about running your own dance label.
DMusic.com offers hosting, legal, design, production, and distribution services to help independent musicians make their music sound and look professional.
Electronic Musician Online Interactive version of the magazine; occasional articles about indie how-to and promotion.
FilmSound.org Articles, glossaries, and other resources about designing sound for film.
Find Me A Teacher.com Provides students with information regarding teachers of all types in their local area - over 40 different fields in close to 30 countries.
Florence International Music Summer Campus Classical and jazz music summer courses in the Florence Music School "Il Trillo," with musicians and teachers of international fame.
Galaris Wide variety of information, resources and services for indie musicians.
Indie-Music.com Articles, tips, downloads, tour guide, CD mastering info, and more. Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter - it's loaded with useful info.
IndieCentre - An Independent Label Information Site DIY information for getting your music to the masses - includes An Introductory Mechanics Guide to Putting Out Records, Cassettes and CDs and many other do-it-yourself articles and resources.
The Inside Connection This online magazine provides musicians with every kind of information from insider experts on how to succeed in the music business, including articles, interviews, advice, news, etc. Music enthusiasts will also find reviews and interviews of their favorite artists.
International Songwriters Association News, contests, FAQ, and lots of other info useful to songwriters.
Jeff Mallett's Songwriter Site Lots of info, tips and links about songwriting, including the business and legal sides.
John Lennon Songwriting Contest An international songwriting contest open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12 categories. It's open year-round and features two sessions with 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners and 1 Maxell Song of the Year.
KnowTheMusicBiz.com An online community for emerging artists, musicians and music executives. Members can find, exchange and contribute information about the business of music, plus get advice and insight from industry thought leaders.
The Muse's Muse Songwriting tips and tools, classifieds, links, articles, interviews, reviews, chat, songwriting association listings, songwriter spotlights, copyright and publishing info, and more.
Music Dish Music industry magazine includes industry news and columns, career tips, indie reviews, etc.
Musician Bulletin Boards List of pages and bulletin boards that post openings for musicians, vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, etc.
MusiciansContact.com Established in 1969, this fee-based source of employment for musicians nationwide (U.S.) is an inexpensive way to find gigs. Services include job offerings for musicians, as well as listings for those seeking representation or seeking work with a band. Jobs and resumes are updated online daily.
Musiciansnews.com is a news website by musicians for musicians. Find information about new CD releases, artists, bands, sheet music, music theory, articles, etc. Currently features 7 online magazines.
MusicStaff.com is the first and largest internet directory of private music teachers and music schools in the U.S. Currently, they represent over 6000 music teachers. A basic listing for a teacher or school is free. Through an interactive zip code locator, students can find a teacher in their area in seconds. Try it!
My Sonic Temple Music producer Johannes Luley's ProTools recording studio in San Francisco, CA. Engineering, mixing, production, and tracking.
My Music Player TV Musicians can upload video clips of themselves or their bands, create a user network, and meet with other musicians. For all skill levels, all instruments, all genres.
PlayJazzNow.com Play-along recordings for jazz singers and musicians to hone their skills as accompanists and soloists. Practice the forms, turnarounds and harmonic cycles that are the backbone of traditional and contemporary jazz.
Record Labels on the Web Links to over 2800 record label web sites.
Roadie.net Site dedicated to technicians who provide services for touring musicians.
Shavano Music Magazine dedicated to helping musicians solve business and promotional problems, etc.
Singer Song This site is dedicated to linking unsigned and independent artists with the best singer and songwriter resources (booking agents, management, independent record companies, concert listings and tickets, musician touring services, and more). Over 2500 listings.
Songwriters Directory This site aims "to become the best and most comprehensive data base of Songwriters and Songwriter Resources on the Internet." Lots of info - songwriter listings, news, announcements, showcases, links, contests, and more.
Songwriting TAXI: Source for songwriting tips, songwriter resources, songwriting articles, and songwriting techniques.
Sound Recording Advice, a book by audio and electrical engineer John J. Volanski, is an instruction and reference manual that demystifies home studio recording. Check out our review! Also, browse the site for additional recording info.
StarPolish Advice from music industry professionals for unsigned musicians.
StudioFinder Search for a studio by name, location, equipment, price, and/or area of expertise - over 10,000 recording studios listed.
Understanding and Writing Lyrics, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 From Sound On Sound, this 5-part article presents ways to find your own voice for writing pop lyrics.
The World of Film Music This is a one-stop source of information and resources for and about the film music industry. You name it, it's probably here.
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Duplication Equipment And Services
Visit our Recording page.
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Legal Advice
Band Radio Law resources and contract samples.
Copyright Law From IPWatchdog, covers the basics and much more.
Crash Course in Copyright From the University of Texas System.
HSU Library Copyright Resources on the Web From Humboldt State University, an extensive list of resources on various aspects of music copyright.
Lawgirl.com is an interactive legal resource run by an entertainment attorney who specializes in copyright, trademark, music and new media. Written with common sense and in plain English, it includes detailed how-to instructions on many thorny issues important to musicians, as well as a question-and-answer board and a music-related forum.
Music Business Resources Several articles on music law, as well as a Personal Manager Contract Negotiation Guide.
Music Law Offices Variety of law-related information about the music business.
Musicians' Intellectual Law Information about protecting compositions, sound recordings, album cover art work, writings and band logos.
Nolo: Patents, Copyright & Art From the famous publishers of law-related self-help books, a variety of information useful to musicians.
StarvingArtistsLaw.com Self-help legal information.
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MP3 Resources
MP3Machine Download over 400 MP3 software programs. Also, detailed descriptions and discussion forums for each program listed. Win, Mac, Linux.
MPEG.org A major index of MPEG pointers and resources - audio and video.
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Online Recording Collaboration
eJamming AUDiiO Collaborate in real time and in sync with other musicians online over eJamming AUDiiO software.
eSession An online music collaboration system for artists, bands, songwriters, musicians, labels, producers, and engineers. Includes web-based tools to make collaboration possible from any computer platform and any audio software. Free registration.
Indaba Music A community of musicians collaborating in making music with others globally, using online project management, editing and mixing tools.
Jamglue An online community for creating and sharing original music and audio. Web-based remixer lets you combine and edit tracks right in your browser.
Mix2r Upload your music for other members to critique, or add to, or remix.
NetMusicMakers Create a personalized virtual studio, access royalty-free licks and loops, sell your songs, and get airplay over a fan-driven multi-channel internet radio network.
NINJAM Their realtime music collaboration program provides a solution to the latency problem in synchronization.
Splice Collaborate on music through your web browser. Online tools allow you to upload, record, or remix.
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Promotion How-to
Alternate Music Press News, reviews, articles about the music world. Musicians and label representatives can submit their music for review consideration.
Artistopia This company aims to streamline the artist's induction into the music industry by providing all the neccessary tools and resources to create a professional approach, and to provide the music industry with a standard submission process based strictly on the artist's career credentials, professional approach, and business knowledge.
ArtistLaunch Features an Internet MP3 radio network, a top 50 chart, artist promotion and reviews, and more.
Bards Crier Subscribe to a free music marketing and promotion tips ezine.
Broadjam provides web-based technology, software and services for the music industry and independent musicians around the world.
CD Baby.net offers free musician resources, tips, articles, advice, links, etc., and CD Baby.com sells independent CDs through its Web site.
CDs-FROM-THE-ARTIST dot com (CFTA) Created and run by veteran musicians to create a central place where independent artists and music lovers from all over the world can come together.
Creative Musicians Coalition An international organization dedicated to the advancement of new music and the success of independent musicians.
East Coast Bookings A global gathering of artists, bookers/promoters, and club owners primarily concerned with securing live performance opportunities for independant artists.
Garageband.com Back by popular demand, this site showcases songs of up-and-coming acts through free downloads and streaming, peer reviews and rankings.
GetPlayed.com Submit your band's MP3s for free and have visitors rate, review, and award points to your tracks. Also, top 5 songs, forum, and music competitions.
Getsigned.com Lots of how-to articles and tips for promoting your music and your career.
Gigmasters This entertainment booking agency offers customers the ability to search for and hire live entertainment from members throughout the United States, Canada, France, and the UK. Entertainers compete with bids in order to get hired for the job.
HitQuarters Find the contacts you need in the complex music industry. HitQuarters helps musicians and songwriters find the world's top record company A&Rs, managers, publishers and producers, including their contact info and track records, free of charge.
IACmusic.com (Independent Artists Company) A basic artist page for promoting your music through the site's stations is free - new artists can put up to 2 songs on their page to start out. Check site for additional features.
IDN: Independent Distribution Network A non-profit music distribution network. Also provides a Music Biz Education Center for learning how to produce, promote and market music.
The Indie Link Exchange Promote your music web site for free by swapping links with other music-related sites.
Indiespace.com Provides online marketing, web hosting, secure e-commerce, and career support services for independent artists of all types - musicians, artists, filmmakers, authors and performers.
Jukeamatica Futura A customizable MP3 player jukebox that allows musicians to promote their music files on or off the Web without allowing the files to be ripped off.
MakeTunes Upload your original music and get free promotion and feedback from other studios and home musicians.
The Music Biz Academy A wealth of information about the business of selling, promoting or doing music on the Internet.
Musicians Find Net Success Without Record Labels This encouraging IDG.net article describes how two indie musicians use the Internet for greater creative independence and financial reward.
myHitOnline Professional music industry resource and pitch sheet for music publishers, record labels and professional producers/writers. It provides information about pitch, production and licensing opportunities worldwide, and it includes a song pitch system, and a news and online community.
Onlinegigs.com A subscription resource run by musicians to provide bands and agents with a nationwide listing of venues, nightclubs and colleges, as well as essential contact management tools.
OpenMic.us Network A resource which strives to provide reliable, local open mic information for musicians. Check out the lists of open mics in many cities.
The Orchard A leading supplier of independent music on the Internet, offering non-exclusive distribution to artists and record companys worldwide. For more information about this company, see the article Promoting Music Online.
OurStage.com Artists can upload their music or video and decide which channel competition to enter. Then, fans judge the work side by side with the work of others. Check out the site's FAQ for details.
Packing and Flying with Guitars Practical advice from guitarist Bob Brozman on protecting your instrument from the airlines.
Pandora Radio from the Music Genome Project. To understand what this unique site does, how it works, and how to submit your music to it (see the "Contact" section), you need to check out the site, including the articles written about it in the "Press" section. Also, see the GearWire Interview with Pandora's founder.
PittRadio: Independent Music Playlist Radio Dedicated to supporting the independent music community by providing quality playlists of music, as well as news and entertainment, from indie music artists and music industry professionals. Lots of info.
RainMusic.com has several offerings, including free sheet music, but it's especially dedicated to advice - some of it for sale - about music promotion on the Internet.
SignHere Online, Inc. A subscription-based liaison for providing unsigned artists and independent bands with an opportunity to promote original MP3 music and solicit recording contract offers.
SongCast A worldwide music distribution service that delivers independent music to the most popular download retailers, including iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody, eMusic, and more.
Sonicbids is designed with both musicians and live music buyers in mind. Their mission, by using electronic press kits, is to make it easy, inexpensive, and efficient for musicians to promote their music, increase exposure, and connect with people who book acts, such as clubs, colleges, festivals, conferences, performing arts centers, cruise ships, fairs, casinos, and more.
Textango.com This unique distribution resource for musicians lets fans buy your music by cell phone text message. The purchase is billed to the customer's cell phone bill and the music is downloaded from the Textango website. Check site for artist sign-up details.
The TTH Label An unusual CD duplication service dedicated to making life easier for independent musicians: You can pay up front for CD duplication, and/or you can use The TTH Label service to sell your CD online with no upfront costs at all. The production cost is taken out when you sell a CD. Check the site and its forum for details.
your-own-music.com An MP3 portal where original music of any genre can be placed for downloading or, in the near future, for play on an Internet radio station - check the rules, instructions and fees.
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Women's Resources
Drummergirl Information and support for women who drum.
FEMMUSIC.com A national online magazine devoted to emerging women in music.
Fiddlechicks.com A showcase for female electric violinists.
GoGirlsMusic.com An online community of independent women artists dedicated to promoting women in music. It includes monthly features written by indie artists, as well as interviews, CD reviews, searchable artist database, giveaways and more. It also produces the GoGirlsMusicFest and GoGirlsRock! events.
GuitarGirls.com For female guitar playing artists and fans of girls who play guitar, this site features a songwriting contest, MIDI files, guitar and independent artist resources, articles on recording, etc.
Indiegrrl A forum for information, networking and conversation about independent music from a female perspective. With over 1100 members internationally, Indiegrrl welcomes women performers, DJs, managers, and booking agents, as well as men interested in women's role in the independent music industry.
International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) An educational tool and a communication network, this major resource on women composers and women in music topics contains more than 4500 pages of archival material.
ROCKRGRL Magazine Proclaiming "No Beauty Tips or Guilt Trips," this online version of the magazine includes a grapevine feature, community forums, interviews, links, and how-to topics, such as how to start a label, booking your own tour, legal issues, gear, and studio tips.
Voice Is Venom This California-based Web 'zine for "Women who Rock!" provides resources, articles, links to bands, club/booking info, reviews, and an insider's view to the scene.
Women In Music National Network (WIMNN) This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting the advancement and recognition of women in the music industry. Membership is free and includes free email service, a quarterly newsletter, and discussion forums through the "Network."
