Music Industry Definition, Jobs & Evolution

Music Business or Industry

For many of us, music is a nearly constant part of everyday life; it's playing in the background while driving, shopping, or watching television. But how much do we really know about the music that surrounds us, how it's created, how it moves from an idea to a product, or the different people that make it possible?

The music industry is a general term for all the parties involved in the creation, performance, recording, promotion, and management of the business of music. The distinction of calling this network of business partnerships ''the music industry'' as opposed to ''the music business,'' is more based on the stigma associated with the latter term than any technical difference. At one point, when the label of ''the music business'' was frequently used, artists often experienced exploitation from those who made exorbitant profits from their work. Today, numerous organizations exist to protect the rights of musicians, composers, and performers.

Music Industry Members

Four categories divide the numerous professional careers under the music industry umbrella. However, delineation isn't always clearly defined, as some roles can span two or more categories, depending on the particular role they perform at that moment.

1. Creative Professionals (Songwriters and Composers)

Creative professionals are the heart of the music industry. Songwriters envision a piece of music, its feeling, its words, and its meaning. Often, the writer of a song's lyrics and the composer of the musical accompaniment are one and the same, though not always.

Take the writing team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. For decades, the two created hit songs by combining Bernie's skill of lyrics and Elton's skill of composition. Some performing artists exclusively give life to the compositions of professional songwriters and never record a track of their own. Other times, performing artists may write their own songs or collaborate to give life to something infused with their creative skills.

2. Performance Professionals

Performance professionals include everyone who makes a recording or live performance possible. This includes the main star when there is one, all the supporting musicians and vocalists, and the many staffers managing the non-performing details.

When most of us think of the music industry, we think of the starting performers who sing or play instruments to create the music that moves us. For solo artists, like Celine Dion or Jimi Hendrix, the star is a single person. For bands or other groups, like the Rolling Stones, the starring performers are the key, permanent members of the band.

Supporting performers are vocalists and musicians who provide additional musical support for the starring performers. They provide the musical accompaniment to solo artists and sing backup vocals but aren't billed as the main attraction. Often, especially during touring performances, these musicians may perform only a number of shows while other musicians take their place at others.

The support staff in this category includes every person that sets up equipment or handles details necessary to create a successful recording session or live performance. They might design or install concert lighting for elaborate shows, care for and test instruments, haul around heavy equipment, or mix recordings to produce a complete track.

3. Business Professionals

Business professionals include everyone who handles the money and deals. While accountants and attorneys are involved in this part of the industry, they aren't usually included, as their profession extends to working with many other industries as well. The key business professionals include publishers, producers, and managers.