Program Overview

Unit of Study MUS10507 - The Independent Musician

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: UG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• AQF level: 7
• Level of learning: Intermediate
• Former School/College: Former School of Arts and Social Sciences
• Enrolment information: N/A

Unit Description

Examines and gives practical advice on how an independent musician and songwriter uses the resources and services available in the music industry to create a sustainable career independent of the multinational institutions that have controlled the industry in the past. The relevant 'players', resources, contracts, and business of the industry will be explored.

Unit Content

• Topic 1: Music industry overview
• Topic 2: Music marketing planning
• Topic 3: Product development
• Topic 4: Legalities of releasing an independent record
• Topic 5: Music distribution
• Topic 6: Self-publishing
• Topic 7: Music promotion 1 - Music promotion basics & publicity
• Topic 8: Music promotion 2 - Radio airplay & music videos
• Topic 9: Music promotion 3 - Online promotion & direct marketing
• Topic 10: Music promotion 4 - Other forms of promotion
• Topic 11: Budgeting & pulling it together

Availabilities

Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand, and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

On Completion of This Unit, Students Should Be Able To:

1. Discuss the current environment of the music industry and the place for independent musicians
2. Explain the business and legal framework governing independent musicians
3. Examine suitable business structures and practices for independent musicians and songwriters, as well as budgeting key milestones such as recording costs; manufacture, distribution, and marketing costs
4. Explain Australian copyright law, independent musicians and songwriters protecting and exploiting copyright, and the ways income may be earned as an independent musician and songwriter, through the exploitation of music product
5. Examine marketing opportunities for the independent musicians
6. Understand the basics of getting publicity and media exposure
7. Develop a marketing plan for the release of a music product

Prescribed Learning Resources

Session 1

• Prescribed Texts: No prescribed texts.
• Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Graduate Attributes

• GA1: Intellectual rigour - A commitment to excellence in all scholarly and intellectual activities, including critical judgement.
• GA2: Creativity - An ability to develop creative and effective responses to intellectual, professional, and social challenges.
• GA3: Ethical practice - A commitment to sustainability and high ethical standards in social and professional practices.
• GA4: Knowledge of a discipline - Command of a discipline to enable a smooth transition and contribution to professional and community settings.
• GA5: Lifelong learning - The ability to be responsive to change, to be inquiring and reflective in practice, through information literacy and autonomous, self-managed learning.
• GA6: Communication and social skills - The ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals, and within teams, in professional and community settings.
• GA7: Cultural competence - An ability to engage with diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in both global and local settings.