Roles in the Music Industry Flashcards
(51 cards)
1
Q
Which role:
Writes and arranges music
A
Composer
2
Q
Which role:
Organises and leads rehearsals and arranges pieces?
A
Musical director
3
Q
Which role:
Sets up and packs away equipment, checks everything works properly, runs the sound desk.
A
Live sound technician
4
Q
Which role:
Helps pack, unpack and set up equipment
A
Roadie
5
Q
Which role:
Organises the career of the artist/band. They will book gigs, collect money, book the recording studio, communicate with the record label and publisher.
A
Artistic manager
6
Q
What does PR stand for?
A
Public relations
7
Q
What does a PR person do?
A
Manage the image of the artist/band in the media, including interviews, TV, radio and social media
8
Q
Which role:
Finds work and/or auditions for the artist/band
A
Agent
9
Q
Which role:
Runs the venue, including bookings, making improvements, hiring staff and controlling finances
A
Venue manager
10
Q
Which role:
Runs the studio, including bookings, making improvements, hiring staff and controlling finances
A
Studio manager
11
Q
Which role:
Advertise an event/product by making posters/radio/TV adverts, making sure tickets are available and discussing the target audience with the artist and their manager
A
Promoter
12
Q
What does A&R stand for?
A
Artists and Repertoire
13
Q
What does an A&R person do?
A
Find and contract new artists/bands/songwriters for the record label. They are essentially talent scouts
14
Q
Which role:
They work on the recorded song to edit and add effects and give a particular overall sound to the track. Avicii, Mark Ronson, will.i.am and Pharrell Williams are all famous as these…
A
Producer
15
Q
Which role:
They are booked play for a specific time on a specific product eg Muse would pay a trumpeter to play on a few of their tracks which include trumpet
A
Session Musician
16
Q
Which role:
They edit the final version of the track and make sure it works well and sounds professional
A
Mastering engineer
17
Q
Which role:
They interview and report on people and events in the music industry on TV, radio, magazines, newspapers and social media
A
Music journalist
18
Q
Give 3 examples of types of musicians
A
Orchestral player, vocalist, accompanist, DJ, Programmer, solo artist – self-employed or freelance.
19
Q
What are the responsibilities of a musician?
A
- Train and practice regularly to keep skills to a high standard – proficient on their instrument 2. Auditioning for musician roles 3. Attending rehearsals to include technical and dress rehearsal, on time and prepared 4. Taking part in performances and workshops 5. Marketing and promoting own work 6. Look after instrument (including voice) 7. Learn new music for a show 8. Work well as part of a team 9. Maintaining/setting up and tuning of equipment
20
Q
List 3 Studio Management Responsibilities
A
- Booking sessions
- Managing the maintenance of equipment and facilities
- Administrative control of the studios operation
- Schedule times and liaise with clients
- Engage engineers, session musicians, technical engineers
- Promote and market the studio
- Ensure all equipment is Health and Safety checked
- Recruit, pay and retain staff
- Pay invoices – keep accounts, financial records
- Manage and oversee people, equipment, workflow
21
Q
List 3 Studio Management Skills:
A
a) Creative
b) Technical and leadership management skills
c) Team/Project management
d) Problem solvers
e) Confidence to meet tight deadlines and time management
f) Communication – written and verbal
g) Financial awareness
h) Knowledge of Health and Safety
22
Q
List 3 Promoter Responsibilities
A
- Identify performance opportunities
- Promote artists at a variety of venues
- Secure finance at events
- Manage financial risk
- Ensure insurance is valid and health and safety at venues
- Publicises concerts and events
- In charge of putting on the show
- Works with artists agents
- Works with venues to arrange for a show
- Promote the event through advertisement and publicity
23
Q
List 3 Promoter Skills
A
a) Knowledge of touring and promotion
b) Marketing skills
c) Accounting/budget knowledge
d) Persuasion/negotiation skills
e) Communication
f) Computer/networking skills
g) Time Management
24
Q
List 3 Marketing Responsibilities
A
- Manages marketing materials and strategies i.e. selling, plans, album sales, displays in shops, radio station giveaways etc.
- Gather prices for advertisements and promotions
- Devise promotional events, giveaways, sponsorships – appearances, online giveaways etc.
- Have a radio/ On-line /TV campaign for an artists – advertising campaigns
- Create the artists image/brand
- Targeting recordings at a specific group of consumers
- Control and co-ordinate design of artwork and packaging
- Control format of release – CD, Vinyl or MP3s
25
List 3 Marketing Skills
a) Creative flair
b) Strong organisation and communication skills
c) Good working knowledge of the advertising industry
d) Team player
e) Understanding of Music/Record business
26
List 3 Artists and Repertoire (A&R) Responsibilities
1. Scouting for talent on-line and at live events
2. Sign artists to record labels
3. Oversee the process from delivery to finished records
4. Developments of artists as they grow and mature – listen to CD’s, demos, video’s etc.
5. Manage the recording process
6. Help find songs appropriate for the artists to record and release
7. Main point of contract for the artists and manager
8. Locate a Producer to work with the artists/act
27
List 3 Artists and Repertoire (A&R) Skills
a) In depth knowledge of current musical trends
b) A strong instinct of what will sell
c) Problem solvers
d) Negotiation skills/communication skills
28
Name 3 Recording Studio Personnel Examples
Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Technical Manager, Tech support, Maintenance and repair, Electronics engineer, installation
29
List 3 Engineer Responsibilities
1. Technical side of the recording – no artistic input
2. Operate the sound board and other electronic equipment during recording
3. Makes alterations to the recording with advice from Producer/Artist
4. Mix down recording
5. Balances the sound/levels
6. Repair equipment in the studio
30
List 3 Engineer Skills
a) Knowledge of recording equipment – electronic + mechanical
b) Work unsociable hours
c) Ability to work under pressure and with people
d) Musicianship skills
31
List 3Assistant Engineer Responsibilities
1. Helps sound engineer keep track of mixes
2. General dogsbody
3. Set up all the equipment needed for the recording session
4. Replace/fix faulty equipment
5. Maintain the tape library
6. Assist main engineer during recording
32
List 3 Assistant Engineer Skills
a) Knowledge in electronics/mechanics
b) Appreciative of music
c) Ability to use recording equipment
d) Ability to listen, take instructions and work with others
e) Works long, unsociable hours
33
List 3 Technical Manager Responsibilities
1. Ensure studio has adequate resources to do it’s work – oversee equipment
2. Ensure technical equipment works effectively
3. Arrange maintenance and repair of equipment
34
List 3 Tech Support Responsibilities
1. Maintenance and repairs of electronic equipment i.e. cables, mic’s, amps computers etc. (sometimes instruments) to allow the performers and producers to do their job
2. Orders replacement parts
35
List 3 Maintenance and Repair/Electronics engineer/Installation Responsibilities
1. Maintain and repair recording equipment, electrical and musical equipment, computers and software for the recording studio, Midi studio and lab.
2. Update and install software
3. Research new equipment and make purchases on approval
36
List 3 Producer Responsibilities
1. Controls overall sound and artistic direction of the recording and overall production quality of a song
2. Makes sure the recording is on time and on budget
3. Can be involved in the recording, mixing process
4. Deals with artists, record companies and managers
5. Gets the best performance out of an act
6. Works closely with sound engineers and audio technicians to include recording artist
7. Schedules recording times with artists
8. Supervises recording sessions and makes decisions. I.e. coach’s artists, direct backing vocals etc.
9. Acts as a go between the artists and the engineer
37
List 3 Session Musician Responsibilities
1. Technical competent musician, proficient in at least 1 instrument – Bring own instrument to recording session
2. Back up the lead artists in a recording session/live concert
3. Play music for commercials/recordings etc.
4. Play for a track/album recording
5. Works with solo artists who have no band
6. Turns up on time as they get paid hourly rates
7. Rehearse music for recording
8. Follow instructions from Producers/Conductor etc.
38
List 3 Mastering Engineer Responsibilities
1. Complete audio mastering process for an album (adjust spacing between songs, compress it to optimise the volume, Applies EQ and effects to include fade in and fade out, adjusts volumes/dynamics)
2. Prepare and transfer audio from one raw format to the desired format to distribute to CD, Vinyl or tape etc.
3. Refine the sound quality and make changes to create an appealing sound
4. Makes tracks sound professional
5. Burn final master CD for delivery to Distributor
39
List 3 CD manufacturer Responsibilities
1. Produce master CD’s with high quality multiple copies) (Cases, artwork, screen printing, packaging etc.)
2. Transport to distributor outlets (stores or on-line)
3. Duplicate CD’s
4. Digital delivery through services i.e. iTunes
40
Music Journalist/Blogger Examples
writer, music critic, and music reviewer – full time, part-time, freelance
41
List 3 Music Journalist Responsibilities
1. Writing copy for publications in print or web – articles, reviews, biographies, research, - daily, weekly columns etc.
2. A staff writer (employed by a particular publication) or freelance (contributes to various publications)
3. Write articles and reviews for newspaper, music sections and the music press i.e. about artists concerts and albums
4. Conducts interviews (phone, face-to-face) and writes them up
5. Often receives demos from unsigned bands and goes to gigs then writes reviews
6. Attends shows, concerts and events
7. Listens to CD’s, online music, and new talent. Reviews new records or music products i.e. classical reviewer, rock writer, jazz writer etc.
8. Responsible to the editor of the publication
42
List 3 Music Journalist Skills
a) Communication/Networking skills
b) Excellent command of the written word
c) Creative flair
d) Inquiring nature/ Good time keeper
e) Knowledge about the field of music being covered
f) Enjoyment of music
g) Ability to work under pressure
43
Broadcaster - TV/Radio Examples
Radio producer, Program/Music director, Radio DJ, Video jockeys
44
List 3 TV/Radio Broadcaster Responsibilities
1. Selecting music for broadcast, programming, audience targeting, research, writing, editing
2. Interview artists
3. Select music for TV and radio show – Video jockey – music videos on TV
4. Present music show and discuss trends
5. Controls the overall style and content of a radio/TV programme – Radio Producer
6. Responsible for putting playlists together – in collaboration with DJ: Radio Producer
7. Playing songs on air – Radio DJ
8. Programme Director: selects the stations format and program and schedules the programs at times to suit the target audience – can also select music for the playlist. Responsible for hiring, supervising and firing DJ. Responsible to Station Manager or owner
45
List 3 TV/Radio Broadcaster Skills
a) Working knowledge of Radio broadcasting equipment/ procedures
b) In touch with audience listening tastes and trends to include area of broadcasting
c) Clear, confident speaking voice and pleasant appearance
d) Work as part of a team/supervise others
e) Ability to work long hours/unsociable hours
f) Project personality on air
g) Good time keeper
46
List 3 Software Programmer/App Developer Responsibilities
1. Writing and/or coding software products such as apps, programs, packages, files, podcasts
2. Writing music packages for distribution on line
3. Create apps, musical programmes: Sequencing (Logic, Garage band), notation software (Sibelius), Music games)
4. Up date the programme software regularly
5. Create computer programmes that assist musicians with their training (aural tests, music theory)
6. Usually commissioned and paid by an artists and their record label or a software music company
47
List 3 Retail and Distribution Responsibilities
1. Selling products to shops/music stores and on-line using retail techniques and skills
2. Moving CD’s from warehouse to retail outlets, logistics, selling via mail order through on-line stores
3. Sells on-line: iTunes, spotify, amazon
4. Shops: HMV, Virgin, music shops
48
Composer/Song Writing Responsibilties
Writing composing music for TV, show, commercial, film etc.
Arranging music – for orchestra etc. – produce scores and parts
Compose a song for a famous singer
Compose music for a special event
Keep to a deadline
Work with a performer so that the song/composition is at their level of performance – correct range etc.
Responding to briefs – film, TV, pitch ideas to clients
Marketing and promoting own work
Sequencing music – using technology to realise music
Creative and artistic direction
Sometimes perform
Musically creative, competent musician
Happy to work alone
49
Musical Director (Conductor)
Responsibilties
Leading rehearsals – unify performers
Conducting musicians – orchestral /singers etc. guide the orchestra or choir
Arranging music for performance
Hiring musicians
Set the tempo and execute clear indications for conducting
Execute clear indicators and shape the sound of the ensemble
Choose the music and study the scores
Relay ideas to the performers
Schedule rehearsals
50
List 3 instrumental Support responsibilities
1) Takes care of instruments
2) Provides backline technical support for a band
3) Gives advice to band of best equipment
4) Fixes broken guitar strings or other equipment during a show
51
List 3 Mastering Engineer responsibilities
1) Does the final edit of the recording
2) Refine the sound quality to create an appealing sound
3) Prepare the audio in the required format such as MP3
