Arts & Entertainment, Music

Building a Career

Lesson time 09:38 min

Reba offers her wisdom on what it takes to create a long-lasting career in the music business. From networking, managing your finances, to work ethic, Reba breaks down skills that have led to her success.

Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars

Topics include: Learning the Music Business • Building Fanbases • Networking

Preview

Longevity is a very hard thing to keep in the music business, probably in any job. What I think is very important for you to do if you want longevity in the music business, stay current, up to speed with what's going on in technology, social media-- all the things that pertain to the new generation that are listening and buying music, writing music, producing music, the musicians. Stay current. Know what's going on. Who are the other artists you're in competition with? That's very important. Be up to speed with who's on the radio. Who's out there? Who's up for the awards? Who's not up for the awards? Who's really been in the business 10 years and still looking for top five, or looking for a number one? Know who's in there, who's out there. Stay current. I think if you're going to get in any business, the more educated you are about the business, the better off you'll be. Is it absolutely important for you to know, or will you not be successful if you don't know about the business? Nope. If you've got a good manager or business manager, somebody that's looking after you, then you can go do your creative part and be just fine. But if you've got a little business savvy about you and you want to know more about the music business, I think it just, I think it just sweetens the pot just a little bit. Work at a record label. Learn the business side of it. While you're waiting tables and singing at clubs or showcases, whatever you do, just immerse yourself into the business and learn all you can. Networking is important whatever business you're in, but it's really important in the music business because you've got to get out there. You never know where your break's going to be coming from. Whether it's, you know, could be at a restaurant you run into somebody. Or it could be that you're going to watch somebody at a showcase and run into somebody who knows somebody. You're performing at a charity somewhere, singing in church. Now I don't care how long you've been in the business. I still network. You know, you kinda rub elbows with people who have the ways of opening doors for you. And it's just, it's just business. Throw the bait out there, but don't throw too many lines in the water at the same time to be so obvious and be a nuisance. There's a fine line between visiting and becoming a nuisance, and everybody said, golly, I wish that person would go away now. Tired of listening about it. Just kind of bring the subject up and walk away. But you've got to get out there. You can't wait for it to come to you. You got to keep working. Creativity, having fun, making money, that's three great factors in the music business. But it is a business. When you go out on the road, you're making great money. You can either come home and go to your accountant and give him a lot of money, or you can blow it all ou...

About the Instructor

You know her songs. Her Oklahoma charm. Now learn directly from Reba in her first-ever online class. Join her as she records a never-before-heard song, creates a new acoustic version of Fancy, breaks down her hits, and delivers emotional performances on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. This is more than a music class. This is Reba's life, business, and country music MasterClass.

Featured MasterClass Instructor

Reba McEntire

Reba teaches her approach to making great country music and navigating the business in 21 video lessons.

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