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Unit Summary

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

Unit aim

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

Learning outcomes

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. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
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

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
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  2. explain the business and legal framework governing independent musicians
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  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
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  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
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  5. examine marketing opportunities for the independent musicians
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  6. understand the basics of getting publicity and media exposure
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  7. develop a marketing plan for the release of a music product
    • GA3:
    • GA5:
    • GA6: