Music Business Masterclass: Make a Living as a Musician (Udemy.com)
Unlock the Sound of Success: Master the Music Business and Harmonize Your Career!
Created by: J. Anthony Allen
Last updated May 2026
What you will learn
- Making a living as a musician through royalties, streaming, placements, selling beats, and more.
- Music business concepts including copyright, royalties, licensing, producer agreements, distribution, and more
- How to get started as an independent music artist
- Getting paid all of the royalties you are owed, and how to collect them
- How music streaming works, and how to get paid for people streaming your music
- Getting signed with a music publisher
- What to look for in a record contract, how to find one, and how not to get taken advantage of!
How it compares
Against the other 270 rated Udemy courses in Music on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.5 out of 5higher than 25% of them
- Reviews167#155 of 271 by number of reviews
- Length6.5 hourslonger than 74% of them
- Last updatedMay 2026more recently than 82% of them
Course Description
When I started making music as a young guitarist, the world was a very different place. In order to stay on top of trends, business principals, and legal issues, I had to become an expert in the music business.
Now I teach music business at a university - in fact I run the whole music business degree program - and I walk students through this stuff every day.
In this course, you'll gain insider knowledge and strategies that go beyond what can be found in a simple Google search. Jason Allen, the creator of over 100 top-selling and highest rated classes, brings his expertise and real-world experience to guide you through the intricacies of the music business.
This class has a ton of material. I've put my whole university semester into this class, so buckle up!
Designed for those who want to make a living with music, this course covers essential topics such as copyright, trademark, performance royalties, licensing, merchandise, sync opportunities, and more. By the end of the course, you'll have a clear understanding of the necessary steps to ensure you're properly compensated for your work.
This class contains:
Copyright: The rules, the rights, and how to monetize your copyrights (that you already have)
Collaboration: Who owns what when you are writing with bandmates, producers, collaborators, and other music makers.
Publishing: The secret world of publishing, and why you need to care about it (Its easy!)
Sync Licensing: Getting your music placed into films, TV, video games, and more
Record Contracts: How they work, how to find them, and what to be cautious of
Producer Agreements & Selling Beats: This is a complicated copyright issue - I'll walk you through it here.
Digital Distribution: Getting your music out to the world, and opening doors for the next phase of your career.
And so much more!
Make a name for yourself in the music business and transform your passion into a profitable venture. This immersive curriculum covers the fundamentals of music business, empowering you to build a sustainable career as an independent music artist or industry professional. Don't miss this opportunity to monetize your music, expand your network, and propel your music career to new heights.
Jason Allen, renowned instructor and mentor to over 1 million students, is committed to your success. As an active participant in the course, he personally answers 100% of the questions posted, ensuring you receive the guidance and support you need.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to start your music career now.
Click the enroll button and join the party on the inside!
Instructor Details
- 4.5 Rating
167 Reviews
J. Anthony Allen
Dr. Allen is a 2026 Apple Distinguished Educator.
Dr. J. Anthony Allen is a distinguished composer, producer, educator, and innovator whose multifaceted career spans various musical disciplines. Born in Michigan and based in Minneapolis, Dr. Allen has composed orchestral works, produced acclaimed dance music, and, through his entrepreneurship projects, he has educated over a million students worldwide in music theory and electronic music production.
Dr. Allen's musical influence is global, with compositions performed across Europe, North America, and Asia. His versatility is evident in works ranging from Minnesota Orchestra performances to Netflix soundtracks. Beyond creation, Dr. Allen is committed to revolutionizing music education for the 21st century. In 2011, he founded Slam Academy, an electronic music school aimed at increasing accessibility to music production education. His innovative approach to academia was highlighted in 2024 when he received tenure and resigned from his university position on the same day.
As a composer, Dr. Allen is known for his unique synthesis of diverse musical influences, often blending acoustic music with electronic dance music elements. With a Ph.D. in Music Composition, multiple master's degrees, and numerous awards, Dr. Allen's academic and professional achievements are substantial.
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Reviews
By Fionnguala Sherry-Brennan on 5/23/2025
Super interesting to learn about the different facets of actually earning money as a musician. Clearly explained. Definitely recommend for anyone interested in learning more about the music industry today.
By Anthony Ewers on 4/18/2025
Very good course with a contextual overview of the history of music publishing and industry practice, as well as useful information about how that relates to the music business for artists now. I picked up a lot of good tips from this course!
By Gavin Gross on 8/3/2023
The course covers everything from marketing and branding to negotiating contracts, providing practical insights and real-world strategies to thrive in the ever-changing music industry. Highly recommended
By Abdullahi Daniel on 8/3/2023
This course on Music Theory is an absolute gem! It covers all the essential aspects of music theory in a comprehensive and complete manner, making it perfect for beginners and experienced musicians alike.
By Joshua Briggs on 8/3/2023
You're a musician looking to deepen your understanding or a music enthusiast eager to explore the magic behind melodies, this course is a must-have. Prepare to unlock the secrets of music and take your musical journey to new heights. Highly recommended!
By Carter Gaines on 8/3/2023
Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Where every note, rhythm, and harmony comes together to create a symphony of knowledge. Dive into the enchanting world of melodies and chords as this course unlocks the secrets behind the magic of music. Whether you're a budding composer or a curious listener, get ready to unravel the mysteries and elevate your musical journey to new heights. #MusicTheoryMastery
By Brandon on 8/3/2023
I felt the presentation could’ve been better, it seemed like he was kind of winging it at times. He could’ve given a little more detail on the the beat selling sites (like the different default agreements/licenses and what they mean), the distribution sites like distrokid (that the subscription payments must be maintained for you music to stay active and the various options they offer). This course could be updated because physical media (cds, records, & tapes) are not as big of a contributing factor to income as they once were in comparison to streaming today. A few of the sites that were mentioned (beatstars, distrokid, etc..) I didn’t learn to much more than i did just exploring them on my own
By Muzicislife Entertainment on 6/11/2023
I enjoy the delivery of this material it's broken down and understandable
By Dirk Coutuer on 5/23/2023
As an European composer I understand that there are legal differences with the US, but I still learn the different aspects involved, so it is very interesting!
By Peter on 5/21/2023
Fascinating! The lectures in this class are giving me perfect insights into what I need to start doing. I've been slacking on this stuff, but this is motivating me to start making a living!
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 90 / 100










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