The Savvy Musician: Building a Career, Earning a Living & Making a Difference

David Cutler has compiled the information necessary to kickstart or re-invigorate your musical career. Unlike other authors who espouse plans that seem mostly focused on popular music performers, he offers a clear, well-developed approach to applying the inventiveness we normally bring to our art to the practical side of actually creating a successful career in the music business. This may not provide what the trendy, fashion-based player wants (there are plenty of other books and material for that aspect of the business) but for the person who views his/her music career as a life-long pursuit, this is recommended.

Tons and tons of all kinds of information for the musician who wants to make a career in the field of music! Lots of ideas, direction, and solid procedures that work. Really found more than I expected! If you are taking your career seriously, this is a great book!!

It's hard for me to begin to describe how this book is changing my perception of myself as a musician. This book has helped me develop a more accurate picture of myself, my goals, my achievements, and what lies ahead. We musicians are such perfectionists, that sometimes extreme self-criticism really cripples us into hiding, since we don't feel worthy. This might not be true for everyone, but it is for me. This book has given me not just tools for every aspect of music-doing (see below), but probed me to do a self-analysis I haven't been convinced to do even by close family and friends. What do I want to do as a musician? Why am I here? What are my gifts? How can I make a difference? Dr. Cutler follows Goethe's principle: "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming. He does an amazing job right up front pointing out common misconceptions and sets the stage for the entrepreneurial musician (You!). . When you look at the table of contents, you'll notice this book is so well-rounded. It touches almost any possible field of music business, something I haven't seen in any other book. (Sometimes you find a book that claims to do that, but doesn't do it as thoroughly or in such a way that's so eloquent and easy to read). It answers so many questions, for instance- Are there too many musicians? (Being a flutist, I live in the eternal feeling that if I only chose a less popular instrument....or if I was the one of few....etc') how do you write a business plan (and why should you); it looks at every possible aspect of music business- performance, website building, marketing, recordings, networking, grant, donors, fundraising.... think that if I read this before I started my Bachelor's I would be much more innovative, sure of myself, creative and successful. But it's never too late!

This book is better than a cup of coffee for increasing your productivity. Whenever I read a chapter, I immediately want to try doing what it suggests. Certainly, it is possible to think of a few good ideas to jump start your career on your own, but Cutler gives you hundreds of ideas ready to go with step by step instructions. For example: How much time do you spend on marketing (preferably free marketing?) each week? How much time does your competition spend? What don't you know about networking? What else have you not quite remembered to do?

I'm a conductor and educator. With doom and gloom seemingly around every corner for the arts, this book is a like a GPS for musicians to find an alternative route, one that wont just bring a check whilst biding ones time waiting for a "regular job" to appear. No, David Cutler goes so far as to suggest that alternatives can help the art form itself become relevant! My neck is sore from all the nodding I was doing whilst reading this! More than a book it is also a web-site[...]that has tremendous resources including articles, links and blogs that are continually updated. The book itself has over 165 real examples (with web addresses)of how musicians are really making it in the world as vibrant relevant artists contributing to society and making a decent living at the same time. The examples are in shaded boxes for easy reference and the full gamut of becoming an entrepreneur in the field is covered. Not once did I get a sense that David was suggesting it's easy, only that it's possible. Boxes of pros and cons are everywhere, and at over 350 pages there is much detail in everything from touring, finances, cultivating alliances, new venues, attracting donors, making recordings, composing, educational performance, teaching, web design, marketing and more. It is superbly laid out and organized, with a very detailed index and very helpful appendixes and one that is an original song! For about the price of 4 lattes this book is a must have companion for those who have talent and a dream but little or no idea where to start. This should be required reading for every music (and music administration) student, and even as an employed professional I found it to be relevant and inspiring. I wrote an extended review on my blog [...] Ron Spigelman Music Director - Springfield Symphony (MO) Music Director - Lake Placid Sinfonietta Principal Pops Conductor - Fort Worth Symphony Principal Pops Conductor - Syracuse Symphony