Career Development

Whether you are just starting out on a career as a professional musician, working part-time, or seeking to develop skills and knowledge to secure paid work in the future, advice and information from trusted sources can be key to making progress.

At a glance

How-to Guides and Expert Advice

Learn how to take care of yourself and take your musician's career to the next level.

Quick tips

Tips to Get Started

Top tips on various topics of musician's career

Starting and Changing Careers

Wonder how to break into a new profession? Get advice on how to get into a certain music field.

Members only

Music Gear, Equipment and Setup

Musicians and industry experts share their advice on taking care of the music instruments and equipment.

Featured career packs

Finance

Getting Funding

Learn where to look for funding your music business and useful organisations that can help.

Marketing and Promotion

From maximising opportunities of your online presence to taking advantage of ‘word of mouth’ recommendations and offline marketing.

Working Relationships

How to work with agents, managers and other players in the music industry and what you need to look out for.

Freelance Musicians' Pack

Advice on managing your work as a freelance musician.

Guide to Auditioning

A guide to preparing for an audition.

Professional Growth and Creativity

Musicians' Wellbeing Pack

Joining the MU has been one of the best things I’ve done! The access to opportunities for employment, training, development is invaluable.
Jermain JackmanSinger and political activist

Attending the informative and free development courses have kept me sharp and up to date, while also helping me to network with people across the artistic spectrum.
Millicent StephensonMulti award winning saxophonist

Through taking part in online webinars I have been able to meet other professionals and manage my jobs and finances more effectively.
Penny ChurchillSongwriter, engineer and producer

After attending a workshop that you had on sync I got back in touch with the guys from Music Gateway, who ended up taking me to the Midem music conference in Cannes.
Kate ThomasSinger-songwriter

The MU's professional and concise advice helped me to take control over my own career and not get overwhelmed.
Sophie KilburnSinger-songwriter

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Young woman on director's chair on stage, in front of empty theatre seats.

17 Jul 2024

Ladies of the Stave: Networking Session For Female Musicians

A free networking event for female musicians, hosted by Nimax Theatres and supported by the MU.

London

Last chance to book

stacked rocks on the shore against blue sky

22 Jul 2024

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques.

Online Member only

Upcoming

A man explaining something to a woman as they sit in front of a computer screen.

24 Jul 2024

Q&A Session: Mentoring 4 Creatives

An online Q&A session for members in Wales to learn more about Mentoring 4 Creatives, a new mentoring programme for people working in live entertainment and the arts.

Online

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Career news

Red headphones on an open book with pair of glasses.

Save the Date for the MU’s 2024 Education Conference

Join the MU in Glasgow on 25 - 26 October for two days of high-quality training, career support and networking for music educators.

Published: 11 March 2024

Filkin’s Drift and their manager walking along a grassy road carrying backpacks and instruments.

Musicians and Sustainability: “We Should Use More Creativity When Booking Tours”

Last year MU member Chris Roberts (aka Hafren) undertook a 870-mile walking tour across the Welsh coast with his folk duo Filkin’s Drift. Here he shares the honest, humorous and relatable tale of the 50 show journey, and contemplates the benefits of thinking innovatively when booking tours.

Published: 20 February 2024

Portrait of Conor and Hamish against a warehouse background with cardboard boxes.

Vlure: A Genre Busting, International Tour de Force

Scottish five-piece Vlure are forging a reputation across Europe for their intense and emotional live performances. Here, they speak about crafting their cathartic, genre-defying sound.

Published: 19 January 2024

A marching military band on parade in full uniform.

No Such Thing as a Typical Background: A Look into the Career of Musicians in the Armed Forces

The British Armed Forces represent one of the largest employers of UK musicians. Three experienced military band members share their advice on this rewarding but often-overlooked career path.

Published: 08 January 2024

Learning to Negotiate as a Matter of Give and Take

For most freelance musicians, negotiating doesn’t come naturally. But with gig fees, contracts and more to consider, knowing how to do so is crucial to your success within the music industry.

Published: 22 December 2023

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Popular searches

Career Development

At a glance

How-to Guides and Expert Advice

Tips to Get Started

Starting and Changing Careers

Music Gear, Equipment and Setup

Featured career packs

Getting Funding

Marketing and Promotion

Working Relationships

Freelance Musicians' Pack

Guide to Auditioning

Professional Growth and Creativity

Musicians' Wellbeing Pack

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Ladies of the Stave: Networking Session For Female Musicians

Last chance to book

Guided Meditation

Upcoming

Q&A Session: Mentoring 4 Creatives

Find a musician

Career news

Save the Date for the MU’s 2024 Education Conference

Musicians and Sustainability: “We Should Use More Creativity When Booking Tours”

Vlure: A Genre Busting, International Tour de Force

No Such Thing as a Typical Background: A Look into the Career of Musicians in the Armed Forces

Learning to Negotiate as a Matter of Give and Take