Freelance Musician Guide

Tips and guidance for self-employed musicians.

Last updated: 03 October 2023

Career tips

A Young Freelancer's Guide

Mental Health and the Music Industry

Find helpful insight and advice as you navigate the industry as a young freelance musician.

The basics

Starting Out as a Freelancer

Learn how to get work and build relationships with the people you want to work with

How to Prioritise Your Freelance Work

Tips on dealing with being provisionally booked for new work

Funding and Financing Your Music and Projects

Latest news and features

Music composer sat in front of a computer screen and laptop, wearing headphones and making notes.

MU Backs Global Call for Artists’ Rights in AI Music Deals

The MU has joined artists, songwriters and music industry organisations from around the world in signing a new open letter coordinated by the European Music Managers Alliance (EMMA), calling for creators' rights to be respected in AI-related music deals.

Published: 25 June 2026

Close up of hands playing saxaphone on a dark stage.

Scotland’s Jazz Community Invited to ‘Now’s The Time’ Seminars

Two free online seminars this July will bring together leading jazz development organisations from across the UK, Ireland and Europe to share ideas, experiences and approaches to supporting Scotland’s jazz sector.

Published: 23 June 2026

Several flight cases for musical instruments lined up in a row.

MU Welcomes Provisional EU Agreement for Musical Instruments on Planes

The European Parliament and the Council have provisionally agreed on revised air passenger rights rules to improve air travel for musicians, offering clearer rules for instruments on planes after years of campaigning.

Published: 23 June 2026

A record being played with a graphic of blue computer code placed over the image.

MU Shares Solidarity with American Federation of Musicians in Artificial Intelligence Court Case

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has written to the American Federation of Musicians (AfM) – our US counterpart – in solidarity as they take Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group to court.

Published: 18 June 2026

Young man, wearing glasses, at home smiling while taking notes and looking at a laptop.

Mentoring 4 Creatives: Applications Now Open for MU Members in Wales

Cult Cymru’s ‘Mentoring 4 Creatives’ programme is open to freelance or casual creative workers who are MU members living in Wales. The deadline for applications is 17 September.

Published: 15 June 2026

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