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

An empty conference stage, lit up multi coloured blocks.

Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2026

MU members are invited to attend We Make Music Scotland's National Music Education Conference on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September 2026 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow.

Published: 11 June 2026

Exterior shot of the Ron Cooke Hub building, by the lake at The University of York Campus East.

Join the MU at the Artists’ Care Knowledge Exchange

MU members with an interest in creative health are invited to attend the Artists’ Care knowledge exchange at University of York on Wednesday 8 July.

Published: 11 June 2026

A group of professionals gathered round the end of a table.

MU Well-Represented at European Movement Roundtable and Report Launch

MU representatives joined a discussion with European Movement and Lib Dem MPs to address the impact of Brexit on touring artists. The roundtable also marked the launch of a new report that sets out solutions to rebuild UK–EU creative cooperation.

Published: 11 June 2026

Call for Artists: Help UK Access EU Funding Through Creative Europe Programme

UK musicians are missing out on major EU funding. Help the Forum on EU-UK Cultural & Media Relations advocate for the UK joining Creative Europe by submitting a short testimonial.

Published: 04 June 2026

Two female session musicians in the studio, one playing bass and the other singing into a microphone. The sound technician is sitting at the mixing desk, turned towards them.

Over £3 Million Returned to Musicians Through MU Support in 2025

From recovering unpaid fees to distributing royalties, MU services helped secure £3.2 million for musicians in 2025. Your membership pays off.

Published: 29 May 2026

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Popular searches

Freelance Musician Guide

Career tips

Mental Health and the Music Industry

Starting Out as a Freelancer

How to Prioritise Your Freelance Work

Funding and Financing Your Music and Projects

Latest news and features

Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2026

Join the MU at the Artists’ Care Knowledge Exchange

MU Well-Represented at European Movement Roundtable and Report Launch

Call for Artists: Help UK Access EU Funding Through Creative Europe Programme

Over £3 Million Returned to Musicians Through MU Support in 2025