10 Best Music Business Courses Online

Here are the best online music business courses to learn about the music industry, publishing, copyright, investing, and more.

These online music business courses provide aspiring musicians insight into the music industry from professionals.

All these business courses are on Skillshare. You can get access to all these classes by signing up for a 30-day free trial. Cancel at any time.

Skillshare has over 28,000 online courses teaching all aspects of music production, from audio recording to music theory, mixing, piano, and more.

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The Best Music Business Courses

Below is a list of the best online music business courses that you can take at your own pace to learn how the music industry works.

  1. Music Business: Monetizing Your Music
  2. Funding Your Business
  3. How The Music Industry Works
  4. Music Business Fundamentals
  5. Run Your Business Like Biggie
  6. Entrepreneurship Hustle
  7. Build a Profitable Business Plan
  8. Foundations of a Successful Career
  9. Music Publishing 101
  10. Music Copyright Course
Best Music Business Courses Online
Best Music Business Courses Online

1. Music Business Fundamentals – Monetizing Your Music

Music Business Fundamentals - Monetizing Your Music
Music Business Fundamentals – Monetizing Your Music

This online music business course is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to learn the basics of how to monetize their music.

The course is designed to teach students about the different business entities, the problems of small businesses, and how to find their four objectives. Students who complete this course will have a solid foundation in music business basics.

Students: 1,100+ | Rating: 78%

What’s Covered

  • Small Business And Entrepreneur
  • Typical Problems of a Small Business
  • Trends In Small Business
  • Family Businesses
  • Characteristics Of Successful Entrepreneurs
  • Finding Your 4 Objectives
  • The Service Objective
  • The Profit Objective
  • The Social Objective
  • The Growth Objective
  • What Are Business Entities
  • Main Differences In BusinessTypes
  • Regionality
  • Proprietorship

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2. Music Business Fundamentals – Funding Your Business

Music Business Fundamentals - Funding Your Business
Music Business Fundamentals – Funding Your Business

The music business is a competitive and ever-changing industry. It can be challenging for entrepreneurs to keep up with the latest trends and changes in the market. That’s why it’s essential to have a strong foundation in the music business basics.

This course will teach you everything you need to know about funding your business, from finding investors to getting debt financing. You’ll also learn about the different types of investors and how to determine your budget.

What’s Covered

  • Determining the Budget
  • Angel Investors
  • Venture Capital
  • Finding Investors
  • What Is Debt Financing
  • Lenders
  • Factoring In Debt

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3. How The Music Industry Works

How The Music Industry Works
How The Music Industry Works

This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how the music industry works. The course covers everything from artists and their rights to the live music industry.

You’ll also learn about publishing, recording, and sync. Plus, you’ll find out how artists can manage their careers and finances.

Students: 90+ | Rating: 99%

What’s Covered

  • The Artist
  • Artists’ Rights
  • Live Music Industry
  • Publishing
  • Recording
  • Sync
  • Artist Managers
  • A Full Financial Breakdown

View Course

Related: 15 Music Business Ideas & Services to Offer


4. Music Business Fundamentals – Business Plans

Music Business Fundamentals - Business Plan
Music Business Fundamentals – Business Plan

This course is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to excel in the music industry. The course provides an in-depth look at the various aspects of the music business, including loans and grants, investors, marketing and sales, and more.

Students can also expect to understand better how to write a business plan to impress potential investors. It’s an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who want to make a successful start in the music industry.

What’s Covered

  • Loans and Grants
  • Investors
  • Executive Summary
  • Company Overview
  • Products And Services
  • Marketing And Sales
  • Operations
  • Company Organization
  • Financial Plan
  • Mission Statement And Vision
  • Vision And Milestones
  • Target Market And Industry
  • Problems And Solutions
  • Proprietary Advantages
  • Threats And Opportunities
  • Target Customers
  • Direct And Indirect Competitors
  • Marketing Plan
  • Marketing Budget
  • Legal Stuff

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5. Run Your Own Business: Lessons from Biggie

Run Your Own Business: Lessons from Biggie
Run Your Own Business: Lessons from Biggie

This course is an excellent introduction to the music business for anyone looking to start their own business. The instructor provides insights and lessons from his own experience as a music entrepreneur.

Students: 6,500+ | Rating: 80%

What’s Covered

  • Ten Crack Commandments #1–5
  • Ten Crack Commandments #6–10
  • Ten Crack Commandments: Summary
  • Finding and Presenting Your Mnemonic Device

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6. Entrepreneurship Hustle: Business Plan to Real Success

Entrepreneurship Hustle: From Business Plan to Real Success | Contemporary Music Education
Entrepreneurship Hustle: From Business Plan to Real Success

If you’re looking to take your music business skills to the next level, then this course is for you. The course is designed for entrepreneurs who want to create a successful business in the music industry.

You’ll learn how to define your brand, implement a culture that supports your success, create a fantastic customer experience, and understand what it takes to succeed.

Students: 19,800+ | Rating: 89%

What’s Covered

  • Defining the Brand and Leadership
  • Implementing the Culture
  • Creating the Ultimate Customer Experience
  • Understanding Success

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7. Build a Profitable Business Plan in 2 Hours

Build a Profitable Business Plan in 2 Hours | Music and Entertainment Industries
Build a Profitable Business Plan in 2 Hours

If you’re looking to build a successful music business, this is the course for you. This course is highly recommended with over 4,200 students and a 96% rating.

You’ll learn how to create a good business plan in just 2 hours, essential for any music entrepreneur.

Students: 4,200+ | Rating: 96%

What’s Covered

  • Mission, Vision, Values
  • Market Topography
  • Understanding Scope
  • Understanding Financial Plan

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8. Foundations of a Successful Career in the Music Industry

Foundations of a Successful Career in the Music Industry
Foundations of a Successful Career in the Music Industry

One of the most important aspects of a music career is networking. The course covers how to build an independent career in a music career by enhancing your social network and exploring new opportunities.

In addition, the course shows that once you’ve established yourself as a reliable person in any area, those same connections will often come your way without much effort from you at all.

Students: 500+ | Rating: 99%

What’s Covered

  • Niche
  • Networking
  • Unexpected Possibilities

View Course


9. Music Publishing 101

Music Publishing 101
Music Publishing 101

If you’re interested in learning about music publishing, this course is perfect for you. This course will teach you about copyright, master vs. composition, music publishers, and publishing revenue. You’ll also learn how to become a DIY publisher.

What’s Covered

  • Copyright
  • Master vs. Composition
  • Music Publishers
  • Publishing Revenue
  • DIY Publisher

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Music Copyright Course For Beginners - How to Register Your Music
Music Copyright Course For Beginners – How to Register Your Music

The Music Copyright Course for Beginners is designed to help music entrepreneurs protect their work. The course covers everything from registering your music to making a payment. Also, you’ll be able to learn about the different types of work, how to upload your music, and more.

What’s Covered

  • Starting A New Claim
  • Type Of Work
  • Titles
  • Authors
  • Limiting Your Claim
  • Rights And Correspondence
  • Making A Payment
  • Uploading Your Music

View Course


Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Course For Music?

First, you should identify what are your interests. Some people are more interested in learning about the theory behind music, while others are more interested in learning how to play music.

There will always be a debate on which music business course is the best. But, nowadays, there are so many music business courses available online that it’s hard to choose. However, the above courses are certainly some of the best music business courses available online.

What Are The Jobs In The Music Industry?

There are a variety of jobs in the music industry. However, most people get paid to play live shows and tour with different bands. Other positions in the record industry include sound engineers, tour managers, and promoters.

Here are some music-related jobs to look into:
What Is a Mixing Engineer
What Is An A&R
What Is A Composer
What Is A Mastering Engineer
What Is A Sound Technician
What Is a Music Producer

What Music Courses Are There?

There are a variety of music courses available online. These courses can range from beginner to advanced levels. Some of the most famous music courses include music production courses, music business courses, and instrument courses such as piano, guitar, and drums.

What Skills Should I Learn To Run A Music Business?

You will need to learn a lot of different skills to run a successful music business. Some of the essential music business skills include learning how to market and sell your music, learning copyright law, and managing a band or music project. Luckily, there are courses in the above list to know these skills and more.

But one of the best ways to learn is to get hands-on experience. So we recommend getting a job, or internship at an organization related to your desired field, and learning from experts who have been in the industry for years.

So we recommend getting a job or internship at an organization related to your desired field and learning from experts who have been in the industry for years.

Related: How to Start a Music Business


The music industry is constantly changing, which makes career development highly important.

Learning about music marketing and understanding the business side of things can greatly enhance your success. Through professional development programs and music business courses, individuals can gain real-world experience that’s invaluable in this dynamic field.

Studying music business at a music school or online can be a game-changing step, providing insights into industry trends, artist management, and music entrepreneurship.

Aspiring artists and industry professionals alike can benefit from a deeper understanding of the global music industry, including the workings of recording contracts and the role of a publishing company.

The entertainment industries are rich with opportunities for those willing to learn and adapt. From the recorded music sector to live performances, the music business scene offers a variety of paths to explore.

By connecting with industry leaders and gaining hands-on experience, you’re not just learning about the recording industry — you’re actively participating in it.

Overall, the music production and entertainment business requires a mix of creativity, business savvy, and an understanding of marketing strategies.

Whether you’re interested in artist management or wish to start your own business, education is the key.

Remember, the music and entertainment industry is about more than just talent – it’s about understanding the market, adapting to industry trends, and making the right moves at the right time.

I hope you find these online music business courses helpful.

Mark V.

Written By Mark V.

Mark Valenzuela is a professional blogger, entrepreneur, and educator with more than 15 years of experience in music production. In 2008, Mark founded Hip Hop Makers, a top resource for aspiring music producers and beatmakers. He specializes in content on music production, software, gear, and free music resources. Committed to empowering creators of all levels, Mark continues to inspire and help music creators pursue their dreams.

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