40 resources for aspiring musicians

Here’s the ultimate list of resources for aspiring musicians.

The experience of putting your music out into the world can at times feel daunting, consisting of such a wide set of undertakings spanning everything from producing in the DAW to promoting on social media platforms. However, don’t let this paralyze you—it’s by no means impossible if you break it down into actionable steps. Below, we offer 40 curated resources for aspiring musicians that can help you unlock inspiration, gather the tools you need, finish your productions, and share them with the world.

Let’s dive right in!

Inspiration and motivation

Sometimes, the hardest part can be getting started—below, we offer a few different ways you can overcome creative blocks, find inspiration, and keep the momentum going once you’ve got it.

1. 3 ways to find inspiration for your music
2. 15 ways to overcome writer’s block as a musician
3. 4 key time management strategies for musicians
4. How to set and achieve your goals for 2024

Essential equipment

While your ideas are more important than your gear, having the tools that best fit into your workflow can make a remarkable difference on your creative output. Below, we go over everything from essential equipment for beginners and basic home studio setups to more nuanced tips on common mistakes to look out for.

1. How to choose a DAW as a beginner
2. 10 of the best laptops for music production
3. The 20 best audio interfaces for home studios
4. How to choose the right headphones: 7 factors to consider
5. Acoustic treatment for your home studio (on a budget / DIY)
6. 4 common bedroom studio setup mistakes that should be avoided

Finishing your tracks

With inspiration, motivation, and production tools, you have everything you need to make music. But how do you take your idea over the finish line? Below, we share mixing and mastering plugins and techniques, alongside tips for how to know when your track is ready for distribution.

1. How do you know when a song is finished?
2. The best free plugins and tools you need for your music
3. Rent-to-Own plugins on Splice
4. The 10 best free mixing plugins you need for your music
5. How to prepare your mix for mastering: 5 essential tips
6. How to create your own album artwork

Distributing your music independently

Now it’s time to prepare your music for worldwide release. Below, we discuss how to self-release your music, the different distribution channels at your disposal, how to maximize your reach via Spotify playlists and podcasts, and more.

1. Self-releasing your music: A DIY guide to releasing a record
2. Music distribution: What it is and 5 services to consider
3. How to get your music on Spotify playlists
4. How to get your music on podcasts
5. How sync licensing works: What artists need to know

Promoting your music

With your music uploaded to streaming platforms and digital stores, it’s time to tell the world about it. Let’s discuss getting started with promotion, marketing strategies, email marketing, influencer collaborations, and more.

1. Developing your brand as a musician: Message, audience, and more
2. How to promote your song: 4 tips for releasing your next single
3. What’s an EPK? How to put an electronic press kit together

Social media

Social media is a key lever for growing your audience—below, we discuss specific platforms as well as the type of content you might want to consider making for them.

1. Why every musician needs a social media presence
2. An introduction to content marketing for musicians
3. YouTube channel strategy for musicians: How to grow your audience
4. How to promote your music on TikTok
5. Why music videos matter and how to make them

Music business essentials

With the experience of releasing your tracks under your belt, are you interested in turning your passion for music into a career? If so, check out the guides below to dip your toes into the world of music business, from managing finances to understanding the different avenues for monetization.

1. 5 ways to make a living as a beat maker
2. A beginner’s guide to performing rights organizations (PROs)
3. Working in multiple areas of the music industry: Why, how, and what to expect
4. Creating your music career: A step-by-step blueprint for success
5. Breaking into music for commercials and brands

Tips for relationship building

As your career ramps up, you may find that growing your team or finding creative collaborators can be fruitful—below, we explore the processes of networking within the industry, building relationships with fans, engaging with the community, and more.

1. Networking for musicians: Why it’s vital and how to network like a pro
2. How to write an effective cold email as a musician
3. 12 ways to find new fans for your music (that you probably haven’t tried before)
4. Why, when, and how to build a team for your music career

Resources for students

Lastly, if you’re currently a student, there might be some unique circumstances that you’re navigating in your music journey—below, we cover tips on two particularly key endeavors.

1. How to prepare your music portfolio: 8 tips for what to include
2. Music auditions: The ultimate guide for how to prepare

If you’re looking to kickstart your creativity as you prepare to take your next step, eligible students can also save over 30% off on Splice—learn more details here.

And there you have it! Which of these resources did you find most helpful? What other topics would you like to see us cover next? Start a conversation with us and an ever-growing community of other music creators via the Splice Discord.

College students, educators, and other Splice users who register using a valid .edu email address are now eligible for a discounted monthly price on our Sounds+ plan:

July 2, 2024

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Harrison Shimazu

Harrison Shimazu is a composer, content strategist, and writer who’s passionate about democratizing music creation and education. He leads the Splice blog and produces vocaloid music as Namaboku.