Solo musical artists and bands are not always skilled or familiar with the business side of the music industry. The day-to-day care and feeding of professional musicians often becomes the responsibility of a music manager. A music manager generally handles things such as band bookings, contract negotiations, public relations, promotional campaigns and arranging studio recording sessions. Depending on the job description, a music manager may also handle the band's traveling arrangements when performing on the road.

Sometimes an experienced band member will serve as the group's music manager until it becomes more established and a dedicated music manager can be hired. Some local music managers could be considered musical agents as well, since they primarily represent the band during the booking process and receive a fixed percentage of the band's gross income as compensation. A music manager working for a local or regional band may also have to supervise the group during a performance and make sure the venue owners meet their financial obligations.

As a solo performer or band becomes more established, some of the chores previously handled by a music manager are often delegated to others. A road manager, for example, may be responsible for the performers' travel and lodging arrangement, while a publicist takes on the task of promoting the band and advertising upcoming gigs or tour schedules. A music manager's role in a popular regional or national band may be more of a liaison between a record label and the group, or as an immediate supervisor who addresses the personal and professional needs of the band.

An effective music manager should have experience in both the creative and business side of the music industry. Musicians often respond better to managers who speak their language, while record labels and venue owners prefer to work with people who are familiar with performance contracts and other legal obligations. A music manager should not make unilateral decisions for his or her clients, but should also keep a client's best interests in mind when negotiating an appearance fee or booking more gigs.

Training for a music manager is often a combination of on-the-job experience working for established music managers and specific business training in musical management. Some traditional music programs in public colleges and universities may offer a concentration in music management, while vocational schools specifically geared towards the music industry often offer an intensive course of study leading to employment as a freelance music manager.