Create a Timeline

Many people want to "become famous."  But what does that mean to you?  Do you want to be a rock star or do you want to be the lead in "Wicked"?  Narrowing down what it is that you exactly want to do will help you get where you want to go a lot faster.

If you would like to go the recording artist route, then you will need to create a timeline.  Get out a piece of paper and create a line with a start point of where you are now and the end point of a recording contract.  Fill in the things that need to be accomplished on your timeline... they could include writing your first song, recording a 3 song demo, marketing, getting your music on iTunes, creating a hard copy CD to sell at shows, set up shows and concerts in your hometown, perform on TV, or entering local and national contests.  The more visible you are, the better. 

Major labels do NOT like to have to do the work anymore.  They like established artists with an established following. So you will want to get your finished music up online as fast as possible to help create your following.  That means setting up a MySpace and Facebook account to get the word out to all your friends and all of their friends. 

The timeline is an honest way to see where you are and what you have accomplished so far.  It might give you a wake up call to notice you haven't been doing much. Or it might give you positivity when things don't seem to be moving as fast as you would like it to be.

BROADWAY

If you are looking to become a Broadway Star, then things work a little differently.  In addition to working on your voice, you need to taking as many dance and acting classes as possible.  Depending on where you live,  access to well-trained instructors may be impossible.  However, you take what you can get and get the best.  After you have done all you can do, you need to move to New York.  It is very, very true that the odds are against you.  There are about 1,000 roles currently open on Broadway and over 12,000 people looking to get those roles.  That should put it into perspective for you.  Not everyone makes it.  Some fall on their face and realize they weren't as talented as mom and dad told them they were.  So, be honest!  If you want it, and know you have what it takes, then go for it.

Before you up and leave to New York, you need experience under your belt.  Vocal, acting and dance lessons are all a part of that.  However, you need to have leading roles and supporting roles in plays located where you live now.  When you hand the Broadway director your head shot and resume, he needs to see that you have had experience and can count on you making it.  They won't take a chance on someone who has never done any musical before.

I will go in depth on both of these topics later.  But for now, get your timeline in perspective to see where you are at.  Most of you probably have a lot of work to do.  As always, any questions, please feel free to comment and I will get back to you!

MJ

Artist Development- Demos

Today I was in the recording studio, producing a new up and coming singer. As I have been putting her into a "package", I thought that I should explain what that process entails and how to get it done right.

You may be an amazing singer, but it doesn't matter unless you have packaged yourself. That means you need to pick the right genre for your voice, the right look for the genre, the right personality to go along for marketing purposes and the perfect songs to demo your voice.

The demo is especially important. Picking the wrong songs is detrimental. I'm sure you have seen vocal competitions like American Idol where all they do is criticize the song choice.

When putting together a demo, you should ideally have 3 songs. You need to have a ballad and an uptempo song. If possible, you will want to have original songs. If you are not a songwriter, I would recommend putting it on your list of things to learn how to do. It is the money maker in the music world and also gives you credibility. Otherwise, carefully pick 3 songs from other artists that you can sing exceptionally well. However, do NOT pick a singer that you sound exactly like. A&R does not want to hear repeats of hits. They want to hear an original artist with a new twist on a song. Make it yours!

Demos do not need to be professionally mastered and perfectly mixed. You just need something that makes you sound good.

-MJ

What's stopping you?

What is stopping you from fulfilling your dreams?? Does the music industry completely overwhelm you? Are you not sure how to get signed to a record label? Or, are you just not sure you have what it takes?

Let me just say, I have been there and done that~!

As well as writing this blog to help aspiring singers and performers, I am looking to help develop talented musicians who just need a little direction in this crazy industry. I have done everything you are aspiring to do. Everything from working with record labels and producing music, to distributing music in hard copy and online.

However, the most important asset that you have is your voice. If you are not currently taking vocal lessons, you better get on it. From a record label's point of view, I would look at not having a vocal coach as a "Red flag". Sure, they can get you one after you sign. But now days, record labels don't want to put up the cost and time to take care of things like that. Besides, a vocal coach can help develop your range and most important help you to sing CORRECTLY. When I say correctly, I mean no screaming and no hurting your voice... all while keeping the style that you wish to sing. The ONLY vocal technique that can help you sing any style and any note without EVER losing your voice is called Speech Level Singing. If you have never heard the term before, think of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, and Prince (just to name a few). They all study this method. Isn't it amazing that all of these performers have been around for decades and have the vocal stamina to do so? That's because they are singing the correct way. And when you have night after night of performances, it is the only way to have a lasting career that doesn't die out when your voice finally quits on you. To learn more about what Speech Level Singing is, Read my post Speech Level Singing.

-MJ