HIMy name is uday. I am a music business/production major in my junior year of college. So i know a lot about the music biz . So here is some help to all of u up and coming singers.
First u need to get urself heard, no matter where it is, sing wherever and whenever u can. ( talent shows, school choir, recording studio)
Second make sure u have ur singing perfected. Have ur own unique style and don't immate other already famous singers. (it's good to pick up a few things from them, but don't sound exactly like them) Also try to take vocal lessons if u already arent. If that is not an option there are plenty self taught audio courses u can buy for a reasonable price ( contact for weblinks)
Third, it is VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE UR OWN MATERIAL. What i mean is, if u want to be a singer. U will need a demo, and on that u will need to have original songs. Most record labels won't take the time to listen to a demo full of covers (songs already made famous by someone else). So one way to do this is either write material urself if u can. Like if u play the piano or guitar. Write some songs. Or if u know how to make beats or someone who does. Some people charge for the rights to a beat or song (usually for $25 to even $1000 and up). There are also websites where u can get beats for free from up and coming producers who offer a free download of there beat to use on your demo or anyother no profitable project. To use the beat on a cd u going to sell u will have to buy the rights to it or if u have a friend or someone u know that can write music, and lyrics collaborate w/them.
Another thing is once u have material, u need to record it. A professional recording studio is the best place, but if u can't afford to do that (most can't when they first start) there are alot of computer programs u can download for free that allow u to record onto ur computer and add effect and mix and master it and it will sound somewhat professional if u know what ur doing, but most are prettty easy to use just for recording purposes.( u most likely know that since ur on hitsquad.com) they have a lot of really nice software downlaods and vst instruments.
Last is once u get ur music recorded u need to get it heard. Most likely at first it won't be a record company. Let ur family and friends listen to it first and get there feedback on it. Usually they will be a little biased and tell u it sounds great even if it doesn't. Tell them to give there honest opinion. Another option is the internet. Many record companies and managers are using the web these days to scope out new talent. There a plenty of websites that u can post ur music on and have people comment, download and listen to ur music, and a lot of them r free. These sites are also good to hook up with other people that love music too. Like up and coming producers, songwriters, and singers that might be interested in collaborating with u if they like ur music. This is good for networking and meeting people that might possibly be the key to getting where u want to be.
The major thing u really need do do before u can get signed is to have a manager. Without a good manager most major record companies will not listen to or even accept any music from u. So for all those who think sending a cd to a record label urself im sorry to tell u that it will get sent back to u unopened with the the word "unsolicited" stamped on ur package. The only labels that accept "unsolicited materials are usually indie labels or ones that specifically say they will accept unsolicited material . A good thing to do is call and ask. Here is a link to a list of record companies that list whethe they do or not.
http://www.allmusicindustrycontacts.com/record-label-A&R.htm
The reason im telling u all this is because i wish i knew all this 5 or 6 years earlier. I can also be a big help b/c like i said i am a music major in college and i have had lots of experience in songwriting, music production, and singing, and that's why i am majoring in music business because i want to discover and help up and coming talent.
Once big thing about this business if ur not careful is that u will get cheated out of money and people will try to exploit u. Remember no respectable manager asks for money up front if they are for real. They make money by getting a percentage of what u make from jobs or record deals they get u. Also always remember don't always believe someone when they say there going to make u famous especially if they want money upfront.. this is most likely a scam. Yes, u do have to invest some money into becoming a singer. For example. Money for recording studio time (if u use one) maybe paying a producer to write music for u, press kit/ demo packages if u get them professionally done, and money to duplicate copies of ur cd to put in ur press kit or demo package. I have been doing all this even before i was in college, but i learned a lot more from teachers and thru networking in the music industry. It's a hard business to get into but if ur up for a lot of hard work and perseverance than anything can happen.
If you have any question and i can help you with those and it wasn't answered in my post plz PM me , i no longer accept emails or IM's
~ uday I know some details regarding this .so u follow my suggestions
1. Learn to breathe properly so that your breath is constantly and consistently supporting your singing voice. Take some time to do breathing exercises before you perform – this will not only improve your breath support but aid in relaxing you also.
2. Get your posture right so that your legs, hips, back and abs are supporting you.
3. Open your mouth wider, particularly on the high notes, and project your voice as much as possible. Use diaphragm pushes for more support.
4. Warm up properly so your voice is in top form. Do stretches as well to relieve any tension your body may be carrying.
5. Practice using vocal warm up exercises. If you want to be good at a sport you need to practice it and your voice will significantly improve if you’ve put it through its paces regularly in terms of vocalization exercises. Regular use of these exercises will also help you improve your tone, range and power and prevent long term damage.
6. Keep hydrated – drink plenty of water before and during singing. Avoid milk and dairy foods which will clog up your throat, and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol as well which tend to dry up the vocal chords.
7. Practice singing in front of other people – in our live courses we get people to take it in turns to sing a verse of a song. Its terrifying to begin with but you gradually learn to control your nerves, remember to breathe properly again and try differently the next time. Get some honest feedback on what others think you can do to improve as well. It’s also worth “practising confidence” when you are alone – try to break through the fear barrier by singing louder and being more daring and creative with vocal inflections without the added pressure of an audience. Test yourself in the privacy of your own home and believe in yourself! This will eventually follow you on stage…
8. If you are the worship leader but don’t feel too confident vocally (and so many guitarists or keyboard players find themselves in this position regularly) then ask a good confident singer to back you up holding the melody line rather than doing a lot of harmonies.
9. Again if you are leading worship and struggle to communicate where you are going next with those lovely ad libs that great singers seem to pull off with ease, then just speak the first few words of the next line before its sung – like that we all know that we’re repeating the chorus or going back to the first verse and you’re not left singing it by yourself while the congregation catch up.
Its also worth considering the ‘fight or flight’ mentality. Rather than fleeing from the challenge of singing, face it with positive thinking, risk taking and jumping at every opportunity to grow and develop gifting. People are mostly singing because they choose to – not because they are forced to!! You need to remind yourself to enjoy sharing your voice with people, rather than let nerves rob you of an enjoyable experience.
Its also worth considering the ‘fight or flight’ mentality. Rather than fleeing from the challenge of singing, face it with positive thinking, risk taking and jumping at every opportunity to grow and develop gifting. People are mostly singing because they choose to – not because they are forced to!! You need to remind yourself to enjoy sharing your voice with people, rather than let nerves rob you of an enjoyable experience.
