Be a Professional Singer
Becoming a professional singer is something you have to be truly motivated to do. Your whole heart must be into this profession, because it is a lot of hard work. You will have to push for your creative vision and will most likely be rejected a lot before you 'make it'. However I'm sure once you do reach a certain level of success it will feel amazing. Get ready because this is going to be lengthy. You have to strive towards it using dedication and focusing your will power.
Contents
Steps
- Make sure that this is actually something you want to do. Not for the fame, but because you have a true, and strong passion for music! It's going to take a lot of hard work. Don't just do it for money or to show off.
- Take singing lessons. It does not matter how naturally talented or terrible you might be; lessons will teach you a lot and help you improve your voice.
- If you want to be in a band/group: you need to look for other dedicated trustworthy musicians that have the same creative vision that you do and will feel comfortable creatively collaborating with. If you choose the wrong band mates that can lead to serious issues down the road.
- Once you feel a comfortable with your voice: you need to get use to singing in front of others, start singing around people you are already somewhat familiar with and comfortably around like at a school choir, or church.
- Now you need to start getting comfortable around strangers: (1) Go to your local fair and ask them if they have open slots for you to perform. (2) If there are any business near by that have open mic nights, go for that. (3) If your lucky and live in a bigger city you can just perform on the street, or maybe a concert venue.
- Optional: Make connections! This might not really work as well if you live in a smaller town. Become friends with people at concert venues, you might end up opening for another 'bigger' band, and could make even more connections.
- Start recording demos. You can even use a program called Garage-band on a MAC.
- Start promoting yourself like there's no tomorrow. Tell friends and family members, make fliers for upcoming gigs, make a Myspace, a Facebook, a twitter, a live journal, and a YouTube account anything that can reach a lot of people upload your music and attempt to add as many people as possible!
- Send out your demo(s) to record labels. Don't get discouraged if/when you are rejected, keep trying! And remember record labels DO NOT want to hear something that's already been done, be original.
- Keep on going! Keep playing shows (tour if possible), promoting yourself, sending out demos, and making your fan base grow! Labels like to see that you are taking the initiative.
- Do not let your label control who you are after you have signed a recording contract. Fight for your creative vision because if you don't, well that's just not good..
Tips
- Make sure that when you start working with other people (manager, band mates, crew, etc..) that they are dedicated and respectable people. If not then you will most likely run into some problems.
- Don't do this for the money, do it because you love singing.
- If you really love singing, go for it!
- Do not let anyone try to stop you. If this is what you really love then do it! Don't waste your life wondering 'what if..'
- Be patient!
- Certain labels only listen to the first 30-60 seconds of a song, if it's not good then your out..
- Get a manager, some labels won't let you send them demos unless you have a manager.
- Don't always show off your skills to people.
Warnings
- If you do not stand up for yourself your label will control you.
- Don't get your hopes up too high but work hard!
- Get a good voice teacher, if not they can mess up your voice.
- Actually read the contract before you sign on to a record label.
- Watch out for scams! You should not have to pay a penny to anyone until you start making money!
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