Music is Life

Your Recording Studio Can Make Money

2009-09-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

hink back 20-30 years ago. Some of us weren't even alive then. Maybe that's why today's recording industry seems so normal. But trust me - this isn't the way it's always been. Things are changing for recording studios and for the music business. I'm not talking about Napster and the file-sharing crisis of a few years back. Actually I'm referring to home recording studios, which are having a huge impact on the big time studios in your town.

In the 1970s, what did a band do if they wanted to record an album? Or even just a demo? It was a difficult process, and unless you wanted to settle for absolute junk - you had to go to the big recording studios. They monopolized the music industry. Bands that could get into the studios were heard. A band that had no money, no label representation, and no fan base were screwed.

But home recording studios began to spring up more and more through the 1990s. And with advances in computer technology, anybody and everybody can own a nice little studio. The price tag today? A couple hundred bucks. And the quality of your recordings will not be too shabby. With a little practice, your home studio can churn out competitive tracks. And the music business doesn't like that fact. You are armed with a studio that can compete. And more bands are starting to hop onto the home studio trend.

Here's the interesting part: a home studio owner today has a unique opportunity to cash in on the industry. Labels are hemorrhaging money, unknown bands are getting famous through MySpace, and recording at home is becoming a profitable business. It's as simple as picking up the pizza boxes and beer bottles in your studio, bring in some local bands, and closing the deal. When you show a band what your home studio has to offer, and how much money they can save by avoiding a bigger studios, you will win the sale. You could record one band a week and have some extra pocket change to buy new gear. How many bands would you need to record before you made enough money to quit your day job? That's how powerful this new movement is, and I would encourage you to look at the possibilities.

Running this business is not difficult. There are some tricks of the trade, and you need to learn the ropes. But once you fill in a few pieces of the studio business blueprint, you're golden. Recording studio businesses are easy to manage, cheap to start, and best of all - this is the coolest job in the world.

The Author

Reuben Rock

Want to start a recording studio business and succeed right away? Here's how to start a recording studio that makes amazing profits by this weekend.

You read that correctly. Anybody can be in the studio business and enjoying life by this weekend. Check out http://recordingstudioprofits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reuben_Rock

Choosing The Right Musical Instrument For You

2009-09-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

If music is your middle name, then musical instruments are sure to adorn your room. Music is an excellent way to get rid of the blues. And if you are the creative type, then you can compose your own songs with musical instruments.

Musical instruments are mainly categorized by the way they generate sound. All musical instruments fall under one of the following – string, wind, percussion and keyboard, though there may be further divisions and sub-divisions. Examples of string instruments include guitars, violins, ukuleles and cellos. Wind instruments include pipes, sax, clarinet, flute and such other types. Drums, bongos, cymbals and bells fall under the percussions category. And keyboard instruments include pianos, harpsichords, organs and accordions. Over 1000 musical instruments are available across the world, including folk instruments.

If you want to play on your own, then it is better to start with a musical instrument you like, and then gradually master the instrument by joining music classes. If you like music in general and are not interested in specializing in any particular type of instrument then a keyboard can be the perfect choice. Electronic keyboards nowadays can produce all sorts of sound ranging from guitar tunes to drum beats. A variety of DJ equipments are also available on the market nowadays, which provide creative sound mixing options for the wannabe DJs as well as for the experienced disc jockeys.

On the other hand, if you were thinking of organizing a band then you would need different types of musical instruments. A band normally includes a couple of string instruments, percussions and preferably a wind instrument.

You can purchase your musical instruments online. Choose your favorite instrument from the various websites that you will find on the internet. They often offer discounts if you buy their package deals, which include various types of musical instruments. This can be your best option if you are planning a band with your friends.

Musical instruments can be a costly affair, especially if you are planning to buy the best available on the market. These can set you back by anything from $100 to over $10000. A good Yamaha or Roland electronic keyboard may cost almost $2500. Used musical instruments are often a good choice, especially if you are learning to play a new instrument. For beginners it is advisable to invest in musical instruments in the lower price range.

Musical instruments can also be made at home with items of daily use. Homemade musical instruments mainly fall under the category of percussion instruments. You can make almost anything, from shakers and jingle bracelets to drums and tambourines. You can also make wind instruments such as comb harmonica or kazoo. These help your child to be creative and can keep them busy. And you can now have your own band at home.

Article Source: Susan Jan

Feature Film Production

2009-09-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

This is visual story telling. If you don't have a crew and are doing all the filming yourself keep in mind that good lighting techniques can make a huge difference on the quality. Film making is as much art as painting a picture so a media limitation based on expense should not stop anyone from experimenting with the art of film-making.

The major stages of a major Feature Film production with lots of money are:

1.Development

In the development stage a producer comes up with an idea for which a script is written(and rewritten until it is perfected). A script can also be obtained from many sources as scriptwriters are always attempting to get their scripts purchased.

2. Preproduction

In preproduction the movie is planned and cost is established. Also the producer will hire a crew.

Smart producers know how to maximize the final product by getting the best actors that fit their roles within their budgets.

On large budget films this could be hundreds of crew members but on less expensive films, skeleton crews are established based on the following positions.

a. Director. (Responsible for acting and creative elements)
b. Assistant director. (Manages shoot schedule, logistics & more)
c. Producer. (finds actors)
d. Location manager. (finds film locations)
e. Director of photography or cinematographer. (Photography)

f. Art director. (production sets, costumes plus provides makeup & hair styling services)
g. Storyboard artist,
h. Production sound mixer.
i. Composer. (creates music for the film)
j. Choreographer.

3. Production

This is when the actual filming takes place based on shooting schedules, locations and film sets. The director can request multiple takes on scenes until he is satisfied that his ideas are expressed.

He will review daily recorded video and determine if scenes have to be re shot. A couple of notes about obtaining pre shot background footage is that royalty free footage is very desirable as there are no delays in negotiating with content providers who are attempting to maximize their profit.

Royalty free footage also means that you buy it only once and use it as many times as you wish.

Always go for the latest format available. If you are buying today then it only makes sense to buy High Definition(HD) footage.

Downgrading HD to lower formats is easy, It is very difficult to make older formats look good in HD.

I recommend you make your movie using 35 mm unless you are using a Red, a Viper or the Sony F23. The 35 mm could then be transferred to digital(preferably HD) using a process called Telecine for cutting and editing.

4. Post Production

Here the editor assembles the footage and formulates a rough cut of the material. Most directors work very close with editors to identify the most important shots to represent their artistic ideas. Some directors rely heavily on their editors judgment and present them with many additional hours of footage, allowing them to decide what gets cut from the film.

Editors are normally very artistically inclined and make tremendous contributions to projects so finding a good one is important. Here is also where special effects and color correction are finalized and implemented. Check the software listing editing software and look at either Adobe After effects or Magicbullet for color correction software.

5. Distribution

Large films funded by the major studios are distributed to theaters they are affiliated with. Lower budget productions can be distributed via DVD, VHS or even Internet. For lower budget features many filmmakers present their works at film festivals in the hope of getting picked up by one of the big studios or their subsidiaries. Ideally Feature film production, at it's best, is about having good actors working on a well written script supported by a good crew and lots of time and money.

This is almost never the case and corners are usually cut everywhere.

by Joseph Vautour

Audio Recording Equipment - Studio Audio Equipment

2009-09-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

Attaining perfection in work is not difficult when you have all the necessary equipments in place. An audio studio comprises of many equipments that work together to get that perfect sound for you. Starting from simple microphones to the complex audio mixers, one needs them all.

Starting with the microphones, one can choose from a variety of types:

USB Microphones
Condenser Microphones
Headwork Microphones
Microphone Stands
Instrument Microphones
Dynamic Microphones
Microphone Accessories
Lavalier Microphones
Podium Microphones
Microphone Booms
Wireless Microphone Accessories
Shotgun Microphones
Special Application Microphones
Ribbon Microphones
Stereo Microphones
Windscreens

Audio mixers are also one of the most important items to have in your studio. They can be differentiated as compact and remote mixers, DJ mixers, PA mixers, Production mixers and Telephone mixers. They help in mixing sounds from various signals and sources. Some of the mixers are high-end and require a good expertise to work with.

The main task performed in the studio is that of recording and for that purpose, one requires recorders and accessories that can store the sounds. The recorders can be of various types:

Mini Disc Recorders & Players
Compact disc accessories
DVD Recorders & Players
Compact disc Players & Recorders
Cassette Players
Handheld Flash Recorders
Flash Recorders & Players
Logging Recorders & Software

The sound is recorded in the recorders with the help of microphones and speakers. Thus speakers also form an important part of any studio. They may be attached to your computer or to the microphones and there is a variety to choose from. There are active monitor, confirmation, passive, powered, and PA speakers which help in better audio outputs.

Sound comes in the form of signals and to channelise and increase the amplitude of the signals. The amplifiers need to be there to ensure better working of other equipments and to record effectively.
Other audio equipments that are required include channel strips, equalizers, converters and software. To make sure your equipments are in place and in a good working condition, it is important to take care that they are protected from dust and dirt. For their maintenance one can use products like disk cleaners, cover-ups, mouth-piece disinfectant sprays and polishing cloths.

by Michael Mize Russell

How to Initiate Your Child Into Music Lessons

2009-09-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

Introduction

There are many parents these days that want their children to learn how to do something musical. This could be vocal music lessons or it could be learning to play an instrument like the piano. People tend to feel that their children will be far more accomplished in life if they learn some musical skill. Furthermore, people tend to feel that their children will have a hobby that can carry them through the rest of life if they learn how to be musical at a very young age.

This can certainly be a good idea, but you need to be careful if you want to broach the idea to your child in such a way as to make them accept it. Generally, there are three approaches that you can take when it comes to initiating your child into music lessons.

The Hardliner Approach

Interestingly enough, the hardliner approach is actually the easiest approach to pull off. You don't need any level of dexterity when it comes to this approach. In fact, all you need is a willingness to take a mallet and just go into the conversation swinging (metaphorically of course).

Basically, you need to announce to your child that you have decided on their music lessons. Your child might not want to go, but you should not waver in your hardliner approach once you have adopted it. If you do that, the hardliner approach instantly becomes less useful for future situations. You need to drag your kid to the first few music lessons with this approach and keep doing it until their natural enjoyment of the activity starts to take over.

The Coax Approach

The opposite strategy of the hardliner approach is the coax approach. When you are using this approach, what you basically need to do is coax your child into coming with you to the music lesson. You need to make it seem like an exciting adventure that you and your child can share together and therefore pique their interest in the topic.

When you are using this approach however, you need to avoid being overly enthusiastic about the music lessons. Children can sense false enthusiasm in their parents quite easily and are generally not fooled by it. At the same time, they can sense a lack of interest too. It is a fine line to work, but if you know how to work that line you can certainly get more success out of the coax approach than out of the hardliner approach.

Conclusion

Music lessons for children can be very rewarding if done right. If you want your child to truly benefit from music lessons though, you need to get them to the point where they are regularly attending the music classes. If you don't do that, you can pretty much kiss goodbye any of the long term benefit that they might get out of the exercise. Keep that in mind when you are evaluating what your next move is going to be in this particular area.

by Amy Nutt

Band Promotion Techniques All Independent Bands & Musicians Need

2009-09-18T01:49:00.000-07:00

"Tricks To Selling More CD's At Gigs"

First make sure at every gig you are placing your CD sales table in the correct place. I can't tell you how many times I have seen bands who setup their CD sales table in the darkest corner of the venue.

Think about it for a moment...If you were at a venue and listening to a band. Then, out of the corner of your eye... You happen to see a table setup with CD's for sale. Except, it's in the corner, and away from all the action at the venue...Would you go check it out, or even think about it?

When you get gigs at a new venue the first thing you must do is scope out the place for the most strategic spots available for your CD sales table. Heck, there are some bands that setup their table right in front of the stage! Another great place for setting up your CD sales table is by the entrance to the bathroom of the venue...I know it may sound strange, but think about it. Everyone there is bound to pass by your CD's, and if you have one of your "Street Team" members selling CD's at the table. Then, recruit another "Street Team" member to literally walk straight up to people asking them "Do You Have The CD Yet?" at the venue while you're playing - Your CD sales will go through the roof!

Just be sure to have the one walking around lead the people who say that want to buy your CD straight to the CD sales table. This will allow them to go straight back into the crowd to gather more fans for you!

"Collecting Fan Email Addresses"

Also make sure you make it easy for people to leave email addresses at your CD sales table. Even better, would be to get people to give you the email in the middle of the gig. You might make up an "Email Song" then have someone pass around a guest book where everyone leaves their email address.

If you are not gigging your only option is to visit chat rooms and forums and talk to people and collect email addresses. Why collect all of these email addresses? Easy...You will be strating a "Band Newsletter" to stay in touch with your potential fans, and CD buyers!

"Selling Your CD Cheap"

Major retail outlets are clearing out old 74 mins CDR's right now for very cheap. Put 3, 4, 5 of your tracks on each one and use cheap jewelcases. Then go somewhere where "your potential fans" would be hanging out, and hand the CD's out for FREE in exchange for their email address.

You'll get 100 subscribers for under $20.00! Which, is much cheaper than placing ads, doing flea markets and paying record stores to promote your CD."

by Scott Meyer

Ten Free Songwriting Tips

2009-09-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

Whether you're a beginner at writing songs or a seasoned songwriter, free songwriting tips always come in useful, for composing songs is something you should work on constantly, perfecting your abilities to emotionally connect with your audience through music and lyrics.

Successful songwriting is by no means easy - though many say it is. However, nearly everyone has the ability to write songs, but this ability needs to be worked on, combined with the desire to compose a great song, plus hard work.

So, here you have ten basic songwriting tips to help you on your way to becoming a great composer.

Free Songwriting Tips

1. Practice makes perfect, so songwriting tip number one would be to dedicate some time each day to composing songs. You don't need to create a whole new song - just a few lines will suffice. But, make sure you practice daily. You'll soon improve.

2. Listen constantly to popular songs and work out what, exactly, makes these songs successful. Study their strengths and techniques. Learn from them and apply their good points to your own compositions.

3. Before starting on any song, decide who your target audience is and the type of compositions they will relate to, then make sure both lyrics and melody can be understood by them and will appeal to them. Your main aim will be to connect emotionally with your audience.

4. Although you should work hard at your songwriting, enjoy it too! Remember that music and lyrics are art forms, so don't let composing become an unwelcome chore, otherwise your creative juices are sure to disappear. Concentrate on pouring out your passions and emotions, rather than thinking about the money you might make from a successful song.

5. Use your own life experiences as inspiration for your songs. It's always better to write about something you, personally, know about. And use nature, art, or simply listening to other songs to relax and open your mind and get your creative juices working.

6. Always carry a notebook with you so you can jot down those terrific ideas which pop into your head at the most unusual times.

7. Keep your lyrics short and crisp, for you normally only have around 3 to 4 minutes to get your message across. Use the verse to tell your story, making the chorus something repetitive which listeners will remember.

8. Don't under-rate the importance of your song's title for it's the soul of your song, telling your audience what your composition is about. Make it catchy, appealing, and easy to remember.

9. Avoid overuse of clichés. Instead, take well-known words and phrases, turning them round and using them in new and novel ways.

10. Don't be afraid to tweak your original song until you feel in your heart it's just as it should be.

Well, there you have just ten quick songwriting tips to help you get started. But, perhaps the most important tip of all is never to give up. You may not start as a great success, and your first songs certainly won't be perfect. But, if you keep working at it, learning more about the topic, reading good books on the subject, then you'll surely get there in the end.

After all, the one sure way of failing is to give up! If you carry on, gradually improving, chances are you'll eventually compose numerous successful songs.

by Tor Jakobsen

Talent Agency Start Up - How to Build Your Own Talent Agency

2009-09-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

Talent agency start up can be quite simple, if you know what you're doing. It used to be that talent agency start up costs would be in the thousands and quite a few thousand indeed. These days, what with the advent of computers and the internet, a great deal of the communications work has diminished, freeing up a lot of time that was once consumed by it all, and the same goes for finding and keeping contacts, as well as record keeping. As a result, talent agency start up costs are now able to be within a small few hundred dollars... the most inexpensive route, being the use of a home office to work from.

Another aspect of talent agency start up is what to know as for how to carry out your business. Best business practices are the key. You need to carry out your business in a professional, and most importantly, a very ethical manner. The reputation that you build with your services will evolve and spread like wildfire by word of mouth. If you do a good and ethical job of representing these people who put their trust in you, this can be a good thing.

If you misrepresent your talented clients, this will become a very, very bad thing. Needless to say, you want to shoot for the former scenario here. Anyone getting off to a good start on the right foot from their talent agency start up will continue on thriving. Anyone conducting their business in a less than professional way and/or less than ethical manner, will find it Impossible to keep their business afloat in this industry.

There are two major activities in this field, which you will become quickly acquainted with right from talent agency start up. Finding the talent, and then finding work for these talented people who have chosen you to represent them. This is surprisingly much easier than it sounds, as there are many resources for both. If you'd like to learn more, I'd be more than happy to shed some more light on this for you.

by Lewis Waller

Microphones Used in Recording Studios

2009-09-15T00:57:00.000-07:00

A microphone is an example of a transducer, a device that changes sound from one form to another. Sound exists as patterns of air pressure; the microphone changes this into patterns of electric current.

Microphones vary greatly in quality. A top end recording studio microphone may cost thousands and in many cases they are needed for the very best recordings. A variety of mechanical techniques can be used in building microphones. The two most commonly found in recording studios are the magneto-dynamic and the variable condenser designs.

All microphones convert sound energy into electrical energy, but there are many different ways of doing the job, using electrostatics, electromagnetism, piezo-electric effects, or even through a change in resistance of carbon granules. When it comes to microphones used in recording studios, the vast majority of microphones used are either capacitors, electrostatic, or dynamic.

Both types employ a moving diaphragm to capture the sound, but make use of a different electrical principle for converting mechanical energy into an electrical signal. The efficiency of this conversion is very important, because the amounts of acoustic energy produced by voices and musical instruments are so small.

Different types of microphones used in recording studios

In live sound, nearly all the microphones used are dynamics. In the studio, instruments such as drums, electric guitars, and basses are recorded using dynamic microphones. Dynamic microphones have the advantages of being relatively inexpensive and durable, and they don't need a power supply or battery to make them operate.

Dynamic microphones are most effective when working with relatively loud sound sources that do not contain a lot of very high-frequency detail. They are also tough instruments which make them good for recording studios. Another type of dynamic microphone is the ribbon microphone, but this is only used in fairly esoteric recording applications by engineers who appreciate the subtleties of the ribbon sound.

These microphones are comprised of a thin metal ribbon suspended in a magnetic field, and when sound energy is encountered, the electrical signal generated is induced in the ribbon itself rather than in a voice coil. The main advantage of ribbon microphones is their smooth, detailed sound which makes them perfect for studio environment.

Capacitor microphones are more expensive than their dynamic counterparts, and they are also much more sensitive, and can capture high-frequency detail much more accurately. Even though they are relatively efficient like dynamic microphones, capacitor microphones produce such a small electrical signal that they require a special type of built-in preamplifier to bring the signal up to usable levels. Thus they are not fit to be used in live concerts or open air concerts. Capacitors are used mostly in recording studios where there is less noise.

by Victor Epand

Musical Instruments - Tips For Making the Wisest Purchase

2009-09-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

Because musical instruments can be expensive, new musicians who are enrolled in elementary schools, junior high schools, or high schools that loan out equipment may benefit by borrowing from the school to get started with playing.

Those that are not enrolled in any educational system would do well to take private lessons and learn about different purchasing options. A few lessons are worthwhile even if it is only to get a recommendation for a good instrument shop. Remember: a shop is only as good as the person who runs it. A good recommendation goes a long way. Also, an instructor can offer a realistic price range and suggest brands to consider.

The instructor may also be able to suggest a rental store. Renting an instrument is a good idea because it allows the musician to develop an ear for what kind of tone he or she desires before making a major purchase. For young students it can take years to develop a sense of pitch and understand how a good tone should sound. Renting also makes sense if the student is not sure which device he or she would like to play. For example, some people start out with a brass option and then decide they would like to switch to a woodwind once they play in an ensemble.

Musical instruments come in different sizes to accommodate different levels of player skill. For example, brass items such as the trombone come in student and professional sizes. Both sizes have the same length of slide, but a professional trombone is wider. The narrow width of a beginner trombone is designed to accommodate the common novice inability to generate a sufficient amount of breath.

Stringed choices, such as the violin and viola, come in different sizes as well. A smaller sized violin is easier to hold for a young student with small hands. Of course, even virtuoso young violin players will utilize small violins.

A good musical store should have more than just instruments. Other music related items to look for in a quality store include:

Maintenance accessories- Every major musical purchase, from guitars to snare drums, will require additional purchases to keep it in excellent shape. For example, brass items like the trumpet and trombone need oil to keep the valves and slide operating smoothly. Wind and brass options also require accessories to keep the instrument clean. Musicians that play stringed devices will need to purchase rosin for their bows.
Sheet music and exercise books- Musicians will need to purchase sheet music to practice exercises and musical pieces assigned by their instructor.

Maintenance accessories and sheet music are now offered for sale online, in addition to musical instruments. Musicians should carefully consider the pros and cons of buying products online. An upside to online purchases is that a consumer can get a better price because the store commonly has lower resource fees. In addition to this, buying equipment on sites like eBay through a well-placed bid can save even more money.

The downside to buying musical equipment online is that a musician does not generally get to try the item before he or she makes a purchase. Retail stores commonly allow a potential buyer to play the instrument within the business. They also may allow players to take home more expensive items for longer periods of time. Some online stores do have return policies. However, costumers may find it easier to deal with a store that has a large selection available right in front of them because this is ideal for trying each out and listening to the different tones.

by Ann Clarke

Tips For Mastering the Art of Commercial Film Production

2009-09-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

What is it that separates a good film from a bad film? In fact, it is difficult to put your finger on any one item but in the end a good film is one that people will want to watch and a bad film is one that they don't. A high budget does not necessarily guarantee that a film will be good. In fact, the road of commercial film production history is littered with the corpses of bad work that was filmed on a high budget.

Also, at the same time, there are numerous low budget films that have gone on to be commercial successes and have earned their makers millions. The Blair Witch Project, as well as the Rocky Horror Picture Show are two stellar examples of low budget films that went on to be complete commercial successes at the box office. If it had to be laid out on paper, it would have to be knowledge of the craft and organizational abilities that are the two keys to successful commercial film production. Not possessing either one of these will most surly doom even the most well intentioned efforts to failure.

Beyond that, a reasonable budget, skilled help and quality equipment and complete dedication to the project are the next items in line. As a business venture, commercial film production is a risky proposition at best. Hence; one would be advised to not bet the whole farm on any one individual project until some previous measure of success has been achieved. The best place to begin to learn the craft of commercial film production is of course at a commercial film school but they do cost money to attend. However; if you are operating on a minimal budget, most community colleges offer courses in commercial film production now.

by Deborah Yonatan

How to Start a Talent Agency - Building Your Talent Agency From Home

2009-09-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Looking to learn how to start a talent agency? The know-how is the key to it all, after that, the rest is surprisingly simple. The actual running of such a business can be boiled down to two major aspects; finding good talent, and finding jobs for these talented people. These are the two most important aspects in learning how to start a talent agency, plain and simple.

For example, do you remember that killer band that played that rockin' music at that bar you and your friends went to that weekend? Are they well represented? They should be, am I right? Or how about that surprisingly adept stage magician that performed at your little brother's birthday party? And of course, many of us know someone who is trying to break into an acting or singing career.

The truth is that there is an over abundance of talent all around us, just waiting to be discovered. How about those talented musical groups scraping to put their CDs together and displaying them online on MySpace or Facebook? They're trying hard to put themselves out into the public view, but so many just have no representation. There are many ways, means, and venues for finding talent, and in most cases, they are screaming to be found.

The other factor in learning how to start a talent agency is finding jobs (professionally called "bookings") for these talents. There are quite a few sources for this. For models there are catalogs, TV commercials, runways and magazines; for musicians there are bars and clubs, concerts, radio stations, recording studios, and background sessions; for up-and-coming comedians we might find on "open mic" nights, there are comedy clubs, parties, conventions and TV shows; for actors and actresses, there are TV commercials, voice-overs, animation voice acting jobs, plays, and more. While these are two major aspects of how to start a talent agency, there are more to cover.

by Lewis Waller

How a Talent Management Agency Can Help You Achieve Your Acting Or Modeling Career

2009-08-26T00:45:00.000-07:00

Choosing a career in the entertainment industry as an actor or model may be one of the boldest decisions you will ever make. It might also be one of the greatest decisions you will ever make as well.

While these careers may seem quite glamorous and exciting to you, the choice may not win you the "Decision-maker of the Year Award." from your family, friends, and other acquaintances. "After all," your parents might say, "You could get a college degree and become an accountant. Better yet, the local post office is hiring." Now that's an exciting stable job you can really sink your teeth into and grow a career in.

While they mean well, your family and friends may never have had contact with or even heard of an actor or model actually making it in the industry. Face it, when they think of actors or models, they think of Brad Pitt and Tyra Banks. Not the smaller, less famous actors and models. They may endeavor to discourage you from pursuing a career that could, in their eyes, prove quite fruitless and a waste of time when you could be earning an hourly wage and bringing home a weekly paycheck.

Listen, if your already on a talent management website, researching some talent agency out there, I'm betting that you have already decided to throw your caution to the wind, ignore your family and friends who think you're making a mistake and like NIKE, "Just Do It" anyway.

So here's the good news for you and your dream. With training classes that can be found just about anywhere, experience with smaller gigs, and a well-developed portfolio, you can find a job within the acting or modeling industry very easily. Not to mention that if you have an amazing photographer and makeup artist, you'll have an even better chance to make it in the industry. Besides that, an actors/models day rate for photo sessions, music videos, film and TV commercials can be quite hefty. So that is definitely a plus when considering your career path.

So do you want to live the rest of your life doing a boring, monotonous job or would you rather be an actor/model and live an exciting, thrilling life? This is possible, despite popular belief. With a little training, some coaching from a talent management agency, and a lot of hard work and dedication, you too can break into the world of acting or modeling.

by Greg Shuey

How to Get Top Audio Production Results With an Online Beat Maker

2009-08-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

To get top audio production results with an online beat maker it is important to begin working with an application that suits your understanding and knowledge base of producing beats, or one that teaches you how to begin and progress with making instrumentals in a way that is comfortable, creative and inspiring to you. It is recommended that you consider your level of production skills first. How much do you already know about producing music, recording and mixing? Are you just getting started with beat making or do you have some experience and looking to further your talents and skills with deeper knowledge and education?

There are no shortages of online beat maker applications on the market. With so much to choose from it can become overwhelming and even complicated to sift through them all trying to understand which one is best for you. By considering first what you do know about audio production and making beats, you will also discover what you don't know. This can help you in narrowing down the seemingly endless list of products on the market by being able to choose products that maximize on what you do know while at the same time educating you by developing your skills in the areas you need help with most.

A few simple questions to get you started with considering an online beat maker are:

• Do you know and understand what types of beats you want to make?
• Do you have an idea of the kind of sounds you want to hear in your material?
• Do you have knowledge and understanding of audio processing tools such as compression and EQ?
• Do you have knowledge and understanding of audio production in terms of recording, automation, mixing and mastering?
• Do you want to create your own sounds or work with pre-recorded beats, samples and loops?
• Do you intend to work with external midi hardware to trigger sounds within your software DAW (digital audio workstation)?

When looking for an online beat maker these are just a few questions you should be asking yourself in order to assess your own level of understanding in these areas along with defining and outlining your needs and requirements in getting started with an audio production application. Other things to keep in mind are whether you intend to produce only for yourself or for other artists. You might be planning on selling your beats for profit or developing an online company to post your beats for download. In cases like these you will need to be able to create catalogues of beats relatively quickly. This means working with an application that allows you to work fast, efficient and consistent.

Getting top audio production results with an online beat maker is about spending time within the application making beats, not countless moments being frustrated and overwhelmed trying to get your head around how to do simple tasks. If you are relatively new and just getting started, then it makes sense to first work with programs and applications that are straight forward and easy to jump into and get started. The main focus here is on being creative and getting your ideas down. A program that allows you to move smoothly and comfortably through its learning curve while keeping your flow of inspiration is ideal. This will maximize the time you spend making beats with an online beat maker.

by Bruce B. Parker

Song Writers

2009-08-24T01:25:00.000-07:00

A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics for songs, their musical composition or melody to songs, or both. That is to say, a songwriter is often a lyricist or a composer, or both. The word 'songwriter' is however, more commonly used these days to describe one who writes popular songs than to describe a writer of art songs.

Songwriters may themselves perform the songs they write, or may write for someone else to perform. People who sing songs written by themselves are nowadays, typically called singer-songwriters. Most art songwriting is written for someone other than the composer to perform, although it is known that Schubert often sang his own songs at private parties, and there have been a number of composers who were also singers and wrote for themselves. Many modern rock and roll bands have one or two songwriters who are usually members of the band. In many cases, the lead singer of the band is one of the songwriters.

Many songwriters also serve as their own music publishers, while others may have external publishers. Legally, songs may only be copied or performed publicly by taking permission from the authors. The legal power to grant these permissions may be bought, sold or even transferred and is governed by copyright laws. Songwriting and publishing royalties can be a healthy source of income, particularly if a song becomes a hit record.

However, nowadays collaborating is one of the most rewarding and productive activities a songwriter can engage in. It's also one of the most challenging as well. Co-writing can stretch you in more ways than you can even imagine up front. A look at the Billboard Singles charts and you'll notice that the vast majority of hit songs were written by two or more writers. That's because many songwriters have discovered that the collaborative whole is far greater than the sum of the solo-writing parts. Thus, with strong suits they can capitalize on, as well as supplement their weaknesses with the strengths of others.

Many artists have come to realize that writing alone year after year is limiting. The jack-of-all-trades approach may produce flashes of brilliance once in a while, but solo writers often find themselves stuck in a rut. If one feels the urge to merge with other talent, one first needs to take a hard look at oneself as a songwriter from an objective standpoint.

by Josh Riverside

How to Start a Recording Studio

2009-08-19T23:27:00.000-07:00

A lot of people own recording studios these days. Mostly, they are home studios in a spare bedroom or basement. But some people even take it a step further. I have friends who rent out commercial space to build recording studios. And a few people build full-blown, professional studios with million dollar budgets. But face it - most people don't have that kind of money to start a studio. Here's a good way to start a small, but profitable, recording studio even in your basement.

I could spend all day telling you about acoustics and room dimensions, but let's keep it simple. You need enough space to fit all your gear, plus the band or artist you are recording. That might include drums, guitar amps, keyboards, and more. Or maybe you will use a smaller space and just record one instrument at a time. Big or small, you can make it work. Just be aware of how much space you have to work with. Then try to cut down on reflections, or echoes in the room. Hard surfaces, like drywall or concrete, will reflect sound all over the place. To control it, you need to break up that surface so the sound bounces randomly - not back and forth between two walls. This can be done with a little acoustic foam, or even blankets if you have a low budget. Just cover some wall space, and then test it out. Use the "clap" technique. Walk around the room clapping your hands every few seconds. Listen to the way the sound echoes. As you move foam around, or add more foam, that sound will change. Just keep working at it until it sounds good to you.

Now you need to get sound onto tape, or a computer these days. You probably won't be using any analog recording equipment, or recording to cassette tapes. That's good. You save space by using digital equipment. I recommend at least a 2 channel USB interface, plugged into a newer computer. Computers are built so fast these days, it really doesn't matter if you spend $350 or $3000 on a computer. Just get one that works, doesn't have a bunch of viruses, and fits your budget. A 2 channel interface, like the Digidesign Mbox 2, will give you room to record 2 microphones at once. That way you can track drums in stereo, then overlay guitars, bass, vocals, and whatever else. That's a basic recording, but it works. If you can afford it, go ahead and get a USB interface that has more channels. I like my TASCAM US1641. It has 8 mic preamps, with even more inputs on the back. Plenty of flexibility! Oh, and don't worry about software. You will get some kind of software with your interface. That should be enough to get you started.

A couple microphones, a set of headphones, and some cables will round out your studio. Get at least two microphones for your studio, and make sure they are in your budget. Get a condenser microphone for vocals or acoustic guitars, and a dynamic microphone for drums and electric instruments. You will add more to your collection later on, but that's enough to start. Get decent headphones right away. $50 will get you headphones that sound much better than the ones that came with your iPod! The grab a few microphone cables, and you're basically done.

Sure, you will want to add more equipment later on. But this is enough to get you recording at first. Go find some bands to work with, and you're on your way to running a profitable studio!

by Reuben Rock

Film Video Production Company - How Do We Select a Video Film Production Company?

2009-08-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

A film production company offering music video shooting provided with chroma key, or autocue on request and shooting NTSC or PAL as required is a great bet for effective and timely delivery of the creative requirement of any company. A professionally managed and creatively organized team at the film video production company can be judged by the agency’s ability to shoot your work according to the deadlines set by you; then be weeks or just hours, it must honor its commitment, without compromising on style and content and give you a finished product that shoots your ethos of the film.

For choosing the right film video production company to shoot the ethos or the essence of your film video, a bit of Internet research is advisable as is checking for satisfied customer feedback as a measure of the company’s ability to deliver the goods. Since video is the most powerful medium of messaging, the importance of the right film video production company is crucial to your company’s communication getting the right shot at selling an idea or simply informing the public/target audience.

Streaming video from a website is now a practical reality and an increasingly popular medium of effective marketing by any market-savvy film video production company that has a finger on the pulse of its clients. One can utilize the services of such film video production company and agencies to develop effective video development and marketing to promote either a product or service online and the success of this medium is fast making this a preferred and prudent investment for any company. With film video production company and agents becoming client-centric and working innovatively to accommodate tight budgets and deadlines, the art of video production has now become a cost effective communications resource. With the ease of use and viability of integrating stock photos, the scope for organization of any established film video production company has increased tremendously. An accredited film video production company can thus, now produce a plethora of aesthetic yet cost-effective TV commercials, industrial videos and DVDs for a diverse client base ranging from pizza to pizzazz in the living room by incorporating stock photography into videos.

This style of video production that uses stock photography integration into mainstream video production is a by-product of smarter film video production company acknowledging the creativity they can expand in the post-production stage. This means, in an area where a typical film video production company would spend hours poring over various online stock photo libraries to find just the images they need, a market savvy one would incorporate stock photography instead to meet with client demands and deadlines.

This kind of on-the-job innovativeness and out of the box thinking when applied to a wide spectrum of services offered by film video production company handling your business requirements is what differentiates your final result from that of competitors; and when cutting edge technology combines with dedicated workflow management services, the upshot of that is bound to be an improved integration of royalty-free stock photo images into the film video production process.

By Shakir A.

Want Your Music Band to Succeed?

2009-08-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

Being a musician is not easy, it can be a tough life trying to get gigs and make money performing. Likewise with the creative genius mind does come a little emotional baggage, meaning that getting along 100% of the time with the other members of your band is an impossibility.

Keeping a good and talented band together in the early years is extremely challenging especially when you are scraping bottom trying to get well-known so you can catch the interest of a record label.

This is where the business end of the band comes into play, and you must never forget that a band is a business and you need to make money, not to make music but to get your music in front of the world and use that money to build upon each success.

Surely, you have passed out flyers, used social marketing and done everything you can to get known and draw crowds. Still, it's my contention that you need to do more! One thing I always recommend to musicians is to paint all the members cars with logos and pictures of the band.

Yes, every car that the band owners own and all the roadies, girlfriends and family members that will go for it too. Paint all your vehicles, it is great marketing and it will bring great results.

If any member of your band refuses to paint their vehicle with logos tell them that they just are not serious about being successful and maybe they are in the wrong band. The best way to succeed is to lead, so paint your vehicle first and lead by example.

Those that are serious will follow and painting your vehicles shows commitment and seriousness too. Please consider this on your road to success.

by Lance Winslow

Sight Singing Instructions For Choir Directors and Choir Members

2009-08-17T01:19:00.000-07:00

Choir Director Problems:

Are you happy with your ability to sight sing?
Are you happy with your choir member's sight singing ability?
Can you hear what you see?
Can you see what you hear?
Does your choir have to learn everything, or at least the difficult parts, by having the pianist playing it for them?
Even though your choir sings in tune is there still something about their singing you can't put your finger on?
Do you know what will make the difference between a choir performance that will bring a polite complement and one that people would be willing to pay you for?
Is your performance so good that people would buy a CD of it?
Are new members entering the choir without any training?
Does it bother choir members and audience that the music is not excellent?
Do the mistakes detract from worship?

Rewards for overcoming the problem:

Having a choir that can sight sing will increase the amount of repertoire you can perform.
Just think how much time you could save in rehearsals if your choir members could learn the music without having it played on the piano for them.
If your choir could look at the music and hear it in their inner hearing, like they hear when reading a book, you could sing a song for the first time and it would be close to being finished performance quality!
When your choir knows how to sing the high notes without straining they will move from sounding like amateurs to sounding like professionals.
Learning how to control the voice keeps the sound from getting harsh, pinched, or sound like shouting when the music is loud and high.
Think how much more enjoyable for everyone if it was sung correctly the first time through?
Starting a sight singing course to help new members get comfortable before entering the choir. An indigenous choir starts with a graded choir course.
It is fun to learn and to do something better then you thought you were able to do.

What are the consequences for NOT overcoming the problem?

If you don't start now, when will you?
If your choir doesn't improve will they stay with you?
If you don't improve your quality of sound you could loose your audience.
Continuing to teach by rote from the piano can become boring and discouraging to your choir members who are more accomplished.
Is the Lord magnified?

The way to overcoming the problem:

There are several ways one could implement or introduce sight singing to your choir.
- Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each rehearsal teaching sight singing
- Have an extra class, like a Sunday school class for intense study
- Have one or two day seminar
- Go on a weekend retreat
- You could encourage your choir members to take private lessons.

by Victor King

Vocal Lessons - How Many Do You Need to Take to Make Them Effective?

2009-08-13T02:02:00.000-07:00

So you decide to take voice lessons. How many should you take? The short answer: as many as it takes to get you voice where you want it to be.

The longer answer: it depends on your needs:

* If you are looking for a vocal assessment as to how you are singing right now, one lesson should do it. At this assessment lesson (one or two hours is recommended), you should get a professional opinion as to how well you're singing right now, and what it might take to get your voice ready for where you want to go. You should also get help with your weakest area(s)at the first lesson... so no matter what, you will get real and immediate benefit for whatever money you spend on vocal training.

* If you have vocal problems such as straining, weakness, breathing issues and/or performance communication disconnect, you should take as many as you need to conquer those problems. At the first lesson, major problems the vocal coach notices should be spelled out for you.

* If you have limited funds, you should be honest with the teacher and seek options such as longer intervals between regular lessons (once every other week or even less), supplemented with vocal training products on various media such as CDs, DVDs and books.

* If you are a long-distance student, I recommend scheduling an assessment lesson, getting the CDs and coming back for a lesson whenever it is convenient for your travel schedule.

* If you can't get to a personal lesson, you can also schedule telephone lessons. With today's long distance rates so low, this is a very good option if you're out of town or otherwise unable to get to the vocal coach's office.

* If you are a professional vocalist, my recommendation is to stay in touch with your vocal coach throughout your career. That doesn't necessarily mean weekly lessons, but it does mean touching base with a lesson or two in between your road tour; phone lessons or when you feel something going wrong; updating your vocal warm ups from time to time. In my humble opinion, a professional vocalist being "watched over" by a competent vocal coach is non-negotiable...protective of your career, preventing subtle, limiting vocal dysfunction from setting in.

* If you, for any reason, want to increase your vocal ability, keep coming to vocal lessons.

Most importantly, however many lessons you choose to take: KEEP PRACTICING the correct vocal training you have received! To paraphrase an old adage... use it correctly or lose it! If you practice correct technique, you will find your voice continuing to improve well into your golden years.

by Judy Rodman

Professional Audio Production At Home - Can It Be Done?

2009-07-22T01:41:00.000-07:00

The move to digital recording has dramatically reduced the cost of a personal audio recording studio. It is now entirely possible for an individual to have his or her own personal recording studio at home. But is it really possible to produce professional level audio recordings at home?

Absolutely YES!

A home recording studio can now have the exact same equipment (computers, software, microphones etcâ€¦) used in professional recording studios. Unfortunately, having the same gear as professional studios, does not guarantee the same pristine, glimmering, professional sound. Getting that professional sound is going to take training and practice.

Once you own the equipment, you can spend as much time as you like practicing. and getting the training is now quite easy. The Internet is filled with free tutorials on every aspect of audio production. Just some of the areas that are covered by on-line tutorials:

Setting Up A Home Studio-There are articles about what general hardware and software you will need, reviews and recommendations for specific items, and instructions on hooking everything up to work in the best most efficient way possible.

Basic Recording Concepts and Techniques-After everything is purchased and hooked up, how will all this hardware and software work together? How do you utilize the various options your setup allows? What are the different types of microphones and how are they used? It is easy to find answers to these basic questions with a simple search.

Software Tutorials-Instructions for using specific software packages abound on the Internet. Every major recording package and even many free packages have tutorials available in written and video formats.

Using Audio Effects-Although you can always just try out various effects to see what happens, it is essential that you understand how each effect works in order to control and "tweak it"to achieve just the right sound. A little bit of online research will yield a tremendous amount of information on how audio effects such as reverb, compression, and delay work, as well as numerous tips and tricks to maximize the use of these devices.

Advanced Recording Lessons-Once you know how everything works, you can find lessons on many advanced audio recording and production techniques. In the past, many of these techniques, were only possible in the most expensive studios. Now, however, the flexibility of digital recording with virtual devices, allows anyone explore complex and sophisticated approaches to audio production. These techniques include areas such as recording, EQ, effect processing, mixing, and mastering.

Instruction in these areas and more are available on the Internet for free. However, if you choose, you can also purchase entire courses in any of these areas. Additionally, some very well known audio schools allow you to take many of their courses on-line for credit.

With all these opportunities to learn the craft of audio production, the last step - practice - is still absolutely necessary. Knowing all of this will make no difference unless you try it out and learn how to use this knowledge. The experience gained from this practice, is what will finally allow you to produce professional quality audio recordings at home.

by Joseph Fosco

Run Your Own Talent Agency - How to Start a Talent Agency

2009-07-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

Looking to run your own talent agency? It's not very difficult, and really can just be boiled down to two major activities - finding the talent, and then finding work for the talent you now represent. There's a lot of talent out there in today's world who are just dying to be discovered. When you run your own talent agency, you develop an eye for finding these talented people almost anywhere.

For example, how about that cool band you heard play all that awesome music at that bar you and your friends went to that weekend? Are they well represented? Or even those talented musicians who struggle to put a CD together and try to put it out into public reach by posting it up online on MySpace, Facebook or YouTube? These people need representation.

There are also those up-and-coming comedians or singers we might find performing on "open mic" nights at some of the clubs in your community who show bright promise, but aren't yet properly represented. This is a great place to scout for talent when you run your own talent agency. What about that surprisingly talented illusionist performing magic tricks at your sister's graduation party? Like many of us out there, you may even know one or two people looking to break into the modeling field, or see some of them trying to get discovered at an auto show, or trade shows.

Finding work for these talented people when you run your own talent agency can be as simple as the resources are plentiful. Many bars and clubs are looking for talented acts such as rock bands, illusionists and comedians. Models can be placed in magazine ads, catalogs, clothing store ads or showroom exhibitions. Actors can be placed in TV commercials, voice-over jobs, animated voice acting gigs, TV shows, and the list goes on - care to learn more?

by Lewis Waller

Film and Video Production

2009-07-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

Film and video production is the process of creating a motion picture film. This process consists of the activities from the initial development to the final distribution stage. While the process differs from one production company to another, there are certain stages through which film and video production goes.

Typically, there are the pre-production, production, and the post-production stages. Though the production stage is the occasion when the actual filming takes place, the other stages, particularly the pre-production stage, significantly influence the entire process of film and video production.

The pre-production stage is concerned with the development and revising of the script. Budgeting and financing decisions are made at this stage. More time spent on planning and designing the process helps with keeping costs low during the entire course of the process. Scheduling, casting, and set construction are completed during this stage.

The production stage is when the equipment needed for filming is set up and appropriate lighting and audio devices are put in place. This is the phase of principal photography, when the actual filming takes place with the director of the film overseeing the operations. This is arguably the most critical and expensive phase of the production stage. Generally, the start of the phase of principal photography signals that the production of the film would, in all probability, be completed.

During the post-production stage, those sequences or scenes that were missed during the phase of principal photography are shot. Film editing and the addition of visual effects are done during this stage. Also, sound editing, musical scoring, and enhancing with sound effects are completed during this stage. The culmination of the entire film and video production process is when the film is distributed for marketing.

by Alison Cole

Lyrics And Songwriting Ideas

2009-07-21T00:17:00.001-07:00

A song is totally based on its lyrics and melody. Writing lyrics for a song may seem difficult at first. Some people think it takes years of formal training to write good lyrics and become a decent songwriter. I believe it's quite the opposite though. Lyrics are all around us every day, if we just be observe. You have to develop a lyrical mindset. Songs can be written about anything.

It is easy to get ideas for writing lyrics by listening to conversations in day to day life and by observing activities going on around you. Inspiration can be found everywhere, in magazines and newspapers, on the radio, and even in your workplace. Some songwriting start out composing their thoughts as a story, and then putting these ideas into lyrics and rhyme.

When you get your lyrical ideas down on paper, you refine it and start searching for words that will make your lyrics rhyme. However, you don't always need your lyrics to rhyme. Don't just add words to a song because they rhyme, if they don't make sense in the song. Also, if you can't get the last part of the lyrics to rhyme, you can try to think of combinations of words that would rhyme. Whatever you do, you want your lyrics and rhymes to flow naturally.

Don't worry about trying to finish an entire song in one sitting. That just isn't practical most of the time, although sometimes someone can feel really inspired and write whole songs worth of lyrics at once. Really though, you should just write the lyrics down as they come to you, and you will eventually be able to take the best lines and best phrases to complete the song with original lyrics.

As with everything else, practice makes perfect. The more you write, the better you will become. Besides just jotting down lyrics as they come to you throughout the day, try to schedule a regular time each day and think about how to compose those lyrics into a meaningful song. Some people find early mornings to be the best time, when they feel refreshed and get better ideas. Today, there is even songwriting software available on the internet to help aspiring lyricists. You may want to look at some of the songwriting software on the market.

by Jason Bridges

Recording Studios Take Your Music to the Next Level

2009-07-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

Even with the abundance of software and hardware available to create your own recordings at home, there comes a time when you're ready to take your music to the next level. Recording studios may seem intimidating to the musician who is taking the leap, but the reality is that there are high quality, low cost recording studios that can make the transition painless. Once you've made the decision to book studio time, you need to find a studio that will give you the support you need to create great recordings. Word of mouth recommendations can be helpful, but they're not always reliable. It's worth your while to do the legwork and check out each facility to see what it has to offer. Here are some things to keep in mind while making your decision: Acoustics: A music studio should have top of the line acoustics. This means that there should be an elevated soundstage and high ceilings, as well as several isolation rooms. Engineering: A sound recording studio should provide highly skilled and trained professional engineers to help you achieve the optimum quality of your recordings. At the minimum, the engineer should be proficient in monitoring and metering, controlling signal paths, assigning tracks, and mixing. Equipment: Equipment varies by recording studio. Some Southern CA recording studios, for example, offer at least two mixers, over a half dozen outboards, a wide variety of software, over a dozen different types of microphones, quality monitoring equipment, and a variety of amps. Although it may seem like a minor point, it's important that the sound recording studio use high quality cables. If they don't, it could have a detrimental effect on the recording. Musicians and Instruments: Many state of the art recording studios have a variety of new and vintage keyboards, guitars, and percussion instruments available for use, as well as accessibility to professional musicians who can help you create the sounds you desire. Cost: As a whole, musicians don't have a lot of disposable income, so it's important to find recording studios that have reasonable rates. Some Southern CA studios, for example, have low introductory rates of $40 an hour or less. In order to avoid unwanted surprises, be sure to ask about minimums, as well as extra equipment charges. References: Every reputable sound recording studio should be able to provide you with a client list, as well as phone numbers for references. You should also ask to listen to samples of recordings from the Studio. Try to find a sample that is comparable to what you are trying to achieve, and ask questions about what was involved in that recording process. It will give you a good idea of what to expect when you go in to record.

by Chris Robertson

A Career In Audio Engineering

2009-07-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

Audio engineering is a promising career that offers immense opportunity in film, video production, sound broadcasting and advertising. Sound engineers use a number of recording devices such as high-tech microphones that are required to record even the slightest variations of sound.

The general concept of Sound engineering relates to building bridges, buildings, roads and similar kind of work. Most people do not think of audio engineering as a form of traditional engineering. However, it is one of the highest paying jobs and has many successful people working in the field.

There are many areas; some are basic and easy to grasp, while others are time consuming and require vigorous education to learn to operate the equipment. It is not a sexy job, but once you start working in this field of career you will get an opportunity to work on many exciting projects.

A lot of commitment and interest is required in order to excel in this field.

Areas of Work

Sound Engineers may find jobs in the following fields:

• Movies: In movies, sound engineers may be required for voice overs, sound tracks and scenes.

• Television shows: Many television shows and commercials also require audio engineers in various departments prior to the final airing.

• Music: They play a significant role in the field of music; particularly in live concerts, recording studios, and video albums.

• Meetings: Big corporate companies require audio engineers for managing audio equipment in seminars, meetings and lectures.

• Sports: They handle live telecasts, commentaries and many other functions.

• Schools: They may also find jobs in schools while managing audio in sports functions, dances, student gatherings and in lectures also, if the class is big and requires additional audio equipment.

Audio engineers working for television, films and music recordings will find their names among the credits. They can also be found in the following places:

• Recording studios: Recording studios require audio engineers mainly to operate microphones, software and mixers. It is one of the most lucrative jobs; besides money, it also brings recognition.

• Auto stores: An audio engineer may also find a job in an auto parts store selling stereo equipment and to assist in installations.

• Home audio stores: Home audio stores also need audio engineers to provide customers with assistance in selecting the right type of speakers and also help in installing them.

Audio Engineering Schools

In order to get the skills required for an audio engineering career, it is important to take formal training from an audio engineering institute. There are number of schools that offer audio engineering lessons, but you need to analyze what type of work you wish to do in this field to select the right kind of course.

by Tony Jacowski

Rock Bands - Get Discovered Without Losing Your Shirt and Your Sanity

2009-07-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

Finding your way to be seen or heard by a record company doesn't need to require spending an enormous amount of time and money. It only requires a little industry knowledge and some great song writing. I can give you the industry knowledge. The rest is up to you. Here are 5 GREAT tips to help you on your way. These tips alone, if followed, will save you a fortune and narrow your focus of what it takes to get signed.

1. A hit song. This outweighs everything. You can record in a basement 8-track studio or in a fully digital $500/hour recording studio. If the song's a hit, the song's a hit. Don't waste your money on studio costs. An 8 track recording should be sufficient enough to play for a record company. Record labels will see through the "slickness" of the recording and hear the song for what it's worth. In fact a record executive would rather hear a hit in its roughest form. It makes them think they discovered a hidden gem that they can make into a diamond. One band I worked with called Extreme released a song called "Hole Hearted". The song was recorded in a bedroom on an 8 track but sounded good enough to release as is. The song went to # 1 in a lot of countries around the world (# 4 in the United States)

2. Showcasing for a Record Company. I've had many bands showcase for me over the years; bands looking for a manager to bands looking for a record deal during my years at EMI Records. I would show up at their rehearsal studios and find elaborate food and drink set-ups, big lighting rigs brought in to make them look like a stadium rock band and some bands had every family member and friend they ever met squeezed into the studio to applaud after each song. Ok, ready? Forget the food, forget the lights and unless I'm going to a club to see the band perform live, leave your friends at home.

I'm not coming to your rehearsal room to have dinner. If I need a cocktail to enjoy your music then your music probably isn't worth me coming down to hear. I don't need concert lighting in a little rehearsal studio. SAVE YOUR MONEY. You want to blow my mind? Turn on all the house lights, stand there and play me one original hit after another. If you do that, I'll leave with the biggest smile on my face and the excitement in my heart as if I discovered the next Beatles. Also, I don't need friends clapping after each song. If you perform a hit for me, I'll be sitting there thinking about you on an arena stage selling millions of concert tickets.

3. "Break" your own record. This approach shows the record labels that if they put in the time and money to sign your band, that you guys are taking it very serious and are willing to do the work necessary to break the band instead of the band sitting around waiting for someone to hold their hands and lead them. Sell your own records. These days CD's are very cheap to have pressed up. Produce your own with 4-5 of your best songs on it. Sell them at your shows. Sell them at the local record shop (or merchandise shop if record stores are no longer around in your area. Most small store will agree to sell your CD on consignment (the store pays you after the CD sells).

You're not looking to make money on these sales, you're only looking to get your music in as many hands as possible. Next step is to approach a local radio station; the smaller the station, the better response you'll get from them. Try to be creative in ways of approaching them. Yes, the guy in the gorilla suit delivering your CD's been done. Try to get them to spin your record, no matter what time of day. Even if it's once.

But be prepared to have friends or family call the station after it's played to comment on liking it. If it's played at 3am, don't have 7,000 people call the station. Make it look like the real thing. They'll be happy to know what the listeners like and that listeners are responding to their airplay. Record companies have online charts (ie BDS) showing them what every radio station in the country, no matter how small, is playing at any given time. If an unknown band is getting airplay, the record companies will come to investigate. Another artist I worked with, Afroman, got his record deal just like that. He recorded and released a single called "Cause I Got High" on his own and got a local radio station to play it.

He got a major record deal when record companies went to investigate what that little blip on the charts was. Same thing happened with the band Godsmack. After being turn down by all the record companies, they started selling their own records and got local airplay until the point where they were selling 1,000 CD's a week without the help of a record company! Not only did labels come after the band, but the band was able to negotiate a major $$$ deal because of their hometown sales are already so large.

4. Play Live Nothing develops a band better than playing live. Videotape your first show and videotape your 100th show. The difference will amaze you. I can't speak to every small city in the U.S. but any mid size to large city has record company staff living locally. They "work" the local record stores or accounts, they work the radio stations in the region, bringing them new releases to get airplay and bringing their companies bands by to say hello. These guys (and girls) are the local eyes and ears of the label. They are out there at the clubs. They listen for local chatter about what local bands are happening, they talk to club owners about what local bands they like and which local bands are selling tickets. There are publications that list the local record representatives (reps.).

One is called the Yellow Pages of Rock. Search online, there are others out there; probably now available online Track one down, get them your CD or just keep playing out live. If you're playing out all the time, whether you know it or not, they're aware of your group. When I lived in Manhattan, I used to see top record execs club hopping downtown, going club to club watching bands. Most bands are wondering how to be seen by the labels while they're being watched by some of the top record people in the business. So if you want to be seen, heard and known, get out there and PLAY LIVE.

5. Find a Manager Finding someone with bigger and better connections, more industry knowledge and the ambition and work ethic of a bull, could be the best thing for a band starting out. Someone with local knowledge could save the band a lot of time and money and open some doors than would otherwise be closed; either with local radio, local retail stores or the local clubs. Hey, maybe you can get lucky and find someone with even bigger industry ties and can push the band into an even bigger playing field nationally; maybe even internationally.

The one warning I will give you, is to be VERY careful at what you sign. A bad management contract can cause enough internal problems to break up a band; on a local band level as well as an international stars level. ALWAYS have a lawyer look over any contracts handed to you to sign. A manager deserves protecting his interest in a band if he's going to work his tail off and use his connections to get a band to the next level but he shouldn't own the band for the length of their career. All artist management contracts should stipulate that the manager is given a certain amount of time to secure the band a major recording contract or the management contract becomes null and void. This term can be anywhere from 6 months to two years.

A band should not be signing a contract with a manager for 5 years without the manager securing certain objectives for the band. Never sign all your rights away. This also includes Publishing (the ownership rights to the bands music). Managers should receive between 15 - 25% of a bands income (minus certain expenses) for the length of the management contract only. A manager should also get his percentage in perpetuity (for a longer period of time) for any deals the band enters that the manager negotiated for the band while the band was still signed to the manager.

These 5 Tips should change the entire direction a band should travel in its quest to get the mighty ole recording contract. If these tips are followed, a band should be able to save themselves a lot of time and a lot of money, taking only the most important steps needed, without the fluff, to get into the hands of a record executive with the power to sign an act to the company label

by Scott Bernstein

Songwriting - What's in a Song?

2009-06-22T23:42:00.001-07:00

There are many myths about songs and songwriting that we have either heard from someone in our life, or even conjured up in our imaginations. To most people, and even many musicians alike, songs can be as vast as the ocean we gaze out upon from the shore, with all its great mysteries and depths of unknown. In my own studies, I have found that songs are not that complicated at all.

In fact, songs are merely sections of music pieced together to create one cohesive composition. No matter the genre or style of music you study or plan to compose, you will find that songs are actually broken down into sections and the sections have names. But o be clear here at this point,for times sake we are only discussing Modern Contemporary Music (the last fifty years or so) and are covering most top genres (Pop, Rock, R&B, Country etc.).

Another point worth mentioning here is that there are typical scenarios that take place when constructing songs. Although most writers will use successful and proven formulas when composing music, their are no "have to be's" just "probablies" . If there were ever a place for the saying "rules are made to be broken", it is definitely in the songwriting format. So remember this anytime you see the word "typically"mentioned in the article.

1. Song sections have names: Even if your exposure to music has been minimal,you've probably heard some of the musical terms like chorus, verse or bridge. These are just some of the names given to sections to describe their function in a song. Others might be the introduction (intro), lead break, middle eight or mid section.

2. The function of sections: The chorus of a song is typically where you find the song title. This is also where you will find the main "hook" of the song. The hook of the song is the part of the song that gets "stuck in your head" and want let go. A singable hook is a key component of a successful song. The verse is the section that "talks" about the hook or song title. The intro is typically a smaller part of a section (verse or chorus) that introduces the song. Strong songs typically have strong intros. A mid section (mid eight) will be the section of the song that will sound noticeably different from the other sections of music. And of course, the lead break is the section where a lead instrument, such as the guitar or saxophone, takes over the melody.

3. Section lengths: Sections are created by measures of music also called bars. The bars are where the beats and chords dwell. A typical bar has four beats. Typically, sections of music are eight bars (measures) long. Modern Contemporary Music songs are typically three and a half to four minutes in length.

4. Melodies and Chord Progressions: Inside the sections are melodies, lyrics and chords. The melody is the tune of the song that you sing or play. The chords accompany the melody. The order in which you play the chords are referred to as the chord progression. Each section has a chord progression. The lyrics are the words to the song that you sing.

5. Connecting the Sections: The order in which you connect the sections of music is called the arrangement of the song. Although there are typical orders of arrangement, again, there are no "have to be's" just "probablies." The typical order of a song arrangement will vary from style to style and has changed with the trends in music over the past fifty years. A great barometer for a budding songwriter would be to check out the genre and style that they are currently composing. This will help to identify what order typical arrangements can be.

It is always a great idea to study songs that have been written in the style or genre that you are composing, as well as, any other successful songs that you think would help you with in understanding musical composition. A couple of old time sayings come to mind when talking about songs and songwriting. "Don't try to reinvent the wheel", and "Don't fix it if it ain't broke". In other words, your best bet is to use the arrangements and formulas for songs that are tried and true.

by Steve Cheeks

Quality Musical Instruments Really Make a Difference

2009-06-17T01:05:00.000-07:00

All too often we have parents come in with a substandard instrument for their students. When questioned... they respond "oh, its just a starter instrument, and we'll get something better for them later". Oh, this can cause lots of problems! We usually see students quit playing when started on an inferior instrument.

When a student has to fight with a musical instrument that does not play well... they all to often believe that THEY are the problem. After all, mom and dad just bought this shiny new instrument from Wal-shop... IT couldn't be the problem.

Sub-standard instruments go out of adjustment very quickly, they often cannot make all of the notes in the instrument's scale and are often in the shop. Instruments that are made cheaply are often of a thinner metal that does not wear well. Additionally, string instruments can have a multitude of problems from crooked necks, inferior strings, fittings and warped bows. We see many Chinese guitars with necks so out of adjustment that they are un-playable. Some of these defects can be fixed... but sometimes the fix is more expensive than the instrument was purchased for.

It is better to rent an instrument of quality than to buy the "eBayer's surprise". Most brand name instruments will allow your student to learn at their pace rather than fight the horn.

When a parent invests in a quality instrument to rent or to buy), they are insuring that they give their student the best possible chance for success.

In these uncertain times, don't scrimp on your students!

by Leslie Faltin

Learning Objectives For a Solid Music Education Program

2009-05-21T23:26:00.000-07:00

There are many learning objectives needed in order to establish a solid Music Education program, or seminars so when looking for one, make sure it consists of the following basic objectives. A viable program trains its students to read and write music notation and its values in both, the treble and bass clef. When these skills are learned, playing in both clefs, on the piano, can be accomplished effectively.

A strong program develops vocal skills, not just for vocal students but for its instrumental students, as well. Teaching instrumentalists the essence of singing music notation in both, the treble and bass clef using different note values and time signatures is significant because it promotes good ear training, sight singing and rhythm. Also, it prepares the student for other skills such as directing or accompanying choirs should he/she decide to enter that profession.

Learning Music Theory is important because it is the key to analyzing compositions and good musicians should have this ability. Understanding the structure of a song is laying the foundation of new songs to be created.

Lastly, learning world Music History allows students to appreciate different genres. This is really important for composition students. Coupled with their understanding of theory, they can draw from various styles of music to create their own original styles.

When looking for a strong Music Education program, make sure all of the above objectives are in place. They are necessary because a quality program that contains these objectives, builds strong cognitive skills, logical thought patterns, discipline, solid creative skills and music appreciation... the elements needed in developing a well-rounded musician.

by Darshell Dubose-Smith

Musical Baby Names

2009-05-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

Music has become an important part in our daily life. Music will inspires and touches daily lives in any culture. Eventually, many parents will turn to music in finding the perfect baby names.
Musical baby names are more common on female baby names. The more common examples are Aria, Carol, Grace, Harmony, Jazz, Melody, Lyric, Rhapsody, Serenade, Sonata, Song, and Viola.
Aria is a solo opera performance. The single performer sings solo that is accompanied by an elaborate melody. The shorter version of Aria is Arietta which is also a pretty good musical baby name.
Carol is English and French baby name which is derive from Latin word Choraula or Greek word Choraules. In Latin, it means choral song, or accompanist. In Greek, it means chorus. Thus, the Choral and Chorale was derived. The common variants of Carol are Carola, Carolan, Carolina, Carolann, Carolanne, Caroline, Carole, Carolyn, Carolyne, and Carolynn.
Grace is a one of the virtuous baby names which made it thru the baby names. Grace is also derived from a Latin word Gratia. It means effortless beauty. We often attach Grace after an excellent performance from singers, bands, orchestras, choirs, or groups. The common variants of Grace are Gracelyn, Graciela, Gracious, Grata, Gracielle, Gracina, and Gracie.
Harmony means the notes, instruments, and lyrics that work in perfect coordination and timing. Originally, Harmony came from Latin. The common variants of Harmony are Harmonia, Harmonica, Harmonee, Harmonie, Harmoney, Harmoni, and Harmonita. In Greek Mythology, Harmonia is also a Greek goddess of order and daughter of Aphrodite.
The song consists of lyric, and melody. Eventually, Lyric and Melody has become a baby name. Lyrics are the actual words spoken on a song, while Melody is the sweet succession of sounds from a song.
The musical instruments play a big role on baby names. Like Viola, the baby name may have come from violin. Chime is another baby name meaning the edge of a drum. And, Rebec is a three string instrument that the body is pear-shaped and neck is slender.
The different rhythmic music pattern and sound also became baby names like Cadence (rhythmic flow of sounds in language), Carillon (sound of tuned bells), Euphony (sweet acoustic sound of words), Jazz (ragtime and blues music), Rhapsody (musical recitation of poems), Sonata (three to four movements in contrasting forms), Tala (traditional South Asian rhythmic pattern), and Madrigal (complex polyphonic sound of a voice in secular text).
The terms and notes on music inspire for cool and unique baby names. For example, Fermata is a musical baby name which means prolonged musical note.

by Dennis Estrada

Singers Who Sing & Talent Agents Who Book

2009-05-21T23:13:00.000-07:00

In the world of the music business, there are truly singers who sing and singers who don’t, along with talent booking agents who book and those that couldn’t sell cotton candy at the circus. Is it drive, talent or a mystical combination of “factors” that create singers and talent booking agents, or is it yet the pure unexplainable? Let’s look at some factors in this article as singers, looking to further their careers, try to find suitable representation.

As a former talent agent with the William Morris Agency, I can tell you that there are many factors that determine both effective agents and marketable singers and artists. While there are many explainable factors, there certainly is the element of luck, the right place at the right time and the “Who knows, it just happened,” phenomenon. Let’s start with what we can determine and hopefully you will gain some insight into what effective booking agents look like and your securing one of them.

To begin with, there are many caliber of booking agents out there. As I’ve outlined in a previous article on booking talent, there are the order taking agents who book mainly headline acts, the agent who started in some agency somewhere and who branches out starting their own agency booking more of the “has been” acts and the lowest, but not always the least on the totem pole agents. These agents are usually friends of the artist or a manager looking to push their act before a major record deal signing, etc.

With each agent level comes a different approach. The order taking agent, with the larger well known talent agencies, isn’t going to be interested in your act unless there is interest and ongoing courting from a major record label. These agents take the “baby”
acts and use leverage, with promoters who want the headline act, into a must take the baby act as well deal – And most promoters don’t have a problem and understand that this is part of the deal when playing in the big boys club. Unless you have a record deal or are very appealing and are drawing some interest from the labels or a big time manager, you won’t find yourself behind the desk of one of these agents. If you are trying to approach the agent at the top of the pyramid, you must recognize that image, packaging, appeal, and your knowing and talking the game to a tee, and not in artsy fartsy language, is going to be key.

I recommend that you really have your act together and don’t even begin to bother these individuals, not that they’re necessarily the best agents in the game, but certainly have more power and influence from position alone, before approaching them. Your artist bio, pictures, artist demos have to look like there label ready. And before that, you really need to have a manager and a manager working on securing an agent on your behalf. So, unless you really have your act together, with management in place, don’t bother wasting yours or the agent’s time.

The next level down the agent totem pole will be not only be easier to gain access to, but easier to gain representation from. The middle line agents are hard working agents who make their bread and butter on the older, end of the product or market shelf life acts. These acts, because of name recognition, can make these agents a significant income. You will have to prove to this agent that you will not take up any more time than any other act that they are promoting. Why should they spend all of their time trying to book your act with nothing or little in return? This is a key question. Ask yourself, as an agent, what do I get out of this? - Phone bills and mailing costs or am I going to see a valid positive cash flow return on all of my time expended on this act? I want you to think about that question and reflect. This alone will help you not only relate, converse knowing their difficulties in booking, but ultimately help you secure a booking agent.

In the game of booking, you as an artist have to have something more than “hip and cool” and a “new” artist sound, but you have to be able to present to the seller, that being your agent, that he or she has something of value to sell with minimal headaches. You can’t possibly begin to imagine how hard it is to book some acts – when you start booking your own shows, with vested interest I might ad, you begin to touch on the realities of the agent’s day to day barrage of booking complexities. So begin to compile a mental list of positive booking attributes that you or your band can bring to the table.

As you look at either contemplating a manager, or a serious friend who wants a try at booking and management of your act, try to be reasonable in your business relationships. I’ve said it before, that everyone wants to be a star, but nobody wants to help pay for it. For the most part, artists just expect that booking agents and managers will pick up the exhaustive phone, mailing and press kit bills. You might inquire, if you are really serious about securing a business team, about helping out with some of the initial start-up costs trying to land your act on the map. It takes a tremendous amount of energy and money and just your willingness to help out alone, will tell a manager or booking agent that you are serious and not just “takers.” This alone, even if they decline the financial help, may be the key in determining the start of a successful relationship.

In closing, in order for you to succeed, you must remain in front of the masses and this is done not so much musically, but in your day to attitude and business focus and with your professional and well laid out blueprint for success. Feel free to contact us at the contact numbers that follow.

by Tom Gauger

Avoid the Worst Aspects of Music Festivals

2009-05-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

Music festivals can be great fun and it's amazing how many of them have been springing up in recent years. The summer months are often dominated by such festivals, with hundreds of musicians performing here in the UK. They can be a great way to see your favourite acts. If you're really lucky then you may get to see a number of great bands within the same weekend, or even on the same day.

You'll also get the chance to mix with a lot of people who are interested in the same type of music as you are. This means that they can be a great social event. It's not surprising that so many people love attending them. But are there any negatives that are associated with music festivals? There are a few, but many of them can be avoided with a little planning.

The first problem facing many here in the UK is the weather. Weather conditions can be extremely hard to predict. It's generally best to assume the worst - that way, you won't be disappointed. Always take a lightweight waterproof jacket - ideally something that folds up nice and small. You'll find that umbrellas, on the other hand, are unlikely to make you popular if you start blocking other people's views of the bands.

How about the festival toilets? These are frequently complained about and many people would say that the best course of action is to avoid using them as much as possible. One alternative is to take your own portable toilet. This can work particularly well if you are camping. There are a number of good camping toilets on the market.

You might consider the BioToi, which is portable and also fully environmentally friendly. What about when it comes to the music? It's always worth making sure that you know when each act is scheduled to perform. There's nothing more annoying than missing out on some of your favourite band!

Music festivals can be great fun - do a little planning to avoid their worst aspects and to really make the most of them.

by Keith Barrett

Battle of the Bands

2009-05-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

As autumn nears and the air begins to get slightly crisp in the mornings, competitive people the world over anxiously prepare their minds for the approaching season. Fans have been studying up on all of the latest information about their favorites from both reporters and spies alike. They scour the internet searching for the most recent rumors and expert speculations, allowing the marketing pros to whip them into a frenzy of expectation.

That's right, it is almost time for the new video games to be released and this year promises to deliver an extraordinary head-to-head competition two games in the interactive music category. It will be fun watching the upcoming Battle Royal between the latest versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

A Little History

Guitar Hero was initially developed and introduced by two companies, Harmonix Music Systems and Red Octane in 2005. In 2006 Red Octane was acquired by Activision and Harmonix was bought by MTV Networks. Harmonix stopped producing games for the series in 2007 when production was shifted to Neversoft, a subsidiary of Activision.

In 2007 Rock Band was released software company Electronic Arts by, you guessed it, Hormonix and MTV Networks. Do you see where this is going?

Activision had the world by the tail in 2007 because they owned the interactive music video game market. Guitar Hero II had been a fantastic success and Guitar Hero 3 was promising to do even better. Then came Rock Band.

What has always made Guitar Hero stand apart from other games was the peripheral controller, it looked and felt like a small guitar. It was originally modeled after the Gibson SG, an instantly recognized hard rock instrument, and even came complete with a strap so it could be worn in true rock show style. The game is played by pressing buttons on the "guitar neck" and simultaneously "strumming" the control switch as you play along with the game.

Rock Band took the concept a step further and introduced the inclusion of multiple instruments including, more guitars, microphone and drums to bring it from an individual performance to a "band" performance.

New for 2008

The multi-player "band" concept of Rock Band must have made a significant dent in the Guitar Hero market because it has been completely integrated into Guitar Hero 4. Although many of the specifics of Guitar Hero 4 are still secret, enough has been released or leaked to have a good idea of what's coming. In what seems to be an obvious case of, "Me too, but better!" the GH4 set-up will include a drum kit and microphone.
The Guitar Hero drums will be a definite improvement over the original design of the Rock Band set; they will be sturdier, a fair amount more realistic and (most importantly?) quieter. (In fairness, word is Rock Band has improved the durability and quietness of their kit this year.)

This year Guitar Hero will also allow "bands" to use the system to actually record their original music and release it to the entire community to have it voted on. The particulars of game play for Rock Band 2 are not very well known yet so it will be interesting to see if they try to rest on their laurels or take it up another notch again.

For gamers, the decision between games is going to be very difficult and I highly recommend not making your decision based on an experience from the past, even as recent as last year. Things change that fast.

I really believe, other than a couple of features, the games are going to be very similar. The set lists are both very strong with several instances of the same artist with a different famous song on both lists. I think it is just going to come down to making a choice based on your own preferences and desires.

Conclusion

The true beneficiary of all of this one-upmanship and competition is the consumer. The harder companies work to outdo and out offer each other in the quest for your entertainment dollar, the better it is for all of us. So, in the end, it really doesn't matter which game sells the most copies or wins the most awards. The real winners will be you and I, the gamers and consumers of the world.

Enjoy the competition and reap the rewards.

by James Laney

Start Your Own Record Company

2009-05-21T23:02:00.000-07:00

What is a record company? Basically, a record company is a business responsible for putting out music. Typically, they are the ones who sign on new acts then help them create their records and get those records out to the fans. Learn all you can about the record label business before you actually start.

What does a record company do? The record company might also help with tours and will work with the bands management to do promotions, marketing, and more in an effort to help the band create a solid reputation and a strong fan base. Most of record companies also have a label under which they release their music. Some of the larger firms have multiple labels to represent different genres.

One of the first challenges of starting a record company is going to be money. Setting up a record company does require some capital. Now the best way to do this is to hit up potential investors, including other music lovers, friends, family members or take out a bank loan to get started.

A second challenge is finding acts to work with and if you are already in a band, you probably have at least one customer. Regardless of your musician status, you should start going to as many local performances as possible to look for talent. Do not just work with anyone because you need to establish a reputation for high-quality entertainment if you are going to be taken seriously.

Before you start, the many things you will need to know in advance is that having a record company can be a lot of work. You are going to be doing a lot of work, and you will not see much in terms of an investment return for a long time. You should also realize that digital distribution is a good way to get the music to the masses but you will also have to spend a lot of money setting up a site where you can do this.

If you go through the online music stores, you will be lucky to earn a few pennies each time a song is purchased. And that is even if you can get into their stores. These days musicians have to work very hard to earn money for their music. You also must legally protect your compositions or songs through copyright. You do not want someone to 'rip you off' and take credit for your original music. If you are not recording your own music but want to promote others' music, they must also find out how to protect their original songs.

The best way to be successful is to start networking with people who can help you early on. For example, if you cozy up to someone in music distribution, you might have an easier time getting your acts taken seriously and introduced to a wider audience. You will also need relationships with studios that might cut you a break on the charges of recording the albums, and you will probably want to start getting to know some of the local agents who could alert you to rising talent in the area if you want to promote other artists besides yourself.

by Kirk Rolsett

Benefits of Music Education For Children

2009-05-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder what advantages are achieved through learning music and joining club music? Read on to discover the many benefits of music education.

Self-Esteem

Learning music is hard work, but also very rewarding, which can lead to a genuine increase in self-esteem. This can happen when a student masters the many steps along the way to becoming proficient, as well as when they have a successful recital or concert.

Increased Memory

One of the many benefits of music education is that it is a great workout for increasing memory as the student learns to recognize the different notes.

Self Expression

Music can be a creative outlet for self expression. This may take the form of learning music that mimics experienced emotions. Or it may be expressed in creating music and lyrics, which can then be presented to family and friends.

Bringing People Together

Music can be a great catalyst for uniting people in a common experience, where friends can be made, and a sense of belonging can be available.

Increased Academic Performance

When talking about the benefits of music education it is often well believed that learning music can boost academic achievement. Although the exact mechanics of this is often not understood, the belief is that learning music stimulates parts of the brain that then have a carry-over impact on all academic areas. It also provides structure and focus which may benefit other areas of learning.

Teamwork

Learning to work well with others is one of those things that when present is often overlooked, but when absent is often painfully obvious. Performing music requires the skills associated with teamwork that are valuable throughout life. In order to play an instrument successfully students need to be tuned in to what those around them are doing so that the various instruments form a cohesive unit.

Structure, Organization, and Discipline

When talking about the benefits of music education it is important to acknowledge the value that can be found in the structure, organization, and discipline that it offers. Structure and organization are important skills to be learned. They can carry a child forward in many areas of life, not just music education. When talking about discipline here we are discussing the discipline it takes for the child to set aside time each week to practice. Learning to discipline themselves can eliminate procrastination, and like structure and organization, can be valuable in all areas of life.

Enjoyment

Enjoyment may not be the top priority for many when considering the benefits of music education, but can be a great asset to consider. If playing an instrument is considered enjoyable it may take time away from less desirable things, such as watching television or playing video games. In addition to this, any activity that is enjoyable can be a great stress reliever, which may be especially important for our kids right now since they are living in a world of ever increasing stress.

With all of these benefits of music education there is no reason not to get started today.

by Sarah J Holt

Pictures Of Musical Instruments

2009-05-21T22:52:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds of different kinds of musical instruments in the world. Almost every country has its own traditional music and musical instruments that have been developed over the centuries. Each musical instrument has its own melody, pitch, rhythm, timbre, loudness, and duration, as well as the notes and chords.

Musical instruments can be classified on the basis of the kind of instrument: chordophones (strings), aerophones (woodwinds and brasses), idiophones (percussion), and membranophones (drums). Stringed instruments or chordophones are those that produce sounds when a string is plucked or strummed. The kind of sound produced depends on the mass of the string, length of the vibrating portion of the string, tension in the string, and the point at which the string is strummed apart from the kind of resonating cavity in the instrument. Viola, violin, cello, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, harp, lute, banjo, balalaika, koto, ukulele, etc. are some of the string instruments.

Woodwinds and brasses generate music when air enters the instrument by blowing. This air vibrates inside the instrument in a particular frequency, thus producing sound. The kind of music depends on the method of tone production, the shape of the instrument, the length of the column of air in addition to the construction of the instrument. Flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, horn, mouth organ, saxophone, and bassoon are some of the winds instruments, while the French horn, tuba, trumpet, and trombone are brass instruments.

Percussion instruments produce sounds when struck. The size of the instrument along with the shape of the resonating cavity determines the sound produced. Some percussion musical instruments include the cymbals, the snare drum, bells, gong chime, xylophone, the bass drum, maracas, castanet and the timpani.

Drums include the goblet drums, the barrel drum, the frame drum, the tambourine, and the friction drum. Other kinds of musical instruments are the piano, keyboards, organ, harpsichord, and the Glockenspiel. Each of these musical instruments has sub-categories within them. Musical instruments can also be categorized on the basis of their playing levels—some are suitable for all kinds of players while some are meant only for beginners.

Pictures of musical instruments can be found at most music stores that sell musical instruments. Since musical instruments are selected based on the model, it is not possible to have all the models in the store. Hence, most dealers have pictures of some instruments to select from. Pictures are also found in advertisements and classifieds. There are several websites that have attractive and colorful pictures of musical instruments. They also feature exhaustive information about the product. Most of the pictures can also be downloaded on the computer, or they can be viewed online. Having these pictures helps the buyer to make a better choice when ordering the instrument. Pictures are especially useful for locating a particular kind or rare kinds of musical instruments.

by Peter Emerson

Tips to Become the Perfect Singer

2009-05-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

Some talents are inborn while some talents can be nurtured. However, singing is one capability which cannot be demarcated so easily. While a person is born with a good voice, he or she has to train themselves to master the talent. Singing abilities are surely one of the most coveted talents, especially nowadays when there are so many reality shows that are ready to shower considerable amount of recognition to the budding singer. More often than not you will find singers who do not have formal training getting selected for the shows, this happens because their voice quality is very soothing however when they are matched with the trained voices they are certainly at loss.

It is in these situations when you realize the importance of training but there is nothing to lose you heart because thee are many opportunities you can get to improve your singing talent. One of the best ways to train yourself is by enrolling yourself for Brett Manning's Systematic Vocal Training Program. The program is designed in such a way so as to give you the best of knowledge on the way you can enhance your singing talents. In the Systematic Vocal Training Program, Brett delivers his vast knowledge in music in 12 CDs.

You may often find yourself in situations where you will feel totally frustrated with your singing. There may be circumstances when you will not be able to sing the songs that you have been asked to or the songs that you want to sing. In the case of female singers they may see that they flipped from their chest voice upto their head voice. It can really get very awkward, especially when the song goes even close to their break and the singer shifts into head voice that sounds like an opera. The situation is really tragic since you will never want to add an opera touch to your pop song. It is totally disastrous to mix opera with rock, pop and country styles.

But after working with Systematic Vocal Training Program and Singing Success you will surely find a drastic change in your singing capabilities. You cannot fathom they joy you will have in listening to your own beautiful voice. This program will enhance your singing capabilities by increasing your range so that you can sing the high notes and the low notes with equal ease and do not sound as if you are straining your voice.

This program will also see to it that you have better control over your voice. And added to all these advantages you will also be able to eliminate the disastrous opera note from your singing style. You will be able to sing through your break and not flip into head voice automatically. In the Brett training program this area of voice is referred to as the mix. Once you know what you have achieved through this training program you will realize that whatever you had spent on this program was really worth it. The first five CDs help you with the technique and three CDs will help you with the style and application. Order them now and enjoy your learning session.

by Sarah Singleton

Careers In Sound Engineering

2009-05-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Sound Engineering, which is also often referred as Audio Engineering, is a branch of audio science. Characteristically, sound engineering refers to the recording, copying, editing, mixing, and reproduction of sound by means of electronic and mechanical devices. Sound engineers employ a variety of recording devices such as high-tech microphones that are required to record even the slightest sound variations. Electronic mixing boards or console boards are an essential element of sound engineering that are used to control sound input while recording or editing music. They include a variety of switches, dials, lights, and meters. Lights and meters facilitate the engineers to understand exactly the sounds that are recorded and their intensity.

By means of switches and dials on the mixing boards, sound engineers monitor the sound input in terms of the volume, and sound quality. Other integral components of sound engineering include digital audio workstations, signal processors, and sequencing software. In movies, sound engineers and technicians incorporate the voices of actors in the movie sound tracks along with special sound effects. The movie ‘Apocalypse Now’ produced in the year 1979 is considered as a classic example of ‘sound’ films till date.

Sound engineering is one of the most popular career options in the modern generation. Sound engineers can have a promising career in movie and video production, advertising as well as sound broadcasting. However, it is crucial to receive formal training and a degree from a recognized institute, which is certified by accreditation association, such as NORDING or EURING.

Sound Engineering Schools

Generally, students obtain formal education and training in sound engineering through sound engineering schools. These schools offer extensive as well as intensive training in different fields of sound engineering such as Recording and Production. Since there are a large number of schools and institutes that impart this form of education, it is advisable to select a school on the basis of certain criteria.

a. Strength Of The Class And Amenities Offered – It is crucial to know the number of students enrolled in a program as it statistics reveal that institutes enrolling limited number of students offer better training environment. Another deciding factor is the facilities offered by the training school or institute. The Hartt School at University of Hartford (CT) restricts the number of students to thirty for its production program. This school has 6 modern studios, and is associated with the Yale theater department. As a result, students get theoretical as well as practical training in live recording.

b. Type Of School – Students looking for a full-fledged training and career in sound engineering, can opt for schools that are specialized and dedicated exclusively to Music and Video production. Others can opt for schools that are a part of a bigger organization or University.

c. Location – With this branch of career gaining popularity over the years, there are many institutes located in different cities that offer training as well as placement assistance.

d. Reputation Of The School – It is important to select a school after verifying its credibility.

There are a large number of institutes that offer 12 week or 24 week courses in sound engineering. The advantage of such programs is that students can decide the pace of their program for better comprehension. Students also have the option of choosing the examination center that is convenient to them. These courses are becoming popular owing to their flexibility and convenience.

by Tony Jacowski

Song Writing: To Find Yourself In The Music You Compose

2009-05-21T22:46:00.000-07:00

What is songwriting and composing? Do you really compose when you write songs or are you just copying?

If song writers make a living on their writing it will put a lot of pressure on them. Some song writers are constantly listening for what's popular and are trying to imitate hooks in songs.

I can see two ways to go as a song writer:

1. Listening to a lot of hit songs and trying to write similar songs. By listening to songs and reading a lot on what's up trying to feel what type of songs will be popular in the near future.

2. Trying to be yourself and just work on creating songs you like yourself in the hope that others will feel the same.

The last method is for me the most rewarding way to go as far as personal growth is concerned. I feel good and happy when I am creative as a song writer and feel that the process involves something about knowing myself better.

In the long run it might also create the best hit songs too. The song Yesterday is just one example of a different hit song.

Writing songs can be a very rewarding activity and the level of originality depends on how you write your music. You can help the creative parts of your brain to be activated or use the more calculating parts or a combination of both.

May I share a few tips from my own song writing experience:

1. Sit down with your guitar or at your piano singing or humming without expecting to create something brilliant. When you allow yourself to wander away a bit from your calculating parts of the brain and into the exciting forests of imagination and creativity you can come up with fantastic things.

2. Limitations can help your creativity. Give yourself some limitations by for example using a chord progression like G Em Am D7. Many songs use this progression but there will be room for more. You can of course use a more odd one like E C C#m G#m.

3. Record yourself playing around humming with your guitar or piano. Listening to what you have come up with a few days later can help you find interesting melodies or hooks to use in your songs.

Sometimes you can feel that you are not able to write songs like the song writers you like but they can't write songs that is you. A comforting thought, isn,t it!

by Peter Edvinsson

Mandolin, Fiddle, Bluegrass Banjo, Clawhammer Banjo - Which One is Easier to Learn to Play

2009-05-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in learning to play bluegrass or old time music, you have probably considered the mandolin, the bluegrass 5-string banjo, the open-back clawhammer banjo and the fiddle.

I would love to be able to plat the fiddle, but the fiddle is a harder instrument to learn. To be able to join in and play in jam sessions in no time (well, maybe not in no time, but in a reasonable time) you will find the banjo, mandolin much faster to learn. The base fiddle or upright base is another choice to consider and it's easy to learn, but not nearly as much fun as playing the banjo or mandolin.

Between the mandolin, the clawhammer banjo and bluegrass banjo, they are easiest to learn to play in the order given. That is, the mandolin is the easiest to learn, the clawhammer banjo is next and the bluegrass banjo (with the three-finger picking style) is the hardest of the three. But all three are much easier to learn to play than the fiddle.

The best way to start learning to play one of these instruments is to get your own instrument. You could rent one, but if you rent an instrument, you may find that you are not really committed to learning to play.

You need to start with a good instrument and some of the new low-priced instruments are not your best choice. The good news is that is fairly easy to find good quality used banjos and mandolins on eBay and other online sources. If you live in an area where bluegrass and old time music is popular, you may be able to get a good deal by checking your local classified ads.

The best way to get a good deal is to be informed. Do your research -- read reviews and check prices and know what banjos and mandolins like what you're looking for are bringing. Check eBay's completed auctions to see what instruments are really selling for -- not just what people are asking for them.

If you have a friend who plays the kind of instrument you're interested in, he or she can be a great asset in helping you find just the right instrument for you. Ask them to look at any instrument you are considering.

By looking at the instrument, realize that looking at the pictures and descriptions on eBay can be as good as (and maybe even better) than actually holding an instrument because on eBay, the seller will point out all of the scratches and defects, whereas when someone hands you an instrument to look at, they are inclined to just hand it to you and comment about how pretty it is and how much they have enjoyed playing it.

The most important part is to do your research, check prices on used instruments and then get your first banjo or mandolin and start learning to play. The banjo or mandolin you choose will probably not be the one you will want to play after you have played for a while, so look to spend a little more than you may have originally thought you would pay. Stay within your budget, but get as good of an instrument as you can afford.

Later you can sell your instrument on eBay or elsewhere and probably get most (if not all) of your money back. In fact, every time I have sold a used instrument I have been able to sell it for more than I paid for it.

How long will it take you to be able to jam with your friends will depend on how much you practice. Practice 15 minutes a day and you will make a lot more progress that trying to play for several hours once a week.

It will take a lifetime to master the mandolin or the banjo, but that is the best part. In my opinion the banjo and mandolin are two instruments you can learn to play in a reasonable amount of time and then continue learning for years to come.

by Jerry Minchey

Recording Studios Take Your Music to the Next Level

2009-05-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

Even with the abundance of software and hardware available to create your own recordings at home, there comes a time when you're ready to take your music to the next level. Recording studios may seem intimidating to the musician who is taking the leap, but the reality is that there are high quality, low cost recording studios that can make the transition painless. Once you've made the decision to book studio time, you need to find a studio that will give you the support you need to create great recordings. Word of mouth recommendations can be helpful, but they're not always reliable. It's worth your while to do the legwork and check out each facility to see what it has to offer. Here are some things to keep in mind while making your decision: Acoustics: A music studio should have top of the line acoustics. This means that there should be an elevated soundstage and high ceilings, as well as several isolation rooms. Engineering: A sound recording studio should provide highly skilled and trained professional engineers to help you achieve the optimum quality of your recordings. At the minimum, the engineer should be proficient in monitoring and metering, controlling signal paths, assigning tracks, and mixing. Equipment: Equipment varies by recording studio. Some Southern CA recording studios, for example, offer at least two mixers, over a half dozen outboards, a wide variety of software, over a dozen different types of microphones, quality monitoring equipment, and a variety of amps. Although it may seem like a minor point, it's important that the sound recording studio use high quality cables. If they don't, it could have a detrimental effect on the recording. Musicians and Instruments: Many state of the art recording studios have a variety of new and vintage keyboards, guitars, and percussion instruments available for use, as well as accessibility to professional musicians who can help you create the sounds you desire. Cost: As a whole, musicians don't have a lot of disposable income, so it's important to find recording studios that have reasonable rates. Some Southern CA studios, for example, have low introductory rates of $40 an hour or less. In order to avoid unwanted surprises, be sure to ask about minimums, as well as extra equipment charges. References: Every reputable sound recording studio should be able to provide you with a client list, as well as phone numbers for references. You should also ask to listen to samples of recordings from the studio. Try to find a sample that is comparable to what you are trying to achieve, and ask questions about what was involved in that recording process. It will give you a good idea of what to expect when you go in to record.

by Chris Robertson

Why Professional Audio Mastering is Important For Musicians, Bands, Artists and Labels

2009-05-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

A good CD mastering is an important key to success for every musician, band, artist, producer or label, simply for everyone, who wants to get sound-wise the most out of his musical recordings. Mastering is final processing of an audio project before it's been sent off for replication or digital distribution. It's necessary to finalize any audio project professionally. The process itself brings a quality boost for every production. It makes no difference, whether a a recording was done in a high-end or a budget recording studio - or even at home. Mastering adds the final touches to the audio, adding clarity, transparency, depth and detail to a track. The process alters the dynamics, the frequency spectrum and the stereo field in a very musical way. After a professional mastering studio session, the music will have that 'major label' feel, all artists are aiming for. The audio will sound more balanced, more 'commercial', as the tracks gain punch, impact and perceived loudness.

Why should audio mastering done by a professional mastering service , not at home or in the recording studio?

While recording and mixing a track, even the best and most professional engineers can get used to a certain sound and with it, to a couple of sonic 'problems' hidden in the mix. Listening to the same songs again and again, can lead to little mixing mistakes, you are simply not aware of anymore. This is why mastering is of such importance for a music production: In a professional mastering studio, an experienced audio engineer with well-trained ears will carefully evaluate his clients' material under optimized listening conditions with fresh ears. The mastering engineer listens to the music in an acoustically treated room, using a high-end monitoring system and best signal converters, so he will instantly be able to locate and fix those mixing mistakes and even more: The engineer will use the latest and best digital mastering tools coupled with finest analog outboard gear to apply precise processing a track, in order to balance the sound and alter it in a very musical way. After all sonic adjustments are done, the mastering engineer will also create the required production parts, e.g. the master PMCD (PreMaster CD), which will be the original, used by the pressing plants for replication.

Traditional mastering facilities vs. online mastering studios

Traditionally, mastering studios offer client-attended sessions, with the customers sitting next to the engineer, watching the mastering process. Now, with the internet giving musicians and producers the possibility to work with every studio, located everywhere in the world, artists have a lot more options to search and find a mastering facility that perfectly suit their needs. Browsing the web, you will discover a variety of companies providing so-called online mastering or emastering services. In comparison to a conventional client-attended attended session, an online mastering studio communicates and exchanges all audio project files with their customers online. The final masters will often be delivered via digital download as well. That means, an artist from Greece can get his music processed by a studio in San Francisco, for example.

The advantages of audio mastering online

People, who are looking for a proper finalization of their musical productions should consider to test one (or more) of those internet mastering studios, that offer their services online. There are a couple of advantages for the customer, for example, access to professional studios from anywhere in the world, usually faster turnaround times (compared to a traditional mastering studio session) as well as cheaper rates (many services offer fairly calculated flat rates per track). A problem remains. Searching the web, you will discover dozens of professional mastering companies, offering web based mastering studio services. How do you find a company, that delivers the exceptional sonic results, you're aiming for? A good idea is to check first, whether an emastering service offers a try-before-buy demo mastering of one of your own tracks. It's always better to judge a companies' work, based on your own music, instead of simply listening to audio samples on the website. A mastering demo instead gives you a correct idea of the sonic benefits that you can expect from a professional audio mastering - before making any payments.

by Arne Reichelt

Voice Lessons - What to Consider For Maximum Results

2009-05-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations! You are thinking of becoming a singer as either a career or a hobby! Music is another form of communication or language and its genders and styles could vary significantly across the world. Music allows a person to express their inner most feelings, much like a writer writing an essay or book on a topic that she/he feels very adoring about.

Music not only provides happiness to people and the world, it could often move across ethnic, religious and political divides. Music is such a powerful thing that it could make people cry - for remembrance of sadness or joy - bring them together or give them instant happiness. The desire to perform is a shared dream by many around the world and music is enjoyed by millions around the world.

Hundreds of thousands of people wish they could sing but feel they can not. Still, there are other people who have a good voice and only need to improve on it. There are steps to take to improve your singing, whether you are a beginner or an avid singer. A few singing lessons to start with would be most helpful. Most singing lessons are enjoyable, and will help better improve ones harmonious tone.

There are many different options for voice and singing lessons and once you have determined you would like to pursue a singing career or develop your singing potential you will have to make a few choices. There is always the choice of a voice coach or a singing teacher. Another place you could also get a lot of practice is with a community theater, performing arts or local choir, each would be beneficial to your voice. A CD, book with lesions and teaching your self with interactive lesions are also options that could be purchased either in stores or online for maximum voice training.

Once you have decided which route to take and will best serve you in pursuing your dream of a signer, you will also have to work it into your budget. You probably have some criteria in mind that you want to meet in mind for your singing career or just what you want to sound like when you sing.

If you are considering a singing teacher will best meet your needs, then there are a few things one must consider. Are there singing teachers in your geological area and will it be a challenge to find them? Will your budget be comfortable with a one on one singing lesson setup? Could you possibly share your lessons with another student/friend and split the cost of the lessons with that person - would the teacher consider this idea? Learning proper posture, the importance of voice tone and breathing are all things a personal singing coach would be best qualified to teach you. Various genres of music and personally assist you in determining what works best for your vocal range is what a professional coach will be able to expose you to.

Although, some people can't afford a personal/professional lesson or simply can't locate a professional in their area and therefore a 'do-it-yourself' style lesson would work best. Teaching yourself to sing could have certain attributes and be quite beneficial as well. These can be very affordable, they fit into your schedule, doing them at your leisure; and you could still take the lessons with a friend in the comfort of your home or theirs. What is best for you is what is needed for voice training.

Be sure to educate yourself on singing and voice options that are available and then pursue them. Always keep whatever you are doing to make your dream come true enjoyable.

by Paul Hockney