Friday, September 25, 2009

THE SINGER IN U: BECOME A MUSIC LEADER

Becoming a Lead Singer:
Complete beginners should first consider their vocal qualities and the style of music to which it is suited, although this may change considerably with training and age. For instance a soft singing voice with no projecting ability will find it difficult if not impossible to be heard above a heavy rock band or full orchestra without amplification, whereas a strong operatic voice would overpower an acoustic duo unless the singer had considerable training and control.

Once the singer has identified the Style and Genre of music most suited to their voice and ability then some thought should be put into the songs to be performed, age of the singer and the types of venue that are suitable for the music. When reviewing these aspects of singing a complete re-think may be required, especially if you are a 15 – 18 year old rock lover with a quiet voice!!

What’s A Band?:
Finding the right style of music and musicians who are around the same age and competence is often the way a singer in training starts their career. A band is a TEAM who collaborates, learns and works together of which the singer is a part. He or she needs to be able to get on with the other musicians and be prepared to sing material that they may not particularly enjoy. The types of songs chosen have to be within the singers’ range and ability. Unless the singer is experienced, the songs to be performed should be chosen with the aid of a singing or music teacher to ensure that the voice is not overstretched or damaged through abuse.

When performing with other people the singer is required to sing in time and in tune with the music whilst expressing the lyrics to the song. Starting and stopping at the appropriate points in the song and learning to improvise when mistakes are made are essential talents that a singer must have if they wish to sing with a band or pursue a professional career.

Personality is another aspect that the singer is expected to express. This can be done in three ways, either through the emotive quality of the voice, via energy and movement or a combination of both. A singer does not need to be a great dancer to get attention from their audience, although all singers should be able to move expressively. This doesn't mean you need to jump around the stage, a smooth hand gesture, sad smile or pointed 'look' at appropriate points in the song can be enough to capture the audience. Some people have an indefinable quality called Charisma, which can draw the audience to watch and listen to them even when the songs performed, or vocal style is not their particular cup of tea.

Communicating with the other musicians in the band is also an art that is usually learnt during the rehearsal process. The ability to slow down, speed up or stop the music by indicating to your fellow musicians can be achieved by signals that can be integrated into your performance so that the audience is unaware of your directions. The exception to this is singers who perform with Orchestras who take their directions from a Conductor.

Every singer has their own signals that their fellow band members watch out for, but there are a few standard signals that most professional musicians can identify, e.g.

* Raised hand or digit circling quickly - speed up tempo (or repeat passage).
* Raised hand or digit circling slowly - slow down tempo.
* Gentle hand gestures downwards - less volume.
* Raised arm - indicates 'watch for ending'
* Same arm dropped down sharply - STOP
* Arm circling - repeat the previous passage.

An experienced band that shares a rapport should know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The singer can indicate their preferences with a nod or a look whilst the songs performed should flow effortlessly. If mistakes are made the professional band may often improvise making the mistake appear intentional or cover it with humor.

A frontman/woman is also expected to communicate with the audience during the course of the performance. Introducing the band, the songs and building a rapport with the people watching is all part of being a lead singer. You should always try to be true to yourself when talking to the audience. Some singers are happy 'winging it' and chatting away without any idea of what they are going to say beforehand, whilst others write and memorize (or take on stage) a script that remains the same for each performance and provides them with continuity in every show (even professional singers do this). If you don't have much confidence or experience in performing in front of an audience, write some notes and practice these during each rehearsal or in front of friends and family.

'Image' also needs to be considered. When working with other musicians as a unit, what you wear and how you present yourselves should reflect the style of music you play. For instance, a rock band wearing tuxedos are unlikely to be taken seriously unless the effect is meant for 'novelty value' or the band is mainly performing covers at corporate functions. Whatever you wear should not restrict your breathing, movement or vocal apparatus.

Reliability and Consistency of performance is required from every singer, letting your audience or employer down will give you a bad reputation which will quickly spread and prevent you from finding quality employment.

Most experienced singers who are competent in their field of music can become a lead singer although wages will depend on their ability, professionalism and versatility. A good band can work practically anywhere from local pubs, clubs, festivals and theatres, whilst sight reading singers could find a neat sideline deputizing for other singers and working as a backing vocalist or session singer for major artists and producers.

If the singer is also a lyricist or songwriter then collaborating with friends or advertising for like minded people to join them in performing their particular style of music, is how the band is formed. The singer can also be the driving force of the band, organizing the rehearsals, choosing the songs to be played and getting the gigs, although its far better if all members of the band make an equal effort.

Lead singers in bands performing original material can expect little or no initial pay unless they can build and retain a following, produce their own album or get signed by a record company. The length of time a band is expected to play varies depending on whether they are performing covers or original material and if they are the main act or acting as a support act for the headliner. 15-40mins is about average for original bands and support acts, headline acts can expect to play for approximately 30 - 90 minutes, whilst covers bands are often the only entertainment booked for the evening. 2 or 3 x 45 minute sets are usually sufficient although a few 'extra' songs should always be prepared in case of 'encores' - if you do run out of material - redo a song that was performed in the first half of the show!

The differences between a Lead Singer and a Solo Artist are actually quite small and mainly a matter of career choice. There are many instances of singers who started out as the frontperson in a band yet went on to become a solo artist, for example, 2 Face Idibia, Michael Jackson.

How to get Work as a Lead Vocalist:
If you are still at school or college ask your teacher if you can put up a notice in the music room to advertise for band members or who want to join a band.

Use the telephone directory to find rehearsal studios and music shops in your area and ask the owner if they have a music notice board where you can place an ad or read ads placed by musicians looking for a singer.

Contact Entertainment Agents or Promoters who may know of a band currently looking for a lead singer.

Create a Publicity Pack! Include 3 of your best songs on the demo showing your vocal range. Buy music industry trade papers or publications that run classified ads for singers wanted. You can even place an advert describing your abilities and offering your services.

Contact Recording Studios, Backing Track Suppliers to see if they hire freelance singers or employ 'in house'.

Use the Internet - many music websites offer a free classified ads section for singers, bands, musicians, and music industry personnel. Take advantage of this by owning a website that highlights your talents and include the link in your advert.

Keep several Business Cards with you at all times. Don't miss an opportunity, if a band, musician or producer approaches you at an open mic night, jam night, showcase etc., ask for their business card and give them yours!!

Ask professional singing friends, musicians, voice teacher, and performance coach for an introduction or recommendation to an agent or management company. Also ask if they will allow you to do a few numbers as a support act at some of their gigs, you may not get paid but you will get seen by the venue, and/or agent who may offer you bookings.

Enter Talent Competition and offer your singing services for Charity Shows to get experience, gain exposure and meet other musicians and artists.

Opportunities are only limited to the competence and determination of the singer who can find work with bands in public places, clubs, churches, nightclubs, radio, television or by backing/deputizing for other singers and as a session singer.


All the best to you my friend....

From the Book: Music & You
Coming Soon from: Treasured1 Creative Ideas Int.
By: Salau O John

Thursday, September 24, 2009

WORDS CHANGES IT

YOU CAN IF YOU SAY SO
Yes, we believe with our heart, and so we are made right with God. And we use our mouth to say that we believe, and so we are saved. Rom.10 vs.10

…If you don’t believe this message then people should not believe you. Isa.7 vs.9b

Our beliefs matters in the process of determination, because it can either limit us or help us to move forward. It must also be understood that it is only what we believe in that we put our trust or confidence in and confess.

What we listen to as well matters a great deal in our growing up to become what we want to be in life. The actual fact of talking your way to becoming great is that talking to yourself about where you are going helps in reorienting your goals and vision and gives you a more focused mind in return. It is often said that, “What you say is what you become”. Tell yourself good things every morning when you wake up looking at the mirror, and see how you will feel throughout the day.

GUIDE YOUR WORDS
A smart person doesn’t tell everything he knows. But a foolish person tells everything and shows he is a fool. Prov.12 vs.23


A person who talks too much gets himself into trouble. A wise person learns to be quiet. Prov.10 vs.19

This is another way out of wasting time, energy and breaking boundaries in the things a person is set to achieve or become in life.

Many have made the mistake of telling people about everything they want to do before doing it. This is wrong, as only God knows what will be on earth.

We all need to learn to keep the door of our mouth shut sometimes until the fulfillment of what we are running after. Oftentimes you don’t know who is listening to your dreams to steal or kill it before it comes to pass as it is said in a Yoruba proverb, “all lizards lie down but you do not know which as tummy ache”.

So be careful of what you are saying and learn to think before you say anything; even the devil, and your enemy has no power against what you have not voiced.

GUIDE THAT HEART
We all do fail to see
When the rain comes in boisterous
We all do let the heart flee
When our inner man let go

We cry and blame self-onward
When all things look like dead ends
We let go of prayers and words
When in being there God waits

So many things sidesteps our blessings
But worse is leaving the heart uncovered
So many things stand against reasoning
But worse is the natural to spiritual

Our world is built in the heart
Yet many understand not the times
Our lives is in spirituality alert
Yet many the earths doth chock in
Salau O John©

PRAY YOUR WAY
Don’t worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need, and when you pray always give thanks. Philippians. 4 vs. 6. Pray without ceasing. 1Thess.5 vs.17 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and learn not unto thine own understanding. Prov. 3 vs. 5 — In all thy ways acknowledge him and He shall direct thy path 6

Prayer is necessary in your journey in life; it will help to eliminate any unwanted thinking; keeping your mind focused on the path you are going and making you understand that all that will be will be not by your power but Gods, the supreme ruler of all things.

PRAYERS OR PREY
Prayer stands to call all
But where is the attentive obedience?
On the mountain top non-to fall
But who can stand with confidence?

“Aside you become a prey I say”
I am that to God must forward
But many have relent, neglecting the way’
Fear and anxiety stands your board’

Man becomes a prey without prayers
And communion without closeness derails paths
Even bands and partners no banners
And nothing works when out-gone

Are you a prayer warrior or prey?
For breaking the edge is breaking pledge
Are you unrelenting or in prison?
Both ways calls you; pray and judge!
Salau O John©

FOLLOW THE WORD
Always remember the things written in that book of law. Study that book day and night. Then you can be sure to obey the things that are written there. If you do this then you will be wise and successful in everything you do. Joshua.1 vs.8


Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed but rightly dividing the word of truth 2Timothy2 vs.15.

As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. 1Peter2 vs.2 (K-J-V)

To become what you really want to be or get really determined in your focus, you must become a reader of the word.

The word in this context is the “Bible”, the word of God, because it holds the key to unlocking many doors, in business, finance, etc. Being focused is the map to health, wealth and anything imaginable on earth, even in the world beyond.

GIVE YOUR WAY
Honor the Lord with your wealth. Give him the best you have. Then you will have all you need. Your barns will be full of grain and your barrels will be flowing over with wine. Prov.3 vs. 9 — 10 If a person gives freely, then he will gain even more. But if a person refuses to give then he will become poor. A person who gives freely will profit. If you help others, then you will gain more for yourself. Prov.11 vs.24 — 25

The Lord All-Powerful says, “Try this test. Bring one-tenth of your things to me. Put those things in the treasury. Bring food to my house. Test me if you do those things. Then I will truly bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything. Malachi.3 vs.10

This is another area of becoming what you want to be in life, an aspect that many have found difficult to work in.

Giving is a command of God to increase you and it eliminate the burden of trusting in anything else but God. It helps to show that your source in life is God and nothing else. And truly to increase and become anything without being a giver is not an easy way to life. (Giving of these is important: tithes, offerings, helps, pastoral offerings, charities etc)

DO THE WORK
Lazy person, you should become like the ants. See what the ant does. Learn from the ants…Prov.6 vs. 6 — 8.
Every time you find work to do, do it the best you can. Eccl.9 vs.10

Many have talked and talked without taking the necessary steps to become anything. The fact is no one can become anything in this life without taking a bold step in the direction of it. It is better to do something than talking about it.

START SMALL
Mountains are never climbed from the top
Houses are never built from the roof
And races are not won through the end
But a human in swiftness runs aloof

Top businesses are from the scratch to finish
And man is first a child alive
All trees from seeds must flourish
But men from success wish a start

Everything, life itself is a process
From buds to maturity, a stage
Every animal from infancy must progress
But human beings are but impatience

Small beginnings becomes big endings
And imperfection is little by little perfection
But not all awaits that small beginning
And all things on top will outshine
Salau O John©

RESEARCH YOUR WAY
A fool will believe anything he hears. But a wise man thinks carefully about everything. Prov.14 vs.15

Being excited about something is not enough. You must also know what you are doing. You should not rush into something or you will do it wrong Prov.19 vs.2.

Get good advice before you make plans. If you are starting a war, find people to guide you. Prov.20 vs.18 Prove (test) all things. Hold fast that which is good. 1Thess.5 vs.21 (K-J-V)

This is an important fact in being determined because it helps you to be more focused in the direction of a goal. A person who asks for direction never misses the road; and anybody who makes a good research in the right direction to follow to become whatever, will always find out that making it in anything is easy, if the way is known.

You will need to study the paths that others have tread to become who they are, or found out their mistakes; what makes them tick in their pursuit in life and their goals, or what motivate them after all they must have gone through.

From the Book: The Power Of Determination
Coming Soon from: Treasured1 Creative Ideas Int.
By: Salau O John
treasured1creativeideas@yahoo.com or treasured100@yahoo.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

CAN MEN BE WISE?...

FORGET THE PAST
The problems of becoming anything in the future lies in letting go of the past or learning from past mistakes and using it as a stepping pad to greatness.

Truly saying it, our past if not mastered or properly handled well will sometimes creates a burden to our moving forward and becoming whatever we ought to truly be in life.

You need to understand that the trial of our past is what we need to sharpen us for a better future.

ARE YOU WISE?
Wisdom demands that we study everything in our life and proffer a solution that will help us in moving forward, but not everyone can do that. “He who runs from war today lives to face another one tomorrow,” so my advice is to win your battles today and you will be a conqueror to the world.

You are wise if you can win your past and use it for other good things.

DO ANYTHING
I have often heard of many graduates crying that they cannot do some jobs. I am not saying here that it is bad to settle for what you want in life; don’t get me wrong, I am only trying to bring out a point. There are some jobs out there that a graduate can do if it as good prospect for future advancement e.g. jobs that pays low salary but transportation is not a problem or jobs that are just a walking distant from the house or some that pay well but you need little strength to do them.

Some people really have ideas buried within them that they would not seek advice on how to best use it for their own growth.

You are able to do anything as long as you've made up your mind to do it because nobody will help you to become what you’ve enlisted for but you. You must dare the clouds in your future becoming.

BECOME YOUR VISION
This is the hardest thing I have seen and read about – becoming what you really want to be in life.

My advice as I have seen it work is firstly to have a written plan on your vision and mission, what you want to achieve or become, then to take hold of it, be bold, daring all the odds and move in action towards getting your dreams fulfilled.

A vision on its own is the future you intend to get to while purpose is how you attain it through your tenacity. You are whatever you want to be by the actions you take in achieving it.

WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?
This question needs a sitting down and analyzing to know what you want to achieve or your purpose, mission in this life.

When you have the address (vision) of where you are going then you need to understand or know your mission (what to do) so that you won’t miss your way.

Many have failed in this quest due to diluted vision and trying to follow others dreams. You need to know your mission so that your direction in life can be made clear to you and you may not miss your road while standing at life’s cross road.

MAKE PLANS
Planning is a good habit to cultivate but truly how many have plans for things they really want to achieve in this life?

START AGAIN
Have you heard or learn about investments before, and you have never ventured into asking questions about it or make a move? Then you need to start doing the right thing now. Take the steps that will help your future to materialize.

Maybe someone has duped you on this before that does not say you cannot make it; it only shows that you did not make good inquiries before jumping into it then. Now make the right decision, find the right information and do all it takes to become that millionaire you were created to be.

YOU DON’T HAVE TIME?
“Time waits for no man”. This has been said many times but the fact is that all do have the same time here on earth to do and undo whatever in life.

It must be understood that doing something is becoming something and doing nothing is becoming nothing. When there is nothing to do, there is always something to do. An idle mind is the devils tool.

Thinking very well helps in the management of time and focus placement. We all need to make sure that even in our leisure hours we are achieving something meaningful and making the best use of the time at our disposal.

God is a time Manager!

From The Book: You Are A Millionair
Coming Soon from: Treasured1 Creative Ideas Int.
treasured1creativeideas@yahoo.com
By: Salau O John