How do I get started?

Papillon87

Hi
Am a singer, been professionally trained and all that malarkey, but it really is my passion in life. Especially love singing soul music and that kind of thing. I have recently begun writing my own music, and it has always been my intention to futuristically pursue a music career (i'm in my first year at college). Now, I'm getting depressed looking at all these young artists and realising the time is now. I don't want to drop out because I want a degree to fall back on, but I would like to get working on recording and getting out there so I'm ready to be launched to super stardom the minute i finish my finals lol Any advice on how to do this, bearing in mind my musical preferences

Also, any good recording software tips?

Paligulus

Well I cant give any advice about becoming a famous singer!!! But on the recording end of things check out the Recording + Mixing + Pro Audio forum. In particular this thread which has all the info you need to get started in recording:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055035319

Do you play an instrument? If you are writing songs make sure you document them somehow, it dosn't have to be brilliantly recorded, but just so you have some way of tracking your progress as a songwriter. Also, it'll be fairly satisfying to have a repertoire of songs that you have written, even if no body hears them. I'm a big believer in the "Demo for the Mantlepiece" kind of mentality!!! Above all else, it should be for your own enjoyment.

Best of luck!!!

Papillon87

57 views of this post and ONE reply??? poor show! seriously, anyone?

Thanking you, sole responder, for the link. I don't play an instrument, which frustrates me as it means I will have to find a backing band or something if I want to progress, and I don't know who would be interested in just supporting a soul/ r'n'b singer. Thanks again!

filament

Papillon87 wrote:

57 views of this post and ONE reply??? poor show! seriously, anyone?

Thanking you, sole responder, for the link. I don't play an instrument, which frustrates me as it means I will have to find a backing band or something if I want to progress, and I don't know who would be interested in just supporting a soul/ r'n'b singer. Thanks again!

best way man
join a band and do it as a team
and take all the solo opportunities that come your way
you wanna be a pop singer then just work on your look and become an attention whore
you wanna be a real musician then form a band or join one

Savman

Papillon87 wrote:

57 views of this post and ONE reply??? poor show!

Problem #1, attitude. What exactly do you want? The whole music world to come to your aid just because "the time is now"? If you want a long career, for starters I suggest you prepare yourself for being ignored most of the time, that's the music biz.
I seriously doubt if anyone on boards has the magic secret of "super stardom" - if that's all your after do X Factor or You're A Star, you'll get your face on telly and be forgotten about soon after your first single.
If it's a "backing band" you want, be prepared to pay for the privelage because I doubt you'll get a bunch of great musicians wanting to be your sideshow for free.

Best advice, consider a different career. This music malarkey will eventually turn you into a cynical fecker

Papillon87

filament wrote:

best way man
join a band and do it as a team
and take all the solo opportunities that come your way
you wanna be a pop singer then just work on your look and become an attention whore
you wanna be a real musician then form a band or join one

Have no desires whatsoever to be a pop star, lip-synching and performing synchronised dance routines. No thanks. However, I want to be a solo artist. I don't play an instrument, I sing.

Papillon87

Savman wrote:

Problem #1, attitude. What exactly do you want? The whole music world to come to your aid just because "the time is now"? If you want a long career, for starters I suggest you prepare yourself for being ignored most of the time, that's the music biz.
I seriously doubt if anyone on boards has the magic secret of "super stardom" - if that's all your after do X Factor or You're A Star, you'll get your face on telly and be forgotten about soon after your first single.
If it's a "backing band" you want, be prepared to pay for the privelage because I doubt you'll get a bunch of great musicians wanting to be your sideshow for free.

Best advice, consider a different career. This music malarkey will eventually turn you into a cynical fecker

Whoa. I really don't have an attitude problem. I was seeking advice on a music board, thought it was a pretty logical move, but maybe i'll join another site.

I am well aware of how the music industry functions, I don't have delusions of being spotted by an agent and whisked away to the States tomorrow.

The super stardom comment was tongue in cheek, as clearly indicated by the accompanying "lol" and smiley face icon.

I have no intention of compromising myself by stooping to the level of You're A Star and its counterparts.

Obviously I would be prepared to pay for the "privelage".....privilege of a backing band, you simply re-iterated my doubts that anyone would want to support a small solo act.

Thanks for your reassurance.

I'm putting myself into this with renewed vigour.

Savman

Papillon87 wrote:

I'm putting myself into this with renewed vigour.

Good shtuff, we're learnin fast eh

Now, I'm getting depressed looking at all these young artists and realising the time is now.

That's the Pop mentality. There are many other avenues open to those seeking a career in the industry, but you have to be prepared to do the hard work. Most people couldn't be bothered.

I don't want to drop out because I want a degree to fall back on

Very wise. Even with a long career you'll still need a lot of other things going on to keep yourself active. But so many people use this "something to fall back on" as a safety net, sometimes it acts as a weight around ones feet. Maybe I shoulda had a backup plan but then I would have to ask meself, if I needed a backup plan was I really that confident in my musical ability? $64,000 question.

Any advice on how to do this, bearing in mind my musical preferences

Remember that girl from Cork who won Your A Star year or 2 back? She was doing Soul all the way thru the show but for whatever reason once the show was over vanished off the face of the earth. I'm into Soul music meself, you have to remember that all the time you will be going against the flow. Most musicians you will come across will be into their hard rock, the Funk Soul family you'll really have to search for