Preparing singers for careers in music

Patricia Feltmann,

Singing instructor

I just returned from the 2007 Oregon Fairs Association Convention.  It’s a place where representatives from county fairs go and learn about ways to improve their fairs and meet people who provide services to fairs (that’s us!).  As usual, I learned some very important things, confirmed some things that I already knew, renewed contacts, made new contacts, learned what a group of artistic type people are like when they try to conduct a business meeting, and most of all, reached a higher level of “schmoozing”, which, believe it or not, is very important!

So, learn the art of “schmoozing”.  There are times to talk directly about what you do and that you would like to be hired, but many times, people want to get to know you first.  Find out about their needs.  What challenge is the venue facing?  Be interested, even if it has nothing to do with you or entertainment.  Also, get the know the person, what do they do outside of the fair.  Then when I do get around to talking about entertainment, if I find out that I am not what the fair wants or needs, I acknowledge that and suggest someone who will fit the bill.  That way you don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole.  No one will be happy then and it won’t be a good experience for you, the audience, or the venue.  If they realize that you want to help them, even if you are not what they need, they are more likely to hire you when they truly need someone like you.

We all know that you need to have a good vocal sound, good pitch, good stage presence, and we need to sing music that fits the venue.  But getting along with people is key to getting a job and being asked to return.  You need to be an easy going person, willing to deal with less than ideal conditions, accommodating, always on time, always prepared and always pleasant.  Your goal is to please people.  Please your audience and especially please the person who hired you!  Your goal is not to get a job, it’s to help someone meet their needs. 

Another thing I heard over and over and over was YOU’VE GOT TO  LEARN AN INSTRUMENT!!!!!!  You will be taken much more seriously by other musicians, and thus get more opportunities to find someone to play with you, and you are more appealing to the fairs.  There are opportunities to sing with tracks, but they are limited and there are a lot of “karaoke singers” out there.  The competition is high, especially around here, partly because of all of my students.  If you can sing with a band, with your instrument, or with tracks you will fit into many different settings and are going to get more jobs.

Learn some standard old country songs, rock standards, bluegrass, jazz or blues (whatever is closest to your style) on your instrument and go to jam sessions.  At convention, after midnight, the hospitality suites hosted by bands become one big jam session.  They will usually invite solo artists to join them.  Representatives from the fairs will find a room they like and sit in.  They sometimes sing, but usually sit and listen (and drink copious amounts of alcohol).   So you will be seen and heard by representatives who hire and by other musicians.

In community jam sessions you will learn many new songs, learn how “play by the seat of your pants” and meet lots of other musicians.  Many people in these settings don’t sing very well.  You will have an advantage if you sing well and play an instrument.  After these sessions, many soloists will be invited to sing with bands as guest artists.  It’s a great way to get experience singing with a live band at a professional performance. Then you can ask them if they are interested in backing you for one of your shows. 

Jam sessions tend to be free or very inexpensive and often you will get help from more experienced players.  Be polite and thankful even if you don’t agree with their advice, but often you will get some very helpful information, for free.

Original music is not required up through the regional level of performing, but if you’re hoping for a national contract, you should have your own music.  Writing music takes practice, just like any other skill, so you should start right now, while you don’t have to use your songs if they don’t turn out well.

Also, don’t make the mistake that many artists do—only singing their own music.  That will seriously limit the number of venues that will hire you.  They want music that people know.  You can throw in a couple of your best songs, maybe one every 15 minutes, but don’t overdo it!  You can sell CDs with mostly or even only original music.  It’s a lot cheaper that way, with no copyrights to pay, and you will be building a fan base of people who know your songs and they will become as familiar as the stuff on the radio.  You can start increasing your originals in your sets once you have a large following in the audience.  But remember, you don’t want to alienate the new people who are seeing you for the first time, so you’ll always want to do some cover songs.

It takes years to make all the necessary contacts and acquire all the necessary skills to make a career of music.  It’s more than just singing well!  We tend to forget that, since I’m a singing teacher.  Remember, I may not be able to give you all the skills necessary to make it in this business.  But I can point you in the right direction and find someone who can teach you what you need.  So work on your people skills, start or continue working on your instrument(s), keeping writing songs. You will never be done improving in music until the day you die, but you’d like to be an accomplished musician before that, so you better get moving now!

 

Preparing for professional work

Date: January 2007