Lori Spencer is a Contributing Editor at Yahoo! News and This Can't Be Happening! Her work can also be seen regularly on Counterpunch, Truth Out, and OpEdNews, among others.
By Lori Spencer
To become a singer requires not only a natural talent but also ongoing vocal training. Singers are constantly striving to improve their range, strengthen their voices, and learn new techniques. Before embarking on any kind of musical career, a singer must first learn to train and protect his or her voice. While other musicians have external instruments to play, requiring only the interaction of the hands, fingers, wrists, or mouth, singers face a more difficult challenge because the vocalist’s instrument is built in. Therefore the entire body must be kept in good shape, not just the throat itself.
The first step to become a singer is…
Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-best-tips-to-become-a-singer.htm
By Lori Spencer
Nearly every singer has limits to her vocal range, even the best-trained operatic voices. As such, vocalists are more comfortable singing in certain keys than others. Over time, singers find certain keys they are particularly strong in and learn to avoid keys where they might sound weak. The goal is for the vocalist to hit the notes without straining and find a key that sounds natural. To suit the song to the singer, the key must be changed. This is known as “transposing.”…
Anyone who dreams about becoming a professional singer eventually comes to realize that the road to success also involves a lot of hard work. When interviewed, many top recording artists agree that getting to the top is a matter of timing and luck as much as it is of talent.
Industry connections play an important part, too; a gifted vocalist may never be heard outside of his or her local market without the services of a manager or agent. An artist’s support team is essential in securing recording contracts, live performance engagements, and publicity, as well as lucrative publishing and marketing deals for their clients.
To become a singer, a pleasant vocal tone and affinity for music are important fundamentals in many cases. This natural talent can be developed and refined through working with a voice coach and taking singing lessons, but unless the student has an inborn ability, it’s unlikely any amount of practice will make him or her into a great singer.
How to Audition for Major Record Companies | eHow.com.
By Lori Spencer
By Lori Spencer
Getting a record deal for your child with a major recording company is the elusive brass ring –everybody wants it, but few ever actually get it. Even an extremely talented child may not ink a deal for any number of reasons. Such was the case with six-year-old Connie Talbot, whose knockout 2007 performance on the “Britain’s Got Talent” TV show won her promises of a million-dollar record deal that eventually fell through.
If your child is already dreaming of becoming the next teen idol, there are many ways you can help guide her toward her goals. Still, you should be realistic and prepare both yourself and your child for possible disappointments along the way….
Continued at http://www.ehow.com/how_8212885_record-deals-children.html
By Lori Spencer
Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” is a classic showpiece for any pianist and a fun challenge to play. The rest of the band will work hard trying to keep up with some unusual chord changes, while the singer gets to really stretch out the top of his falsetto range on the chorus refrain.
This lilting, 1950s-style rocker conjures up images of sock hops, Hula-hoops and drive-ins and will get people moving on the dance floor.
“Crocodile Rock” was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and appears on Elton’s 1973 album, “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player.” It is in the key of G.
By Lori Spencer
Many of today’s top recording stars are under the age of 18, and have successfully entered into lucrative record deals with the help and support of their parents. Although U.S. courts have generally held that contracts with minors are unenforceable — because the minor did not have the legal capacity to enter into a contract — this is not always the case. The State of Tennessee does not allow a child performer to knowingly disavow a contract, while reaping the benefits.
Consult an attorney that specializes in entertainment law and have them review the recording contract. Take time to ask questions about what your legal responsibilities will be if your child is under the age of emancipation. In Tennessee, the age at which a minor is legally considered an adult is 18.
Take the child along to meetings with your attorney. It is vitally important that your child fully comprehends the legal document they are about to sign. Let them ask the attorney questions about performance obligations, royalty payments, or any other clause of the agreement they do not understand.
Resist the temptation to handle every aspect of contract negotiation for your minor child. Even if you ultimately know what is best for him, or want to shield them from details, being involved in the process is how your child learns about the music business. This experience will come in handy later as an adult performer.
Talk to your child at length before signing on the dotted line. Stress that while being onstage may seem glamorous, there is a lot of hard work involved and countless hours spent rehearsing, performing and recording. Ask them if they are really ready to give up having a normal teenage life to pursue a career in music.
Set firm boundaries when it comes to keeping up your child’s grades at school. The demands of recording and playing concerts will make it hard for your child to find study time, and their grades may slip as a result. Discuss whether or not your child plans to attend college, and how they will manage to balance a full course load with the music career.
Apply to the court in your jurisdiction to appoint one or possibly both parents as fiduciary — or guardian ad litem — for the child. In the state of Tennessee, this step is not required unless the child is expected to generate more than $10,000 in annual income.
In some cases, a minor can be responsible for contractual obligations just as if they had signed the document as an adult. Judicial approval of the contract by the superior court prevents the minor from later dis-affirming the contract. Either party to the contract may petition the court for an approval hearing. Although court approval of a minor contract is routinely done in recording capitals like New York and Los Angeles, Tennessee does not have a specific statute for court approval of contracts relating specifically to the services of minors. Ask your attorney if other statutes – such as Title 34 of the Tennessee Code – would be applicable in your situation.
Lori Spencer has written professionally since 1986. She is the author of three nonfiction books, is writing her fourth and provides content for eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM. She also produces and hosts a weekly radio show. Her subjects of expertise include history, media, music, film and the performing arts.
By Lori Spencer
Whether you are changing careers as an adult or are still trying to decide if broadcast journalism is the college major you want, you should know that radio is a very difficult field to break into. This is because there are a finite number of radio stations and available on-air jobs, not nearly enough to match the pool of talented, trained job-seekers in the marketplace. Finding work as a disc jockey on a music radio station is more often a combination of job skills, industry connections, timing and…
Continues at http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7463099_become-dj-music-radio-station.html
By Lori Spencer
You may be asked to write an appraisal of a musical performance or performer for a number of reasons: judging a competition, teaching a music class or workshop or as an essay project for class. Although it is difficult sometimes to sit in judgment on an artist’s music, if you stay focused on offering constructive, well-reasoned criticism, your tactful observations can show the performer areas that need improvement.
