Difference between revisions of "Get a Singing Job"
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#*Familiarize yourself with typical weddings, bar mitzvahs, or piano bar songs, for example. You should have at least 40 popular songs memorized and performance-ready for these types of events and venues. | #*Familiarize yourself with typical weddings, bar mitzvahs, or piano bar songs, for example. You should have at least 40 popular songs memorized and performance-ready for these types of events and venues. | ||
#*Turn these songs into a typed list. It will be helpful to have a list ready of all the songs and genres you're comfortable with. Use genre or event types (jazz, rock, wedding, bar mitzvah, etc.) to categorize your list. Include your preferred key along with the name of each song. | #*Turn these songs into a typed list. It will be helpful to have a list ready of all the songs and genres you're comfortable with. Use genre or event types (jazz, rock, wedding, bar mitzvah, etc.) to categorize your list. Include your preferred key along with the name of each song. | ||
| − | #Take classes. While a formal education isn’t required for a successful singing career, taking some singing or music classes might help you build your skillset.<ref>http://www.whatdegreedoineed.com/career.php?id=42&career=singer</ref> | + | #Take classes. While a formal education isn’t required for a successful singing career, taking some singing or music classes might help you build your skillset.<ref name="rf1">http://www.whatdegreedoineed.com/career.php?id=42&career=singer</ref> |
#* If you are interested in pursuing a college degree, consider majoring or minoring in music, voice, or another performance discipline. | #* If you are interested in pursuing a college degree, consider majoring or minoring in music, voice, or another performance discipline. | ||
#* You can also pursue lessons outside of the schoolroom by getting private vocal coaches and teachers to help you learn the basics. | #* You can also pursue lessons outside of the schoolroom by getting private vocal coaches and teachers to help you learn the basics. | ||
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#Volunteer with a local choir. If there is a choir in your school, church, or community contact them and let them know you're interested joining. This won't be a paid experience, but you will earn some valuable experience! | #Volunteer with a local choir. If there is a choir in your school, church, or community contact them and let them know you're interested joining. This won't be a paid experience, but you will earn some valuable experience! | ||
#Put together a singing portfolio. Having a polished portfolio of all your singing credentials will help you show prospective employers that you’ve got the chops for the gig. | #Put together a singing portfolio. Having a polished portfolio of all your singing credentials will help you show prospective employers that you’ve got the chops for the gig. | ||
| − | #*In addition to your name and contact information, list your vocal range, singing styles, past gigs, previous training, and any extra qualifications (like if you can also play an instrument).<ref>http://www.pugetsound.edu/files/resources/1836_MusicResume.pdf</ref> | + | #*In addition to your name and contact information, list your vocal range, singing styles, past gigs, previous training, and any extra qualifications (like if you can also play an instrument).<ref name="rf2">http://www.pugetsound.edu/files/resources/1836_MusicResume.pdf</ref> |
#*Include a professional 8-by-10 headshot. This will help prospective employers remember your face and show some of your personality. | #*Include a professional 8-by-10 headshot. This will help prospective employers remember your face and show some of your personality. | ||
| − | #*Make a quality demo tape. This is perhaps the most important part of a singer’s portfolio. You want to make sure your demo shows off your singing strengths and is produced at a high quality.<ref>http://www.singeruniverse.com/gaugersinginggigssessionwork.htm</ref> [[Make a Demo Tape | How to Make a Demo Tape]] | + | #*Make a quality demo tape. This is perhaps the most important part of a singer’s portfolio. You want to make sure your demo shows off your singing strengths and is produced at a high quality.<ref name="rf3">http://www.singeruniverse.com/gaugersinginggigssessionwork.htm</ref> [[Make a Demo Tape | How to Make a Demo Tape]] |
| − | #* Include a list of recommendations. Not only does this show that you’ve completed successful gigs in the past, but that you’ve made a good impression on former employers.<ref>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/412952-musical-resume.html</ref> | + | #* Include a list of recommendations. Not only does this show that you’ve completed successful gigs in the past, but that you’ve made a good impression on former employers.<ref name="rf4">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/412952-musical-resume.html</ref> |
#Practice, practice, practice. Sing as much and as often as you can. Participate in open-mic nights, go to karaoke with friends, anything that gets you learning songs and comfortable at performing them in public. | #Practice, practice, practice. Sing as much and as often as you can. Participate in open-mic nights, go to karaoke with friends, anything that gets you learning songs and comfortable at performing them in public. | ||
=== Going on Auditions and Getting Jobs === | === Going on Auditions and Getting Jobs === | ||
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#Audition for musical theater troupes. Even if you don’t think musical theater is the kind of singing you're ultimately interested in, it could be a great first foot-in-the-door experience and help prepare you for other singing gigs. [[Audition For a Musical| How to Audition for a Musical]] | #Audition for musical theater troupes. Even if you don’t think musical theater is the kind of singing you're ultimately interested in, it could be a great first foot-in-the-door experience and help prepare you for other singing gigs. [[Audition For a Musical| How to Audition for a Musical]] | ||
#Audition for a band. Sometimes bands have all the instruments covered, but are missing a lead or backup singer. Search the internet and bulletin boards at local music stores or performance spaces to see if any nearby bands are looking for a singer to join them.[[Join a Band | How to Join a Band]] | #Audition for a band. Sometimes bands have all the instruments covered, but are missing a lead or backup singer. Search the internet and bulletin boards at local music stores or performance spaces to see if any nearby bands are looking for a singer to join them.[[Join a Band | How to Join a Band]] | ||
| − | #If you’re old enough, see if nightclubs or catering halls are looking for singers. These venues are often looking for in-house musical talent to offer their guests. Get on the phone and give these local venues a call to see if they are hiring any singing talent.<ref>http://singerssecret.com/how-to-get-singing-gigs/</ref> | + | #If you’re old enough, see if nightclubs or catering halls are looking for singers. These venues are often looking for in-house musical talent to offer their guests. Get on the phone and give these local venues a call to see if they are hiring any singing talent.<ref name="rf5">http://singerssecret.com/how-to-get-singing-gigs/</ref> |
| − | #Check out background singing opportunities. Background singers don’t just work with bands, but can also provide the voice tracks for movies, commercials, or live performances. Check out listings on commercial production companies websites, as well the back pages of trade magazines and journals. These are often where advertisements for vocal talent appear. <ref>https://www.careersinmusic.com/background-singer/</ref> | + | #Check out background singing opportunities. Background singers don’t just work with bands, but can also provide the voice tracks for movies, commercials, or live performances. Check out listings on commercial production companies websites, as well the back pages of trade magazines and journals. These are often where advertisements for vocal talent appear. <ref name="rf6">https://www.careersinmusic.com/background-singer/</ref> |
#Try out for a reality singing competition. Many of today’s biggest singing stars got their start on reality singing competitions. Check out the websites of some of your favorite shows and see if they're holding auditions and casting for the next season. [[Get on The Voice | How to Get on The Voice]] | #Try out for a reality singing competition. Many of today’s biggest singing stars got their start on reality singing competitions. Check out the websites of some of your favorite shows and see if they're holding auditions and casting for the next season. [[Get on The Voice | How to Get on The Voice]] | ||
=== Promoting Yourself === | === Promoting Yourself === | ||
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#*Place a couple out when you're performing so that people can take one with them. | #*Place a couple out when you're performing so that people can take one with them. | ||
#Use the internet. One website or social media account can be accessed by millions of people. Consider setting up a free or paid website or start a social media account and use it as a venue to post song demos, videos, and items from your portfolio. | #Use the internet. One website or social media account can be accessed by millions of people. Consider setting up a free or paid website or start a social media account and use it as a venue to post song demos, videos, and items from your portfolio. | ||
| − | #Try your hand at busking. Some cities allow for performers to play in the street for money (check your local ordinances to see if you need a permit). Not only will it earn you a bit of extra cash, it will get your voice heard to others. Who knows, a talent agent might be walking by!<ref>http://www.longbeachindependent.com/2014/02/28-days-busking-josh-fischel/</ref> | + | #Try your hand at busking. Some cities allow for performers to play in the street for money (check your local ordinances to see if you need a permit). Not only will it earn you a bit of extra cash, it will get your voice heard to others. Who knows, a talent agent might be walking by!<ref name="rf7">http://www.longbeachindependent.com/2014/02/28-days-busking-josh-fischel/</ref> |
#Network with others in the industry. Like most jobs, networking is a huge key to success and can help advance your career. | #Network with others in the industry. Like most jobs, networking is a huge key to success and can help advance your career. | ||
| − | #* Make friends with other singers. Be courteous to other singers you meet and see if they’d be interested in joining forces with you to practice for auditions or start your own singing company.<ref | + | #* Make friends with other singers. Be courteous to other singers you meet and see if they’d be interested in joining forces with you to practice for auditions or start your own singing company.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #*Visit recording studios to get to know those who are actively working in the business. You can also ask if producers or audio engineers can share tips or advice with you.<ref | + | #*Visit recording studios to get to know those who are actively working in the business. You can also ask if producers or audio engineers can share tips or advice with you.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#Consider getting an agent. Agents are drawn to up-and-coming talent that already have some good buzz or word of mouth. [[Get a Talent Agent | How to Get a Talent Agent]] | #Consider getting an agent. Agents are drawn to up-and-coming talent that already have some good buzz or word of mouth. [[Get a Talent Agent | How to Get a Talent Agent]] | ||
#*Keep a good performance record of professionalism and punctuality. Your impressions on other people in the industry could get back to talent scouts and help you catch the eye of an agent. | #*Keep a good performance record of professionalism and punctuality. Your impressions on other people in the industry could get back to talent scouts and help you catch the eye of an agent. | ||
| − | #*Research agents who work with vocal talent in your area. If you can access their client list, think about reaching out to some of them to get their opinions, tips, and advice.<ref | + | #*Research agents who work with vocal talent in your area. If you can access their client list, think about reaching out to some of them to get their opinions, tips, and advice.<ref name="rf5" /> |
=== Enjoying the Spotlight === | === Enjoying the Spotlight === | ||
#Stay positive! Becoming a singer isn’t necessarily easy, but if it is something that you love doing stay positive and keep on doing it! | #Stay positive! Becoming a singer isn’t necessarily easy, but if it is something that you love doing stay positive and keep on doing it! | ||
| − | #Work hard! There are a lot of talent singers out there, but sometimes hard work, dedication, and determination can go even further than talent.<ref>http://www.theartcareerproject.com/singin/834/</ref> | + | #Work hard! There are a lot of talent singers out there, but sometimes hard work, dedication, and determination can go even further than talent.<ref name="rf8">http://www.theartcareerproject.com/singin/834/</ref> |
#Most of all, have fun! It all pays of in the end if you love what you’re doing, and can keep a smile on your face while singing your heart out. | #Most of all, have fun! It all pays of in the end if you love what you’re doing, and can keep a smile on your face while singing your heart out. | ||
