Stage Fright. Why Am I So Scared? What Can I do?

You are not alone if you suffer from what we have come to know as stage fright. I do not believe I can recall any accomplished musician saying they are not nervous at all before a performance. Many are actually terrified and get physically sick prior to a concert. This basis for this is actually a good motivation, we want to be good, we want to be accepted. That is a good thing but being debilitated by stage fright is not. There are some effective ways of dealing with this condition.

The most effective way to manage the phenomenon of stage fright is constant performance. For some this may not be possible or you may just be starting out and you are struggling at the starting gate, so to speak.

If you are just starting out and cannot even imagine performing in front of people yet, find a friendly audience that will accept you no matter what, your family! Perhaps you can pick one to three songs to perform and set it up just like a regular performance; a certain time etc. Have the chairs set out for your family, maybe some refreshments and so forth. It may sound silly, but you will be nervous even though you know they will accept you no matter what you do.

When you perform for them try not to talk to them as they were your family, but make it a little "impersonal" if you will. Pretend they are an audience of strangers. If you make a mistake, keep going .This is very good practice. You will always make mistakes in your life as a musician so get used to it. You need to learn to "roll with it" or even sometimes make something out of it. This can lead also to improvisational opportunities, but we will discuss that in another lesson.

Once this little "concert" is over you will feel a sense of accomplishment. Even if you made a mistake or two, you will feel good about what you have done. I guarantee it! Now you need to continue to build on these performances. Do them more often, invite the neighbors but do not get too comfortable either. you must continue to stretch your self. If you have a teacher for your instrument, the chances are good that they hold concerts for the families of their students. Participate in these. It will do you a world of good!

Once you are past the first stage of performing and are on to performing for larger groups of strangers, there are some other ways of dealing with stage fright. Practice, practice, practice. You must know your piece or pieces of music backwards and forwards if you are to be truly prepared. Even if you do not have to memorize the piece you must know it very well. Memorizing is also for another lesson, but suffice it to say you must constantly practice to overcome any technical limitations on your performance, then you can more easily deal with stage fright as a separate issue. You may have a very real reason to be afraid if you do not know your music!

Now the day of the performance I think it is best not to practice very much at all. You can wear yourself out and "peak" too early. If you are a singer like I am for example, you can over practice and sound perfect two hours prior to performance but be worn out by the time the concert is here.

Just rest a lot and go over the music in your mind. Warm up, to be sure, but only that. If you know your music you should be fine. I like to take a nap before a performance so I can be rested. If I cannot actually sleep, then just laying down for 30 minutes or so seems to help. Now when you take the stage, remember all of the work you have done, tell yourself, "I am prepared, I can do this!" You will be amazed at what you can do if you believe in yourself. Be not afraid!

About Author:
Bill Kernodle - Learn to play, perform and enjoy music for a lifetime. Articles, tips and lessons on how to sing, play guitar, piano or band. Overcome
stage fright. Be a better musician now! SimpleMusicSecrets.com

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Big Performance, Big Stage

So you have prepared yourself and you think you're geared up. Act is fine-tuned, your costume or getup for the experience is prepared, and you couldn't probably try to feel any more confident. It hits. When it hits it doesn't matter if it's a week, day, or hour before the Act; the dreaded stage fear appears out of no where. Yes alot, of the great stars admit to experiencing different types of stage anxiety which continues with the performers career. If the big stars can move on, so can you. The official news is there so many different ways to fight its influences and even use it to develop your Execution.

This is something that you probably know, but let's take a look at the indicators of stage terror. So many people are familiar with dry mouth, quick beating heart, and possibly a combination of cold, sweaty, and shaky hands. Sounds incredibly pleasant doesn't it? Further real indicators include nausea and trembling lips. There are many performers that enforce reported warning signs of sweatiness and dizziness as well. With such over powering indications it doesn't seem possible that stage fear can be tamed, but fortunately, it can.

One of the perfect ways to head off stage terror before it begins is to be prepared. Be to be ready by knowing your lines, the music to the song, or whatever stuff you need to know for your Performance. Practice hard and make sure you are focused during your rehearsal times. Make sure you remember your material, the more secure you will feel playing it. It is also a good idea to set aside time for just relaxing. Reading, listening to music, or participating in your favorite sport or exercise is a concrete way to unwind.

Right before the Execution there is a boat load of techniques you can utilize to keep stage fear at bay. Get to the scene first. Of course, this way you can become aware with your backdrop and ascertain your gear and wardrobe. Eradicating the potential for an unpleasant ambush will go a long way in steadying your worries. Before the Appearance take a short walk and be sure to stay hydrated. If you can try not to drink so much drinks that mid-performance you are playacting the pee dance; just enough to head off the effects of dry mouth.

Many artists are familiar with the most awful stage fright right before the curtain goes up. Most of the time it depends on what kind of Execution you are giving depends on the right approach. If everything is in place it can be relaxing to the nerves when you look into the audience and you find the friendliest face in the public and concentrate on the notion as you deliver your lines or sing your song. Try to make eye contact helps to take away the feeling of being completely alone up there. Human relations always helps with stage fright. Please remember, the hardest part is starting, after that it is so easy.

Believe it or not stage terror can in fact be conducive to the performer and Performance. It helps to guarantee that the epilogue is well rehearsed and the performer is ready. Use stage anxiety to your advantage. You should always remember to breath, put on your perfect smile, and get out there and break a leg. If you believe it, the theater will too.

About Author:
David Marc Fishman is the owner of http://bornasuperstar.com. The Talent shows and Talent competitionare online.

Album Covers Have Become a Necessity in Today's Music Industry

A common fixture in today's album before getting into the song collection itself, album covers, not only protects the CD or DVD inside the case. They also serve advertorial purposes and communicate the artistic expressions of the artists. With the growth that the music industry have seen these past decades, we have also seen how album covers evolved into an artistic medium. It became a "trademark" or "signature" not only of the album being advertised, but also of the artists who dutifully went from concept to creation of the album cover design.

Album art, also known as CD or DVD art, (depending actually on what it serves), has several purposes. As mentioned above, it serves advertising purposes. What better way to advertise the content of a CD or DVD than through its album covers? With excellent graphics, the possibility of the album to be picked up and checked by a customer just browsing through the products in a music store is high. The inclusion of quality photographs and the presence of a thematic unity with the album's content also increase the chances of increasing album sales. Not that customers buy albums because of the cover alone, but it sure is considered a factor in catching the customer's eye, where the advertising begins.

Aside from graphics and photographs, a CD and DVD cover that includes an insert of the songs' lyrics or movie synopsis together with the CD or DVD could also be a plus feature. This points out to a known fact that musical consumers want a quick glimpse of the contents of a movie or know the lyrics of a song. Then, add to that feature, a little information about the singer or "behind the scenes" of the album or movie. Customers are fans, too. Surely, they feel the curiosity of a fan or a movie lover, in some way. Putting such information make the album worth buying and keeping as collector's item. Layouts also matter. Logical, readable layouts, where the colors and text arrangements are not straining to the eyes are an asset in the business of graphic design.

Album cover is not only a good advertising strategy for the album itself, but provides good representation to the cover designers itself. As already mentioned, CD or DVD cover designers are able to express themselves in their designs. They are also able to set the trends in album artistic design, thus, paving the way for more business opportunities in the future like the chance to work with big recording companies. Successful businesses thrive through a excellent representation, which always precedes reputation-building.

CD and DVD covers also protect the content of the album. It makes album content last longer than the usual, making it perfect for collection. With its record surface readily damaged, stored information may be erased with irresponsible handling. To make sure this will not happen, CD and DVD covers were invented. Today, aside from the album cover, also included is a protective covering on the CD and DVD surface itself.

Author:
Adrian Larrsen
Free download of the latest CD and DVD Covers. Music and movies CD covers.

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Scandalous Behavior: What Happens At The Afterparty, Stays At The Afterparty!

Musicians work hard. They write for days. They rehearse like fiends. Drag heavy gear here and there. Sweat like pigs on stage. Put marathon hours in at the recording studio. Work their fingers to the bone…well, at least into some pretty gnarly calluses. But, musicians also like to play hard: booze, drugs, groupies, and trashed hotel rooms are actually more occupational hazards than rock ‘n’ roll myths.

No matter how disciplined an artist needs to be for his or her music, they will always need to blow off steam in some way or another. Some hit the gym, run, partake in extreme sports, do yoga, pursue their spirituality, web surf, build custom guitars, restore classic cars…you name it. All of these outlets help musicians to handle the enormous flow of energy so necessary to channel the creative process. Still, other musicians prefer a more debaucherous form of escapism. They drink until they puke, get stoned and eat a case of Cheetos, or sleep with all of their friends’ sisters.

This wild lifestyle, albeit a music cliché, may feel terrific at the moment, but many musicians clearly forget that the days of offstage antics circling around the buzz of the band, like whispers in the wind, are long gone. These days, fans carry camera phones to gigs, friends videotape your band’s every move, and everybody’s a blogger. The afterparty, once simply a chance to blow off steam with loved ones and lovers of your music alike, has now gone from the innocent scandal of, “Oh my God, did you hear what happened after the gig Saturday?” to a website monitoring every second of debased insanity with pictures, video, and descriptive essays.

This new unexpected publicity may increase the number of crazed partiers at your next gig, but what happens when the entertainment attorney you’ve been courting, the A&R guy you’ve been hoping to hear back from, or the manager you’ve been telling how serious you are about your music, pops on the internet and finds your drummer passed out in the pool, your bassist vomiting in someone’s bushes and your guitarist naked in a stranger’s bed with cheerleaders of questionable age?

The following are a few tips that may help you to throw a terrific afterparty without the ramifications hurting your career in the long run:

1.) Pick A Designated Partygoer---As much as this thought may send shivers through the spine of any wild-at-heart musician, it’s a good idea to have someone at your afterparty keeping an eye on those who’ve sold their souls for rock ‘n’ roll…or at least Jack Daniels. Whether you rotate it from gig to gig, or find a friend of the band (girlfriend, manager, a bandmate’s brother, etc.) who’ll stay sober enough to make sure that no one does anything stupid…and if they do, that it won’t be “caught on tape.” Playing Band Hall Monitor is truly a thankless job for anyone who parties hardy, so maybe free admission to the gig and some cool band swag as compensation would be a nice way to say “Thank You for being our assigned killjoy tonight!”

2.) Set Some Guidelines For Your Band And Fans---I know it sounds like Big Brother is busting up your raging good time but when you’re talking about your career, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Have a chat with your band explaining that extreme behavior needs to be controlled at parties where fans are recording events. Post on your web site, and your fan club or have a Pow Wow at the gig and explain to your people that, while you love all of the cool photos and videos they take of the band at the gig, there has to be a few rules for what can be shot offstage. Be honest. Let your friends/fans know that you love partying with them but that the band’s reputation is an important ingredient for its success and that it’s vital that certain memories be enjoyed by partygoers only and not preserved in cyberspace for the world to see.

3.) Monitor Your Websites And Web Communities---Again, better safe than sorry. It’s always a good idea to visit your forums, message boards, photo galleries, fan clubs, blogs and online communities to see what the latest scoop on your band is. It’s also wise to retain approval privilege on anything posted on each of your band sites. Let people post all of the drunken, naked pictures they want, and then pick and choose which images you want to represent your band. The same applies to comments and posts. Remember fans are important and priceless but it’s ultimately your image to preserve to the industry and the world and your web presence is how you represent yourself to everyone interested in you from fans to labels and everything in between.

4.) Dial Your Scandalous Behavior Back A Bit---It’s all well and good for your drummer to sleep with your girlfriend’s mom on his own time, but at band functions make sure that the behavior is kept professional. In our modern society, the lines between reality and publicity have become so blurred that a simple kegger in your singer’s garage can get more coverage than a Grammy Pre-Show Special. Sadly, that may simply mean changing the standards of band partying to those that you exhibit at gigs. Throw private parties and have orgies in your grandma’s bathtub, but when it’s music related you’re, in a sense, at work and should act accordingly.

I realize that telling musicians not to party, is like telling a dog not to lick its private parts and if, after reading this, you feel that the thrill of the over-the-edge rock ‘n’ roll afterparty is completely ruined, don’t change your major to math just yet. Remember, doors lock, parties can be invitation only, cameras turn off, and bloggers can be taught to use discretion. You can still live like Jim Morrison at Scott Weiland’s toga party; just do your best to keep it off the internet. While a little scandal is titillating, a lot of scandal just says to a label, “Sure. We’ll take your money and then we’ll blow it all on Tequila and show up to the studio three hours late every day.” Show the industry you’re serious, put on a professional face, and give your website the appearance of a band that’s fun and responsible. Then, have a private party, invite the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, a donkey, the drug dealer next door, and your guitarist’s horny aunt and throw a party that would make the cast of Half Baked blush. After all, you’ve got to fight for your right to party…in secret…with the digital cameras unplugged.

About Author:
Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians’ assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.

7 Steps For Screwing Up A Band - The Ultimate Guide

Screwing up isn't for everyone, especially all the patient and determined musicians out there. If you're one of those stubborn bastards, then this article is not for you.

There are several things to keep in mind if you want to screw up your band.

1. Play concerts. Immediately.
The number one thing you should do, long before you ever learn to master an instrument, is to start playing concerts.

The following guidelines apply:

Don't bother to have a bass player.
Avoid good timing. You want to keep the front man bouncing back and forth like a Chaplin look alike.
Everyone loves surprises, so leave the tuner at home.
Invest all your money in a ginormous coffee grinder to bring on stage. Now how's that for image!

2. Always - always - play what others think you should play.
Especially the songs that make you feel like a sad clown with no hopes for the future.

Listen to your mother when she says you should have chosen the piccolo flute instead of the electric guitar.

3. Understand that rehearsals are inconsequential.
If you are truly serious about screwing up your band, it is essential to do drugs and drink beer rather than rehearse. You're the king, man. Should you for some reason consider going to a rehearsal, and you are neither stoned nor drunk, you must immediately proceed to plan B: Visit grandma.

The above is even more important if the room is already paid for.

4. Be late.
Everybody loves to wait for a screw-up. But you already knew this, didn't you?

5. Invest in your image.
You are not truly on the path to screwdom until you've created a sophisticated financial expense sheet where you keep track of what you've spent on hair gel and flashy clothing. Heaven forfend that you accidentally blow that money on inspirational CDs.

6. Call yourself an artist at all times.
That really sounds special, almost as if you're the only one.

7. Fraternize only with other screw-ups.
This last point is crucial.

Don't bother to answer any emails from that awesome drummer who volunteered as a band member. Plenty of more where that came from. Besides, with him on board, you risk sabotaging your true calling as a screw-up.

It is imperative that you find the person you trust the least, preferably your worst enemy. Ask him to produce an album for you. Make sure that he never picks up the phone or shows up as agreed.

Actually, you should generally avoid agreeing on anything.

If you accidentally bump into good people in the music industry it's vital to:

Always owe them money.
Make them run around and fix a whole lot of unnecessary stuff for you.
Talk their brains out.
Show them what you're made of by walking around with a guitar case on your back at all times.

Concluding remarks
Follow all the recommended steps in this article and you'll achieve your goal, which is to be able to say to your grandchildren "So, you want to play the guitar, eh? When I was young, I practiced ten hours per day. I was a real go-getter."

You do not - under any circumstances - want to retire rich and famous.

About Author:
Sander Owen joined his first band at the age of five, was playing weekly at local clubs by the time he was sixteen, and he started landing lucrative tours and gigs about a year later. Although he is a drummer by profession, he has also done his share of composing for documentaries, television shows, and commercials, and has spent countless hours in studios both as a performer and a technician.

Sander now lives in Los Angeles where he plays with the Hollywood based band, The Gravity Guild. www.successfulbands.com

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Fan Etiquette: Are The People Who Love Your Music Ruining Your Band’s Reputation?

They’re generous, they’re consistent, they’re giving…and most of all...they love your music. They’re your fans and they come to every one of your live shows, fork out money for cover charges, CDs and t-shirts, bring your band gifts, throw you house parties, and spread the word of your music on the internet and beyond. Your fans are the single most important ingredient to the success of your band. Without them, you’d be rocking out in your Aunt’s basement to an audience of none…well, maybe her cat.

But there can be a dark side to the hoards of happy humans drunk on your future #1 hits. Sometimes the folks barreling in to see you play, or flooding your websites with their online presence are causing more harm than good to the reputation of your band. Rude behavior, message board flaming, compulsive sticker-ing and flyer-ing, may all seem like helping to your flock of followers but to club owners, industry and those newly interested in your music, they may seem like trouble-makers, belligerents and vandals.

It may be simply a case of over-exuberant fan zeal. Your fans think they’re preaching the gospel of your band to anyone with eyes and ears: by dropping your postcards all over town like a bird with irritable bowel syndrome, by filling up strangers email in-boxes with bulky MP3s and HTML photo-heavy notices about how much you rock, and by yelling your band’s name at the top of their lungs during another band’s set like a parrot with Turret’s Syndrome. These unsolicited over-promotions…albeit well-intentioned…are hard for the average person to separate from your band’s own promotional efforts and may not be appreciated in the way they were intended. On the other hand, it may be that your fans are so revved up by the love of your music that they’ve become arrogant, aggressive and just plain out of control in any arena (or cyber place) your band inhabits. At any rate, you may find that you need to dial these folks back a bit to create a environment that is fan-friendly without comprising your band’s opportunities.

The following are a few tips that will help you to guide your supporters in their quest to be adamant fans without allowing them to turn into an obnoxious, rowdy, gang of rabid baboons.

1.) Communicate With Your Fans---A lot of problems can be eliminated by simply setting up a line of communication between your band members and your fans. For instance, if you know that a particular club forbids setting around flyers, postcards or other promo materials, post it on your website with the upcoming show info-blast. Set guidelines for your band and for each individual show and let your fans know that they need to follow these simple rules or they’re no longer permitted to attend live gigs and to post on your cyber message boards. A little information can go a long way and your fans will be happy that you let them know what they can and can’t do at any particular show.

2.) Learn From Experience---Sad but true, often the best way to learn what’s not appropriate at shows is for inappropriate things to happen. When fans begin their overblown behaviors, benign-intentioned or not, you will learn by the reaction of the clubs, the industry and your other fans what’s okay and what’s not going to fly. A good example is this…placing bumper stickers on club walls may be encouraged at some places but forbidden at others. The first time you get a call from a red-faced bar owner screeching through clenched teeth that his men’s room walls have to be repainted, you’ll know that it’s time to email your fan base and let them know to leave their reserve of band stickers at home when the band plays that club again. In another example, it may not occur to your band that certain fans are behaving rudely to club personnel or to your other fans, at your shows, until someone makes you aware of it. At that time, you may need to email your naughty fans and let them know that certain bad attitudes are unacceptable at shows, and on your message boards, and that fans who can’t be pleasant will not be invited back.

3.) Friends And Family Are No Exception---As awful as it sounds, often times a band’s family and friends are the most out of control and obnoxious at shows…and on the web. Maybe it’s because they’re more emotionally invested in the band and its members, or maybe because the musicians forget to remind their loved one about fan etiquette. You and your bandmates may think it’s a given, but some of the biggest jerks, idiots, and rebel rousers at gigs are your loved ones. It doesn’t matter it’s the bass player’s ten year-old brother to the drummer’s 60 year-old dad, you don’t want to be banned from your favorite showcase venue because granny kicked the bouncer in the shin. Don’t be afraid to sit your friends/family down and spell out the live show/internet rules for your band. Sometimes you can’t control the fans you don’t know, which makes it all the more important than ever to control the fans you do.

4.) Lay Down The Law---Once you become aware of the “problem” fans, it’s time to explain to them what they can and cannot do at your gigs and on your website. Before banning anyone from visiting the band’s shows and sites, try sending out a polite, but firm, email with some specific guidelines and a serious warning that the next step will be cutting these bad elements out of the band’s loop. It’s important to try not to make the email too harsh, as it may insight further acting up. So, just deliver the message in a casual way, explaining that their actions are hurting and not helping the band…a fact that they honestly may not realize. Honestly, you may need to give it some backbone so that your jerky fans really understand that their jig is up. If you’re having trouble with someone you know well…a particular friend or family member…a phone call or face-to-face meeting might better do the trick. No matter how the message is executed, it’s important to let your fans know that certain behaviors will not be tolerated by the band under any circumstance. Most fans would rather shape up that be cut out of all of the fun, and the band’s reputation will be safe from troublesome followers for the time being.

It’s true that fans are a band’s biggest asset. But left uncontrolled they can also be the biggest liability as your band takes on the responsibility and reputation for the antics that its fans pull at live shows and on websites. Like crazed leprechauns, full of mischief, each fan’s silly stunts and nasty attitude problems will eat away at your band’s good name with tiny bites…like a school of piranha in a stream eating a full sized goat down to the bone in seconds…until your band is left, a former shell of itself, wandering your town trying to figure out why you can’t get booked and no one visits your website. It’s not a good sign when you see a tumbleweed blow through your music career. Nip it in the bud now. Control your fans behavior. Trust me; you’ll be glad you did.

About Author:
Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 2,400 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians’ assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.

The Power of Personality

When you promote yourself via e-mail or with the words you use on your web site, you have a choice. You can be straight-forward and matter-of-fact (also known as bland and boring). Or you can communicate with pizzazz.

Case in point: My friend Gregg Hopkins plays in a band called The Melroys. He could have sent a run-of-the-mill e-mail to promote a recent show, including the rudimentary club name, address, phone number, etc. Instead, he sent this:

Git yerself down to the Broadway Oyster Bar tonight where The MELROYS will present our little Rock and Roll fandango. The food is delicious, the adult beverages are cool and refreshing, the music will be swinging, and you'll fit right in with the other beautiful people there. Showtime is 9-1. See ya there!

Gregg Hopkins
TheMelroys.com

P.S. Any person peeved by perpetual pestering such as this posting will be promptly purged from this list upon proper petition.

Ya gotta admit, this short message is a fun read -- which leads one to assume that a Melroys live show will be a fun event. And that's smart marketing. (The only thing I might add is an address and phone number of the venue for those fans who might not know where it is.)

So don't be afraid to show your personality. In fact, go out of your way to do something fun or different or creative any time you communicate with the public about your music. Got it? Good.

Use Hypnotic Descriptions

Here's another example from a longtime musical pal, Michael Schaerer. In this recent e-mail, he does a great job of painting word pictures of the venues he plays and describing what it means to him:

We'll be at Felix's starting around 9:30 Saturday night ... if it's anything like last week was, it'll be a full-fledged rock concert ... and it'll sound better than most of them too! It's really like seeing your favorite band in your living room. So intimate and powerful at the same time.

Come early for a fine dinner, or eat late ... the kitchen is open 'till close, baby. You really need to come out to Felix's and see why it's so popular! Call 'em at 314-645-6565. Felix's rules. Period.

On Sunday, Amy Miller and I close out my work week at the Tin Can Tavern on the south side. We play 9:00 to 11:30 or so and we like playing together so much that we usually have to be told to quit! Great new songs, and Amy just sounds like an angel ... amazing. Please attend. www.TinCanTavern.com or 314-865-3003.

Last week was a great week for me. So many people came and enjoyed my music that I was overwhelmed. Thank you, really. It means everything to me.

Michael
www.msgstl.com

This example is so powerful for many reasons. The way Michael describes the places he plays, you can't help but want to go and experience the vibe yourself. And you know the venue owners have got to love the ringing endorsements, too.

Finally, as Michael illustrates in his last sentence, always remember to thank your fans. They're the reason you're doing more than just playing music in an empty room. Without people to listen, enjoy and support you, your creative process would be a lot less satisfying. So be sure to regularly express your gratitude.

Your Comfy, Cozy Computer

The challenge when promoting yourself online is this: There's only so much human warmth you can get from a computer. Anything you can do to make your online communication more warm and fuzzy will make you stand out and be more appreciated.

No one does this better than Derek Sivers and CD Baby. If you've ever purchased music from cdbaby.com, you've probably received this shipping confirmation e-mail -- one of the classic "power of personality" messages you're likely to see:

Your CD has been gently taken from our CD Baby shelves with sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.

A team of 50 employees inspected your CD and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before mailing.

Our packing specialist from Japan lit a candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your CD into the finest gold-lined box that money can buy.

We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the post office where the entire town of Portland waved 'Bon Voyage!' to your package, on its way to you, in our private CD Baby jet on this day (date inserted here).

I hope you had a wonderful time shopping at CD Baby. We sure did. Your picture is on our wall as 'Customer of the Year'. We're all exhausted but can't wait for you to come back to CDBABY.COM!!

Thank you once again,

Derek Sivers, president, CD Baby
the little CD store with the best new independent music

Now that's powerful .. and effective! Think twice before sending your fans another e-mail message. And always remember the power of personality!

About Author:
Bob Baker is the author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," "Unleash the Artist Within" and "Branding Yourself Online." He also publishes TheBuzzFactor.com, a web site and e-zine that deliver marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and other empowering messages to music people of all kinds. Get your FREE subscription to Bob's e-zine by visiting http://TheBuzzFactor.com today.

Shooting Your Own Music Video

Music videos can be expensive items. It hurts spending thirty, fifty or even a hundred grand of your hard-earned money on something you - basically - give away for free!

So, it can be very tempting to save some money by shooting your own music video. I mean, video cameras come on cell phones nowadays, and HDTV is becoming less expensive. Cameras are everywhere. They're ubiquitous. And, deep down, everyone really fancies themselves a director - sorry, an actor, don't they?...

So, should you consider going it alone and shooting your own music video?

The short answer: NO.

Directors, producers, cinematographers and production designers are all artisans. It takes years of study and work experience to become a decent film-maker. You wouldn't leave your CD layout to some guy you passed on the street, would you? So why even consider doing something as important as your first music video all by yourself? It may look like simple work, but believe me, producing and directing ain't easy!

Can you tell the difference between a lower budget independent movie and a Hollywood summer blockbuster? Of course you can! That's exactly the difference between shooting the video yourself and hiring a professional. You don't know how to make the movie look that glossy and perfect - but the professionals do! The best you could hope for is a decent indie flick. Sure, every once in a while a home-made music video comes along and does well. But, can you even think of one (and, no, Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" was NOT an indie video, the budget was actually massive). So, stick with the professionals. Let them do it all for you.

However, the single biggest reason I would dissuade you from shooting your own music video is probably not one you would have guessed:

Insurance!

Film crews often contain twenty, thirty, or even hundreds of people. There's typically massive amounts of power being run through thick cables (often submerged in puddles) up to precariously hung lights with a virtual windmill of large, exposed, sharp metal edges (and all this at about 600 degrees Celsius). A film set is literally an accident waiting to happen.

Plus, adding to the inherent dangers of a film set, music video shoots tend to be even more dangerous (music video productions don't tend to have very much money for things like safety experts and safety harnesses). Maverick directors love to put their subjects into harm's way. And, on low-budget shoots, you can often hear things like: "We don't need an expensive car-mount - let's just throw the cameraman on the hood! Don't worry, we'll tie him down..."

So, if you do decide to shoot your video yourself, just make sure no one trips over a light stand! It could cost you your life savings.

Legitimate production companies will have production insurance that covers the workplace (this insurance would cost you around one or two thousand dollars - just for the one music video).

Professional producers and production managers will have access to much better crew members than you will. If you only have a thousand dollars to hire a director of photography (cinematographer), I guarantee you I'll be able to hire a MUCH better DOP than you will! So, unless you have contacts in the industry, you should probably consider hiring a production company to do all the producing for you. You'll get a much higher quality crew that way.

And, one final note...

If you're shooting on 35mm film (which I strongly recommend - unless there's a VERY good reason not to), you'll need to rent a camera that's worth around half a million bucks! And, that camera doesn't come with any lenses (or tripods, or dollies, or film magazines, etc...). You'll have to rent all that separately. So, unless you have a VERY high limit on your credit card, the camera house might not even be willing to rent to you. You might even have to mortgage your house to cover the deposit!

Established production companies rent camera packages all the time (a decent music video package will be at least one or two thousand dollars a day), and often receive significant discounts from the rental house that you wouldn't be able to get. So, by going with an established production company, you'll actually be getting a considerably better equipment package than if you had done it yourself (producers also know how to get film at about a quarter the price you'd be able to).

So, overall, you'll get a much better bang-for-your-buck by hiring a professional producer or production company to shoot your music video for you. It will also save you an unbelievable amount of time and effort. And, in the end, isn't that what you want for your first video: The absolute best music video possible?

About the author:
Robert D. Brooks is a professional music video director from Vancouver, BC, Canada. He is webmaster of http://www.damnthe.com and is represented by music video production company Triton Films Inc.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The Importance of a Good Bio

After scouring the Internet checking out Toronto indie bands it became apparent that the art of even a mediocre bio is lost on most bands/artists. With the increasing popularity of Myspace and other such online music communities, everyone and anyone has a home for their music. Unfortunately, this has all lead to bands losing their professionalism and becoming lost in a sea of enthusiasts recording tracks in their basements.

Most bands hate the commercialism associated with the bio or feels that no one reads them. Regardless of your feelings on the music industry, every band should realize that this is a business no matter how indie you think your band is. Even if your just playing for the love of music, you still need to promote yourself as a product in order to get fans into your shows. In the end the bio is your business card to the music community. It helps fans, press, booking agents, managers, and record labels know who you are and what your about.

Key Points To Make In Your Bio

- Contact Information. Always make sure that everything associated with your band has contact information on it. Always have the contact directly on each piece of media from cd’s to bios. That way even if elements get lost, your contact information still resides on anything that didn’t make it to the trash.
- Influences. Every band loves to say that they are starting a musical revolution or don’t wish to pigeon hole their band by using genres. The fact of the matter is though, that no band is 100% unique. We all get our influences from somewhere no matter how random. If your band is afraid of being trapped within a genre, use words like hybrid, myriad, collage, or infused. Its still unique if you merge different genres, artists, political ideals, and non-linear thinking to describe your sound and it will give the average person an idea of what to expect if they where to see you live.
- Band Members. Very briefly describe who is in the band and what they play. Unless you’ve made a name for yourself, forget about writing 2 paragraphs about who came from what band and why. However, if one or more members/ex-members can give you some kind of instant music cred, be sure to drop their name a little more often. As well, pay more attention to this information if the band has numerous members or plays more bizarre instruments.
- Any Other Relevant Information. Briefly list off anything that was a major accomplishment for your band. Maybe you played a well-known festival, toured with a popular band, or were a major draw at NXNE. Quotes from reputable music journalist sources also help. Just be sure not to dwell too much on these facts or it may look like your band is holding on to glory days of the past.
- Humour/Individuality. Be sure to personalize the bio to the personality that fits the members of the band or the genre of music you play. If your music doesn’t sound like everyone else’s, why should your bio be a carbon copy of countless others?

Many bands are guilty of ignoring the bio, but it seems like Hip-Hop artists are the majority of those ignoring this key marketing tool. Regardless of style, every band needs a bio. All news is good news and a bio can help get press about your band from every angle, everywhere from Major music publications to local music rags to fans writing about you in their high school newspaper.

In most cases this is your bands first impression to make on somebody before they’ve even heard your music. It is sometimes your only chance to get your music heard and the last thing you want is to mess up any opportunity.

About the Author:
TJ Liebgott is a freelance writer for Toronto Music Scene http://www.torontomusicscene.ca
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

My Monday Mustard: Don’t Waste Your Chance!

- One person’s opinion on what cuts the music mustard

I use the Internet daily for research, marketing, news, new music, and for fun much the same as you do - and much like other people in the business of music. On Friday, I came upon this article:

Lesser-known artists get exposure with tunes for TV commercials

Which got me to thinking, you do not know who, when, or why a person might be looking at your Artistopia pages and music for potential use in media, background music, for the “next big hit” or that much anticipated “record deal”. And then I thought, why do so many music artists join a site like Artistopia, that is there for them to promote themselves – and they don’t use it to the fullest?

Worse yet, they give miniscule information, don’t upload their best music and try to post a link that wants me to go check them out elsewhere? You have that potential business person ON YOUR PAGE RIGHT NOW. This is your 30 second elevator pitch. You might possibly have someone that could change your future right in the palm of your hands, and have on your profile, “To find out more about this artist, see blahblahblah.com”. Excuse me, but why redirect someone (who is usually very busy) to go somewhere else? You might just have lost your golden ticket.

They might get distracted, get a call, only have a few minutes of surf time, who knows…but you have their attention this minute.

New music by new bands, singers and songwriters are found by surfing online now, that’s obvious, making your presence on the Internet a necessity. Quick and easy exposure to fans and music industry is the ultimate goal for the indies and unsigned artists to be discovered on Artistopia. Your Artistopia pages have ample space for you to let the world know what you and your music are about.

If you’ve noticed, Artistopia member’s profile pages load quickly because of certain built-in factors. The easy navigation with artist information sorted into specific tabs, allows the viewer to find information in a logical manner. Well ranked artists rise to the top. I can not tell you how many artists and bands pages have lost me on sites like Myspace because they took so long to load. I do not have the time to sit and wait for this, and who does? You had me at hello, took too long to say.

Artistopia is surfed by some majors and known names in the music industry, we know this. Some members have been contacted for various projects and “deals”. Maybe your profile was viewed, maybe your song was listened to. Did you put your best presentation forward that you possibly could with updated, current and correct facts? Are you doing all you can to rise to the top of Artistopia? Get busy and get noticed!

Artistopia’s Help Center is found at http://www.artistopia.com/FAQs/Index.asp and includes plenty of information on how to write a great profile and other information up and coming musicians need to know.

Vanessa
Artistopia Guest Author
Artistopia’s guest authors opinions are their own and may or may not reflect the opinion of the web site owners and are provided as commentary to what may or may not be relevant on subjects pertaining to music, the music industry and the Internet.

My Monday Mustard: A Music Newsletter Is A Good Thing

One person’s opinion on what cuts the music mustard

Your Music Newsletter Builder on Artistopia

One of the coolest resource tools available on Artistopia is the Newsletter Editor available within the Indie Pro memberships. Why is this so cool?

Things you can do with your personal newsletter:
Customize your own, email newsletter with your own artwork/logo
Post pictures of recent shows, posing with fans – great public relations (PR)
Post your music for sale
Announcements, press releases, media coverage
Let your fan base know what merchandise you have for sale
Song contests you are a part of and perhaps need votes on
Promote a contest you want to hold for your own merchandise/CDs
Post your own ads and earn income/exposure
Add your views on a subject
Post upcoming gigs, events, appearances
Write a great article about a venue or city you just played – good PR
Write about a charity event you are going to play
Write about another local band you gig swap with
Personal life cool stuff and tidbits on your family or band members
Ask for fan feedback on projects
Keep your street team informed/recruited
Do you have an area of expertise that you can share tips or suggestions?
Your sponsors logo/business ad
Gain more traffic to your Artistopia profile and get people to listen!

As a music artist, you have been working hard to build your fan base, collecting emails from online as well as from your shows. They signed up as a fan, so they DO want to learn more about you. So give them that info!

Creating your own newsletter enables you to build rapport and strengthen your relationship with your fan base – world wide or locally if that’s how you have filed them. The best way to use your newsletter is to provide information of real value, is newsworthy, and to regularly provide that information. What do your fans need to know about you or your band? Where are you playing next? When is your next CD being released? What kudos, great reviews or awards have you received? What other useful information can you include?

Keep it fresh, let it be you, make it interesting, and make it scanable (like a newspaper). And you should always provide recipients a way to unsubscribe. Get inspired and get started on writing your own newsletter today!

Vanessa
Artistopia Guest Author
Artistopia’s guest authors opinions are their own and may or may not reflect the opinion of the web site owners and are provided as commentary to what may or may not be relevant on subjects pertaining to music, the music industry and the Internet.

The Audition - Proving You Have Talent

Now, Talent isn't something that can be easily demonstrated in 5 minutes. If you were an expert in fruit and vegetable carving and I gave you 5 minutes to prove it what would you be able to do? Not a lot!

You could show me pictures of work you had already completed and I might trust that you did it yourself. (Your resume) Or you could use those 5 minutes to impress me with a small part of what you can do. (An audition) By showing me that you knew how to handle the tools of the trade and could make a carrot end into a flower maybe you could convince me to hire you to carve centerpieces for the table at my wedding out of melons.

An audition is exactly the same. It is a practical interview. Whether or not you are required to present a resume and photograph (and I'll come back to the do's and dont's of those in a later lesson) it is no good relying on how good your Publicity Shot is or how much great past experience you have. What counts is the next 5 minutes - the practical interview - your audition. Your chance to show you have TALENT. And talent is a combination of Ability and Sparkle.

REMEMBER: At an audition a director is looking for the spark that indicates you have talent not necessarily the full living proof.

What the director sees at audition is not expected to be the final performance but a suggestion that you will be able to deliver the goods once the rehearsal process is complete. Therefore, if you can't do the basics like deliver a line, speak up, make eye contact or look confident when you are nervous under the pressure of auditions why should he believe that you can do it on performance night, when 30,000 people could be watching you.

"I'm nervous at auditions" is not an excuse to under perform. You will be nervous on first night before the curtain goes up but are you going to go out and make a fool of yourself in front of an audience; or run out the stage door and leave the production to carry on without you? Of course you're not.

The biggest chunk of the audition ‘score' is always going to be based on your "Ability" so it is important that you collect every single mark you can based on your ‘natural gift'. Now we'll come back to this part of your audition in detail later and look at how to get into ‘character', break down a scene or monologue and deliver a winning performance. For now though let's talk about the basics:

Fight or Flight
There is a magic elixir in the body of each and every one of us called Adrenaline. Adrenaline kicks in when we are nervous or put in a challenging situation. It is found in all animals and is linked to what is called The Fight or Flight response.

Adrenaline increases our state of alertness, gets the blood coursing through our veins and empowers us with strength and abilities we never had so we can run faster, lift heavier weights and achieve moments of greatness when the pressure is on and we are in a state of alert.

In the animal kingdom it allows beasts to respond in one of two ways - To ‘Fight for Survival' or ‘Run the Heck Away' as fast as they are able and save their tail! Hence "Fight or Flight."

Successful actors, singers and performers harness the power of adrenaline to give the best performances they can give. When they feel the onset of nerves (stage fright) they FIGHT. Few, if any, successful actors, singers and performers let their nerves overcome them and choose FLIGHT. Why? Because these are the people who never passed the audition! Simple isn't it.

So the third rule is this:

Rule #3
"Harness your nerves and use the adrenaline rush to over-perform not under-perform at your audition."

In short - think of your audition as a performance; go out there and knock ‘em dead!"

That may sound too easy because, as you know, nerves can do funny things to your body but look at it this way - if you can't do it for the audition why should the casting director believe you can do it in front of an audience or camera crew.

Look at your audition as your first day on a new job - you don't have to be perfect but you have to show the right attitude and enough potential to make them keep you on! We'll come back to how to channel your audition nerves and focus your energy later in the course. For now just remember this.

About Author:
Tim Waddell has been working in theater his whole life. His duties have included actor, director, choreographer, musical director and artistic designer on productions across the world. He now runs theater acting programs and trains especially in audition technique. His blog is http://www.Mediatricks.com His new ebook, The Ultimate Audition Guide, is now available exclusively from http://www.WinThePart.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Waddell

What's In A Name?

What's In A Name?

How Choosing The Wrong Band Name Could Be The MOST Expensive Decision Of Your Career

by Nick Nanton,
Ok, so you and all of your buddies sit down one day and decide to form a band. You sit down at your first impromptu "business meeting" over a case of cold coke (insert other favorite band beverage here) and you start your checklist:

1. Instruments: Check

2. Rehearsal Space (Your Friend's Garage): Check

3. Molly Hatchet Songbook: Check

4. Band Name: ...............

... a blank stare stretches across everyone's face, and thus your band has hit its first of many roadblocks on the road to becoming "The Next Big Thing." So, you do what every other band does, you think back to your favorite band names in movies, your favorite one liners in Monty Python skits as well as "Saturday Night Live," and all of your other favorite shows and FINALLY someone comes up with a name that everyone loves (or more likely everyone can somewhat live with) and The Band is born.

For the purpose of this illustration, let's suppose that your band picks the name "Blind Cheetah." While you're positive that a record deal, scantily-clad members of the opposite sex and suitcases full of money are just inches away, there are a couple of things that you may not be aware of, important things like -- Is there another band called Blind Cheetah anywhere on earth? Before you start printing up t-shirts, buying BlindCheetah.com and building your MySpace page, this is a serious question that has to be answered.

"Why does it matter?" you may ask. Well, there is a large body of law in the United States, as well as in almost every other nation in the world, that prevents competitors from using the same name.

MusicDish Network Sponsor

If there is another Blind Cheetah performing anywhere in the good old U.S. of A. (we'll leave the rest of the world out of this for now) and if you were to start performing in area night clubs and selling t-shirts with "Blind Cheetah" emblazed on them in hot pink, then the other (undoubtedly horrible sounding) Blind Cheetah "impostors" could have a Trademark Infringement Claim against you.

If they were to pursue it, it could be very costly because if you are served with a lawsuit, you are REQUIRED to respond to it, no matter how ridiculous it may sound. And, as you might have guessed, at this point you will need to hire a lawyer to handle this situation. I can tell you that this call is much more expensive than the option I'm about to tell you about.

The truth is that this is a very common issue that sometimes goes unnoticed, but often ends up in a costly visit to the courtroom. So, you have two choices. You can wing it or you can opt for the safer route: do a little homework for yourself and then call an attorney who specializes in trademarks.

I know that the mere mention of the word "attorney" conjures up many feelings in all of us, but I can assure you there are some very cool attorneys out there... I can think of at least one right now! And the trademark process is really not that expensive. Certainly it's not nearly as expensive as defending yourself against a multi-million dollar record label or disgruntled band. Trust me, or you can learn the hard way for yourself.

I do, however, advise you to do a little homework first because there are so many bands in the world that the likelihood of your band being the first one ever to come up with a particular name, as ingenious and innovative as you are, is about as good as the likelihood of coming up with a reality show that is productive to society... In other words, don't count on it.

Here are a few things you can do to avoid spending money before you have to:

a. Search Google, Yahoo, MySpace, YouTube, purevolume and every other portal you can think of to see if any other band, musician or entertainment company is using the same name or a name very similar to yours (the names don't even have to be identical to get you in trouble, a similar name is all it takes)

b. Search the Worldwide Band Name Registry at www.bandname.com. This registry is "the most comprehensive list of bands in the world." You can search for a band name here, and you can register your band name if no one else is already using it.

c. Check to see if anyone owns any of the domain names with your proposed band name in it, after all you are going to need one anyway. Try these first: BandName.com, BandNameMusic.com, BandNameOnline.com, BandNameRocks.com and anything else you can think of that might lead you to an answer.

If, after checking the above resources, you are still confident that your band name is available, then it's time to make the decision to spend a little money now or a lot of money later. If you're at that crossroad, and you'd like to discuss that further, feel free to give me a call.

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 - Republished with Permission

My Monday Mustard: A Myspace/Anyplace Email Don’t

- One person's opinion on what cuts the music mustard

I see it every single day from musicians and artists the world over. They land in our Artistopia and Myspace inbox:

Check this link:
http://www.myspace.com/NameOfSomeMusicianOrBand

OR slightly better:

Hey there, My name is (name removed) and I would like you to take a minute and check out myspace.com/nameremoved or my website at www.nameremoved.com. Thank you for your time!!

Name Removed

That’s it, that’s all, maybe no hello, nothing personal, no info. Sorry musicians, bands, and artists, you are very lucky indeed, if you get a visit out of this. Why should someone take time out of their day to check you out?

The first sample above may even be seen as Spam, ignored and deleted. The second one did not make it easy for the recipient by giving a live link to click. Nor did either email give a good reason for anyone you contacted to go there, or what they may find there. Do you know how many emails like this music business sites get a day? Not only are you wasting their time, but you are wasting your time and energy as well.

What a short email SHOULD DO:
Be personal – takes more time but is much more effective. Put the NAME of the person you are contacting.

Be interesting - say it with flair. Make an email that catches attention.

Check out the recipient’s site to know what they do and make a comment about it. This proves you took the time and checked them out too. We receive emails that say, “Hey we checked out your music, it’s cool.” Artistopia doesn’t make music, so clearly they are blowing smoke.

Say something about why should someone check out your music. Who do you sound like? What else might I find on your site?

Say something personal about you. Where are you from, what are your goals?

Make your comments “friendly” and sensitive to whomever it reaches unless you know without a doubt whom the receiver is. Humor can backfire, so be careful. We recently received an email from a musician that thought he was making a joke, who out of the blue said “fancy a --?”.

Check your spelling, images and links – make sure everything is flawless and professional looking.

A Better Sample:
My name is ARTIST NAME and I'm a singer/songwriter from STATE/COUNTRY. My songwriting style would be considered a mix of New Order, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan with some early David Bowie thrown in. I've got a few songs available for download including one song called "NAME OF SONG". It would be great if you stopped by sometime and left a comment.

Another Good Attention Getting Sample - kudos to Shedd:
Hope all is well in your world, I came across your profile and noticed you're a fan of Matchbox Twenty (a great band!). I would like to extend a friend invite to you in the true spirit of Myspace networking, Who am I? - Just a humble singer / songwriter from New Hampshire making my way through a metropolis of communications and self-promotion in true Myspace fashion.

I have been incredibly lucky to make many great new friends and rewarding personal relationships along the way, fostering a grassroots support system and building a small community whose reach seams to grow every day. My music has been compared to Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20, Train and Bon Jovi.

Sure, busy music business people want their info short and sweet – notice there is an “AND” in there. Get straight to the point, not miles of text, and make it attention-grabbing enough for the recipient to take the time to want to visit and listen in. Your time online is as valuable as the next person, so make the work online be as productive as it can be.

Vanessa
Artistopia Guest Author
Artistopia’s guest authors opinions are their own and may or may not reflect the opinion of the web site owners and are provided as commentary to what may or may not be relevant on subjects pertaining to music, the music industry and the Internet.

Seven Steps To A Successful Audition

I have been a musician since the tender age of 7 and in my career I've passed a larger number of auditions all of which have taught me something. These days, however, as the owner of a talent agency, I seem to be learning a disproportioned amount more about these same auditions. There is something to be said about looking at an issue from different perspectives.

In this article, I want to shed some light on what an audition process looks like from the point of view of the "auditioner" rather than the "auditionee". I'll give you seven tips that hopefully provide some help.

I should mention that my company, Oceanbound Entertainment Inc., hires musicians, bands, and variety acts for placement on cruise ships and thus the auditions I'll talk about will mostly relate to cruise line entertainment auditions.

Let me quickly outline the various types of auditions you can encounter when applying for a job on a cruise ship.

The most obvious type would be the live audition, where you go to the audition location in person and play what's asked of you.

You may also be asked to record your audition on videotape and mail it to the company. This is very similar to the first category since you'd play almost exactly the same music.

And finally, you may be asked to submit a recording of your band or your solo act to the company. This audition differs from the previous two in that you don't have to perform music that the company provides, but rather your own repertoire.

There are several problems that keep arising in regards to these different types of auditions that have led me to compile the following tips.

1. Get the details on the job description

This is one of the most important steps. If you know exactly what it is that the employer is looking for, you won't waste time, money, and energy presenting the wrong package. There is no point in submitting a tape of your local blues band if the employer is looking for a cover band that plays all kinds of musical styles. Similarly, there is no point in applying as a clarinet player if the job description clearly indicates that woodwind players have to play saxophone, flute and clarinet.

Also, if sight-reading is the main focus of the job you're applying for, there is no point in hoping you'll slip by simply because you can improvise like Charlie Parker.

2. Be flexible enough to present what's actually needed

Let's assume that you got all the details on the job description and you realize that you don't exactly fit that description. It is probably wiser for you to take some time to try to fit the description, rather than trying anyway, hoping it'll pass somehow. Try to make changes to your line-up, add some repertoire or start a completely new project that’s geared to the job in question.

3. Audition only when you feel that you have a good chance of passing

Often musicians apply for a job they are not qualified for. Now, you could argue that that's what auditions are for, and people couldn't possibly know in every case whether they are qualified or not. I agree, all I'm saying is that if the job description mentions that strong sight-reading skills are required for example, musicians should ask themselves how good their sight-reading skills really are and be honest about it.

Being dishonest about what your skills really are can hurt you in more ways than one. Let's assume for a minute that you slip through the cracks and you end up in an orchestra but you can't cut the gig. First and foremost, you'll be humiliated in front of other musicians, you'll feel uncomfortable, you may actually feel guilty for not being able to do the job, and you will get fired on top of it, which will most likely kill your career before it's begun. (This happens all too often...)

So if you are unsure about whether you are qualified or not, ask questions. Call the agency you are about to audition for and ask specific questions that will help you get a good picture of the job you're about to apply for. With that knowledge you can always postpone the audition and work on the skills that you may feel you're lacking.

4. Put some time and effort into preparing your best possible package

This applies to bands, small ensembles, and solo entertainers. Often artists get turned down, not because they are bad entertainers, but because they didn't supply a package that's appealing, that can be viewed quickly and that presents exactly what was asked for in the beginning. Often this happens because the artist already has some demo laying around that could kind of qualify but not really, and instead of modifying it or recording a new one that fits the specifications, they send it in anyway.

Usually, demo packages include the recording itself, which should present the exact repertoire you're planning to play on the gig, a short resume of each member, and a list of your repertoire.

You won't impress people with fancy DVD animations or 12-page resumes, but rather with short examples of the repertoire that's asked of you, played with energy and skill.

5. Try to impress with your playing, not with your resume

I would say 7 people out of 10 probably fall under this category. Simply put, a masters degree from the best school in the country won't get you a gig if you can't play, yet all too often do people try to sway the decision in their favor by mailing in overly long resumes stating all the famous people they've played with. You're doing yourself a disservice if you hype yourself up with your resume and you can't back it up later during the audition.

6. If you fail, accept the criticism and use it to prepare better for your next audition

All the practicing in the world may sometimes not be enough to pass an audition. If that's the case, accept the reasons that you're given by the jury, and go home and practice those specific things. If they aren't forthcoming with specific reasons, ask questions. I think it's only fair that a jury tells you what your weaknesses are if they turn you down.

I'll spare you the details of all the things we've heard from people that have been rejected. Just watch "American Idol", and you'll get a good idea of what we go through sometimes.

7. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses

This step ties in with step #3. Keep in mind that the ideal candidate for a job is not always the best musician. Other qualities like, honesty, work ethic, respect for others and inter-communication skills, amongst others are qualities that you're being judged on. Weaknesses you've been trying to hide prior to the audition will come out during the audition and will speak volumes about your character. Would you hire a dishonest person?

Those are my "7 Steps to a successful audition". I hope that some of you will find this information helpful. Please visit my website for more information on the subject of "Music on Cruise Ships". Contact me if you have questions or if you'd like to audition.

Good luck

About The Author:
Marco Kasel is the president of Oceanbound Entertainment Inc., an international referral agency for musicians and entertainers.
http://www.oceanbound.ca

The Role Of CD Mastering Engineers

If a recording artist has any hopes of their songs being played on the radio, it is vital that their rough mix is mastered well. Often the best way to do this is to hire a CD mastering engineer. Professional CD mastering engineers can make a decent mix sound good and a good mix sound amazing. There are several things that CD mastering engineers do. Engineers work with the artist to decide what order the songs will appear on the CD, and they equalize the volume of the different instruments in each song and across the whole CD. CD mastering engineers can also add more definition and clarity to the instruments on a song. They then adjust the intros and ends of songs, choosing length of time between songs and adding crossfades or other effects if need be.

The order in which songs appear on a CD can greatly affect the way the CD progresses when played. If similar sounding songs are placed consecutively on a CD it can suggest shortcomings in the songwriting or make listeners believe the artist has a limited range. Also, some CDs can tell a narrative if sequenced correctly. Ultimately, it is up to the CD mastering engineers to work with the recording artists and choose the song order on the CD.

It is important that the instruments within a song and the songs on the CD are at an appropriate volume level. Within a particular song, the different elements must be mixed appropriately in order for the song to sound good. The mastering engineer can give clarity and definition to the different instruments in a song. The engineer also has the task of assuring that volume levels across all of the songs are similar, to help the CD sound more cohesive while still leaving room for dynamics.

CD mastering engineers also determine how much time there should be between songs on the CD. They fade and crossfade the intros and endings of songs to make them flow better.

CD mastering engineers have the task of making a rough mix of a CD ready for public consumption by adjusting audio levels and pacing the tracks in a way that brings out the best in the material.


About the Author:
by Thomas Morva
CD Mastering provides detailed information on CD mastering engineers, facilities, and software, as well as online and free CD mastering. For more information go to http://www.e-cdmastering.com and/or visit our affiliate site at http://www.original-content.net.