I want to start a singing career, what do you guys think would be the best way to go about it?

[brittany w]

I can actually hold a tune.

[Ungratefulfireman461]

It depend on the type of music you're interested in, but a vocal teacher is a great way to start. He or she will help you to build upon your skills. You can extend your range and strengthen your voice. Good luck.

Also, look into getting involved in as many music programs as possible. Musicals and chorus are great, and things like Drama, even if there isn't any singing, can build stage presence.

[Percy L]

I'm answering more from the business end. The vocal coach is a an excellent idea and joining groups as well. Start performing as much as possible so you get used to the stage and auditions. Also try plays, musicals, even commercials as well. You'll be gaining experience, building your resume, and getting exposure at the same time.


Back to business, you need to get used to studio recording. I'd recommend making a demo or album. I use this example when talking to everybody---Ludicrous was an artist that no label wanted. When he submitted his demo they told him his sound was to crazy. So he went and made his own album, sold it out of his trunk. He ended up selling 10,000 copies and next thing you know labels are banging down his door. You know the rest of the story---grammys, movies, platinum albums --etc... More and more bands and artists are being discovered this way because it saves the labels money. How? It saves them money because they're picking artists that can sell and are selling as opposed to having to study the market and test market.


So get in the studio make a demo or album. Get your tracks(beats) from a credited production company and distribute through one as well. You can sell your album or demo on cdbaby.com---they are known all over the world and are growing. My friend sold her own project on cdbaby and was surprised to find most of her buyers were coming from Japan. She got national exposure and did not even market over there (crazy!!). She contacted one of the buyers and discovered that independent record stores in Japan search cdbaby just looking for good music. Cdbaby has gained a lot of credibility and was started buy somebody who got tired of trying to break in the music industry to no avail ---and then hearing garbage like Brittany Spears on the radio. Cdbaby also submits your music to itunes and all the other major online download companies so people can buy your music that way. It only costs $30 to sign up and they take a small percentage of each sale (cheap like paypal). Google them they're well known.

Save yourself money on finding a music producer buy buying your tracks (beats--the music you record your vocals on--aka background music) from a credited source as well. I bought mine from http://www.trackmasterz.com They have primarily produced music for independent films, video games, and commercials. However, they recently added tracks for independent artists. Their quality is superb but they do not offer a lot of tracks since they just started. They're adding new tracks each month but the point is they are known and respected and that adds to your credibility and increases chances of being discovered ---just like cdbaby. Also like cdbaby they're affordable.

Finally you'll need to make a website so fans, customers, talent scouts, record labels, managers, agents and whoever can follow you. Get your own website and feature and sell your music on there (something like http://www.yourname.com), get a myspace music website put your music on there (not a regular myspace page), get a youtube page and put your music video on there (shoot a video---does not have to be MTV quality---one guy featured in Time magazine just got a deal off a music video he shot on his hand held $500 camcorder on a farm---it was a rap video and really funny), get a facebook page to network with college kids, make your cdbaby page (they'll give you one), AND LINK ALL THESE PAGES TOGETHER. This will help you come up higher on the search engine, build your credibility, and get your more opportunities to be discovered. (Put pictures on all your websites --- get some professional ones taken---no glamour shots!!)

Perform as much as possible, keep email addresses of people who like your music and notify them of you new songs and performances.

Most importantly Never Give Up