Students Of Success

Getting a record deal can be easy to do with proper planning. There are many experienced professionals in the music biz who will tell you that the music biz is all business. I agree. With any business, proper planning is the key to success in the music biz. This article describes some simple steps to plan your success.

Think of your career as a business. Have you assembled your business plan? How do you plan to market? What is your mission statement? Are you going to start your own record label to be distributed by a major, or are you going to use the full service resources of a major label? These are all important issues that you have to have in order to really succeed in the music biz. A music biz plan helps you resolve these issues well in advance.

A lot of recording artists enter the music biz with one big goal “to make it”. These artists see themselves on a big stage in front of thousands of screaming fans, but often that is as far as the planning goes. Artists rarely conduct the planning that it takes to succeed in the music biz.

I’ve yet to speak to an artist who has a business plan. In my experience if you don’t have a business plan, then you shouldn’t plan on being in business. A good business plan will cover your business and legal structure, your marketing model, financial projections, goals, benchmarks and finally what you’ll do after the your career is over.

I’ve met many recording artists who treat the music biz like a glorified hobby. They often don’t have business cards, a website or in many cases, a valid email address. Many more artists don’t have the marketing structure in place that will allow them to get the attention from fans or record labels. Remember that the music biz is all business. If you treat your music career as a hobby then you might as well just play your music for friends and family and be content with people pretending to take you seriously.

Getting attention and interest from record labels is easy if you are on the radar. Many Artist and Repertoire Representatives (A&R Reps) agree that if an artist is making it happen on for themselves (by selling a couple thousand CD’s locally or selling out a 2,000 seat venue) they will get on the major label radar. You can’t get on the radar of the record labels (or your fans) if you are flying by the seat of your pants and living on a prayer.

As a wise person once said “failing to plan is planning to fail”.

Jerome C. Ford is a 20 year Radio and Records Veteran, Music Marketing expert and Vice President of Succeed In the Music Biz!

It’s already difficult enough just to learn the business of the voiceover industry, let alone attempting to keep up with the ever-evolving technological aspects. But, I assure you, it’s a must for those of us making a living with our voices.

Hardware is in a perpetual state of flux with companies competing with each other. While these companies certainly have their board of directors firmly embedded in their creative process, some are or already have developed some of the neatest new tools ever. What I mean by this is that, of course, bottom line and profits are the impetus of the suits involved. But, the creative types truly want to assist the voiceover artist or producer in providing the latest, greatest technology in an effort to make our jobs easier and more convenient.

Mobile production is gaining momentum within the voiceover industry. In order for voiceover artists to retain their established clients, they must be available at a moment’s notice, ready to produce the voiceover the client needed yesterday. Before mobile production technology, the voiceover artist remained confined to their studio 365 days a year. It’s not just the money for the voiceover artist either. It’s the prestige and the pride of being able to provide for their clients. Now, the voiceover artist need only pack a few pieces of gear to take that respite from the confines of their studio. Enjoy a getaway in the form of a vacation. Vacation? Yes, vacation. Oh, you’ll receive calls while you’re relaxing on the beach or hitting the slopes. But, you need only take a short break to deliver the client’s needs. You’ve made some money to pay for that vacation AND you’ve met your client’s needs and retained their business.

One of the latest pieces of gear simply amazes me. This hand-held studio manufactured by one of the largest audio/visual companies ever, provides everything the voiceover artist needs to produce that all-important voiceover in a self-contained unit that fits in your hand! It’s all there. You won’t need to pack up several hard-shell cases full of gear for the road. But, it won’t come cheap! You’ll have to decide for yourself.

Software is also being developed which will eventually replace clunky, expensive hardware. This will be a welcome problem-solver for the stationary studio user. Do you use ISDN in your studio? Sure you do. Remember what you paid just for the codec - let alone the line fees? I happen to know that there’s a software solution on the horizon that will replace the need for the extra rack space in your studio and will cost nowhere near what you paid for your Telos or your Comrex! There will still be fees for server maintainence and you’ll need a good broadband connection - but, you will welcome this technology when it becomes available. A little birdie told me that should happen within the next couple of months.

So, strap yourselves in, kids! Stay up with the technology. Hell, by the time this article is published it may all be obsolete.

Doc Phillips has been providing voice work in one way or another for 30 years. He is also an internet entrepreneur who hosts and manages several sites. He built, maintains and “markets” his website, http://www.docphillips.com

Dressed To Chill is the latest smooth jazz CD released by the very talented soprano/tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Marion Meadows who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Meadows fans, and smooth jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Meadows has been a superstar in the smooth jazz genre for quite some time and Dressed To Chill is an excellent illustration as to why.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

The CD launches with the title track, Dressed To Chill and will definitely be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. From there Meadows and company proceeds to display why he is considered one the best saxophonist of our time as he mixes his signature phrasings throughout the CD.

Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known contributors on the project including guitarists Chuck Loeb and Freddy Fox plus a few other notables as well.

Overall My Point Of View is an outstanding release. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any smooth jazz collection.

If you’re a Marion Meadows fan this is a CD your collection should not be without.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are Dressed To Chill [track 1], Miss Know It All [track 4], and Steppers…Let’s Do This [track 10]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in “Stuck On REpeat”] is track 7, Coco Flow. A very nice tune!

Release Notes:

Marion Meadows originally released Dressed To Chill on March 23, 2006 on the Heads Up record label.

CD track list follows:

1. Dressed To Chill
2. Remember Me
3. Dance With My Daughter
4. Miss Know It All
5. Bounce
6. I Believe I Can Fly
7. Coco Flow
8. Just My Style
9. Scent Of A Woman
10. Steppers…Let’s Do This
11. 1000 Dreams
12. To Love Her

To listen to samples of each song on Dressed To Chill by Marion Meadows go to: Marion Meadows CD - Dressed To Chill Samples

As someone who has played the piano for quite a long time, I can tell you that there is nothing more enjoyable than being able to sit down and just improvise.

Now, I don’t do this every day, but when the mood strikes I do. It might be a beautiful spring morning, or the sight of something inspirational, but when the feeling comes, I move towards the piano and just play.

I take for granted that I can do this because I’ve been doing it for a very long time. It’s now a part of me. And a part I would never want to give up or lose. Now I know that some of you may think only a few gifted individuals can do this, but let me tell you that IT’S ONLY IMPROVISATION AND THIS CAN BE TAUGHT!

You don’t need much to begin. Just a few chords under your fingers and you’re off exploring a world of sound. Once you begin to improvise and experience for yourself how easy it can be it becomes addictive. You’ll find yourself wanting to play the piano more and more. That’s why I’m not a big fan of routine practicing.

I believe that students will play the piano when they see how it can benefit and enrich their lives. Then, they will naturally want to play. In fact, it may be difficult to pull them away from playing.

I’m also a big advocate of keeping it very simple in the beginning and focusing more on cultivating a productive attitude in the student. One thing I’ve learned from teaching piano for the last 14 years is that students who don’t believe they can improvise won’t be able to. This is the biggest roadblock students have in the beginning.

But once they see that they can improvise and create music on their own, the rest is usually easy.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

New York born singer songwriter Michael Alan, who records with the Indie-label Global Fish Records in Seattle, is an artist who creates without a prescribed musical formula. His approach to writing is purely straight from his heart, lyrically poetic and honest, and void of any sound-alike comparisons. Michael’s songs portray a myriad of lyrical expressions and images that moves the listener through a musical experience which evokes excitement, tenderness, passion, and sadness. His ability to write songs each with their own personality reveals the fact that he is an avid listener of all types of music including, pop, rock, blues, soul, jazz, classical, world music, etc.

What also distinguishes Michael as an articulate songwriter is his self-reflection about personal and social themes which touch upon our daily lives. Michael Alan’s CD release “Searching for the Heartland” is a testimonial that this songwriter expresses himself in a personal way sharing his deepest thoughts and feelings through his music.

Michael Alan’s songs have been categorized by music journalists in a variety of music genre; soft pop-rock, adult contemporary, adult alternative pop-rock, lyrical singer-songwriter, etc. However, an acute listener of his song tracks can hear a blend of different musical styles in his song recordings which allows the tunes to cross over music genre barriers.

Michael is fortunate to have some of the finest musician producers to accompany him with song arrangements and musical backing in the recording studio. ►Ira Ingber, credits with Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Bonnie Raitt ►Tom Kellock, credits with Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Heart ►Brian Griffin, credits with Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Barbra Streisand.

The song tracks on “Searching for the Heartland” are a compilation of different time periods in Michael’s career as a songwriter, performer, and recording artist. They include his works as a staff-writer for a major publisher in Los Angeles, his performance touring in Europe with the Esquires, and his recent recordings in Seattle, WA.

The songs on the CD take on their own character with universal appeal for a wide variety of audiences. The majority of tunes can be considered “Radio Friendly” for radio air-play within a broad category of radio station formats.

Michael’s life evolves around the creative and organic process of writing lyrically mindful songs. In a recent interview he expressed the following, “Sometimes on a rare occasion the music and words come together like shadows of light creating a warm sense around me. It’s a feeling that you are not alone in the rhythm of life. It’s in this moment that you know the hearts and souls of all people around the world are truly connected.”

Website: http://www.MichaelAlanMusic.com / Michael Alan is a registered fund-raiser for the American Heart Association in WA.

Michael Alan is part owner of a new start up Indie-label, Global Fish Records, in Seattle, WA. After years of recording and touring in Europe which allowed him to earn a full-time livelihood in music he has relocated back to the US.

He has been a student of the music business taking courses specifically geared for the business side of the music industry including a regular schedule of seminars. Michael says it’s 25% about making good music in your chosen genre and 75% about contracts, booking, promotion, marketing, and communication. Either you learn to do as much as possible on your own or you hire everybody in town. Remember the artist & the band is the last party to get paid when you hire specialists to do all of the necessary work.

Global Fish Records concentrates on singer-songwriters who are versatile in their writing styles and capable of conveying honest and meaningful lyrics which reflect our daily lives.

*Jenny Shaw, music columnist, is the writer & editor of this article for publication.

Visit Michael’s music at: http://www.MichaelAlanMusic.com

MP3-Downloads

Slim thug is a name for a man that was actually born with the name of Stayve Jerome Thomas. Quite a difference in a name change I would say. Slim thug is a rapper, one that will chant out the words of his songs to the music of this day and age. Music now can be one of various types, from rock, to country and rap. Slim thug is a rapper. He was born in September 1980, and is actually quite young for being so successful. Not many people get the chance to be this successful so young in life. Slim thug is from Houston Texas, where so many other young children want and yearn for the life that he has.

In his teen years, Slim thug made a contribution to the song of Mike Jones, who is another rapper in the industry. This contribution to the song Still Tippin is what helped move Slim thugs career along in the music industry. The first band that Slim thug belonged with was called Swishahouse, and this was when he was a teenager as well. After leaving Swishahouse, Slim thug moved along and formed his own label, Boss Hogg Outlawz where he would create and sell mixed tapes, mixed songs and rap to the public. Now Slim thug is signed with another label, who markets and sells his music which is Geffen Records. Geffen Records is associated with The Neptunes record label, which is also a part of Star Trek Entertainment.

Slim thug has created an entire album, which was released in 2005, featuring singles such as Like A Boss, and Three Kings, and songs such as Incredible Feeling. Some of the most notorious songs that Slim thug has put out there for the public includes songs such as Like A Boss, 3 Kings, Diamonds, Boyz N Blue, I Ain’t Heard Of That (Remix), Click Clack, Everybody Loves A Pimp, Already Platinum, The Interview, Playa You Don’t Know, Miss Mary, Incredible Feelin’, This Is My Life, Dedicate.

Here are a few words from the song Click Clack by Slim thug, this is just one verse. When snitch niggaz give police clues to watch, Well I’m a give them faggot niggaz news to watch, My trigger blow niggaz out they shoes and socks, I guarantee I won’t miss you if I use the dot, I’m Slim Thugga motherfucker! best respect my G!, Or they gon say they name after R.I.P, How dare you pussy niggaz’ tissue slugs bout me, Cause then I’m a get to show ya how thug I be!, And I don’t give a FUCK what set you claim, They got rich niggaz that blow out brains, Just cause you from the projects don’t mean you hard, Most of them hoods y’all repping ain’t seen you broads!

If you like Slim thug you can purchase the music online and listen to it all the time. Of course, this may not be the type of music that everyone loves, but it is something that those who love rap will enjoy.

Picking out what you want for your very first guitar is a difficult and tricky choice. You probably do not know a lot about guitars to begin with, and with the thousands of selections available, it is easy to be confused.

The first decision involves choosing between either an electric or acoustic guitar. Once you have made that choice, the next thing you have to do is to determine the budget that you are comfortable with. If you are really serious about learning, it is recommended that you avoid buying a cheap and low-quality instrument, as such guitars tend to impede your learning. When it comes to upgrading, you will also find that getting a good price for your guitar will be difficult.

Typically, acoustic guitars have six strings, are hollow and have a sound hole. Electric guitars are not hollow, and require a guitar amplifier. However, electric guitars may be easier for beginners, because the strings are easier to press down, and do not cause your fingers to get sore as easily as compared to playing on an acoustic guitar.

One of the most important factors that you have to consider, when choosing between an acoustic or an electric, is what kind of music will you be playing. If you like to learn how to strum your favourite songs, an acoustic guitar may be better. If you are a great fan of rock music, then you might like to start off with an electric guitar. This is important, because if you start off with the wrong kind of guitar, you will find it much more difficult to find the motivation to play regularly.

Interested in learning how to play the guitar? Learn more about guitars and get links to free guitar lessons at LearnGuitarFree.com!

“The musician is constantly adjusting decisions on tempo, tone,
style, rhythm, phrasing, and feeling–training the brain to
become incredibly good at organizing and conducting numerous
activities at once. Dedicated practice of this orchestration can
have a great payoff for lifelong attentional skills,
intelligence, and an ability for self-knowledge and expression.”
- Ratey John J., MD. A User’s Guide to the Brain. New York:
Pantheon Books, 2001.

So many parents wish they’d gotten their child into music
sooner. But it is better to start late than not at all. Many
children grow up and are disappointed they never started
learning a musical instrument. But the time to start is now!

Music can benefit young and old alike. Studies have linked
significantly improved math skills with those children who have
learned to play an instrument. An ability like that can lead to
more self confidence and a strong sense of accomplishment. It
can give a child, or adult, something extra. The training can
help develop skills not only in music, but also in life. Those
who have learned to play can even help others through their
music. There is a definite relationship between music and
healing. Music can also bring joy into a room!

“Studying music encourages self-discipline and diligence, traits
that carry over into intellectual pursuits and that lead to
effective study and work habits. An association of music and
math has, in fact, long been noted. Creating and performing
music promotes self-expression and provides self-gratification
while giving pleasure to others. In medicine, increasing
published reports demonstrate that music has a healing effect on
patients. For all these reasons, it deserves strong support in
our educational system, along with the other arts, the sciences,
and athletics.” - Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Leading Heart
Surgeon, Baylor College of Music.

Often children need to be strongly encouraged to continue
playing. I mean, a half an hour a day to practice can take a lot
of discipline. However, if you keep encouraging them, they
should stick at it and they WILL thank you in the long run. The
trick is to show your son or daughter the options for musical
instruments to make sure they pick the one they like. If all
your child listens to is rock for example, they might
automatically want to play the drums or the electric guitar. But
there is so much more to music than pop culture. Get some
classical CD’s, from guitar to piano to flute. Look into jazz
music and maybe the saxophone. There is everything from world
music to big band to opera out there and if you can expose your
child, and yourself for that matter, to the different types of
music, you can really expand your cultural horizons. Listening
to the music first can really help to inspire and it can give
you the motivation to keep practicing. Just remember, they did
not get that good overnight!

If your child has their heart set on an instrument, let them
play it. If you make your child play what you want your child to
play, they could lose interest fast and it would be hard to get
them to keep practicing. Hey. It’s never too late to start. You
should try playing it if you like it. It will take dedication,
but the benefits of music are incredible.

It will be great if you and your child can explore music
together. You can encourage each other and watch as your self
confidence grows. Remember. There is no instant gratification
here. Your real confidence comes after practicing for at least
two years. Preferably you should aim to practice for half an
hour a day, 6 or 7 times a week. Of course, that’s just a
guideline. The more you practice, the better you will become.
Try to set a goal that works for you and make sure you stick to
it. If you miss a day, don’t say, “That’s it, I can’t do it
anymore.” Remember the long term. Missing a day will not kill
you. Missing day after day after day will. If you miss one day,
that should be all the MORE reason to play the next. I know, it
sounds like common sense, but it’s hard. Make sure you encourage
your child to stick at it and praise them constantly in their
progress. In the end, the hard work pays off!

In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than
25,000 secondary school students (NELS:88, National Education
Longitudinal Survey), researchers found that students who report
consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over
the middle and high school years show “significantly higher
levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12.” This observation
holds regardless of students’ socio-economic status, and
differences in those who are involved with instrumental music
vs. those who are not is more significant over time. -
Catterall, James S., Richard Chapleau, and John Iwanaga.
“Involvement in the Arts and Human Development: General
Involvement and Intensive Involvement in Music and Theater
Arts.” Los Angeles, CA: The Imagination Project at UCLA Graduate
School of Education and Information Studies, 1999.

A research team exploring the link between music and
intelligence reported that music training is far superior to
computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s
abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning
math and science. — Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and
Newcomb, “Music training causes long-term enhancement of
preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning,” Neurological
Research, Vol. 19, February 1997

Those are two great quotes to really think about. Your child
can improve their math skills and reasoning skills simply by
learning to play an instrument. They can also bring
encouragement through their music and have an extra boost of
self confidence in knowing they had the discipline to learn the
instrument. All those benefits are on top of just actually
knowing how to play an instrument! And if you want to give it a
try, learning an instrument can improve your skills as well!

PRESS RELEASE: 4th January 2006

XARC Mastering Announces Revamped Website, World’s First
Mastering Blog, Exciting Affiliate Program

XARC Mastering, the world’s premier on-line CD & Vinyl
(pre-)mastering studio, has recently announced a series of
exciting new developments, each linked to its web presence. The
company has today released a revamped website and the world’s
first “blog” devoted to the mastering industry. These new
expansions to XARC’s brand come on the eve of its second
anniversary.

Lorenz Vauck, XARC’s Managing Director & Chief Mastering
Engineer, explains these developments were prompted by the
company’s increasingly growing clientele (now numbering nearly a
thousand clients from over sixty countries): “With the
consistent growth we had experienced last year, we felt it was
important to ‘give something back’ to our clients, by adding
further value to our mastering services and the XARC brand,”
indicates Vauck. “The end result is made up of the three very
exciting new developments we have officially announced today,”
Vauck continues.

The first development, the new XARC website, reflects a major
upgrade to XARC’s web presence. “The new website is another very
exciting new development for us,” states Vauck. “I think it
really sets us apart in the industry, in terms of providing not
only substantial information on XARC’s specific services, but
also offering a comprehensive, easy-to-understand perspective on
mastering in general.”

Next, is an industry first - a blog specifically devoted to the
mastering industry, authored by a mastering engineer. Available
at http://www.lorenzvauck.com/?ref=prj06 , the blog provides a
very personal, deep insight into the mastering industry and the
life of a mastering engineer. “I think a mastering blog is
something long overdue - and I am very proud to be able to take
the initiative to contribute back to the music industry by
authoring one,” says Vauck. “The new blog will also enable us to
better demonstrate both the incredible diversity of our clients,
and how that is critical to artistically enriching XARC’s
mastering work,” Vauck continues.

The final development, the affiliate program, is offered to both
current XARC Mastering clients and other interested parties from
throughout the world. All affiliates are empowered to earn cash
payments whenever prospective mastering clients are referred to
XARC’s website. Those interested in more information about the
affiliate program can visit XARC’s new affiliate program home
page at http://www.xarcmastering.com/affiliates/?ref=prj06 .

Speaking about the affiliate program, Vauck explains: “We
recognized that referrals from our current clients drive a
substantial portion of our current growth, and that this really
should be rewarded. We’re now providing that opportunity.” Vauck
also detected that such a program would also be of interest to a
wider audience: “The other benefit of the affiliate program is
that it allows absolutely anyone with an interest in XARC to
form a very profitable, mutually beneficial relationship with
us. Truly, everyone can win with this arrangement.”

In all, these developments cap off a year of continued growth
for XARC. Consistent with its business philosophy, truly
everyone benefits - XARC affiliates can earn revenue ($17 USD
per qualified lead) by referring others to XARC, while the
broader Internet community can more efficiently learn about
XARC’s services in particular and mastering in general.

Moreover, the media also continues to take considerable notice
in XARC; Vauck was recently interviewed regarding XARC, for a
recent issue of Computer Music Magazine. Both XARC and Lorenz’s
new blog are prominently featured in the magazine’s January 2006
issue, in an article entitled “Masters of the Net.” Also
inspiring is Computer Music’s conclusion that “XARC’s detailed
service is outstanding, and the mastering itself is absolutely
up there with the best.” The article is available at
http://www.xarcmastering.com/about/cmm06.pdf .

Vauck jokingly states, that the ultimate benefit of these recent
developments may be to his own ‘mental sanity’: “With the blog
at least I now have an outlet to talk about more than just the
business - I’ll think it’ll really be emotionally cathartic,” he
laughs. “All kidding aside though, the new site, the blog, and
the affiliate program are very powerful and really inspiring
developments, and very much build upon our tradition of
mastering excellence,” Vauck adds.

XARC Mastering - How Does Your Music Sound?

For more information on XARC Mastering please visit
http://www.xarcmastering.com/?ref=prj06

Media Contact: press@xarcmastering.com

Copyright 2005 IDE

People that play the piano beautifully fascinate me. It is
interesting the different paths some of them take to become good
at it. There are so many options now days for children and
adults interested in becoming concert pianists, or just become
comfortable with this instrument and play it whenever they feel
like it, carry a tune for their enjoyment or simply to please
others like myself.

Many excellent piano players start their education at a young
age, because they are given the opportunity by their parents,
relatives or friends. As a result, self-confidence increases,
opening doors of inspiration and self-satisfaction to become
better at their new enterprise, and with time they find a way to
express themselves and are admired by people they never dreamed
of.

The Internet, computers, and video games, become excellent
mediums to transmit music information to children at an early
age. The challenge remains in figuring out which video games
should parents buy and keep.

As far as piano learning is concerned, recently I have been
shown and become interested in the Piano Wizard video game
package from Allegro Multimedia. This piano instruction computer
software game provides a fun attention grabber display setting
to users. Teaching to play music with game activities on the
screen that they can interact using a fun color-coded keyboard.
This makes children start enjoying music, without even realizing
they are stepping into the piano-playing world. This computer
instruction game then teaches music notation while children get
more into the game, making the learning curve transparent,
pressure free, fun and enjoyable.

The system works with MIDI files that one can download to a
computer with the Piano Wizard software already installed; in
fact, the company’s main site has links to many sites that have
a large amount of MIDI files and information.

I find that the price for the keyboard and Piano Wizard video
game package is very affordable for all the features and
capabilities included in the software. I really do like the fact
that one can easily up-load any type of song in MIDI format into
the game software and start playing it along in minutes. I
believe your time will be well spent while visiting their piano
instruction site and learn about their excellent piano
instruction game offerings.

My best wishes to you and your children in this musical and
uplifting venture.