Record Deal

[feelap]

Ok, bascially, i CAN sing but havent done gigs etc but now i wanna get into it more so how do i get myself a record deal?

[willow74]

Check this out

http://www.vocalist.org.uk/record_deal.html

[ashtraymouth]

Ok. There's a bit of a problem here. During the late 90's right through to today, people have been sticking their hands in the air yelling "I can sing! I want to be a pop star"

 This in itself if ok, it's good to have dreams. But there is a side effect.

 Whereas someone who loves music and was born in the skin of an artists WANTS to be involved in every aspect of making a CD, and the quality is much greater with more b-sides on a single, the same really can't be said for modern "pop stars" who really just lusted after the fame. The quality of singles has lead to an increase in downloads (why spend �3.99 on a single with crap remixes) and a decrease in single sales. This is where there's an even bigger problem for people who want to be "popstars" as apposed to "musicians". The less singles sold, the less money a record company makes, the fewer genuinely talanted people get signed. It's a horrible situation, and no good will come of bustin a gut to be signed to a major label.

 These days it really isnt enough to be a good singer, you need more. If i were you i would practise my song writing, find a style, work hard at it and get peoples' respect. Whatever you do, don't go auditioningfor popstars or pop idol or whatever it's called.

[chrisbailey]

You don't even need to be able to sing to be famous these days. XFactor is certainly the best way to get yourself noticed. I read that Steve (the winner), G4, Rowetta, Verity and Tabby all have record deals now.

[mcmikeymike]

Well getting out there and doing it is the first step.

 

Have you ever gone and joined in with a karaoke night.

 

You always get the idiots who really can't sing, sometimes you do find some good singers at these nights.

 

Trying a karaoke night will see if you have the first requirement of a singer which is "The Bottle" to get up and do it in the first place.  If you don't feel you can do it alone, get a friend to join in with you the first time or two.

 

There are songs that always go well on a karaoke, ie "Mustang Sally", "The Best" or "Sex Bomb" (to name just 3), try a find that sort of song.

 

When you are confident that you can sing in front of an audience, try and do a bit more, more often.

 

Then record yourself singing a variety of well known songs to send out to agants, managers and record companies.  Well known songs so that the listener knows what the song should sound like.  Also try a song in accapella (no musical backing, just your voice).

 

If you really want it, the basic rule is to get off your @r$e and do it.

[Dusky]

mc has some points but if you want to know how good you are you need people to listen.  If you go to karaoke and sing stuff everybody knows, all that will happen is that they'll sing with you. That means not listening to you.  They'll clap and cheer; not because you're any good but because they enjoyed singing the song.

If you're not sure, not confident or you've not done it before, pick something you know you can do but that won't make you stand out.  That'll give you some experience of standing up in front of people but if you can, pick something that everybody's heard but not everybody knows.

Sorry, mc, for picking apart your suggestions but, for example: "Mustang Sally" has few words and is well known; the chorus is an easy and popular sing-along so you might well be drowned out.  "Simply the Best" is complicated to carry off well but everybody thinks they know it and you could be ignored by all those who think they can do better.  "Sex Bomb" is more recently popular and less well-known but the chorus is a basic formula and it's easy for people's interest to wane - if they're not shouting over you already.

[Dusky]

to continue...

 

Find something you know well but isn't necessarily a chart-topper.  Lots of words are good for confusing the listeners. If you know it and they don't, they've little choice but to vote with their feet.  If they like you they'll listen.  If they don't, you'll soon know because you'll be singing to yourself while they carry on their conversations.

If you're a bloke and you're any good, get a copy of "Kissing a Fool" by George Michael.  Many people have the "Faith" album and recognise the song but nobody wants to learn it because of the style.  It has a wide vocal range and is hard to do well.  If you're a girlie, "All Coming Back To Me Now" has to be one of the most dramatic and difficult to do well but people will recognise it and listen (if I'm right, lyrics are by Jim "Bat Out of Hell" Steinman who will never repeat a lyric when a brand new chorus will do).

mc's advice is right but, in answer to your original question, you don't walk into a record deal these days unless you know someone.  If it were otherwise I'd have somebody typing this for me and you'd have heard of me.