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Getting Started Young
This is a letter I [Jared Ribble] wrote in response to a young singer asking if
it was possible, and how to get started on a recording career at a young age.
Dear [Reader]:
I commend you for your drive, and passion for singing and music. You have
already shown that you are serious, simply by taking vocal lessons. (I am not
rolling my eyes. Have you heard of Leann Rimes, Brittany Spears, Christina
Aguillera? They all were asking the same questions you are at the same age.)
There are a couple ways to get started. First, and most obvious, you need to
have a couple songs to sing. Those aren't hard to find. Pick your favorite top
40 songs, get accompaniment tracks to them, etc. If you write your own stuff,
even better.
Next, you need to take every opportunity available to get out and sing. Of
course there is your school programs, but there are other opportunities. Bars,
coffee shops, singing competitions, church, etc. I am not much of a bar goer,
but I am fairly certain that if your parents are with you, you can convince the
bar owner to let you sing, especially if they know that you are going to be
bringing in a lot of business.
Now, how to get the gig with out having a recording of yourself. Call up the
bar, coffee shop, etc. and ask who books the acts. Get in touch with that
person, and ask them if you can schedule five minutes with them. Go meet them,
and sing a song for them. If you are what they are looking for, they will put
you on the stage. Don't be discouraged if you get turned down a couple times.
That's part the deal. In another year, after having built a following at an
establishment across town, they will want you.
Next, you need to work on a recording. You need to have something you can send
people to get other gigs, etc. Plus you need to start having something to sell
to generate some cash. There are plenty of local guys that have studios, and
some of them do OK. Many are sub par. Generally you call them up, and book time
with them. You bring in the musicians or your accompaniment tracks, and they are
the guys pushing buttons. That's fine. But there are ways to get higher quality
recordings, and it will be necessary if you really want to get the attention of
legitimate music industry people. There still is a vast difference in quality
from the local studio guys, to the pros out of NY, Nashville, or LA. And radio
stations, labels, etc. can hear it instantly how you had your music recorded.
All of that to say, I admire your ambition. If you are really serious about
this, I invite you and your parents to visit my website. If you would like to
have a conversation about the details of really getting started, email me, and
we can schedule a time with you and your parents to speak over the phone. I
remember being 15 wanting a career in professional drumming, and I had special
people come along to give me advice. I am trying to "pay it forward".
© 2009 Advantage Music Production