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  • TMV World Team
    Studio Report:
    Paul D'Adamo officially started tracking his forthcoming release Rawfully Organic. The album will consist of only 3 musicians this time. Paul on Vocals, Keyboards, & Percussion, Chris Remediani on Guitar, Bass & Background Vocals, and Bob Romans on Chapman Stick, & Background Vocals. The recording of Rawfully Organic will be recorded at Paul's new home studio as well as Bob's Home studio. According to Paul, expect the unexpected. Many surprises on this one!
    DDrive are about to release an Anthology release titled Reconstruct featuring two acoustic tracks featuring the talents of their new rhythm guitarist Mike Gladstone plus one live track. DDrive are also working on a new full length release to be released in 2013
    Morre are finishing up their first full length release titled Morphine. Also finishing up new release are Aisles, and The RoboDrum
    Happiness Is Being Single:
    Oceans 5 to release new single Empty Hands. Scarlet Hollow release first single The Path has just be released it's from the forthcoming album What If Never Was. Murky Red releases first single Cold Outside from the upcoming debut release Time Doesn't Matter. Other new singles include Corvus Stone's track Corvus Stone and The Mad Yeti by CTP.
    All Roads Lead To Damascus
    Roads to Damascus release their new album R2D2 on CD and Digital Download. The band has just released their 3rd video called Frustration which is again a very cool homemade video.
    Video News:
    Oceans of Time are about to release their first official video for the track Kingdom Falls from the new album Faces. John Orr Franklin has released a series of videos for his house concert series covering many classic. John has also released Vanishing Umbra a new video from the forthcoming album Reaching Ground.
    On Tour Now:
    Morre get ready to invade Europe again after a successful European tour in 2011 the will be playing live in support of their upcoming release Morphine, also some select dates by Laurie Larson, DDrive The RoboDrum, Don Mancuso, Jim Crean, Aethellis, Phil Naro have been confirmed.

  • TMV World Team

     
    It's a new time in this new-fangled era of the entertainment industry. As the traditional ways of doing things fall apart, now, more than ever, calls for a new set of ideas, new rules, new emerging paradigms and new ideas being called out from everywhere even from the music shakers and makers. And the best ideas which, I am sure, have yet to arrive. Who knows where this will go? No one knows exactly how this is going to play out. But at the moment, change is the only thing that rules.
    And so as artists, in order navigate these new waters, stay afloat on top of the turbulence and hopefully chart the right course to our success, it requires us using new tools: Awareness, Skillset, Mindset, Savvy and Smarts and as I've learned, each are equally important in traversing this new domain.
    Many of my students (emerging artists worldwide) who work with me now, know that how you approach this new time creates the stepping-stones to success whatever that looks like for you. One thing I know for sure is that there is not one model depicting Fame there are many. The new fame comes in many flavors, and it could just as well be yours for the taking, once you learn the formula.
    So what is new fame? Well, people all over are creating success outside of the traditional models in every business, music being no exception. But what does that mean? It means that we are in transition from the old to the new. We are letting go of one hand to grasp the next, and like the trapeze artist letting go of one bar in mid-air, there is that moment before she grasps ahold of the new and that is where you and I are, right now.
    And, it's up to up to us to decide how we want this thing to go, but we have to let go of the past and the way it's been, and open our minds to what is coming. If we keep holding on, we'll get nowhere fast, like those hanging on to the old business, sigh.
    That is why I've decided that it's time to come forward to help redefine this new world (as best as I possibly can I certainly do not have all the answers but I do have tons of experience in New York City for the past 2.5 decades) so that we, artists alike, can create the future together. (We are doing it anyway why not make it conscious?) After all, the power is in our hands when we take the initiative.
    The Soul and Success of the New Music Artist rests on three critical pieces that formed in equal (congruent) parts, pave the way for this new-fame to emerge. I call them The Fame Factors. And it's not one, not two, not two and half it takes all three. But if you've got those, you could reign in gold or platinum.
    Fame Factor #1: SKILL. Skillset is 1/3rd of the puzzle. If you are missing this, you'll come up short every time. Alicia Keys played piano for 6 hours a day, John Mayer played guitar in excess uncountable hours how much do you work on your skillset?
    Fame Factor #2: SOUL. This is the inner work you do your inner voice. The stuff people say you either have it or you don't I say it is You. But without guidance, it might never come out. I teach artists how to find it, it's there in everyone you just have to know the route.
    Fame Factor #3: SAVVY. That means smarts, knowing how the biz works, knowing who's in the biz, respecting what timing is and practicing patience, die-hard persistence, and real know-how, being in-know-ness.
    Want to find out more want to gain access to the new formula that you can apply to your career? Time for to learn the new Formula!
    www.fastforwardtofame.com

  • TMV World Team
    Having Trouble Fitting It All In? (New Ways to Slice the Pie)
    Let's face it we all know that mastering time is a big piece of being successful. And even more, is fitting it all in, especially when you have a career in music. It seems like every artist I meet is pretty overwhelmed these days everyone needs help managing the hours in a day, and knowing how to better slice the pie. Most of us still spend far too much time on Facebook as it is, sigh. (Whoops, that's not the type of time management we need.)
    But not getting control of time, or not learning how to manage it, will leave your career and you in the dust and I know those of you reading this (or me for that matter) are not the kind of people who are up to letting THAT happen!
    So, how can you get a hold of your to-do list and not only get it all done, but continually make progress? I've been looking into it and decided to exercise my hand in creating a system one that works specifically for musicians I'm calling it: the Self-Management System for Music Creators and Creative Types, because I think it's not only about managing time it's about managing You managing time, structure, clarity and a system to work off of that incorporates you, your music and music business time.
    You know I hear so often many artists say, If I just had a manager, thinking a manager is the magic answer. But honestly, if you can't manage yourself, no one else can either! If you're truly going to have a successful Artist-Based Career, the first step is Self-Management. Let's face it, the better you are at it, the more successful you will be, and it starts right here.
    As a part of the pilot run of my brand spanking new Fast Forward to Fame Program & Blueprint, I am revealing for the first version ever, my new Self Management System for Music Creators & Creative Types. And today, I'm bringing you a preview for how it breaks down and how to better slice your pie.
    The Self-Management System: Time Management for Music Creators & Creative Types
    At the core of everything you do is primarily one thing that you can't live without You. So guess what happens when you are not at the helm? Everything else suffers. This is a constant lesson for those of us with careers in music. Now, most of you will say (even myself included sometimes) that's a bunch BS. Because we just want results, we don't want to have to manage ourselves that's for someone else to do but not when you understand what it can do for you.
    What happens when you suck at managing you:
    You get sick (often) because you run yourself into the ground splattering your energies everywhere all at once. You have to cancel your tour because you think you can just blow through it and you could even end up having throat surgery like poor Adele (love her but, oh no!!) and at the height of your career while the whole world is watching AND waiting, sigh ;(. You waste your precious time and efforts by having to do things two or three times over, because you weren't focused the first time you did it, and you didn't plan for what was coming, sigh. You hire a publicist who does absolutely nothing for you because you thought THAT was the answer. Sound all too familiar? I know because I see it happen every day and it happens to me too! That's why I'm creating this system (selfishly) because even I aim for more mastery of this stuff I know there's always a better way and I want to bring it to you too!
    Slicing the Pie:
    Here's a new way to slice the pie three ways: Self Management >> Music >> Business
    If you are not at the helm, everything else suffers. Self Management is first at the Foundation, followed by Music second and Business third. It's kind of the evolution of how this thing goes. You Commit to yourself and become a Musician (Self Management), you Create your Music in the World (Music) and you Bring it to the World (Business).
    The breakdown of the pie is based off of the 10,000 Hour Theory, which says that in order to be great at anything (music, sports, dance, even business) you need 10,000 hours of it (read Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers the part about the Beatles and their 10,000 hour rise to fame).
    Add to that the fact that today you not only have to be good at music but you have to be good at business and management- in essence, you would need 10,000 hours for each category, but wait don't freak there's a plan!
    Now let's break down 10,000 hours into 10 years:
    10,000 hours divided by 10 years = 1000 hours.
    Divide 1000 hours by 48 weeks (give yourself 4 weeks off) = 20 hours per week.
    I've broken it down into two versions one for those of you who do music full-time and the second for those of you who have a day job.
    So, there are 96 hours in a week to be productive (sans 8 hours for un-negotiable sleep-time and one full day off). And yes, I know that includes eating, grooming and traveling, but I have created some ways to multi-task so even those minutes are focused and effective (you'd have to see the whole plan to get the whole picture).
    So, If You Do Music Full-time:
    So you have Mon Sat = 6 days x 16 hours = 96 hours per day (sans 8 hours for non-negotiable sleep-time and one full day off).
    Divide those 96 hours into 3 sections: 1- Self-Management, 2- Music and 3 Business, and you have 32 hours per week for each category.
    Weekly: Self-Management= 32 hours, Music = 32 hours, Business = 32 hours.
    If you have a Day Job:
    Let's say that you work 4 days a week, Mon-Thurs, 8 hours each day, that's 32 hours (and if you don't have a 4-day workweek get one!)
    So you will have to subtract 32 hours from the 96, which leaves you 64 hours. Divide 64 hours of into the 3 categories, which leaves 21.33 hours per category.
    Weekly: Self-Management= 21.33 hours, Music = 21.33 hours, Business = 21.33 hours.
    Here's a rough idea of what falls into each of the 3 categories:
    Self-Management: Skills and Soul (from the Fame Formula)
    Planning/Goal Setting, Scheduling, Brainstorming (or Brain-dumping), Visualization (critical if you can't see it, it won't happen), Reading (researching-reading other musician autobiographies an artist is a perpetual student & poetry inspiration for your lyrics), Visualizations/Affirmations (every morning & night), Meditation (this is your clarity folks!), Plus: Shopping (got to be fashion-forward), Exercising/Yoga/Working Out, Walking Exploring, Extra Curricular Activities/Classes, Nutrition/Food (life source) and  Down-time (movies, dinners out, friend-family time, Eating/preparing food/dining, Grooming, Errands, and You-time (doing exactly what you want to do at least once a week.) etc. 
    Music: Skills & Soul (from the Fame Formula)
    Practicing, technique, studying music, lessons, working with your coach/mentor, group class, accountability partner, songwriting, co-writing, making music, recording your songs, recording your record, making videos, band or show rehearsal, performing, going to shows checking out other musicians, researching new music, etc.
    Business: Savvy (from the Fame Formula)
    Social media, research, blogging, newsletter, promotion, marketing, networking, strategizing, business planning, business meetings, meetings with team, hiring-firing, administration, systems, website, graphic design, booking gigs/tours, songwriting conferences, music/film conferences, music conferences, festivals etc.
    Start with:
    Keep a journal to keep track of your time so you know exactly what you are spending your time on. And for gosh sake  use a timer when you're on Facebook, gasp! Now, get out your calendar and start scheduling it in. Play with it until you can figure out how to make it work! When you get out of balance or fall behind, all you do is schedule make-ups and momentarily sacrifice in some other area. Try it for one month  see what happens! And hey, don't beat yourself up about it, it takes more than a few tries to get things in place and running smoothly. Just don't give up  you will make a huge difference in your progress when you keep trying to slice the pie. Of course every now and then when you decide to do a big project, you may put aside the other pieces, but can make them up later. I do it all the time.
    Obviously, there's more to making this work than a quick peek but it's a head-start. Hope it helps. Let me know what you think.
    P.S. Ready to press the Fast Forward button on your Career and get the ENTIRE Self-Management System to boot?
    ©2011 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • TMV World Team
    I'm in the middle of writing/presenting the first pilot run of my new program Fast Forward to Fame , that has 40 artists worldwide in attendance (from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, England & the US.) It is a 12-week program that addresses the independent music artist's plight to claim their space in the overcrowded online global terrain called The New Music Business. We are on Module 3, The Fanbase Growth System, which shows how to divvy up a few preciously allotted hours of the day into artfully and skillfully attracting a stronger and more loyal fan base.
    So when the question arises about the many tasks, blogging amongst them, I often detect the panic and pressure that the impending weight imposes. Because the duty is to now not only become a musician, but equally a writer and music-preneur with the full blown responsibilities of anyone out to be in business for themselves but still without the income. When you start a business, usually you have an initial outlay and then money starts coming in. Not so with the indie artist. There is a heavy outlay before you even recoup your investment, if ever. But that's a whole nother article.
    So, one of the main questions around blogging I get asked quite frequently is Should an artist blog? That is usually followed up with, How often should I blog? and What should I blog about? or Why should I blog, it just takes time away that I should spend on my music. Understandably so, however the squeaky wheel gets the grease, it's speak out or lose; besides, it's not going away anytime soon that I can see.
    I can't tell you whether you should blog or not (but I kind of am), but I will tell you WHY you should flex your online writing muscles.
    Lots of people ask me what's the difference between an article and a blog? An article can be informational, helpful, insightful a blog is those things too but generally more personal, more your point of view the blogger's perspective.
    Blogging is writing what You think (with a capital Y). It comes in all shapes and sizes, but it's definitely hanging out a neon sign and telling the world what you think. Which I think is pretty darn cool. You can offer help, present new ideas, chat, explore, be radical you can even curse (there's no censoring) and basically talk about anything you freaking want to.
    Truth is, there is a great merit in being able to carve a voice, your voice, out there in the world.
    But you do have to be a good writer to keep folks attention, and if you don't do that right away, you will improve if you stay at it. It's like songwriting. You write some good, some bad.. but if you keep at it, you write more good than bad.
    Here's what happens when you blog. You get better at writing, which ultimately makes you waaay better at communicating (good for your brain). You create a community of peeps that like what you are saying. You actually don't want to attract everyone. Finding and growing your tribe of followers is what rocks not just gaining numbers.
    You connect with people outside of your local sphere (with just a click!). And, you develop better, stronger, and savvier writing skills.
    I've heard it said, that if you are a good writer, you will never be broke.
    Two years ago I started writing this Ezine every week. It takes me 2-3 hours to write an article (one that I consider good). It used to take me 3-4-5 hours. Sometimes I take that long when I have a complex subject or I try something new. I've got to say every hour spent has made me better at what I do and continues to give back every time.
    Eight months ago I started blogging. It's getting clearer to me. And along the way I've connected up with thousands of new people who are joining in on the conversation. It's so cool.
    Free content is king these days, and getting in on the conversation now before it gets even more crowded is the ticket. Like I said, it's not going to be going away anytime soon.
    COMING 2012: January
    The Artist Success Circle 2 February:
    Step Up to the Spotlight 2.0 March:
    The Artist Success Academy Membership Worldwide
    The Private Access Platinum Mastermind .. details coming soon.. ©2011 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • TMV World Team
    Having an attitude of gratitude creates ripples of positive vibrations in your life and not only changes you, but changes the air around you. Every time I do this, I notice there is an effect that gratitude has it boomerangs right back to you. I call it the Gratitude Effect. I wonder why I don't do it more. So I started to do it more, that is.
    Louise Hay (creator of Hay House, positive affirmations and positive thinking for our generation) says to start off your day with Gratitude. She says that when you first open your eyes, have gratitude for your bed (be sure to have a comfy bed so you're not fibbing!) If you don't have a comfortable bed, then say I look forward to getting a more comfortable bed very soon And then at the first look at the mirror (as you brush your teeth), instead of analyzing your face, Louise says to look deep into your eyes and tell yourself how fabulous you are and that you love you very, very, very much (and mean it.) It may sound cheesy but after you do it for a week or so, it's surprising you actually start to feel better. Louise says that's because you are sending a message deep into your subconscious brain, which then believes it.
    Here's why a positive mindset is so important for your career in music because deeper unconscious feelings can actually screw things up for you. One of my students was friends with a very famous artist/singer. She didn't realize it on the surface, but underneath she was envious of her friend. And, even though she was excited for her, every time she was around her, it reminded her that she wasn't where she wanted to be. More and more, my student felt less and less around her friend, so much so that eventually she stopped wanting to be around her friend at all it just stopped being fun. Unfortunately, it was all a scenario in her head. Now, I'm sure she didn't realize what happened, at least not consciously. And that is how most of us operate. Don't let it be you!
    My student didn't realize that she could have used the experience in a positive way for herself. If she had just used the energy of gratitude, she could have turned it around and here's how. When you are around someone who has what you want, or is where you want to be practice the attitude of gratitude by saying to yourself I am so proud of my friend, and I look so forward to one day being where she is! Or It's so cool that my friends are successful because it lifts me up too! That way, instead of entertaining so many negative thoughts which only make you uncomfortable and miserable, you can turn it into a positive.
    The Gratitude Effect is a morning and evening practice that takes 5 minutes a day.
    I do 2 minutes in the morning and 3 minutes at night (set a stopwatch on your iPhone or Blackberry).
    First thing in the morning go to the mirror, and say out loud. looking deep into your own eyes: [YOUR NAME], I love you very, very much. You are a fantastic [woman, man, girl, boy] and I am so very proud of you. (I KNOW, it sounds corny but say it with conviction!!)
    Evening  Last thing before you fall asleep, set the timer for 3 minutes, close your eyes and imagine exactly what you wish to happen as if it were happening. See it as if you were watching a dream. Feel all of your senses, and feel the excitement, joy, and happiness that come from the experience, i.e., you are playing an outdoor festival in front of thousands of adoring fans. The breeze is blowing your hair, you reach out to touch the hands of your fans, and they are singing the words of your songs back to you feel the excitement of the performance: your band sounds awesome
    And a different night, mix it up with using a word that exemplifies what you want, i.e.; say the word SUCCESS over and over again as you imagine your music being successful in the world. If you want WEALTH, then repeat that word over and over again. If you want FAME, then repeat fame.. if you want an awesome voice, etc These are specific ways of sending the message to your subconscious of what you desire. And then while you sleep, your subconscious brain (that never sleeps) will go to work on making this happen.
    Do this for one month every morning and evening. Then work up to 3 months straight through for those massive big life changing results!
    Let me know the results you get from practicing The Gratitude Effect!
    Happy Manifesting & Happy Holidays everyone!
    ©2011 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • TMV World Team

    SHUT UP ! Lyrics

    By TMV World Team, in Articles,

    Nothing makes sense
    and it's all fucked up
    Nothing makes sense
    and it's all fucked
    Just keep quiet, just keep quiet (2nd vocal)
    Just SHUT UP
    Nothing makes sense and it's all fucked up
    Nothing makes sense and it's all fucked
    Just keep quiet, just keep quiet
    Just SHUT UP
    I try to keep lovin
    but your makin it hard
    Every time I turn around
    make a brand new start
    I know my words are hurtful
    this is just too much
    you better settle down, step back and SHUT UP
    I don;t think you know where my pain is at
    every thing you do and say, makes me want to snap
    I don't want to leave you, but your pushin too hard
    keep it up babe, gonna have to walk
    I don't want to leave you, but your pushin too hard
    keep it up babe, gonna have to walk
    solo
    Nothing makes sense
    and it's all fucked up
    Nothing makes sense
    and it's all fucked
    Just keep quiet, just keep quiet (2nd vocal)
    Just SHUT UP
    all lyrics © Socan 2011

     
  • TMV World Team
    Singing kids. Do you have one? I mean one of those kids who just won't stop, who goes around singing to themselves or to anyone they can trap and tie down. This is an all-too-familiar scenario; Mom and Dad aren't musically inclined, but their kid has talent. How do they know whether their child has what it takes to be a success? How does a parent know if they should consider taking out a second mortgage on the house to support little Suzie's big ambitions?
    Parents of singing kids must be honest with themselves before committing to the expensive and time-intensive job of organizer/chauffer/private assistant to their offspring's pursuits. Are they ready for that kind of commitment?
    Even more importantly, parents of talented singing kids need to be absolutely certain that the driving force behind the dream of superstardom is their child and not them. Fortunately, in my experience, it's more often the kids.
    When I asked young Taylor Ware, the national Yahoo yodeling champion and America's Got Talentrunner-up, what she wanted for Christmas that year, she solemnly told me that she had written to Santa asking him to bring her a tour bus. I would say this girl is clearly in the driver's seat.
    When Miley Cyrus first came to work with me, she was the consummate professional at the tender age of 12, complete with her own assistant. She had great parenting and was one of the most balanced and happy of all the singing kids I have taught. I did not get the sense that her childhood had been compromised in any way by her career.
    As a place to start, parents should consider the following ten issues in order to gain valuable insight into their child's potential for stardom. The evaluations will help parents make the right decision about what to do when their child announces they want to be a superstar. This list addresses motivation and talent -- both of which are essential to a successful career in music.
    You might have a winner on your hands if your child:
    1. Is motivated more by making music than by the promise of stardom
    2. Willingly passes up other activities in order to practice music lessons
    3. Learns from shows like American Idol and America's Got Talent
    4. Seems passionate about singing, always looking for places to perform
    5. Handles constructive criticism and rejection by learning from it
    6. Sings as well a cappella as they do singing along with the radio
    7. Personalizes popular songs by adding their own special touches
    8. Sounds as good to music professionals as the singers on the radio
    9. Feels at ease in the spotlight and comfortable relating to an audience
    10.Gets frequent requests to perform in public
    If the answer was 'no' to several of these questions, don't rush off to the bank for that second mortgage. Your child may be talented, but most likely may not have everything it takes to have a successful career. Be encouraging and give them time to explore their talent.
    Revisit these ten issues in a year or two and assess your child's progress. If there has not been substantial improvement, consider that your child may be destined to use their talent in the church choir or in a local band for fun, rather than for profit as a music professional.
    On the other hand, parents who answer "yes" to most of these questions should seriously consider their child's future as a musician. Be aware that taking a leap into a full-fledged vocal/musical regimen will involve the whole family and dominate their offspring's childhood years in the same way young gymnasts with Olympic aspirations forego many of the typical social and personal pursuits common to the formative years.
    Encourage your singing kids and support them as best you can. Seek professional guidance for responsible ways to help them grow musically. Remember, the drive for a music career must always be theirs, not yours.
    Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams helped make stars out of many top artists: Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Huey Lewis, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Christina Aguilera...
    Click here www.cybervoicestudio.com to receive her free weekly video NewsLessons and PDF of "Answers to Singers' 7 Most Important Questions."
    Author of "Voice Power" AMACOM (NY). She offers insider's information via on-line lessons atwww.cybervoicestudio.com

  • TMV World Team
    BRIDGES IN SINGING
    In vocal study, you often hear terms like registration, head voice, middle voice, chest voice, mix, breaks, bridges. All of these terms refer to the coordinating of the voice as a singer ascends or descends in pitch.
    Bridges reveal changes in vocal coordination and occur in relatively predictable parts of the scale. If the bridges are not negotiated smoothly there may be an abrupt disconnection and interruption of vocal tone, known as cracking or breaking.
    Here's how it works: the chest voice is your lower voice, which most people use for speaking. It feels as though the tones are coming straight out of your mouth when you sing, and you if you place your hand on your chest as you sing a note, you will feel vibration in your chest.
    As you sing a scale starting from your lowest note ascending upward, you will notice at a certain point that you will begin to feel a sense of reaching for the note, or perhaps a feeling of straining to reach the pitch.
    You are now in your first passage area, or bridge. Think of this area as the passageway to your high notes. This first bridge is a critical area of the voice because this is where your outer muscles are most likely to try to help the process, by pulling and tightening in order to stretch the vocal cords to reach the higher pitch. Or else, they let go completely and the result is a weak, breathy sound.
    However with correct vocal training, you can overcome these issues completely. Good vocal training will enable you to build a strong connection between the lower and upper registers, resulting in a smooth transition from the chest voice upward. With a good mix, or middle voice, you will ultimately be able to go up and down the entire range of your voice no with breaks, no uncomfortable weakening of volume or intensity, and best of all, a healthy flexible voice that will enable you to sing in any style!
    Learning how to mix and transition through the bridges is one of the most important aspects of good vocal production. Getting through the bridges requires a very subtle coordination between opposing muscle groups. This coordination is difficult if not impossible to teach yourself, since you cannot hear yourself correctly, due to the design of our hearing mechanism. You absolutely need a qualified teacher who can develop this vocal coordination in your voice!
    To register for your professional vocal evaluation and consultation at Sing Like a Star Studios, please visit www.singlikeastar.com and click the Get Started tab. Lessons are available in person, or by Skype, speakerphone, or Facetime.
    For more free singing tips and voice lessons, please subscribe to our You Tube channel athttp://www.youtube.com/triciagrey 

  • TMV World Team
    Singing on American Idol is a dream that has spawned an international obsession with talent contests, primarily for singers. Still going strong after a decade, the genre got its modern-day start in 1983 with Ed McMahon, host of the popular talent show Star Search. When David Letterman mentioned the phenomenon on the Late Show, he appeared bewildered as he said, "You know, I didn't realize we had a shortage of stars."
    But American Idol and its clones are more than just wildly successful television. They are like tuition-free classrooms for up-and-coming singers. In fact, I feel watching these shows should be required viewing for anyone who wants to become a professional entertainer.
    Aspiring singers can learn valuable lessons from these phenomenal hit shows. The advice given on voice control, body-support, appearance, branding, and other vital aspects of performance is about as good as you can get anywhere -- and it's tuition-free to boot!
    Shows like American Idol are the Super Bowl for the kids who didn't play sports in high school. They were the guys who were busy practicing their instruments or playing in the marching band. As competitors, singing on American Idol, The Voice, The X-Factor or America's Got Talent helps young singers get a sense of what real-world professionals are looking for and what the American public responds to. Singers can learn from the critiques what works and what doesn't, and then apply that to their own performance.
    I give the American Idol panel of commentators high marks for generally right-on advice. But, strangely, I find that I have agreed most often with Simon Cowell, who has usually been the harshest. I've noticed though he seems to be a bit kinder and, dare one say, gentler? since he has taken the helm at The X-Factor. If you think Simon is tough, try convincing a roomful of label executives that they should gamble a million dollars on your career.
    There have been episodes where the contestants who are singing on American Idol received criticism for choosing material that plays to their strength. The following week, the same singer was pilloried for making a song choice outside his comfort zone. And that's something every singer should think twice about -- stepping outside of your safety zone. Sometimes it's simply best to do what you do best.
    Choosing the right material is important and it's wonderful when the perfect song and the perfect singer come together. But the qualities we hear in a great singer would come through if they were singing the phone book.
    One caution I would give to the contestants is to guard against over-singing. Those who end up singing on American Idol and its clones seem to be obsessed with "LOUD." Many of them belt the songs out so loudly that the words don't seem to matter. It's becomes a shouting contest.
    Singing should be more subtle than just slinging a lot of voice around. When you sing with a thundering voice, you sacrifice the honesty, intimacy, and integrity of the lyrics. Yet, this style is presented to millions of television viewers as desirable.
    Does being in the final top ten guarantee you a spot in the hearts and pocketbooks of an adoring public? No, but it sure beats rehearsing in the garage, or sitting around thinking about becoming a big star. Singing on American Idol, The Voice, The X-Factor or America's Got Talent just might be your ticket to success. Or not...
    Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams helped make stars out of many top artists: Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Huey Lewis, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Christina Aguilera...
    Click here www.cybervoicestudio.com to receive her free weekly video NewsLessons and PDF of "Answers to Singers' 7 Most Important Questions."
    Author of "Voice Power" AMACOM (NY). She offers insider's information via on-line lessons atwww.cybervoicestudio.com.

     
  • TMV World Team
    Hello everybody,
    This is pretty much the second part of my post ''singing through your eyes and through the public's eyes'' because I want to ask you all some advice on how to manage that stress you have because of too many questions in your head. I am pretty sure that won't only help me, but a lot of people too. Just to have some advice from people who have done this before.
    In my previous post, I talked about the solo I have to present in front of 200 people in about less than 2 weeks. Now, today, I had to practice it (I did it only once with the piano a long time ago, so I couldn't remember a lot of how the pianist used to play it) and it was IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. I am a very nice person who isn't scared to play bass, to play french horn solos, or to talk in front of people.... but when it comes to singing, it's horrible how I am shy. When I got up on the stage, I was petrified and it totally showed in my voice. I started to lose my voice on the first verse, started to have the wrong pitch, started to have a shaky voice (so was my legs) and I ended up totally humiliating myself (from my point of view). A lot of people, when I opened my eyes, where looking at me like : Wow, is she ok? She look like she just saw a ghost. When the teacher stopped, she said : I'm sorry Myriam, I didn't let yourself warmup just before since the song goes high and then low and always moves. I was thankful that she said that, because I could tell she looked into my eyes and saw all the terror. The second time I tried, it was much better, I hitted the notes, tried to give a nice prestation and moving a little bit, but still I keep on thinking that the first impression was bad.... then came the third time, it was even better, but still, not as perfect as I wanted it to be. A lot of people said it was very good and even a girl cried (haha), but still those compliments.... I just feel like if there was something wrong about me. All the other soloist I see going up onto the stage and sing.... they hit their notes, they don't lose their voices... but why me? Could it be a problem of self-esteem? Because I know I have to work on that, like a lot of people.
    I also read a book about the prestation... where it says that when you do something you don't like and people say it was very good, they can't know how you sound when you are in the shower or at home or at the studio, so they can only judge by the prestation you gave them and if they thought it was nice, then good. But still, I feel like I am far from my dream and I don't understand why it happens to me, but not to the others...
    Would you guys have any advice? Any tricks? Any story that you would like to share? (So I can feel less alone haha!) Because this is just killing me and I don't want to stop, but I feel petrified each time I go on stage, because I feel like it's worse each time.
    Thank you very much!

  • TMV World Team
    Are singing exercises really mandatory? No, they are not. They are only mandatory if you want to become a successful singer with a long and important career. Sure, some singers may never have done a scale in their lives. But then again, some people win the Lottery with the first ticket they buy. Willie Nelson probably never warbled a mee-mee-mee in his whole life. (Only guessing here; I've never asked) But few people have the charisma and sincerity that we see in Willie. He is a poet who puts tunes to his poems when he reads them.
    For the rest of us, the answer to that question is a resounding "YES." Singing is an athletic endeavor. And just like any other athletic activity, in order to be most effective, a subtle combination of brain, body and voice needs to be coordinated. These elements should be awakened by singing exercises so they can work freely together.
    A singer needs to sing scales and exercises in order to practice the elements of the techniques they are learning in a "pure" form. By that, I mean, without being distracted by issues like words, rhythm and interpretation. This is the time a singer gets to totally concentrate on the body, brain and voice synergy.
    Singing exercises build a kind of muscle memory intended to allow the singer to forget about issues like breathing and support so they can concentrate on performance aspects when they are singing onstage or in the studio. It's too late to concentrate on breathing and support when you're standing onstage. That's when a singer must forget about the basics and perform. You have to rely on muscle memory. And the way to build that muscle memory is to do what every vocal coach hopes you will do, and that is to practice your exercises.
    Exercises. That sounds like a lot of work and not much fun, doesn't it? Well, you could be right, but think of them like you would physical training. Crunches aren't much fun either, but when you don't do them, it shows in your performance and in your body.
    Fabled violinist Jascha Heifetz made a good point when he said, "If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it."
    For singers, I recommend warm-ups that work like building blocks, starting with the number one, all-time fundamental building block, which is effortless breathing. If you get the breathing part right, you stand a good chance of doing well with the rest of it. If you fail to establish your breathing correctly you will always be off-kilter.
    The next step is to incorporate your method of support. Then focus on your resonating system and add it to the mix. I also recommend that as you go through your singing exercises, you begin with scales that are short and in a comfortable voice range for you. Build slowly by gradually lengthening the spread of the notes you sing and begin exploring the boundaries of both upper and lower registers.
    There is a temptation to view singing exercises as a mindless activity. Nothing could be farther from the truth. They are only worth doing if you concentrate on building a smooth working machine that incorporates body, brain, and voice. Record yourself and monitor your progress. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. To quote football coach Vincent Lombardi, "Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect!"
    Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams helped make stars out of many top artists: Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Miley Cyrus, Huey Lewis, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Christina Aguilera...
    Author of "Voice Power" AMACOM (NY), Renee offers insider's information via on-line lessons, to receive her free weekly video News Lessons and an eBook "Answers to Singers' 7 Most Important Questions."http://cybervoicestudio.com

     


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