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How do I become a singer before 20?
I want to be a pop singer by the time I turn 20. What should I do to make sure I get a record deal by then? And when I get it how do I keep it? And how do I know which record company to choose?
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3 answers
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Joshua !
It is really so wonderful that you have a talent that you can share with the world. I've read what you've written here and I will give you some advice to consider. Your enthusiasm and plans are fine, but you will guarantee to be disappointed if you lean on a time limit, specific career moves and wanting to know exactly how your career will go. That will be impossible for anyone to tell you. A Career is a process and so is becoming a professional singer, so since you ask these questions, take it a step back and learn about the business you want to pursue.
Are you already a singer and are you popular with social interactions in different groups ? You also must ask yourself if your education thus far has taught you how to sell yourself and if you know about all of the promotional materials you will need. Absolutely no one will guarantee you a recoding contract. You have to be in the right place, at the right time and have VIP contacts to even be considered. It's chance. But if you immerse yourself in some positive actions, you may be able to make a living from your singing. Try not to be stressed about it. No one knows at what age they will do anything. Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised at true opportunities, but do not set yourself up for disappointment as that may lead to forgetting your purpose as a professional.
My advice is, if you are serious and can enjoy the journey, attend college for a Bachelors Degree in Music. Singing is in the music department. You will gain skills, experience, contacts, projects and sharpen your singing skills in an on cite campus. The Bachelors Degree will qualify you for some jobs you may find interesting around the music industry. In order to take the first step to a long term goal, you must be open minded, flexible, versatile and patient. You may have to have a parent oversee your career if you begin professional auditions before you are age 18. So get a solid education, meet lots of people in the music industry.
I wouldn't suggest that you start until you have a solid resume with good performances you have done, a reel and headshots for submission to various projects. You can make a You Tube Channel, but that would really help if an employer asks for a remote audition or examples of your work. When you are ready, do a search for trade websites that have projects hiring singers. You can do a search on line or ask one of your music professors in college. College is also good for many resources, especially in New York City.
Strive for the best performances and take the steps that would prepare you, not leaning on elusive hope. We all want to be successful and make a living from what we love best. Rushing into it and being impatient or having it based on hopeful dreams will only bring disappointment and you deserve the best and to enjoy your career.
I hope that this is useful and that you find a path that brings you much happiness.
It is really so wonderful that you have a talent that you can share with the world. I've read what you've written here and I will give you some advice to consider. Your enthusiasm and plans are fine, but you will guarantee to be disappointed if you lean on a time limit, specific career moves and wanting to know exactly how your career will go. That will be impossible for anyone to tell you. A Career is a process and so is becoming a professional singer, so since you ask these questions, take it a step back and learn about the business you want to pursue.
Are you already a singer and are you popular with social interactions in different groups ? You also must ask yourself if your education thus far has taught you how to sell yourself and if you know about all of the promotional materials you will need. Absolutely no one will guarantee you a recoding contract. You have to be in the right place, at the right time and have VIP contacts to even be considered. It's chance. But if you immerse yourself in some positive actions, you may be able to make a living from your singing. Try not to be stressed about it. No one knows at what age they will do anything. Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised at true opportunities, but do not set yourself up for disappointment as that may lead to forgetting your purpose as a professional.
My advice is, if you are serious and can enjoy the journey, attend college for a Bachelors Degree in Music. Singing is in the music department. You will gain skills, experience, contacts, projects and sharpen your singing skills in an on cite campus. The Bachelors Degree will qualify you for some jobs you may find interesting around the music industry. In order to take the first step to a long term goal, you must be open minded, flexible, versatile and patient. You may have to have a parent oversee your career if you begin professional auditions before you are age 18. So get a solid education, meet lots of people in the music industry.
I wouldn't suggest that you start until you have a solid resume with good performances you have done, a reel and headshots for submission to various projects. You can make a You Tube Channel, but that would really help if an employer asks for a remote audition or examples of your work. When you are ready, do a search for trade websites that have projects hiring singers. You can do a search on line or ask one of your music professors in college. College is also good for many resources, especially in New York City.
Strive for the best performances and take the steps that would prepare you, not leaning on elusive hope. We all want to be successful and make a living from what we love best. Rushing into it and being impatient or having it based on hopeful dreams will only bring disappointment and you deserve the best and to enjoy your career.
I hope that this is useful and that you find a path that brings you much happiness.
Updated
Edward’s Answer
Take your time my friend, so many pop singers have come and gone so just study, vocalize and perform wherever you can. I would say don't concentrate so much on the timeline but more so on getting your craft down to a T. As far as labels there are so many and even independent good ones, get advice and be well aware of what you are signing. We have learned from the past about bad contracts signed by members of the band Badfinger and Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman of the Turtles. Stuff like this still happens to this day so be careful. Peace In Music to you.
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Joshua!
There was another student who asked this question a couple of months ago and you might want to take a look at some of those answers at https://www.careervillage.org/questions/858185/how-do-i-become-a-pop-star
Also, here are some things you can do to start working toward your goal of being a pop singer:
- Work on developing your talent by practicing regularly, taking vocal lessons, and experimenting with different musical genres
- Try to improve your voice by studying the quality of your voice and working on writing some songs
- Get some experience by singing on stage to help prevent stage fright and develop your own style. Join a local choir or perform at open mic nights
- Try to build relationships with other artists, and producers
- Begin promoting yourself with an online presence and social media where you can share videos of yourself singing
With regard to your vocals, I recently heard an interview with vocal coach Lara Chapman about the craft of singing and learning to sing. In addition to her paid lessons, Lara has some free videos on YouTube that might be of interest. Here are some links:
https://bobbyoinnercircle.com/lara-chapman-521/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeocXILpItYAasqGkEQNddQ
https://lessons.voxtapestudios.com/
[Lara Chapman really gets into the teaching / learning singing part at about time 14:00 of her interview with Bobby Owsinski]
Good luck Joshua, and try to get going on building your craft and talent!
There was another student who asked this question a couple of months ago and you might want to take a look at some of those answers at https://www.careervillage.org/questions/858185/how-do-i-become-a-pop-star
Also, here are some things you can do to start working toward your goal of being a pop singer:
- Work on developing your talent by practicing regularly, taking vocal lessons, and experimenting with different musical genres
- Try to improve your voice by studying the quality of your voice and working on writing some songs
- Get some experience by singing on stage to help prevent stage fright and develop your own style. Join a local choir or perform at open mic nights
- Try to build relationships with other artists, and producers
- Begin promoting yourself with an online presence and social media where you can share videos of yourself singing
With regard to your vocals, I recently heard an interview with vocal coach Lara Chapman about the craft of singing and learning to sing. In addition to her paid lessons, Lara has some free videos on YouTube that might be of interest. Here are some links:
https://bobbyoinnercircle.com/lara-chapman-521/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeocXILpItYAasqGkEQNddQ
https://lessons.voxtapestudios.com/
[Lara Chapman really gets into the teaching / learning singing part at about time 14:00 of her interview with Bobby Owsinski]
Good luck Joshua, and try to get going on building your craft and talent!