P.S.- I have titled this review as'Promoting your music' to avoid misleading readers. I had already written a review in the right category, and hence, had to put this under this category. Inconvenience is regretted.
In the last 15 months, I have interacted with many struggling singers and music directors, who come to my studio for recording their songs. I tell them a few things, and in return, learn a lot from them. Here is an account of my thoughts, specially penned for the benefit of all those strugglers who keep on going with a hope in their heart and darkness all around.
PREPARE A STRONG FALL BACK OPTION
Ok.I have to say it, as I cannot lie to my conscience. You need to have a strong fall back option. The music industry is a highly insecure industry. A solid education helps. Do not neglect your studies for your music, the way I did! Luckily for me, things fell into place. Notice that the word'luckily' is in bold italics. I could gather enough capital to start a studio for a somewhat steady income. You may not be that lucky. So keep your options open, and then, give your music the best try.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE?
Preparation starts on ground level. It helps if you have studied music from your childhood. If not, then, it is never too late. Tap your strengths. What are you good at? Classical? Light vocal? Whatever it may be, a bit of classical background helps.
Once you have start learning, do your riyaaz religiously. Learning music is indeed boring in the beginning. Don't give up. Remember, the biggest and the strongest building stands on a strong foundation. Gradually, start doing small shows. Exposure to live audience helps in boosting your confidence. For budding singers, I recommend that they practice with a taanpura and not with a harmonium.
Once you gain the confidence, your next step should be facing the studio mic.
MEET MR.MIC
Your next step should be to save some money and hire a small studio. Singing in the studio is a different game altogether. In our line, the mic is called chugalkhor. That is because it conveys your smallest flaws to the monitor room. But this chugalkhor can be your best friend.
First and foremost, you should work on the throw of your voice. The voice should be striking. But in the process, you have to learn to avoid blows and hisses.
Blows are the unwanted sounds that come with syllables like pha and bha. Hiss is the sound of s. Though this cannot be fully avoided, you should try to keep it to the minimum. Keep talking with the recordist to maintain a healthy interaction while singing. It helps to get rid of nervousness.
Your first recording should be on a karaoke track, which are freely available in music stores. But do not try to copy the original singer. Find the singer inside you.
HOW TO PROMOTE YOURSELF
This is a tricky question. Many singers go straight ahead and record their albums. In the process, they are fleeced by some frauds, who are in abundance in this field. Ideally, the cost of recording one whole album maybe anywhere between Rs.80, 000 to Rs.1.5 lakhs. Once you invest this sum, you invariably enter the vicious circle of the music companies. Majority of these companies are nothing but money making rackets. They ask you to do the music video(another Rs.2 lakhs minimum), and then, they may think of releasing your album. I know some singers who have paid the companies astronomical prices, just for a break. They are still waiting for the company to release their songs. So.either you go on investing without any guaranteed returns, or you forget your initial Rs.80, 000 and become depressed!
Then what do you do? My advice is- Record a demo. A demo is a roughly recorded mukhda and antara of some songs. It will cost you roughly around Rs.20, 000. Once you have this demo, you can go to the music companies to see if they are interested. If they are(which is very difficult), then your next step should be to involve the music company in the production of the final album. Let them record your songs!
Most of the times, you cannot enter the company from the front door. So jump over the wall. In other words, get some contacts inside the company who can promote you.
Most of the companies ask you to drop your demo cassette at their office, saying that they will get back to you. This seldom happens. So try to get a contact inside, who can make sure that your hard work at least gets a fair listening.
While you are doing the rounds, make it a point to take your demo to different music directors. Here, also, contacts work. Once you establish the contact with the music director, you have follow up. Call him once in two-three days. But do not pester him. Just be sure that you are somewhere in the back of his mind when he has a need for a new voice.
All in all, it is only contacts, contacts and contacts that can help you reach your aim. Be in touch with people. Follow up the leads. Sell yourself.
STRUGGLE
Experience leads me to believe that struggle is nothing but your strength to cope up with the failures. It is not merely meeting people. It is your ability to rise from depression whenever failure strikes. I used to feel hurt when some MBAs from a music company used to casually listen to my songs and discard it. The songs which were composed with so much love and dedication. I used to come home dejected and cry my heart out. But the next day, I used to gather myself up and go ahead with my attempts. This process of trying, failing and then trying again, is what struggle is all about. Do not lose heart. Success is an uphill task.but many have achieved it. So can you!
THE TRAGEDIES OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
The biggest tragedy is that the future of millions of talented people is in the hands of a few non musical chaps. It helps if you are a good looking girl. Guys can have a hard time. Don't believe me?
Well, I once had an offer from a prestigious music company to compose some songs for a new female singer whom they were launching. I asked them what the scale of the singer was. The company man smiled and said- We do not know her scale, but we can give you her photograph. Huh?
That is how it is! Music videos have taken a preference over music albums.
IN CONCLUSION
Still, there is hope! If even one struggler uses these warnings and tips in his struggle, I will feel that the review was worth it!
Success is indeed possible in these conditions too. Just believe in yourself. Leave no stones unturned. Give it your best shot.
As Swami Vivekanand once said- Every great achievement, big or small, begins with the right decision. I will try!
