L'attirail

You play in a Band or are a Music composer or dream of becoming one… Your next big step is going to be making a timeless album…

Despite how far or near this event looks to you these seven steps should be clear to you in your mind. Helps to have a clear picture of the future you are about to embark on…

STEP 1: Ideation

The initial spark can come anywhere. Typically one band member or the composer will come up with a starting point which is typically a guitar riff or a musical piece on the Keyboards or the Piano. It is best to have all band members participate in the ideation stage so that the band is truly greater than the sum of the parts. However typically in many bands there is one person who is the creative director of the entire show.

As an individual composer your initial spark can come from many sources including the songs and musical genres that you are currently listening. This is not the same as being “inspired” or illegally ripping off someone’s musical work. However keep listening to new genres of music to have an open mind and greater exposure.

STEP 2: Background Arrangement

Once you have an initial starting point you will need to arrange other pieces of music around the initial riff. Say for example you have a killer guitar riff (Say a progression of chords) you may want to start the song with it or use it as the verse or chorus or main melody.  Read more...

You are looking to find an instrument for yourself, or perhaps your child. You want to pick the right one, but it is so overwhelming! Woodwinds, piano, brass,strings, and percussion, and that is just the groupings. How can you decide which instrument is right for you?

Do some Research

Here are few suggestions that will help you to narrowdown the search. First, do some research into what the different instruments sound like. You do not want to bestuck playing, or listing to someone play, aninstrument you cannot stand the sound of. Check out some orchestra CDs from your local library, or go online to find sound clips of different instruments. A

music teacher may be able to demonstrate the sound of some instruments for you. Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf is a great piece that showcases several instrumental solos.

Try Some Out

Once you have found a few sounds that please you, see if you can try some out. If you know someone who plays an instrument, ask them if you can try it. They may not want to let you put your mouth on their mouthpiece, but you can at least hold the instrument and feel how it feels in your hand. Also, if you are looking for an instrument for your child, their school orchestra teacher will most likely have some student models they can try. Some music stores may be willing to let you try an instrument. Keep in mind that you will not play a symphony on the first try, but you do want to have an instrument that feels somewhat comfortable in your hands.  Read more...

Below is a list of steps that I have compiled together from some of my closes friends in and around the music industry. All of them make a living strictly off of the music. So play close attention to these Ten steps. It could actually make your career.

1. Make a list of Goals

Create a Goal List – What is it that you yearn for and how do you plan to get it? Write it down from ending to beginning. For example, if you want to record 2 songs in a week. Write down what it is you have to do to record 2 songs in a week. Break it down from when your going to start, to when your going to end. What are the things you need to do and how long will it take? Set reasonable goals and break your Plan into phases: 3 months – 6 months and so on. And STICK TO THE SCRIPT.

2. Keep It Real

Do your research – Get honest opinions – Identify your market. Start small, you don’t have to take over the world in one day…as a matter of fact, its impossible. For example when I first started rapping and had mixtapes to pass out I had a goal to get my name out by passing inserts of my mixtape out all throughout the 3 highschools in my area. It worked like a charm. The point is don’t try to take over a large area at one time. Especially if its your first time. Recognize that you’re going to have to do shows, most of the time for free, atleast until you build a following. Remember it still is a business and money matters. Know when to ask for help. Respect the possibility that you may not become a star or get on MTV, but that you can make a living making music.  Read more...

When learning how to make your own rap beats, you are going to need the proper tools. There are quite a few options available, such as which rap beat making program to use, whether it should be online or one you download to your computer, or even what sampling equipment to purchase when you need to. These things can be quite expensive, so here are a few pointers:

1. When it comes to making rap beats, price does not always determine quality! Many people think that they must have the most expensive beat making software, or the most expensive Akai Sampling model. None of this is the case. I have ran into quite a few online beat makers that produce sounds that mirror the quality that a $499 program does for a fraction of the price. Look into such opportunities, as they are the best place to get started.

2. Find something that is user friendly. Sometimes the interface of a program can be so overbearing that you give up within 15 minutes. If you don’t end up giving up, it will take you 2 months to even learn the program before you can start pumping anything out. Look for something that has an easy interface, without sacrificing quality.

3. Make sure whatever beat making programs you purchase have money back guarantees, and then purchase more than one different program. I do this and it pays off cause I get the beat making program that I want, and I am positive of that. Sometimes you can find an online beat maker that has lessons and tutorials, which helps you to cut your learning curve.  Read more...