How to further a young singer's chances of success?

Question

OK- here is the deal: got a daughter of 15 who I discovered can SING (no, not just being a doting mother here) and now am stumped.

What can I do to help her further her career beyond the obvious of getting her singing lessons (which, by the way are impossible to come by here in the Scottish Borders! Anyone know of a coach?!) and perhaps offering to ferry her to workshops?

She got a mike and interface for Christmas and we have just mucked about with it (I am NOT aux fait with recording booth technology and am "at sea")- seriously- just mucked about: www.myspace.com/brigidmhairi

Now- I was wondering- do I just get cheeky and send her tape to someone to have a listen and advise further? If so, who to?

Any advice by recording artists, singer songwriters or producers would be very welcomed.

This is my first question so am not sure what to expect from it but it is driving me mad to have folk tell me I am wasting her chance for vocal development by not acting now.

Please and thanks

Answer 1

A few things that might help from the point of view of a singer and voice coach who has worked with teens:

First of all, don't let anyone (including herself) push her voice to the point that she physically feels uncomfortable or hurts. I knew a gal who had nodes (scarring) on her vocal cords at the age of 18 because she and her voice teacher were too hard on her voice. Nodes can cause permanent damage.

Second - if she is serious about this, have her learn basic music theory. I know, BORING, but being able to read music will make her stand out in a crowd of talent. If she can learn to sight-read (sing something from a piece of paper without hearing it first), all the better.

Third, and this might help for both of you, get used to the audition process and rejection. I know I sound harsh, but to "make it," a person needs to have thick skin and a backbone. A producer, director, hiring agent might not hire someone because his or her sound isn't what they were looking for. That doesn't make the singer "bad" - heck, in my experience, some directors look for a sound that makes me cringe. If your daughter can learn to shake off a bad audition or a Simon Cowell-like rejection, she'll be happier in the long run.

As for the tape, I say go for it. What's it going to hurt? In the meantime, have her get all the experience she can singing. Sing at church, in community theatre, where ever she can get experience. And make sure she's enjoying it. If she isn't, it's going to cause BIG problems.

Good luck!

Answer 2

getting an more suitable coaching in song may be a plus. human beings will comprehend which you're knowledgeable and committed to what you do. even nevertheless this may appear variety of like a desperate attempt to be like justin beiber or in spite of, you ought to open a youtube account in case you do not have already got one. positioned up up lots of video clips of you singing so as which you would be able to improve a fan base. unquestionably discover ways to play the guitar. additionally to make your self extra rounded you will possibly be able to desire to attempt writing some unique songs. once you upload video clips onto youtube, attempt to apply good sound high quality purchase making an investment in some sound equipment. To make your self extra extensive-unfold on youtube, get a busking enable out of your city so as which you would be able to hold out on the streets. Have your youtube account published so human beings can pass to your web site. additionally, ask in case you are able to hold out at community golf equipment, pubs or at little exhibits or gala's. each and all of the time, build your vocal skills and shop working. And now i do no longer prefer to be a downer yet in case it would not artwork out you ought to have a fall lower back plan. there are lots of alternative thoughts contained in the song employer. you're a vocal coach, a song instructor/professor, a supervisor of a musician or a composer. do no longer provide up on your objectives.

Answer 3

Tell her she'll never make it and end it at that.