Should I study Music?

There really are quite a few reasons why having an understanding of music and how it reads, can be beneficial to your musical abilities. However there are a few negative factors to consider too.

Pros

• You will be able to read music
• You can sight read scores
• You will understand the concept of tuning better
• You are able to interpret the music
• It broadens your understanding of music
• Your concept of genres is broadened
• One can slowly adapt to other different instruments as their concept of music broadens
• Reading sight music and playing an instrument simultaneously, can develop pathways in the brain that no other exercise can develop.

Cons

• The genre can be limiting i.e., classical versus jazz or rock etc.
• You may feel that you are not good enough, when being graded for exam purposes
• Formal music study requires a daily commitment to practice
• The music can be repetitive as you prepare for exams
• The need to practice may outplay the desire to be passionate about the impromptu songs you begin to play
• You may have to play songs you do not necessarily enjoy.

Overall

It is imperative to choose to study a musical genre that not only challenges you, but stimulates your passion. There is no sense attempting to study something that you either do not love or find utterly boring.

General

The best way to start is with Music Theory 101 and then progress from there. It will have a focus on the classical side of music, but you can embrace other genres like jazz by taking up classes in Music Practical 101. Genres include

• Jazz
• Classical
• Blues
• Rock
• Alternative (Not an official format of study).

The Highs and Lows to Self-Releasing a Record

Technology has advanced to such a degree, that one can record a full album from the comfort of their own home, and still release it to the masses without much effort. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Let’s look at both.

The Bad

• You are responsible for all the costs and time involved
• There is no brand or agent to hide behind if it is a flop
• You put in a lot of money, and do not sell anything
• Unless you know somebody, you are charged full prices at recording studios, manufacturers and for any Public Relations
• You can be asked to pay for the finished product in advance or upfront before release and sales
• You will have to pay for Public Relations, newspaper articles and reviews in order to establish your name
• Building a brand and marketing your band is a full days work in itself:
  • Sales
  • Advertising
  • Press releases
  • Hiring venues
  • Booking gigs to play
  • Burning of album
  • Album art
  • Email lists
  • Promotions

The Good

• You own everything that you produce
• Any profits made can go into your own pockets
• You can work as hard as you want or as little as you want
• Choose your own style and way of expressing yourself
• You are not bound by the legal side of an agency
• You are not bound by the creative limitations of a record label
• You are in control of the access to your music, including its use elsewhere

At the end of the day, both the good and the bad components still cannot make the decision for you – but whatever decision you do make, be prepared to work hard. Nothing is for nothing and nothing comes for free.

The reality of any industry is that we do not all succeed the first time around. If you have worked hard on a demo, taken the time out to submit it and either didn’t hear back from the record label or received a rejection letter – it is only expected that you would be disappointed. But do not give up, there are other options.

Re-submit

It can take months for a record label to get a chance to hear your demo. In fact, you may think you have been rejected, when actually they simply have not had the chance to hear it. It can pay to send them an occasional email until you have a definite response.

• Once rejected, do not assume you can never resubmit to that record label.
• Always consider other labels if you have not done so.
• When your band records new stuff, submit it again to the record labels of choice, even if they rejected your previous demo.
• Email the record labels to inform them of gigs that your band may have coming up – especially notable ones.

Re-record

The quality of a demo is not necessarily the reason that you were rejected, but it can however make a difference in terms of the immediate feelings towards your band.

• Consider recording your demo again with better software.
• Consider recording your demo again in a recording studio.
• Keep in mind that it is the first few notes and chords that sell the song.

Imagery

A CD cover that looks professional can go a long way in getting peoples attention.

• Have a friend snap a few band photos.
• Possibly do low budget photos to include on your CD cover.
• Have somebody consider your band bio, to spell-check it and if possible, to improve it.

Do not give up

An old Chinese proverb says, “Fall seven times, and stand up eight.” So no matter how many rejection letters you get – keep trying. You sincerely never know who may be listening one day.

With a world so convoluted with musical talents and expressions, how does one get noticed? There are a few options such as recording your own demo, submitting it to record labels or even publishing it yourself. But if you are one of the few who wants to be “noticed” for their pure talent, then here is where you should start.

Busking

Find a cosy street corner that you know is going to be busy, set out a hat or that old guitar case and get playing. The simplicity of this is that you just belt out some tunes and hope you can be heard over the rush hour traffic. If you are able to, then plug yourself in and try being a little more noticeable about the bustling crowd. Do a few crowd pleasing songs, and of course a few of your won. Mournful ballads are not going to work in this situation – go for upbeat and perky if you can. The bonus is that you may also earn a little moola as passersby throw some cash into your hat or case.

Free Gigs

Inquire at local coffee shops, markets and pubs and see if they would be willing to let you sing a few tunes. You may not be their perfect taste in genre, so do a few covers. But do not forget to slip in a few of your own songs. And use this as an opportunity to gauge how well liked your songs are.

Freebies

If you have the opportunity, give away a few free items. Everybody loves getting a gift, even if it’s a quirky one

• Loyalty card: if you attend x many gigs, I buy you x many beers
• Free shirts
• A few free demo albums
• First 25 at door enter free
• Ask for sponsored items to give away

Whatever happens, the main thing is that you are pleasing the crowd. Nobody is going to notice a miserable, unhappy and sorrowful musician. Play to the strengths of those around you, and they will be eating out the palm of your hands.

The world could not have known what was about to hit them, until 1969 rolled around with Woodstock and all its glorious musical heroes. And out of the naked bodies, shared love and a whole lot of other shared intimacies – rose David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.

Famous Bands

Before becoming the famous CSN (and sometimes Young when joined by Neil Young), each member had a role in another famous band.

Stephen Stills – Buffalo Springfield (vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist)

David Crosby – The Byrds (guitar, singer, song writer)

Graham Nash – The Hollies (guitarist, singer, songwriter)

Neil Young – Buffalo Springfield

Each member had left their previous bands for a variety of reasons including frustration and a difference of opinion, but at a party in 1968 at Joni Mitchell’s house – they suddenly became the vocal legends they are today. A simple song, harmonized in 3 parts, made the three founding members of CSN shiver with anticipation – their voices simply worked together with a chemistry that they had not previously experienced.

Failed Auditions

The first record company, however, did not feel the same chemical explosion, and decided not to sign the band. It was at that point that they decided to call themselves Crosby, Stills and Nash, thereby giving themselves an irreplaceable spot in a band that they knew would make the big times.

Signed eventually by Atlantic Records, they released their first album in 1969 and reached two Top 40 Hits. Neil Young soon came in as a part time keyboardist, who maintained his place in his band Crazy Horse.

Woodstock

By the time this fresh faced group got to Woodstock later in 1969, they had only played live once – the day before. Nervously stepping out on to the stage, they fondly refer to themselves as being “scared shitless.” They however, won a few hearts and grew a fan base that was eager for their 1970 album release.

Solo Careers

The relationships of the band members however, had always been tumultuous and this lead to a stint where they no longer were together as a band. Each one embarked on a solo career, and each had a top 15 entry on the Billboard 200. Continuing into 1972, the individual members were faring well – but 1973 was not a pretty year for any of them, and led to a meeting at Neil Young’s house where they decided to record a new album. It was the unsolved issues between them that caused them to fall apart again by 1974. It was the likes of their original agent from Atlantic (Elliot Roberts), that saw the commercial potential of this band, and in his hands he molded the CSN&Y that has become a favourite in many folk rock homes. In 2014, CSN&Y celebrated their 40 year touring anniversary.