How can I best market myself at 15 years old as an aspiring R&B singer?
I understand that if someone is an aspiring R&B singer, it's good to have a vocal coach and/or take vocal classes. However, in order to be successful, how can I put myself out there and make it appear professional? It would be most helpful to get feedback from someone who is in the industry/profession so I can have as many options as I can. #singing #R&Bmusician
2 answers
Tracy Singer
Tracy’s Answer
Well, the best way to look like a professional is to actually be one. Sounds rhetorical and sarcastic, but believe me I'm 100% serious. There are very, very young children on Broadway who are absolute professionals. they are talented, work hard training, show up on time and are 100% committed every time they walk through the door. There are also adults who are working at professional level that act like anything but.
If you want to be a professional musician, study music. Seriously. Roberta Flack was training to be an opera singer before she became a teacher and than BAM had a hit record called Killing Me Softly and now is one of the best known names in the industry.
You're lucky to be born in a time where you can become a You Tube star overnight. Tape yourself and watch it, and be ready to be brutally honest with yourself. Does it look like something you'd expect to see from a professional? Why? Why not?
You absolutely have to take voice lessons if you want to sing. Even Christina Aguilera, with all her natural talent, had to be coached on breathing and proper technique to make sure her instrument would last her life time. Find a coach whose voice you like, who has a healthy, natural and supported sound. Listen to singers you like and decide why you like them or what you'd do differently. Don't EVER try to sound like someone else (unless you're doing impressions). Develop YOUR voice to be as free, strong, healthy and clear as it can be.
You should also learn to read music, and if possible, play an instrument so that you can ultimately accompany yourself. Music theory is an invaluable tool to have.
Make a demo -- do open mics. Get experience. Audition. and always remember, when dealing with people who're promising you a career, if it feels wrong, it probably is. Don't be so star struck that you jump into something that will ultimately hurt you - always think long term, and keep an adult that you trust involved in your decisions.
Good Luck!
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Alyssa’s Answer
I love that you're hungry for a dream like music. There's no career field quite like it, in both the positives and the negatives. There's also really no defining line that decides whether you're a "professional", or or "you've made it" or not. You just keep building and building and building. That starts with writing, performing and finding your sound.
You should definitely start getting a ton of performance experience, and if you don't, learn an instrument to be able to accompany yourself at shows. Start playing in bars, restaurants, karaoke nights, singing competitions, whatever you can find.
When it comes to finding your own unique sound, that all comes with writing music as much as you possibly can.
Writing songs, writing songs, and writing songs. You’re not going to go for a walk down the street and just “find your sound”. You find it right there in your own sound, by writing a lot. This is the way you’ll have that a-ha moment and find your one and only unique perspective and voice that the world needs to meet. You may need to have have to write 100 songs to find a true slammer of a song.
Even if it’s livestreams shows, perform, play gigs, play writer’s rounds. Not only does this help you to network, meet new people or potential new fans and followers and drastically improve your performance skills or comfortability, but this is also the BEST way to see which of your songs hit the hardest. The crowd reaction is the biggest tell you can get when it comes to finding which are your best songs. That response will be a great help when it comes to this next step, yet another step that ties back to why having great songs is so important…
Putting your music out on streaming platforms, Youtube, and social media is a huge must.
Social media is your friend, especially at this time in the world where putting yourself out there in person is less of an option.
What’s the coolest thing about heavily utilizing social media as a musician?
You get to paint the picture of who you are. How are people going to think of you as a real professional musician or artist if you aren’t displaying yourself as such?
If you want to be painted as a gritty, Bob Dylan, blue jeans type artist, you get to create that image for yourself through the pictures you post, videos of your originals OR covers, and your overall aesthetic. You get to show the world how you want to be perceived. Social media is a great outlet for expressing your unique artistry and your creativity.
I hope this answer helps! Good luck on all of your pursuits :)