General - Music Production

[daffsongwriter]

I have been writing songs for ages now, only a few have I developed a tune for with my guitar - I have since gotten back into full swing with the keyboard also (had trailed off for some years and became a tad rusty), so am starting to try and include that. I wrote a really silly song about the election just to use as a dummy with the keyboard and I actually wrote a sweet little tune for it.I play some peices on the keyboard, and guitar that I have been recording onto my Boss BR 900 multitracker (8 track), while I have mastered recording onto it a treat now, I just find as soon as I record myself, keyboard or guitar I mess up somewhere along the line. Yet, take the earphones off me and unplug the Boss, I play without a hitch, its annoying. I really do try to relax and not think about the recording and there isnt any distractions in the room other than myself (yeah ok thats a bad enough distraction in itself lol).I cannot help thinking though a lot of this lack of self confidence with this area stems from my childhood. You see I was brought up by my grandparents as equally as my mum and dad, it was a strict upbringing where kids were to be seen and not heard, so when ever I sang, I was told to be quiet. When I went to school I did music but the practical music classes stopped cause I was the only one interested and the school didnt push drama. So my mum got me into private piano lessons which was great, then later I played trumped in the salvation army band for 3 years. Throughout my years though, my mum, Nana have always said "oh no your not singing again are you", or "ohhhh its awful" kind of a joke way. I spoke to my mum about this as I think it has a lot to blame in the way of me not projecting my vocals, my keyboard tutuor now (I have had a few refreshers) thinks my voice is improving, he is the only one who has given me that inspiration.Do you people out there think that maybe this could have a lot to do with me being a bit shy with my voice, i.e. assuming that people will think its awful so I dare not sing outwardly properly. I sing along to my own playing and play and sing November Rain really well and thats a difficult peice. My mum did say to me that her mum and dad (my nana and late grandad) used to be like that with her, used to stop her doing anything good as they assumed she wouldnt be good enough.I do also know that I have to believe in myself but when things like recording doesnt go as perfectly as I would like something inside me says maybe you just cannot do it. I wont give up mind.Also when it comes to producing your music, to produce an album on cd what are the steps you have to take? Do you have to register somewhere or get a company to do it, or can you literally make your own albums and sell them in a local music shop or take them somewhere. I am thinking maybe the local radio station for a start but I am a bit green in the actual production side of it, playing ok but the next step, I just want to make sure I get it right when the time comes. Also I would like to upload some of my stuff onto myspace and possibly here on Taxi.Sorry this is long and I know its a sad story, I havent spilled this till now but I have had such nice and helpful responses to other posts I thought I would just let it all out.Thanks everyone and I hope your all well.Lv Daff xx