How can I succeed?

Kanarcus · Post by **Kanarcus** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:04 am

I am a singer/songwriter but I have no talent when it comes to playing instruments. It has been my dream to get my music heard and I would rather sell it/submit it for others to use via commercial, TV, other bands, etc. I am poor and can't afford the representation needed from companies such as taxi and I have had absolutely no luck in finding anyone willing to take on the task of say guitar or piano playing for my music. They either don't want to or are not commited to it. Can anyone give me some suggestions of what to do from here or help me in some way?

Kolstad · Post by **Kolstad** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:03 am

In your situation, the best advice would be to find collaborators. Networking is one great option for you!

You can do that by uploading your rough files (a lyric recorded into a computer with your melody a'capella) to a free hostingservice like Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/ , Soundclick http://www.soundclick.com/ , Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/ and many others.

Then sign up for a free membership account at Internet forums like Just Plain Folks http://www.jpfolks.com/ , Tunesmith http://www.tunesmith.net/ , The Muse's Muse http://www.musesmuse.com/ , Songramp http://www.songramp.com/ and many others. There you can make posts guiding people to your files on the hostingservice, or post lyrics if you don't have a recording (then you obviously don't need the hostingservices).

Ask for feedback on your work along with a note about looking for collaborators, provide feedback to others, and start making relationships that way. You may hook up with people who like your work, and have better recording options or connections, and go from there hooking up with a bunch of people. Be aware it can be way harder to find collaborators if you have both lyrics and melodies, as that leaves them nothing to own (only lyrics and melodies are copyrightable), besides provide you with a free demo (then you would be exploiting your network, and consequently ruin it). You can get lucky and find a producer who's willing to own only the soundrecording, though, but then you need to be careful with the professional paperwork.

Here's a quick intro to do's and don'ts of networking http://www.wikihow.com/Network

All of that comes at absolutely no cost. Networking is one great option for you, and social media is great!

mojobone · Post by **mojobone** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:39 pm

1.) Love what you do.

2.) Don't quit.

mojobone · Post by **mojobone** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:45 pm

Kanarcus wrote:I am a singer/songwriter but I have no talent when it comes to playing instruments. It has been my dream to get my music heard and I would rather sell it/submit it for others to use via commercial, TV, other bands, etc. I am poor and can't afford the representation needed from companies such as taxi and I have had absolutely no luck in finding anyone willing to take on the task of say guitar or piano playing for my music. They either don't want to or are not commited to it. Can anyone give me some suggestions of what to do from here or help me in some way?

It's tough for a non-performing songwriter, but if you can at least hum a few lines, and get your ideas into a tangible form known as a worktape, (even though most of us no longer use tape) it's enough for a start. You can also post in Lyric Lovers and Collaboration Corner on this site.

cardell · Post by **cardell** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:25 pm

thesongcabinet wrote:In your situation, the best advice would be to find collaborators. Networking is one great option for you!

Yes, you might want to check out kompoz.com.

Stuart

T&V Marino · Post by **T&V Marino** » Sun May 08, 2011 8:28 pm

Hi Kanarkus,

It's amazing what you can do if you TRULY have the dream AND the desire to accomplish something. Here are some suggestions for you:

- Go to recording studios to meet recording musicians (session players)
- Hook up with a producer who can play guitar and/or keyboards
- Go to coffeehouses and open mic nights and find people who are nice, talented, and open to collaborating
- Go to the community colleges in your town and take some music lessons
- Go to the TAXI Rally and talk to people to find common musical interests
- Attend concerts of all different types of music and meet the musicians
- Join a local songwriting group like NSAI
- Keep participating in the TAXI Forums and continue your search for a co-writer

We all have shortcomings in this business. Those who are successful find a way to work with those shortcomings.

A long time ago it was my dream to get my music into film/TV and I realized I had to have a home studio -- my friend's studio was costing me a FORTUNE to go there each week. I'm not technically inclined, so I had to overcome a LOT of obstacles to achieve this goal.

Within 15 years, I had a writing partner (now my husband), a house, TWO Pro Tools studios in the house, and hundreds of placements in film/TV.

Okay, this all didn't happen overnight. It took years of patience and pain, but I dreamed it, desired it, and worked like the devil to make it happen.

Hang in there and go for it! If you REALLY, REALLY want it, it WILL happen.

~ Tracey Marino

guitarhacker · Post by **guitarhacker** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:32 am

yep... find a collaborator who plays your style of music. search the TAXI members sites here, listen to the music and contact those who fit what you need.

It just might work well.

mojobone · Post by **mojobone** » Fri May 20, 2011 4:03 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RskzYHPlh5U

manyunk · Post by **manyunk** » Sat May 21, 2011 7:07 am

David Foster has something to add

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fuaYI- ... r_embedded

mojobone · Post by **mojobone** » Mon May 23, 2011 12:26 am

^^^Great stuff!

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