Here is an Excerpt from 'So You Wannabe a Singer? How to Begin!

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Learning the Tricks of the Trade
by Val Kelly

'In the same way that any apprentice must learn ‘the tricks of their trade’ before they can truly call themselves ‘professional’, in order to have a successful and viable career as a singer it is essential that all aspiring to sing acquaint themselves with ‘the business of becoming and being a singer’. Having a fantastic voice is not enough.

Take the trainee nurse/doctor/ plumber/baker/accountant/mechanic/candlestick maker…it’s not until they take on their first paid position or go it alone that they begin to learn the real tricks of their trade. Becoming and stepping out as a singer is no different.
For a singer in the early years of your development, it is not until you are removed from the comfort zone of whatever you have been used to eg. your regular Bloch party or Karaoke sessions, your individual or group vocal classes or vocal/music tech ‘communities’ – that the ‘real game’ begins.
The business of becoming and being a professional singer
is in effect - the business of ‘being the best that you can be’ and doing it to the best of your ability. This takes time, for the majority, many, many years.

When the ‘coming out’ parties are over and the dust begins to settle, it’s not too long before the likes of Hello, OK magazine, NME etc begin to reveal how in fact the ‘overnight sensations’ eg. David Gray – James Blunt – Corinne Bailey Rae to name a few…had been on the circuit, trying to make it for the past 10 years or so.
Here’s a little pre - superstar trivia for you - now common knowledge
We’re all acquainted with stories of how artists/groups such as Destiny’s Child were created. The stars sang, performed and were being introduced to choreography at the tender age of 11.
The way in which 'The New Mickey Mouse Club’ - the US based TV show gave exposure to then child stars Britney, Justin Timberlake & (Christine Aquilera) is now common knowledge. How 2006 UK X Factor winner Leona Lewis and jazz/soul diva Amy Winehouse started their training at the Sylvia Young Stage School (for 10-16yr olds) before going on to graduate from the Croydon’s Brit School (Performing Arts & Technology school for 14-19yr olds) alongside among others Kate Melua, David Lyndon Hall & The Kooks.
David Bowie - was said to have been an all round music hall entertainer before he hit the big time, and The Rolling Stones were known to have played a mix of blues based covers in pubs & clubs across London for the first few years of their band career. While many began honing their skills singing & winning talent shows from as young as 7 (Mary J Blige), others sang in local school or church choirs (Aretha, Kelly Clarkson
US Pop Idol winner 2002), as well as musicals (Will Young), clubs, weddings and benefits (Jennifer Hudson – Pop Idol contestant & Oscar winner for her supporting role in Dream Girls)…and the list goes on...

What - might you ask was the point of all the ‘name dropping’?

The above simply illustrates how practically all the singers and musicians you have seen or will come across throughout your daily travels – have a track record. Practically all have spent years honing their craft. Artists performed wherever & whenever they could. They did the rounds and built their foundation.
Whether they are the front person of a wedding/function band; a rock band at a festival or one of the faces you see regularly on your TV music shows ~ to a lesser or greater degree, the singers you are in awe of, the singers who inspired you to become singers all began where you are about to begin.

The ease at which you see them command an audience, the way in which they pull you into that emotional frenzy; the confidence, that ‘natural’ strut around the stage; the way in which they are able to take you on a musical journey which later becomes embroiled in to your life’s tapestry of cherished moments and reminiscent fondness ~ for the majority of singers, these skills have been developed, nurtured, tried & tested over a number of years. For many the journey is still ongoing. No matter how long a singer may have been ‘in the business’, there are always things to learn – about themselves, as artists and as performers in the public eye.
Many have performed in various bands, in various settings, experimenting with different styles until they were able to work out who, as an artist, they were, what and who they wanted to present, what they wanted to say and to whom.

No matter what the tabloids and the industry will have us believe, Overnight successes are few and far between. By the time you get to see the polished performance or hear their acceptance speech at the Grammies, you are seeing the success which has been built upon a solid foundation of live experience.

‘So You Wannabe a Singer: How to Begin’ is a practical aid to beginning that practical preparation and gaining that experience’.

Copyright © Val Kelly 2007
All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

The above is an extract from the e-book - ‘So You Wannabe a Singer: How to Begin’ written by a professional singer / manager who has more than 1500 live shows worldwide to her credit.

Published by Angelou Publishing – it now available to purchase and download from www.kickstartme.com