session singers and the quick turn around

Music and sound are usually the last elements to go into a feature film.  Many times the previews are already showing in the theaters when I get called for a session.  It's a crazy turn-around.  Many times the singers will have their session a few days or even a few hours after the orchestra has laid down their tracks and then it seems like 2-3 weeks go by and the movie is premiering!  For an example, I did a session on June 1st for a movie to be released mid July.  Went to the movies that night and saw the trailer for that same movie!  Composers and sound engineers are under extreme pressure to meet deadlines.  Therefore as a session singer you also need to be at the top of your game.

This is yet one more reason to take music theory and sight-singing seriously if you want to become a session singer.  Click here for a GREAT resource for sight-singing.  I've taken the class in person myself and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to become a professional singer.

How piano helped me to become a professional singer

Piano recitals were a dreaded part of my childhood.  All I wanted to do when I was little was to become a professional singer  I'm sitting in the front row of my church's choir room in agony, waiting for my turn to sit at the piano and play my minuet in front of my friends, my sunday school teachers, my parents friends... and that one girl who everybody loved and could do no wrong.  I at least wanted to play my song through, not stopping at that one note that always tripped me up, and for her to mess up just this once.  My turn comes...and is over before I know it.  It was all a blur.  My hands were cold and clammy and automatic; flying over the ivories with great muscle memory.  Applause, take a bow, back to the front row where my seat was still warm.   I did it!
 Having had piano is a vital part of my being able to do what I do as a professional singer.  It's essential to my sight-singing and my musicianship.  I encourage all of my own students to take piano.

click here for a great online tool for learning piano...at any age!  If you want to become a singer, piano will only enhance your musicianship!

Dont skip music theory, It can help you to become a singer at the pro level

Want to become a singer?  Music Theory/Sight-Singing was one of my most dreaded classes in college but it helped me to become a singer in the music industry.  Even though I'd been singing since I was 5,  I'd never formally been taught theory until college.  First of all, who can think about chord progressions and key signatures at 8am?  Secondly, it was daunting...music theory has an awful reputation!  But here is why you should stick with it:

1.  Information you innately know

2.  Brings in more work as a pro singer

3.  Proves you are a good musician and not JUST a great singer or performer

1.  Information you innately know

There are progressions and intervals I'd been singing my whole life and just didn't know what to call them.  I understood key signatures and what keys felt best for me but just didn't know how to recognize them on paper.  If you've been singing for a while, you probably have a great understanding of music in your ear.  Theory just helps you to recognize it on paper.  It does take work, I won't lie, but trust your inner musician.

2.  I absolutely would not have had the opportunities I've had if I didn't know how to sight-read, which is the most dreaded part of theory for most singers.  Because I worked hard on learning to sight-read, and still put it in to daily practice, I've been a working professional singer since I was fresh out of college.  AND I've had the opportunity to sing in film, and tv for the past several years.  

3.  I can't tell you how many times I've been with a group of musicians and had the opportunity to read something down and they were surprised.  In their mind, singers aren't musicians. (I am speaking generally here.  Not all musicians are this way, of course, but I've had run-ins with enough for it to make a difference.)  Not only does it enhance your performance, to understand the inner workings of the music, but it can broaden your passion by expanding your love of listening to and writing different styles.

Click here  for a GREAT site to help improve your sight-singing and lead you to become a professional singer.