HOME      EXCLUSIVES    FEATURES    MOVIES    REVIEWS    CONTESTS    TALK TO US    SUBSCRIBE  Each month, over the past year, we have brought you the essential guide to getting started with a variety of musical instruments, complete with detailed diagrams, basic beginner issues and tips from experts in the field. We hope you picked atleast one instrument from the list and are enjoying the process of learning how to play it. The big question that arises, as we wrap up this series, is how to take the next step with your creations. If you want to explore music as more than a hobby, here are some guidelines to get you started. We also bring together in one massive listing, some of the best advice we have received from our experts over the last year. All the best! READY, SET…STOP AND CHECK FIRST Whether you want to work as a solo artist or a band, don’t rush out with your songs the minute you’re done with them. These are some of the steps to take before you can go out there and get ready to rock. 1. CHECK ON YOUR BAND/ARTIST NAME So you’ve thought up the coolest moniker on the planet as your stage name. Good for you, but before you print the flyers or CD covers, hold on a second. If you are planning to play live or put out music under a stage name, you have to make sure that it isn’t already taken. A duplication of your unique idea might seem impossible but it does happen and you wouldn’t want your music to be confused with someone else’s just because your stage names are similar. You can confirm with trademark authorities that no other artist is functioning professionally under the same stage name. Check out a detailed FAQ here: www.asiantrademark.com/faq2.htm 2. RECORD A DEMO When looking for live gigs, or even a record deal later on, it helps to have a good demo CD ready at hand to give to anyone that is interested. Remember, your demo is meant to give listeners a taste of what you sound like, not give away your entire catalogue. Don’t overload the demo ~ keep it to a maximum of around four songs, just enough to hopefully have them asking for more. Wondering what a record company looks for while deciding to sign a new artist? A spokesperson from Sony Music gives us this insight, “The first thing is that the music has to be good. That is most important. Secondly we look for a certain commitment from the artist, which manifests itself in many ways. They should be willing to keep at it and give themselves the requisite time to develop the product.” 3. PLAY lIVE GIGS Playing live is essentially what it comes down to for any artist who wants to make a name with their music. When it comes to stage fright, it’s best to tackle it head on. The more you play live, the better you become at it so go out there and book yourself some gigs. Also, take a tip from internationally successful bands like the Arctic Monkeys, and local favourites Zero ~ try giving away free CDs of your music after each live show. If fans like your sound, they spread the word and more people turn up at gigs to cheer you on (and buy tickets of course)! 4. GET YOUR SOUND ONLINE While you’re waiting for those live performances to line up, you can still get your music out to people ~ get online. You’ve heard enough stories about musicians being discovered on online communities like MySpace.com. It doesn’t hurt to put your songs out on the internet ~ who knows who might listen and get in touch. 5. GET LEGAL ISSUES SORTED Even if your band consists of people you know really well, when it comes to songwriting, have a clear idea of how each person contributed. Work out the credits in a clear format and decide how any revenue from your music will be divided to avoid any misunderstandings later on. Also, make sure to register all your original songs. Advises artist manager Vijay Nair, “You should register your works. It is a simple process: just get the copyright form and send it in with a copy of your work to the Copyright Office in Delhi. It costs a nominal fee so you should just register your work in case of any dispute later on.” 6. PUT TOGETHER A BIO AND PHOTOGRAPHS So you’ve generated a bit of buzz about your band and people want to write about you ~ don’t make it a chore for them. Especially with new bands, journalists require a good biography to help them understand what the artist is all about. Also, make sure you have good quality, high-resolution photographs to send to publications for articles. Don’t rely on hard copies. Have digital copies as well since everyone works over e-mail these days. You can read the rest of our final Getting Started feature in the September 2006 issue of The Record Music Magazine available at your local newsagent. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: The Record has been around since 1998. Do you have every issue of your favourite magazine? to order back issues Would you like to have your favourite music magazine delivered directly to your doorstep? Website: Thrillpill Design © THE RECORD MUSIC MAGAZINE. All Rights Reserved.