Since MySpace Music came into existence it has increasingly become an incredibly important marketing tool for musicians. I’m sure by now the majority of you reading this article know the basics and functions of MySpace Music – let’s get to how you as a musician can get the most out of the networking website.

No matter your genre you can use MySpace Music as a platform to get your music heard. Create a MySpace Band Profile and begin uploading your music. Once you have selected some of your best material you would like to present, make sure you upload some pictures of yourself or your band.

Add Friends – Not Just Anyone!

Don’t rush to get your music heard by as many people as possible. What you are trying to do is develop a solid fan base that will consistently visit your MySpace Music page. Make sure your not just sending out random friend requests. Initially you should target individuals who maybe share similar music tastes. Maybe their profile song is a band that has a similar sound or is in a similar genre that your band is in. Target individuals in cities that your upcoming shows are located in!

Always keep your fans updated!

Once you have established a solid amount of friends and consistent visitors, make sure you keep your fans updated. You don’t want your friends to lose interest in you, so stay on top of your game! Make sure you add value to your page to keep the visitor coming back. Keep your tour dates and upcoming shows up to date. Upload videos such as performances and music videos through both MySpace Music and Youtube. Brainstorm some creative ideas for videos you can upload. Show something on a little more personal side such as you or your band joking around or recording in the studio. This helps create a special connection between you and your visitors. You should also allow your songs to be added to visitor’s profiles. Your music may in turn spark interest in someone visiting their profiles.

Customizable Profile

When creating a band page it is important to present yourself in a professional manner and this is where customizing your MySpace Music profile comes in handy. Your MySpace Band Page is easily customizable. If you are not too familiar with HTML than maybe you should do a quick Google search for some basic HTML codes such as background color changes or other layout elements. If you do not wish to customize every aspect of your page yourself, nowadays there are websites all over the web that offer FREE MySpace Layouts or templates. All you need to do is copy and paste the HTML code of the layout offered at these websites into your MySpace Bio. Make sure there is a consistent color theme throughout your Profile. Keep your page easy on the eyes and match your Profile colors with photos of you or your band.

Comments

MySpace Comments are very significant when promoting yourself on MySpace Music. As soon as someone adds you as a friend or accepts your friend requests make sure you comment their profile page with a special thank you. Use their name directly so that it feels more personal and make them aware that you will be frequently updating your page and that they should check back. You may even want to create a small graphic to post in their comments so that your post is more visually engaging. Those visiting their profiles may come across your comment and check out your page out of curiosity.

MySpace Blogs & Bulletins

Blogging on MySpace is yet another vital feature that can be used as a promotional tool for you or your band. These blogs can sometimes be personal, letting your visitors know what you did that day or journaling significant events that you’ve been through as an artist. However you can also use your blog as a news update for your visitors. Make your visitors aware of upcoming shows or events. Make sure your blog titles are eye-catching! When promoting yourself on MySpace Music you should also consider the Bulletin feature. You should send out bulletins to your friends list making them aware of upcoming shows, newly uploaded videos/music, and other important and news surrounding you or your band. However be careful not to abuse this feature! Too many posts too soon can have the opposite effect you are going for when attracting visitors to your page.

PROMOTE!

After you have a successfully running MySpace Music page don’t forget to promote it as much as possible! At the end of your gigs make sure to remind your audience of the name of your MySpace page. Let them know that it is on your page where they can find more information about your band. Include your MySpace address on any outside promotional tool such as business cards, t-shirts, or demo CD’s.

By: Kyle H.

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Downloading MP3 music online is really a normal daily affair for music lovers. There is nothing fanciful really. People have this misconception that as long as you are not paying for your MP3 music files, it is not legal to do so. And the contrary may not be true as well. So it can be quite enlightening to know that there are places where you can actually download music MP3 online for free legally. This article will take you to several sites where you can find music online to download for your MP3 player or computer.

Amazo

This site actually has a free section to download MP3 music online. We are not talking about music that is unwanted and unpopular here but some of the greatest and most exclusive music pieces from the hottest musicians around the world today. Not only do you get to download selected tracks from popular artists, you can also download music from various genres like Indie Rock or Jazz. It is quite likely that you can find your favourite band of music there.

Epitoni

Epitonic offers you a rather extensive and large database of MP3s. In fact, users are amazed at the collection of music MP3s and the variety of music genre they have. When you download MP3 music online at this site, be prepared to find lots of high quality free downloads for your MP3 player.

CommonTunes

This is a community music directory where you can freely download MP3 music online of all kinds of music from classics like pieces by Beethoven to music by Bright Eyes. It is a good starting point for anyone who wants to get hold of some MP3 music downloads.

Garageband

This site is another site that gives you the chance to download MP3 music online for free. The uniqueness of the site lies in the fact that the music is originally produced by independent bands and musicians that you have not heard of. These are the wannabes waiting to be discovered by talent scouts. One such musician is Bo Bice of American Idol 4. So if you are a great fan, you can download the music there.

Matador Records

Matador is one great place to find music MP3s from popular Indie groups as well as other music genres. This site allos you to download free and totally legal music files from groups like Spoon, Stephen Malkmus, Guided By Voices and so on. All you ever need to do is to drop by at their free MP3 music online page to download the music pieces.

When it comes to finding the right music sites to download MP3 music online for free, it becomes quite clear that there are trusted places to do so. But not all sites that you find online allow you to do so safely and free from harmful malware. So be sure to check carefully. Read up more on where you can download unlimited numbers of MP3 music files for less than a dime per download at my music blog.

By: Davion Wong

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Times have sure changed in the Christian music scene. With new artists like Brandon Heath, Rush of Fools, and Lincoln Brewster topping the Christian Adult Contemporary charts recently, it may be easy to forget artists like 2nd Chapter of Acts, White Heart, and Leslie Phillips. In an effort to keep the past alive, here is an objective look back at the Christian music artists of the 1980’s.

Using CCM magazine’s Adult Contemporary Airplay charts, data was collected for every song charted by every artist during the decade. The following formula was used:

1. Points were earned for each song’s peak position (#1 = 40 points, #2 = 39 etc.).

2. One point was awarded for each week a song was on the chart.

3. Finally, one point was given for each week a song was at #1.


To get the artist rankings, the total points that each song earned were added together.

Of the 254 artists whose songs made the charts in the 1980’s, Amy Grant came out on top. Fueled by 21 top tens (5 of which went to #1), Grant ended the decade with 1488 points. The Imperials charted 25 songs during the 80’s and finished in second place. Sandi Patty’s five #1 songs helped position her in third. Twila Paris reached the top spot 6 times during the decade, placing her fourth. To the surprise of some, Wayne Watson came in fifth place. Michael Card edged out Michael W. Smith by a point for the #6 spot. Dallas Holm came in eighth. Steve Camp, whose song “He Covers Me” was the top song of 1987, finished the decade in ninth. Petra, with their five #1’s, rounded out the top ten.

Go to http://www.topchristianhits.org to view the top 100 artists of the 1980’s and the top songs of each year.

By: Nate Ohman

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If it’s not in the stars to be the next Jennifer Lopez, or perhaps you are just waiting for your chance to step into P. Diddy’s shoes, there are several alternatives to being in the musical spotlight. Music is an ever-growing business, not only in that spotlight, but in other arenas surrounding it. From CD graphic designers, to sound check technicians and grade school music teachers, music career opportunities are everywhere. Here are the top paying music careers, for the year ending 2009:

1.) Music Director – Average Pay: $49,289/Year

A music director generally works with a musical group; orchestra, symphony choir, or otherwise. They develop and/or coordinate concerts, rehearsals and programming. This position often works with outreach programs, directing fundraising projects, activities and lectures. A musical director career requires a Bachelors of Arts in music, initially, and most likely will also require a Master’s degree in the field. If the fit is right between the musical director and the company he/she is working with, this is a long-term position in most cases.

2.) Sound Engineer for Live Events – Average Pay: $46,550/Year

These sound wizards normally have a mixed background in electrical engineering, music/fine arts and/or audio production. Who wouldn’t want to operate the microphone when a top artist hits the stage, ready to sing? Some of the best sound engineers have Bachelors degrees in Audio Production or Audio Engineering, but there are the few that get behind the scenes with their simple charm, connections and electrical know-how.

3.) College/University Professor of Music – Average Pay: $50,280/Year

Summers off aren’t the only perk of this high paying music career. These accomplished musicians have the opportunity to learn and talk about their craft all day! Professors of music are responsibly for developing solid curriculums, grading performance and assisting students in their musical goals. Music professors also attend several seminars, performances and other learning programs, themselves, to always be up on the music scene, new and old.

4.) Artist/Band Managers – Average Pay: $54,070/Year

The witty business persons take their own creativity and connections to market their particular artists. In charge of contract negotiations, scheduling, planning tours and building relationships with music’s heavyweights, this is a full-time job! Most managers have a degree in Business Administration, Business or Marketing. Although, there are several well-paid managers that have been successful without these credentials. It seems that an artist’s manager is always filling the gaps where they cannot. But the rewards and opportunities are endless.

5.) Film-Making Sound Editor – Average Pay: $68,620/Year

This may not be one of the most glamorous careers in Hollywood, but once a sound editor has proven his/her self in the film industry, the work is quite steady. A sound editor can spend hours in front of a computer monitor, scraping seconds of sounds varying from the waves of the ocean to screams of horror. Every movie, cartoon and television commercial requires a sound editor; and for anyone who has sat in front of the television long enough – opportunity is out there. The highest paying sound editors work with just as high-paid actors in movies seen internationally. Although, building a resume off of small gigs, temporarily, is a great start.

So if being a musician isn’t in the stars for you and yet you love music, at least you do have alternatives.

By: Jeff Bachmeier

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Is Something Lacking In Our Musical Performers?

There seems to be a gap in the musical industry at this time. It seems that only the most extremes of music have survived this very fickle industry.
For example, if you turn the radio on, what you’ll hear are extremes and styles of music. On one station you’ll hear just talk. On another station you’ll hear rapping, with words of violent underscores. On another station you’ll hear classical music. On another station you’ll hear someone singing about whiskey and forgetting their pain. On yet another station you’ll hear what’s left of what we used to call, “pop music.”

The change in pop music, and what may be lacking, is what I would like to address at this time. It seems there used to be a larger variety of pop music available when listening to pop music stations. However, at this time it has decreased to a narrow amount where one singer sounds like much like the last singer. There is not many songs available to hear of Celine Dion. One’s singer that has managed to stay on top consistently is Christina Aguilera.

One could not argue with the fact that twenty years ago popular music was much different than today. And I’m not sure it could be argued that it is getting better all the time. Just about ten years ago Elton John had hit songs from the movie The Lion King, Celine Dion had a hit song from the movie Titanic.

The eighties and nineties had many hit songs from movies, including CaddyShack, Officer and a Gentleman, Dirty Dancing, Good Morning Vietnam, Moonstruck, and La Bamba. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that there are not many hit songs or hit song soundtracks from popular movies these days. Hollywood has attempted to do this but has not reached the peak it once achieved.

Going back farther in time, one could trace pop music back to the roots of rock-and-roll itself. Elvis Presley carved out a whole new trend in music. The Beatles followed with great songs and performances that changed the music world. The Beatles seemed to go through several stages and reflected it in their music.

When the Beatles first came to America, they recorded songs of love with lollipop lyrics. Following this, they let their hair grow out, and recorded music with more convoluted meaning, which seemed to question the rulers and authority of the times. When the Beatles finally broke up, brand-new music trends evolved with the music of Paul McCartney and Wings, and John Lennon’s solo work.

Elvis started out as the Hillbilly Cat, recording for Sun Records. His Southern drawl was very prominent and his hair was a dirty blond color. Then he entered into the era where he died his hair black, completed a stint in the Army and had a whole new career in movies. This was the “movie Elvis.” Then, Elvis entered into his musical comeback phase. He recorded music and performed live in Las Vegas during this time. The final stage was his jump suit stage, sometimes called the last days of Elvis Presley. This was the time during which, although he still sounded good vocally, he appeared overweight and bloated.

Let’s change styles right now in music and turn to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were part of the Rat Pack. They performed in Las Vegas, recorded records, and made several movies. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra certainly reflected unique talent, good voices, and wonderful music that we have to enjoy.

However, who is the next big talent we follow with a fine-tooth comb, from beginning to end? Who is the next Elvis Presley, Beatles, Dean Martin, or Frank Sinatra?

There is certainly a gap in popular music today. Sure, you can find many popular artists with popular songs. However, they all lack that certain uniqueness in caliber of performers of days passed. Maybe it’s a lack of charisma. Maybe it’s the lack of mystery. I don’t know.

However, shows like American Idol are certainly trying to recapture that with what they are doing. American Idol is trying to discover talent that could be turned into another Elvis Presley or someone who will change music and be remembered forever.

Although they have discovered many unique and great talents, if you ask Simon Cowell or Randy Jackson, I believe they would tell you they have not found talent that has achieved what they originally intended.

Yes, they have found great talent. The talent they have discovered certainly lacks nothing on the vocal side of things. However, perhaps it is something in the personality of the performer that’s missing that has not launched them to the status of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Dean Martin, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain.

Perhaps it is something these legendary artists possessed that was mysterious and unknown to us. There is definitely something missing. American Idol, along with many other music labels, are certainly still looking for someone to turn the music industry upside down.

I don’t know, perhaps that won’t ever happen again.

Perhaps the performers that managed to change music forever, like Elvis, the Beatles, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, are of our history and days past. I hope not.

By: Jonathon Bates

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A collection of the top rock/metal artists that have used Mesa Boogie Amps live or in the studio.

10.  Killswitch Engage – Lead guitarist Joel Stroetzel has used various mesa boogie amps including the Dual and Triple Rectifiers as well as the Stiletto series amps.  Patrick Lachman, lead vocalist and and rhythm guitarist tours regularly with his Triple Rectifier.

9.  Mastodon – Bassist Troy Sanders of Mastodon is known to use the Mesa Big Block 750 bass head with Mesa Boogie cabinets as well.

8.  Coheed and Cambria -  Travis and Claudio both use the Mesa Boogie Stiletto as well as the Dual and Triple Rectifier.

7.  As I Lay Dying -  Phil Sgrosso is know for using various Mesa Boogie cabinets.

6.  Thrice -  Though Thrice has recently been using the Marshall JCM series amps, their choice early on was the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.

5.  Korn -   The Triple Rectifiers get used both live and in studio by artists Head and Munky.

4.  Sepultura -  Lead singer Andreas Kisser uses a triaxis preamp and a strategy 500 power amp.

3.  Tool -  Lead guitarist Adam Jones has been know to use a Dual Rectifier in live situations.

2.  Alice in Chains -  Jerry Cantrell has been known to use a Dual Rectifier on occasion.

1.  Metallica -  Lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield has been known to use many different models of the Mesa Boogie line, most notable being his use of the Mesa Boogie Mark series amps.  Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett used Marshall amps early on, but phased into using the Mesa Boogie Mark series as well.

While not responsible for these artists careers, Mesa Boogie amps have certainly helped them achieve their musical voice over the years.

By: Tom Salerno

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Let’s face it good talent can be found on every corner and standing out in the crowd has become the biggest challenge. Truly how did Beyonce or Jessica Simpson become overnight successes? They put a great PR campaign in place and received massive equity returns from free publicity coverage. Most people wanting to break into the music business often overlook using public relations which is a great opportunity to receive repeated free publicity.

Public relations can be the ultimate tool to use to make a name when trying to enter into the music industry. The music industry is polluted with individuals with talent and cracking the code to become the next big thing takes so much more. Paying for advertising promotions is very expensive and most people starting out don’t have major advertising budgets.

Firstly, PR also known as public relations is a perception of public image. How it would work; usually starts with a public relations expert distributing a media or press release. PR professionals know how to creatively write media and press releases that will get picked up for publication in different media sources. Additionally, PR professionals often have strong relationships with members of the media and often able to develop relations on your behalf. Once media and press releases are picked up for publication free publicity begins. The same publication can be published in different newspapers, magazines, blogs, podcasts, etc. This then leads to requests for interviews, television, radio, appearances, etc.

Here is how to use PR to break into the music industry:

1. Hire an expert PR representative to help you launch a professional PR campaign to promote your talent. The music industry is an industry that highly respects professional representation and only acknowledges individuals who are properly represented.

2. Prepare a professional press media kit that reveals a very newsworthy storyline. Professional PR experts will know how to assist you with preparing a press media kit that helps to get you noticed. The music industry is very focused on an artist background and how they got their big break.

3. Generate buzz from releasing media and press releases. Professional PR experts know how to write, release, and distribute media and press releases that receive publications in media outlets. It is very important that music industry media and press releases are properly targeted to match the right publications.

4. Start pitching to media outlets for features and article publications. Additionally, make sure to pitch for interviews and appearances. This is where professional PR experts come in very handy, as they have experience in dealing with media outlets to pitch storylines. The music industry takes notice of strong article circulation and appearances.

Public relations can be a cost-effective solution to help standout in the crowd. Mosnar Communications, Inc offers public relations representation starting at $499 monthly. Breaking into the music industry is no easy task and finding winning solutions to standout can be the difference of making it or not.

By: CR Ransom

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Born in 1929 in Chicago Illinois, Albertina was one of nine children raised within a deeply religious Christian Baptist family. Her singing career started at the age of 10 when she and her sister joined the choir at their local church, the West Point Baptist Church, from which a children’s group evolved to be known as the Williams Singers. This group became well known throughout Illinois and surrounding Mid Western states.

During her formative teenage years at the West Point Baptist Church, Walker was deeply influenced by Mahalia Jackson and other notable gospel singers who appeared in concerts held at the church. It was during this time that she began to sing with established musicians Robert Anderson and Willie Webb, gaining increasing exposure on radio through church performances with Anderson’s group.

As her public exposure began to rise, Walker soon made her first recording with Robert Anderson’s band and on Anderson’s retirement, formed the Caravans in 1952 with some of the members of Anderson’s former ensemble. James Cleveland, then a young keyboard player soon joined the Caravans, the first of a long line of illustrious gospel musicians that was to include Dorothy Norwood, Bessie Griffin, Inez Andrews, Imogene Greene and others.

For the rest of the fifties the Caravans dominated the gospel musical arena, appearing all over the world.

The group was uniquely characterised and blessed in that every member was endowed with strong and rich vocals; and Walker, astute as ever, allowed rotation of the lead vocalist among her talented female ensemble. In 1958 a young Shirley Caesar joined the band and soon became their lead vocalist.

The Caravans remained a leading force in gospel music well into the sixties. But with such depth of rich vocal talent in abundance within the group, individual members gradually began to pursue solo careers and in 1967, the group was disbanded by Walker. The group’s original founder, Walker also found herself pursuing a solo career.

Walker’s solo career developed throughout the seventies. She made her first solo record deal with Savoy Records and later signed with other big name record companies, working on gospel projects with numerous choirs including her home church choir, The West Point Choir. Her first solo work, Put A Little Love In Your Heart, was recorded in 1975 and she went on to conduct several gospel projects with Reverend James Cleveland and others. Over a long illustrious career, Walker has churned out over sixty albums, many of them golden hits.

Walker’s contribution to gospel music is widely acknowledged and she is often referred as the “Queen of Gospel”. Over the years, she has often worked on projects with other artists, producing popular Gold record albums and Grammy nominations. In 1993 she was nominated for a Grammy for Albertina Walker Live.

In 2006 Walker recorded a reunion album with The Caravans which featured in the Billboard top 40 album charts for 16 weeks. The album, titled Paved The Way, was distributed by Malaco Records and featured Caravan star names: Inez Andrews, Delores Washington, Dorothy Norwood and Walker.

Today, she still pursues an active Christian life and busy recording career. Often working on collaborative projects with other gospel artists, Walker was instrumental in organizing the Operation PUSH People’s Choir. She also founded the Albertina Walker Scholarship Foundation of which she is a significant contributor. Still based in Chicago, Albertina Walker has become a living gospel legend, always seeking to improve the lives of others through the word of God. This “Queen of Gospel” testifies to having led a deeply rewarding life and puts it all down to her early exposure to the church, saying: “I would like to encourage young people to stay with the Almighty God, because if they do, he will surely be with them.” Walker has spent most of life trying to encourage people to stay with the Lord.

By: Richard Blake

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“The difference between success and failure is information,” notes Ritch Esra, and he should know. Along with his partner, Stephen Trumbull, Esra is a leading part of the number one most-reliable source of information on “who’s who” and “who does what” in the music business. Best of all, they can tell you where everybody is located.

FIVE VOLUMES OF DATA.

The Music Business Registry (http://www.musicregistry.com) publishes five directories: the “A&R Registry,” the “Music Publisher Registry,” the “Music Business Attorney Registry” the “Film and Television Music Guide,” and the “Record Producer and Recording Engineer Directory.” For many in the business, these are indispensable reference works.

“The directories give everyone vital, accurate and the most up-to-date information they need to contact the entire A&R, music publishing, legal and film/TV music communities,” Esra states. From comparing notes with dozens of professionals in all of these areas of expertise, I can tell you that no one disputes his claim.

More than one music industry executive has told me that the Music Business Registry publications are worth their weight in platinum. Tess Taylor, president of NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals), says “I couldn’t get through one day without the directories from the Music Business Registry. These publications are the finest in the business.”

Each directory tells you how to reach industry professionals by regular mail, e-mail, direct dial telephone and fax. The books provide each person’s exact title, street address, the name of their assistant and the styles of music in which each executive specializes. Web sites are also included.

UPDATES? YOU WANT UPDATES?

The world of the A&R executive is exciting but ever-changing. Which is to say, there’s a lot of turnover in this part of the industry. So much turnover, in fact, that the A&R Registry is completely updated and reprinted every eight weeks, whereas the publisher volume is biannual and the other books come out yearly.

NEED A PRODUCER? HERE ARE 1,700 OF THEM!

Created in partnership with RPM Direct, the “Record Producer & Recording Engineer Directory” presents 1,700 of today’s leading Record Producers, Recording Engineers & Remixers throughout the US, Canada and Europe in every genre of music. Included in the book are:

(1) Complete contact information for every Producer, Remixer & Recording Engineer along with a list of their credits.

(2) Producer/Engineer/Remixer Management Companies including a complete
staff listing as well as full client rosters.

(3) A Complete Index to easily locate any producer.

(4) Several Interviews and articles with today’s leading Producers & Engineers.

No wonder you can find the Music Business Registry’s publications in the offices of top record company executives, music publishers, artist managers, agents, music attorneys, recording artists, studios and other music business professionals everywhere from Los Angeles to London, New York to Nashville, Chicago to Copenhagen, Toronto to Tokyo, Stockholm to Sydney and Minneapolis to Munich.

YOUR SEARCH BEGINS HERE.

The Music Business Registry is located at 7510 Sunset Blvd #1041, Los Angeles, CA 90046-3400. Phone: 800-377-7411 or 818-995-7458. Fax: 800-228-9411 or 818-995-7459. E-mail: ritch@musicregistry.com.

By: Scott G

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Time and time again aspiring singers, rappers and musicians aim for the brass ring and tumble just out of reach. They think they have it all. They look “right.” They have a professional attitude. They even have a solid following. Yet, they lack something. Sometimes, the flaw does not even seem tangible until you listen closely to their music.

Often, while their lyrics and melodies are good or even great, their sound falls flat. It is tedious, repetitive or derivative. It has no passion. You hear it and forget it. What they lack is a good, solid hooking beat. They could have avoided this if they had realized today’s sound relies more than ever on the beat.

Instrumental beats, hip hop beats, Reggae beats, jazz beats, the list is a wide and varied one, providing you with options. Professional beats are readily available online. Sample, listen, combine with what you already have or replace everything. Once you have something to start with, make a decision on your direction.

The way you go, the beat you choose, must be based on a number of different but related factors. Begin with your intent. What is the audience for your music? Are you sticking with the underground scene and planning on an independent label? Do you want to go national and need music that appeals to a larger audience? Do you want popularity or fame?

Whatever it is, it still goes back to one thing: the Beat. You must fashion it and it you, to interact with your target audience. Choose a more commercial or slick beat if you plan on going pop. The club beat will take you many places. If you have a slower-than-molasses style, consider chopped and screwed, a Southern hip hop staple. If you want high energy, tap into Crunk or Hyphy. It all depends on your audience.

It also depends on your venue. Some places, prefer West Coast, others East Coast and still others, Southern hip hop. Some nights it is just as well to hit the beat of Old School. The clue is in the reaction and preference of your audience. Know this before you sign up to perform. This will allow you to prepare. Hip hop beats? Rap beats?

This does not mean ignoring your own preference and style. It means, however, checking out other forms and seeing if there is compatibility with your personal technique. Do not be afraid to experiment with new beats. It may add depth to your music. If it does not work, at least you will know because you have actually tried it.

Next, extrapolate what you learn from performing into the competitive world of music. It requires the same process. You need the same skills. In fact, you need the feedback of your audiences and countless sampling of various beats and combination of beats before you are ready to face the grueling task of breaking into the music business.

If you decide to prepare a demo or perform live for a producer, make sure you are a true professional. Choose only professional beats that work for you. Whether it is for a crowd or for an individual, know what is popular before you make your move. If it is viable, incorporate the material into your own music via the right beats. Take a lesson from the new masters and learn from the old. The diversification of hip hop, rap, and pop creates a wide variety of beats to tap into and combine. You can take the simpler rhythms of Dirty South and combine the looped drum of Crunk. From this, you can create your own personal form and it may, just may, result in you getting that signing.

Rap beats and great hip hop beats will get you noticed and alow you to stand out from the crowd. So get some rap beats like the major artist do!

By: Clive Calvin

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