Singing Tips - The Recap Show (Part 2) - Azania Noah

Benita Charles at Brookfield Place in NYC

The Singing Tips Blog - The Recap Show (Part 2) "Honoring our special guest, Azania Noah 

In this episode, we honored our special guest, Azania Noah who appeared on Tip #22 (Song Topics) on October 15, 2017.

Key points from Azania's speech:

•  Azania started writing poetry before the age of 15. After 15, she began writing songs as a way to express herself and her feelings.

• Azania's debut album, "Rising" took her some time to write but she wanted to get it right and exactly how she wanted it.  Her song, "Looking Ahead" is a song about how time passes fast and that you can't dwell on the past.  You have to make every day count.   She received positive feedback from her fans.

•  Azania offered great suggestions to beginner songwriters: take an online songwriting course or buy a songwriting book to learn the craft of songwriting. Once you get the skill, work on releasing your own music.

• Azania recently founded The Singer Elite Community on Facebook with a membership over 120+ members and it's growing.  It is a community of singers of various levels who network, connect and encourage each other. She also posts her singing/music business tips as well as other resources in the community.  For more information, visit: http://SingerEliteClub.com.

 About Azania Noah:

 Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, this award-winning, multi-cultural artist was born and raised in the U.S. & in Switzerland. Azania Noah’s captivating voice, powerful energy and lovely charisma make her a phenomenal performer and a joy to see on stage. She has performed over 800 concerts around Europe, the U.S., Africa and in Asia. She is just as comfortable in major music festivals, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, as she is singing for Presidents and politicians such as the U.K.’s Tony Blair. In Paris, she won first prize in the French T.V. competition “Graines de Star” which was the first French show similar to ‘American Idol’. She also recently featured on the famous TV show “The Voice” in France (TF1 TV) seen by over 8 million viewers internationally. As an avid songwriter as well, Azania’s lyrics are often enriched with uplifting and positive messages and her debut album, Rising, released in 2013, was inspired by the groovy old school soul and funk era, interlaced with jazz and pop. She is currently composing songs for a new album. For more information, visit: http://azania.com

A Special Thanks to Azania for her time, knowledge and value she added to Singing Tips with Benita Charles Show!! Best wishes to her and continued success in her music!

Periscope

https://youtu.be/jOc3Hiib3kE

Facebook

https://youtu.be/V-V001gld9U

Singing Tips - The Recap Show Part I (Your Original Music)

 Benita Charles at Brookfield Place in NYC

Singing Tips - The Recap Show Part I (Your Original Music)

In this show, we reviewed the 10 tips in the "Your Original Music" Section (Tips 21 - 30)

Tip #21 - Write Your Own Songs (Your original music)

Tip #22 - Choose your song topic

Tip #23 - Song Structure

Tip #24 - Music and Lyrics

Tip #25 - Elements of a Hit Song

Tip #26 - How to Conquer Writer's Block

Tip #27 - Protect Your Work (Copyright it!)

Tip #28 - 3 Key Reasons Why you should Collaborate

Tip #29 - Working with a producer

Tip #30 - The Recording Process and Completing Your Music

Best wishes to you as you take your voice to the next level!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com
Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/
Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Periscope

 https://youtu.be/5ca6PKAjJ6k

Facebook Live

https://youtu.be/0OD8JMwobKA

 

Singing Tips by Benita Charles Music - Tip #30

Benita Charles at Brookfield Place in NYC

  Singing Tips by Benita Charles Music - Tip #30

Release Your Music (Part 1)
The Recording Process and Completing Your Music

*There's a 3 step process to producing your music for release.

1) Pre-Production

• Practice your song and make sure it's performance ready before you record it in the studio.
•  Meet with the producer before the session to go over any questions regarding the music and the arrangement.

2) Production

•  Record your vocals and music and sing from the heart in the vocal booth. 
• The mic picks up any vocal imperfections and emotions.

•  Schedule a separate session for mixing of the music. 
• It takes that long to get the music just right.

• Listen to the song outside of the studio on your headphones or smaller system to hear exactly what the song sounds like. 
• For some reason, everything sounds better in the studio.

• Ensure that you have a good, quality final mix of the song 
• This is very important for mastering process.

 3) Post-Production

•  Ensure that you have a great final mix of the song 

• This includes but not limited to equalization,and audio level compression and limiting.
• Ensure the music and vocals are evenly leveled throughout the song)

• Always master your song
• Make sure you have a good final mix of the song. This is very important for the mastering process.
• Mastering the song takes the song to another level and gives it the "radio ready" quality to the sound.
• The master is the source that you will give the manufacturing company (like Discmakers) to make copies of your CD for purchase.
• Hire a graphic designer to design the CD cover and liner notes
• You can use a service like fivrr.com to find a good designer at a good price.
• Submit the design and master to a duplication company (such as Discmakers) for copies of your music
• Once you do all those things, your music is ready for purchase!
  

 Bonus tips (repeated for further emphasis):

Make sure your song is performance ready (fully written, well rehearsed and emotionally connected to the song) before you record the final vocals in the studio.

• Time is money in the studio and you can waste both if you're not prepared.

Always...always...always master your song!! 

•  If not mastered, the copies of the CD will not sound professional.
• I stress: make sure your final mix is exactly what you want. If not, it will not be able to be corrected during the mastering process.

Best wishes to you as you take your voice to the next level!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com
Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/
Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Periscope:

https://youtu.be/pbr6WjlH4kw

Facebook Live:

https://youtu.be/i0C2xjuOXJA

 Benita Charles at Brookfield Place in NYC

Singing Tips by Benita Charles Music - Tip #29

Benita Charles in New York City

  Singing Tips by Benita Charles Music - Tip #29

Working with a producer

*A producer is a person who creates and oversees the music and music production in the recording process.

1) Find the right producer.

• One of the best ways to find a producer is through referrals (through other musicians).

• Studios can be a great resources since that's where producers work.

• Another resource is the Association of Music Producers (AMP). They have an online directory of members.

2) Discuss what type of business arrangement you are entering in before any work begins. 

•  Decide if this will be a work for hire or if the producer will have a portion of ownership of the song.

•  It's best to have a contract of your agreement with the producer.

• Always let your attorney review every contract before you sign it. It's very important to understand what you are signing. 

 3) Establish a good working relationship with the producer.

• A good producer will get to know you and try to bring out your best qualities and your source of emotion and expressions to create the best recording process.
• There has to be mutual respect and trust in order for the relationship to work.
• A good producer will have a good ear to hear when things are off and not sounding the best

Bonus tip:

Make sure your song is complete (fully written and well rehearsed) before you work with the producer and go to the studio.

• Time is money in the studio and you can waste both if you're not prepared

Best wishes to you as you take your voice to the next level!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com
Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/
Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

  

  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Facebook Live:

https://youtu.be/Ryr4KXkgSjU


Periscope:

https://youtu.be/fkq9CHG19K0


Happy Martin Luther King Day:

 https://youtu.be/sFpGS_Qd5cc

A Special Singing Tip Show on January 7th!

Benita Charles at Brookfield Place NYC

Happy New Year 2017!! Thanks for joining me for special episode of Singing Tips! The first singing tip of 2017!! This week, we discussed Mariah Carey's NYE performance disaster. It's something we as performers can all learn from.

3 Things that we can learn from Mariah Carey's Performance Disaster:

1) Always be fully prepared  (well rehearsed) for all live performances

• Before a performance, make sure you have had adequate rehearsals
• If there's a sound check, make sure you're there and you check your own sound
• If you're able to rehearse before a show, make sure you rehearse as much as allowed

2) Always be prepared to sing "live" at all live performances

• It should always be a last resort to lip synch
• If the power or sound goes out, be prepared to sing a cappella and entertain the audience
• Perform with a live band with background singers if at all possible

3) Take full responsibilities for the things that you didn't do to ensure you have a stellar performance

•  Don't blame others for the things that you should have taken care of (make sure all equipment and tracks are fully checked for the show)
• Apologize to your audience for a lack-luster performance
• Plan a make-up show and make sure it's a stellar performance 

We can all learn from each other.  The most important thing is to pick yourself up when you fall and soar.  You soar by making sure you're fully prepared for all performances!


Best wishes as you take your voice to the next level! I hope you have a rich and prosperous New Year 2017!

Much love,

Benita Charles


http://benitacharles.com
Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/
Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Mariah Carey's NYE Performance Disaster:

https://youtu.be/vRMBH-7z9b4

Benita Charles live on Facebook:

https://youtu.be/B2zdWntKkLI

Benita Charles live on Periscope:

https://youtu.be/WliLUyAH87g

Luminaries Light Show at Brookfield Place:

https://youtu.be/PrA_1H_5t9s

Luminaries Light Show at Brookfield Place

Singing Tips by Benita Charles Music - Tip #28

Benita Charles in New York City

 Singing Tips by Benita Charles Music - Tip #28

3 Key Reasons Why you should Collaborate

1)Each songwriter can bring new skill, ideas, new music to create a masterpiece.
One person could be good with the lyrics and another could be good with the music.
Another person could be good with the arrangement while the other person could come up with a great song concept.


2) Creatively, collaborations can help flush out ideas of an old song ideas.
If you have writer's block or if you are stuck, another songwriter can give you a fresh perspective to an old idea.


3) You have a greater chance for success and profit.
If the song is a hit, each songwriter can earn a lot of money
"50% of something is better than 100% of nothing" -- Cliffie Stone  (Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Songwriting But Didn't Know Who To Ask)

Bonus tip:

Before you begin your work, there should be a discussion as what the terms of the collaboration.

• Always discuss the terms of the collaboration before any work begins. For example, is this a work for hire? Meaning, the singer or producer is paid for their service but no copyright (publishing) ownership is agreed. Or, there's no money involved up front  but each songwriter owns a portion of the copyrights and royalty.  

• Always have a contract for the terms of the collaboration. This way everyone is in on the same page as to exactly what terms of collaboration are. 

• Always let your attorney review every contract before you sign it. It's very important to understand what you are signing.

Best wishes to you as you take your voice to the next level!

This is the last singing tip of 2016!  I wish you a rich and prosperous 2017!! Happy New Year!!!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com
Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/
Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Live on Facebook:


https://youtu.be/iNIgb2iTnOo

Happy New Year 2017!!

Happy New Year 2017: I wish you a year of prosperity, good health, love, happiness, joy, wealth and good fortune! May all your dreams come true!!

Thank you so much for your continued support of my creative endeavors. There will be more exciting events and new music this year! I'll keep you posted.

I hope all your dreams come true in 2017!!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!

http://benitacharles.com


***

AS I CLOSE THE DOOR

Dear Lord, as I close the door on the old year, I ponder the things I've done... the things I've said and the joys I've had I wonder, have I lost or won?

I've thought of new friends I have made, and the old ones, staunch and true... the paths of the old year made easier, Lord, because I have walked them with You

I think of all the many times, when my burdens were so heavy to bear, and how my faith slipped away from me but somehow You were always there

Now, as I open the door to this New Year, and carefully peep inside, I wonder what it holds for me... but I'll throw the door open wide.

Whatever it brings to me and mine, I'll meet it with a heart so true... I know that, Lord, whatever it may be, You'll be there to carry me through!

--Merrei Thompson