Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Parrot Cover Songs Legally

If you plan to "parrot" a cover song, you should cover your bases with information about copyright first

Hi there,
One of the most controversial and interesting topics for singers is singing cover songs. One great link I found in looking around for information on cover songs and copyright law was in this blog:
http://suebasko.blogspot.com/2010/12/cover-songs-performing-and-recording_19.html

So, be wise. If you want to sing covers, great. Just keep in mind, to market them you will probably need permission.

Keep singing,

Amy Zents

PS. "Being a cover artist is not like being a real artist. That's just copying what someone else did." - Sebastian Bach

Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Whose equipment is this?

                            Don't play with fire; Label and care for your equipment!

I would like to start off this blog with a little information on equipment and then move on to talk about why you need to label your equipment, and protect and care for it.
When you start off with your performing career, you may think that an amp, a mic and a music stand is all you need to succeed. Well, let me tell you of one great resource I have found where you can get pretty good equipment for a reasonable price. The place is called, "Musician's Friend."
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/
Here are some things I have bought there.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-sm58s-mic-with-switch
You can buy a cheaper version for $49.99 sans switch.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-sm48-lc-vocal-microphone
I got a cute Peavey Sound system with speakers and inputs.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/peavey-messenger-portable-sound-system
It is reasonable priced at $399.99 and has free shipping!
Use it in places that are more intimate.
The bigger the place, the bigger the speakers you will need.
Take care of your equipment. Label your equipment.
Don't let people rob you of your equipment. Keep it marked and labeled.
http://www.ehow.com/video_4430047_label-instruments.html
Most of all, don't leave the door of your pick-up bed open to let your
equipment slide out.
We left the back door of our pick-up bed down and, in an after-thought before we left I wrapped up our sound board in a dog quilt I had. The thick quilt had enough grip to keep the sound control board from slipping out the back. Days later, I heard on the radio about a musician who was offering a reward for
his expensive concertina that slipped off the back of his truck because he forgot to put up the back pick-up bed door and it slipped off.
Indeed,, we were very lucky because I thought to wrap the control board in the quilt!
Here is another video with great advice on how to pack instruments in your vehicle.
http://www.ehow.com/video_4430041_pack-car-instruments.html?pid=1&wa_vrid=8aa954b6-7ec8-4c5c-a7b8-3fd75cf4f54d&cp=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous
I love the idea of a U.S. Marine sticker on your car to prevent thefts! :-)

Keep singing,

Amy Zents

P.S. There's never enough of the stuff you can't get enough of." - Patrick Boyle

Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Jangled Nerves and Butterflies Could Be A Sign

It's easier to perform with a partner than alone

So you are about to perform and you are shy, and really, really nervous. What's a singer to do?
I think the best thing you should do is PRACTICE PAUSING. What this means is, take a moment or two to breathe deeply, and calm down.
Try to get to the gig early. Gauge your audience. Is it big or is it small? Or in between?
Also, get to know the space you will be performing in.
Look the way you want to look. Present your image at it's best. You be in control.
You will love being the centre of attention. I guarantee it. You just need some help to get going.
Unless you are playing for an audience of jealous contemporaries, your audience wants you to win!
So, if you've rehearsed enough, and you've made enough progress to be engaged at a gig, it's time to get on with the show!
Don't let jangled nerves and butterflies be a sign that you are ill-prepared and don't know what the heck you are doing.
If that is the case, then stay home!
If you are only nervous because you are afraid to perform in public, well then, that is a horse of a different color.
You can do it, and with the experience you got in doing it, the next time it will be easier.
Remember, you are doing it for the love of the music. Try not to be so SELF-conscious. In fact, studies show people who are shy are often perceived as being SELFISH!
We know that is not really the case. So, swallow your pride and show them what you've got!
I'm smiling and cheering for you! :-)

Keep singing,

Amy Zents

PS. 'Faint heart never won fair lady!'" - Ancient Proverb

Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Singing in Tune

                                            Tune up your singing or be very afraid!!! :-)

Hello!
I hope you are enjoying my blog. It is to educate and inspire us to become a happy well-paid and successful singers.
Today we are talking about tuning up your voice for great singing!
Let's find our tonal center ("centre"..for Canadians like me!)
Here is the script:
Practice with the chromatic (1/2 step Major Scale.)


Tonic
Minor second
Major second
Minor third
Major third
Perfect fourth
Tri-tone
Perfect fifth
Minor sixth
Major sixth
Minor seventh
Major seventh
Octave!

Then reverse the process and come down the chromatic scale again!
Some people advise not to use a keyboard when training your ears! I disagree.
You should find a keyboard that is in tune and daily tune with it!

                                                Singing was as popular then as it is today!



Keep Singing!
Amy Zents

P.S. "You are never too old to set another goal, or dream another dream." - C.S. Lewis


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