Sing for your supper
On my first paid gig I sung two songs at a wedding. I recall staring at the funds in the envelope. I was stunned, ?25 per song! Can it really be that easy?
As I consequently discovered, it was by no means ‘easy’ to get paid singing work. I additionally discovered there are a broad variety of solutions to earn from singing.
One such chance is function work. Let s have a closer look at what is entailed.
Function singing
The part of the function band is to incite ‘fun. Repertoire is dependent on ‘cover songs’. Expect to learn hundreds of songs in a broad range of genres if you want to be in normal work. Common song styles include rock (50’s-current), Motown, disco, pop (50’s to current), funk, Latin pop, as well as swing jazz. Good function singers collate their own ‘pad’. The pad will contain music charts in the singer’s key. This really is very useful if you want to get work as a dep singer. Deps are hired for one off gigs with small or no rehearsal, either to fill in for the normal singer or as a great added extra for a particular gig.
You may be the only singer or perhaps one of several. With 2 or even more, singers may take turns on lead and support vocals. It’s not uncommon for a function band to have a male along with a woman singer. A couple bands book singers depending the clients requirements. Band sizes and also combinations vary greatly from a couple of instruments plus a singer with backing tracks to more elaborate band set ups with many singers, a horn section and dancers.
You may be performing in a pub, private house, hotel, restaurant or perhaps on a cruise ship. Typical occasions include parties, gala dinners, balls, bar mitzvahs, business events, weddings, honor ceremonies and also product launches. It is not unusual for gigs to be in countryside locations and so access to a vehicle is recommended. A couple gigs are abroad thus create sure you have a valid passport, it would be sad to miss such an opportunity because you don’t have one.
Earnings vary greatly. Pay in the UK starts from ?50 as well as up. ?150-200/gig is fairly standard for a good function band and can get considerably higher for a top event.
Some bands have particular costume requirements; if they have premade costumes in a specific size your own dress size can impact on your ability to get the gig. There is a particular expectation, especially on the higher end, that the band presents perfectly. Evening dress and matches might be needed. Sometimes the bandleader and/or the client might dictate the dress requirements. Expect to dress up!
Weekend evenings tend to be the busiest times. Often you are needed a couple of hours before; to set up, sound check and dress. Gigs generally last 2-4 hours with 1-3 breaks. Sometimes food as well as refreshments tend to be supplied but dont expect to be catered for. These gigs usually finish midnight or later, it’s is rare to be provided with accommodation so you may find you are travelling several hours to and from a gig.
Getting function work.
It is definitely not uncommon to get a begin by being a dep singer. Other options include auditioning, starting your band or getting asked by friends to join theirs. In the music industry, word of mouth is paramount so networking is important.
Preparation
Discover out what the most common function songs are. Check out function band sites for song lists, certain songs comes up over and over. Check out the current Top 10 charts. Learn around 100, from the original recordings. Understand your own lyrics, melody, the song form, the vocal nuances suited to the genre you may be singing and the best key for you. I have known of singers who got their chance just to blow it because they didn’t know the lyrics or perhaps melodies effectively enough – that s your job. Function singing requires you to sing the song as it ended up being recorded, and so no ‘improvising’ or changing the melody. Also discover the harmonies to step into the backing role with ease.
Get in contact with musicians and also singers who are already involved in function bands. Allow them know what your own stylistic strengths are; offer your song list with preferred keys and a video/audio demo of you performing. Consider providing to perform a song or perhaps two with them at a rehearsal or perhaps for free at an appropriate gig.
Networking, preparation as well as professionalism tend to be the secret to success as a function singer. It’s certainly not a big market thus if you’re good the name will go around fast, by the same token if you may be certainly not as much as scratch or difficult to work with your own name will get around even faster!
Here tend to be a few UK websites that post auditions as well as jobs for singers:
http://www.thestage.co.uk/
http://uk.singerspro.com/
http://uk.music-jobs.com,
http://www.musofinder.co.uk/
http://www.starnow.co.uk
http://www.gumtree.com
http://www.castingnow.co.uk
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