So you can sing, you write your own songs, you’ve set up a home studio and you’ve recorded a CD on your own. Well, i have, and i know many of you have. So what next?
Recent technology developments have made it very easy for a musician to be in control of everything, from the start (writing the song) to the finishing line (getting a CD manufactured). Let’s face it, we have a vision and we don’t like to share it. But is it better to be a master of one trade or a jack of all?
I’ll be honest and put my hand up; i’ve self-recorded a CD, promoted myself, toured, got some success on my own level, and now, half of my CDs sit in boxes underneath my futon. Where have i gone wrong?
I assumed promotion was my weak point, so i tried many things. A lot of them worked quite well but took so much time, i had none left to make any music. The quick ones didn’t yield any significant results.
So let’s get back to where you started. What got you into music? Did you enjoy playing your favourite songs on the guitar? Did you enjoy making up your own lyrics? Did you annoy all your family by singing very loudly in the shower? Did you listen to a song and thought how they could have arranged the song better? Did you listen to a song and thought how there was some hiss on the acoustic guitar?
Going back to that first spark will help you decide where to go next. Not being able to do it all yourself is not a failure. Trying to do it all yourself to a low standard rather than teaming up with talented people whose skills compliment yours is the mistake many of us make.
The Beatles wouldn’t have been the Beatles without George Martin. Equally, they wouldn’t have been the Beatles without John Lennon. Or Paul. Or Ringo. Or George. Each of them had a part to play in the success.
Madonna wouldn’t be Madonna without the great people she chooses to surround herself with. From William Orbit to Pat Leonard, she has always used great songwriters, producers and musicians to achieve what she wants. Each and every one of them has contributed to her success.
So who do you want to be? I personally wouldn’t want to be Madonna (even if i could) because that woman works much harder than i am capable of and cannot sneeze without all the whole world knowing about it (i need time on my own and couldn’t stand the constant media scrutiny). However, if, as a songwriter, i could be part of her team, i would consider myself hugely successful, even if most people wouldn’t know my name.
Is your voice doing a disservice to your songs, or your songs a disservice to your voice? Again, there is no shame in admitting this; i’ll admit it, my voice makes a great disservice to my songs, i simply cannot sing well what i write. So my musical path is obviously being a songwriter.
Take a look at all the great musical things you do and ask yourself which one you couldn’t live without doing? Focus all your time on this thing - be it singing, playing guitar, arranging songs, writing songs and so forth - and push it to the limit. Find people to collaborate with, to push yourself further, to help each other. Define who you are and what it is you do like no one else. What got you into music in the first place? Get back to it 
4 responses so far ↓
1 doug // Nov 27, 2007 at 2:57 pm
as a do-it-all-yourself artist, this strikes close to my heart. writting and recording solo since the mid 80’s has been a passion/lifeline for me. with at least a dozen albums of material stockpiled always getting larger. my musical goals may differ from others, “making it” has never been that high on my list. so finding the right people to work with never came up. its always been about “getting it of my chest” via music. also the “do-it-yourself” mentallity keeps me from being in the awkward situation of rejection if a band mate or producer rolls there eyes at some of my work. i am fragile when it comes to my only purpose in life. my music is a reflection of me. it changes from mood to mood day to day. it goes where it wants. from experiments to 15 minute soundscapes. i can also work at any time without scheduling around others. i have released some material for sale, but donate all income. i never want to get lured into the idea of “selling” rather then “creating”. you start to think differently when money gets involved. i guess it all depends on the artist, some “do it yourself” out of nessecity..some out of ego, or, if your like me….all of the above. i found out a long time ago it’s so much easier when you can just be yourself
thanks for the opportunity to comment on this.
2 Rose // Dec 4, 2007 at 2:58 am
Well my story is a little bit different. I have written songs, can read music, play the piano and the guitar and I have even copyrighted some of my own music. But I have also been a radio DJ for a lot of years. I’m not doing it any more but I missed the work. Besides DJ-ing I also produced, made commercials and even done the programming.
So I satisfy that need with having my own internet radio station. I get to be the owner, producer and boss of my own little internet station. I do voice-overs, make PSA’s etc. It’s good exposure and like I said before it helps me go back to doing that kind of radio work that I love.
I do want to say that you should seriously consider getting a myspace page because a lot of artists have them and I am constantly seeing stories about artists that have a myspace page who are getting “discovered” - A few have even gotten recording contracts!
3 Natalie M // Dec 4, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Doug - i like your approach and i totally agree with your statement “i guess it all depends on the artist, some “do it yourself” out of nessecity..some out of ego, or, if your like me….all of the above. i found out a long time ago it’s so much easier when you can just be yourself”.
If i understand correctly, your reason for doing it yourself is a need for self-expression and i think an artist or musician without that need for self-expression is a bit like a writer without the need to tell stories. Music is about expressing feelings
However, my point was that you might be able to channel your self-expression into one direction only to make it more powerful, rather than distill it between different skills, eg songwriting, recording, producing, performing etc. Of course, some can do it all and do it very well
Rose - good for you, getting back into what you love doing, eg radio. The internet opens so many opportunities, doesn’t it? I used to run a radio station on live365 myself, it’s quite exciting.
As for MySpace, i don’t think anyone can get “discovered” on MySpace.
Let me explain - i agree that you should have a MySpace profile and that it might help you raise your profile online if you work it properly but it’s only a tool and isn’t the be all and end all of online promotion.
In fact, in terms of online promotion, i don’t even think MySpace is the best community website for musicians. My favourite one is Last.fm; i’ll refer you to my free PDF ebook, available to download on the top right corner of this page.
4 Mike // Dec 6, 2007 at 11:41 pm
I started out like Doug because I didn’t have time to get together with a band so Ir ecord at home. Some friends thought my stuff was pretty good so I have sent my CDs to CDBaby,a $55 investment. Total income to date has been $ 1.67, yes, a dollar sixty seven but I’m not discouraged, or very good apparently, but my goal was not ‘to make it’. I went through that in the early eighties. To get to the point, I agree that colaboration can’t hurt, most great acts are songwriting teams. Stones, U2 etc….If you ‘re unique enough to create material on your own you may be TOO unique to understand the mainstream market. I think this applies to many great underground musicians. Play to your strength and hook up with some with different strengths.
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