10 Tips For A Successful Studio Career | Creating Your Dream Job

You've had a passion for music your entire life.

As long as you can remember you've always been dancing to the beat, and belting out words to songs you didn't know.

That passion stayed with you throughout your life. The fire never died.

Music is in everything you do, and you can't picture life without it.

Now it's time to start planning your future. You need to "be an adult" and pick a career.

After a lot of thought and conversations with friends and family, you've finally figured it out.

Your career will be in music, obviously.

Except, you'll be on the other side of the microphone.

You don't want to be the one singing in front of thousands of fans. You want to be the mastermind behind the microphone.

The one that makes sure it sounds good in the studio.

You've got your sites set on becoming a studio engineer or record producer.

Admittedly, it's a pretty tough industry to crack. However, if you make it, it is an enriching career.

Below are ten tips that will help you achieve your dream.

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/10-tips-for-a-successful-studio-career

5 Ways Perfectionism Is Ruining Your Music

“We can be truly successful only at things we are willing to fail at.” -Mark Manson

Perfection isn't possible.

Blindly pursuing perfection often leads to complete failure.

Trying to be perfect is okay, but accepting anything but perfection is crippling.

Perfection in music is especially dangerous.

From the first day of our first music class, we want to play each note perfectly.

This is entirely understandable, because who wouldn't want to be perfect?

However, is perfection in music possible?

Isn't music just an outlet for artistic creativity?

Isn't art subjective? So how can it ever be perfect?

Music does have mathematical elements, and there is a way to play every note perfect.

Playing every note perfect doesn't always lead to a better performance or a better song.

The best way to ensure you put forth your best effort is to drop your perfectionist tendencies.

Stop over thinking and over analyzing, and just play.

Embracing your perfection will allow you to create more music, grow as an artist, and stay inspired.

Maybe you're trying to stop being a perfectionist, or maybe you're not aware you are a perfectionist.

Here are five signs to look out for to be sure you aren't striving for perfection.

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/5-ways-perfectionism-is-ruining-your-music

The Best Holiday Musician Gift Guide 2018 | 18 Gifts Listed By Instrument

The Ultimate 18 Holiday Gifts For Musicians

It's that time of year again!

People are scrambling to find the perfect gifts for their friends, family, and loved ones before the jolly old man rides his sleigh across the world December 25th. We understand that it can be difficult buying for someone whose passion or hobby doesn't quite match your own.

That's okay! We get it.

If you're not a sports enthusiast, it can be difficult buying the perfect gift for someone glued to the television screen every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday for football.

The same can be said about musicians.

Wait...guitars use pedals?

Why do drumsticks have letters?

What is the difference between a fretless and fretted bass? (We actually answer this here, in case you're curious).

The point is unless you ask outright what they want (but where is the fun in that?), it can be difficult sifting through a crowd of stuff to find a great gift.

But fear no longer! We are here to assist you today! And not only assist you, but we are also listing this guide instrument by instrument.

We will include one higher price item, one cost-efficient item, and even a stocking stuffer.

Let's get started!

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/holiday-music-gift-guide-2018

6 Ways To Get Your Music Heard In 2019

You've spent hours and hours working on your music. You've written the lyrics, composed the music, put everything together, and it sounds perfect.

Your hard work and determination have paid off, even when people told you to quit and to get a "real job." 

You didn't listen to them though, and you've finished your masterpiece. Now you can prove the naysayers wrong. Now you can show everyone how hard you worked to make your masterpiece.

There's just one thing left to do.

People have to hear it.

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/get-your-music-heard-in-2019

10 Tips To Improve Your Guitar Solo

Constructing the Perfect Guitar Solo

Can you remember the first time that you whipped out an air guitar for a sweet solo?

It's like a magical power that resonates through every music lover's veins. 

Once that verse or chorus is complete, it is like a signal that shoots up through the body to pull out your imaginary, 6-stringed instrument and instantly shred.

And that is just speaking to music lovers that are caught up in the moment and don't even play the guitar.

Most guitarists spend countless hours emulating and learning their favorite guitar solos is significant and inspiring. These are the musicians that subscribe to the dream of perfectly nailing an intricate and catchy guitar solo in front of a sold-out crowd of engaged listeners.

Guitar solos will always be a powerful component of any song.

Regardless of why this came to be, it is clear that effective Guitar Solos are:

• Memorable
• Exciting
• Epic
• Defining of the song

While a guitar solo may not be able to carry a subpar song over the hump, it will undoubtedly give any song an uplifting boost.

So the question is, what makes one solo better than the rest and how can a guitarist create an awe-inspiring guitar solo?

Thankfully, we have some answers for you!

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/10-tips-to-improve-your-guitar-solo

THE CARE AND KEEPING OF YOUR VOICE: TRAVEL EDITION

HOW DOES A SINGER BALANCE THE DEMANDS OF TRAVEL WITH VOCAL HEALTH? FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY VOICE ON THE ROAD!

There’s no way around it: being a singer is physically demanding. And at times, the lifestyle demands of a singer can feel at odds with the physical feats your body is required to do.

Take traveling , for example: a lot of singers are required to travel frequently from gig to gig, but all those early flights and long hours can really take their toll on the voice. What’s a singer to do?

Follow these tips to help your voice stay healthy, hydrated, and rested on the road !

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/the-care-and-keeping-of-your-voice-travel-edition

To Steam, or Not To Steam? - Strategies for Vocalists

We all know that hydration is good for the voice (and if you don’t know, now you know: DRINKING WATER = A HAPPY VOICE AND A HEALTHY SINGER), but what is the best, quickest way to ensure that your body is adequately hydrated?

In this article, we will discuss the different techniques that you can try to help keep your voice in tip-top shape and ready for a performance .

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/to-steam-or-not-to-steam-your-vocal-chords

Musician Mental Health | How to Love Your Craft and Stay Positive

7 Ways to Counter Negative Thoughts as a Musician

When you decided to become a musician and pursue music, what were your dreams?

Were there stages you imagined performing on? Or what about different artists that you would open for (or maybe they would open for you).

To be a successful musician, having creativity and imagination is essentially a must-have. Unfortunately, when it comes to these large dreams, you can also taste a large amount of disappointment.

Let's list some common struggles you, and many others, have no doubt suffered through:

1. Low paying (or free) shows
2. Expensive equipment and instruments
3. Fixing damaged items
4. Writer's block
5. Hours of work on music that no one seems to appreciate
6. Lack of presence in your own community

For a creative individual with big dreams, these occurrences can be quite crushing.

As these struggles may seem like a musician's "rite of passage" early on, as months (or years) go by, it is definitely enough to take the wind out of your sails.

However, this does not have to be the case.

There are enough depressing things in our life; our passion should not be one of them.

If you feel a connection to what we are discussing and have been feeling down lately, we strongly recommend you check out our list of 7 ways to counter these unhealthy thoughts and feelings and replace them with a healthy, and optimistic mindset. 

 

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/musician-mental-health-how-to-love-your-craft-and-stay-positive

Marketing Tips for Audio Producers | Attracting Musicians

How to Snag Clients as an Audio Engineer

Being an Audio Producer can feel like an absolute dream come true.

You get to surround yourself with music and musicians, set your own hours and time frames, and honestly say you do something that you love.

That is a lot more than a significant amount of people in our world can say.

Unfortunately, what do you do when there is no one knocking at your door asking to have their music recorded and produced?

Sure, if you are a musician yourself, you can utilize the equipment you've gathered and made good use of your time. But do you plan on paying yourself? And what about the audio producers out there that aren't musicians themselves?

The answer is: You have to Market yourself. 

So what exactly what does that entail?

Is some of it going to be fun? Sure!

Is some of the marketing going to be a little exhausting? Probably.

Thankfully, we have 10 fantastic tips for you on how to market yourself as an Audio producer.

Let's get started!

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/marketing-tips-for-audio-producers

5 Steps For Submitting a Demo to a Record Label - Get Found!

There are few things in life more exciting than finishing a personal and creative project. Music is no exception.

When you finish your musical project and are proud of it, you want the world to hear it.

 

There are definitely DIY tactics to getting your music out there in the world, but it is understood that record labels are the more direct route to success and promotion. The majority of well-known artists and bands have found their achievements through record labels.

So how do you go about contacting a record label?

 

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/submitting-a-demo-to-record-label

11 Best Bass Guitar Tips For Practicing Effectively

The Best 11 Practicing Tips For Bass Guitar

Think of something you're really good at.

Maybe it's writing, or fixing cars, or cooking, or throwing a baseball. Is it muscle memory now? Would you consider yourself a master?

Now, think about how long it took you to get where you are now. Was it an easy process or was it stressful and time-consuming? What bumps did you hit along the way and what did you learn throughout the process?

Of course, some abilities come a little easier for some folks than others, but for the most part, to excel at something it undoubtedly takes a lot of practice.

And you know what? It is worth it.

But you're not here to talk about cooking or throwing a baseball. What is music to you? 

It can be many things, but for a lot of people, it is a passion. 

Unfortunately, even aspects of your life that you are passionate about can have tiresome moments that are stressful, exhausting, and downright frustrating. This can include Practicing the Bass.

Is it always fun? Not quite. However, there are steps you can take that will make practicing your bass guitar:

• Worthwhile
• Effective
• Measured (and most importantly...)
• Fun

Here are the Top 11 Steps to Practice the Bass Guitar Effectively:

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/best-bass-guitar-exercises-to-practice

Fretted vs. Fretless Bass Guitar - What Are The Pros And Cons

When it comes to your instrument, for all intents and purposes, it is like a car or a house. It is your prized possession that starts off as a blank canvas, and you have full reign to make it as uniquely you as possible.

On top of a brand, musicians will look at instrument specifications, colors, shapes, and abilities. Then there is the desire to alter it. Change the pickups. Add stickers. Experience a few battle scars.

Of course, there are those folks that like to keep a pristine, "factory sealed" type look. That is fine, too.  

When looking at bass guitars, there are many different stylistic choices, but one variation that is often discussed is Fretted vs. Fretless Basses. 

So let's break down what exactly that means and where the idea comes from.

 

source https://www.aimm.edu/blog/fretted-vs.-fretless-bass-guitar