Somebody Give Some Advice, Please! Options

[gellybean]

I would like to go to NYC this summer to pursue a singing career but I can't afford it. Any idea where I could find a sponsor?

[gellybean]

PS: I'm from Estonia which is in Europe.

[Jaysee]

Hi, it all depends on what type of singing you plan to do.
If its a pop/rock/jazz genre I cant really give you much advice aside from "if it hurts, or makes you voice hoarse or husky and tired after a short while then you're doing it wrong. Find a teacher before you lose your voice.
If its a classical ie 'opera' career you want to study for in NYC there are a few charitable options (in the UK anyway,) for getting the funds together for study at music college etc. You'd probably need to audition for a fairly snooty panel...... even if you've been offered a definate place in a prestigious college like Juliard.
I had a friend who won a place at Juliard *and* Berklee as a pianist but she wasn't able to take it because she simply couldn't find the cash for the fees (let alone living expenses!)NY is an expensive city.
There is a trust in the UK called 'the countess of 'Munster trust (honestly, that's her name haha) Aspiring singers, if they pass this inquisition /audition are usually awarded a grant for further study for a year or more.
As I said this is an exclusively UK example but maybe Estonia offers something similar. (That is assuming you're any good of course:-)
Otherwise I'd check out options nearer to home. All a college is really much good for is giving you time, two or three years to learn your technique before you get out into the big bad pro opera world. If your technique has any flaws the voice won't stand up to the rigours of rehearsals and performance, the business will chew you up and spit you out, it's merciless. After college a sound reliable technique is far more useful and valuble than any academic music degree or diploma.
hope that helps.

[gellybean]

I sing r'n'b mainly, a bit of pop also. I have no problems with my voice or technique, I have a very good teacher. I've also changed my mind about where I'm going. I decided to go to London because it would be much cheaper to go there, plus I already know London pretty well and it's not so new and scary for me...specially being 16 years old...

But I still need a sponson...I'm looking right now...

[gellybean]

I still need a sponsoR that is...

[beltunabob]

Another newbie here, appreciating all patient advice.
I have q G4 tower 1G 512mb. Running Audacity and 'trialing' several notation programs (Finale, Harmony Assitant etc).
I have two older keyboards, a KORG SG-iD that is missing some of it's funational electronics, and a Roland hobby keyboard. Both have midi ins and outs.

For now, I have a mic to eurorack plugged into the tower.

I need a way to plug midi into the computer, via USB or firewire, for both inputting notes and recording

Two choices are the MOTU 88mkll or Fastlane. Assuming my keyboards 'work' is that all I need?

If I do need a new keyboard or workstation, what would be a good choice? I would like something that has good action and would replace my other keyboards.

I have a limited music budget. I plan on getting garageband. But I would prefer to spend most of the money I'm saving on a new acoustic instrument (accordion or bandoneon.)

thanks

Boba

[wroyj]

advice? who ever takes that - i know i don't but here goes

first - at 16 years old i'd say get a trade, be it cooking or
driving a truck - something where you can support yourself
in a style better than street level and be your own master

certainly music is lovely, i've been playing now for over 50
years and hope to do so until the day i die - and in my younger years i suffered for it, through broken relationships, a marriage
a child, divorce, and not being able to buy groceries or put a roof over your head hurts - you and those you love.

my son is 29 y/o and is also a musician - and he struggles too
and i give the same advice - he just finished college last year
and now he can persue the music with more vigour since he
has a little more money and something to fall back on as well

music is a harsh and fickle mistress - when you hot your hot
and when your not your not and it changes, up and down throughout you life - when i was young and working as a bass player i used to play with all the "lame" old men in the gargage band circuit - blues, country, rhythm and blues - now i am one of them (ha! ) and you know it ain't so bad. I'm sure as you move on in life you play with guys who played witht he greats and for one reason or another chose a different path - i have
and it's been a great honor.

so i work as a nurse, play music as much as i can, and hang in there for the joy of it -

so i say go for it, grab it for all it is worth but at the same time
get a trade, take a few years to learn something that gives you a decent living so you can control your destiny - you can do your own promotion and marketing, set you own venues, and are not so beholden - even the classical players do this (believe it or not) i sat and talked with a cellist from the St Louis Smphony when i had just finished music school and she was telling me of all the years she studied cello, gave lessons, worked in an office, and she'd made it - she had a chair in a major symphony orchestra - and she was in her 50's as well
and old, old lady for me at the time.

so good luck, but be careful - NYC, London by yourself, alone
and broke are scary places.

*wroy

[Jaysee]

I second that sound advice! I lived in London for almost twenty years making a fairly good living as a professional iopera singer, and the big city scared the shit out of ME for the first few months. (although now I no longer live there I shure miss it a lot!)
I really can't imagine how I would have survived without a roof over my head and a bit of cash for emergencies...let alone at the age of 16!
I know we old timers sound boring but London has a pretty shitty underbelly beneath the bright city lights. Being broke,homeless, sleeping rough aint very glamorous, and is very risky. you'd be joining the ranks of many many young people in 'cardboard box city'. A lot of unscrupulous bastards, pimps, drug dealers etc etc are always on the look out to recruit kids lured to the capital by the promise of fame and fortune, streets paved with gold. The reality is you've gotta arrive armed with something more than starry eyed optimism.....enviable as that blind faith that nothing can possibly go awry in ones life is to boring old farts like me.
You're obviously very brave so good luck with whatever you decide to do, discuss your plans with someone a bit older, maybe your singing teacher. I'm sure they will point out the possible pitfalls.
take care, JC

[CanadaRAM]

Another newbie here, appreciating all patient advice.
I have q G4 tower 1G 512mb. Running Audacity and 'trialing' several notation programs (Finale, Harmony Assitant etc)...

If you want your question answered, open a new topic, it is best not to tag onto a completely different subject.