When I decided to record songs for my new album entitled “The Underdog”,  I wanted it to be different from my last album. So I challenged myself to find great music and write wonderful songs that represent everyday people.

When the songs for the album were written, I went on a search to find the best tracks for the album and   went to the recording studio after finding four tracks for the album. It felt good going back into the studio because being in the recording studio always feels like home to me.  The recording studio  is the place where I feel comfortable and happy.

There was no problems when I step in the recording booth and put on the headphones. However, the problems started when my vocals were recording on the beats I selected.  The beat was soft and smooth while my voice tone was hard.  The tone of my voice didn’t match the vibe of the song.  My voice tone was perfect for the songs on my last album.  However, it doesn’t fit the songs for my new album.     I’m getting frustrated while I’m trying to find the correct tone of voice to match the radio friendly songs on the album.

The Struggle:
It’s easy for me match my voice on hard beats. However, I struggle on beats that need a smooth or soft tone of voice. The struggles with my tone of voice on radio records has me questioning myself because   I cannot release an album without radio and club friendly songs.  I’m trying different things to make the songs better. However, I’m just hitting a brick wall. 

Note To All Recording Artists:
Changing the way you sound from song to song is easier said than done. However, we owe it to all music fans to be different from record to record. We have to step out of our comfort zone and give the world great music.

N-O
http://www.myspace.com/no100
no10000@yahoo.com

If parents created the necessary environment for their child to develop musical abilities, then they’ve done a good job. But don’t start celebrating the victory just yet the journey towards success has only just begun. Don’t believe those who tell you that musical education is very difficult for children. I guess, in some respect they are correct and it will be difficult if you don’t know how to create, develop and maintain the child’s music interest.

Interest in music does not just appear. Its origin stems from a number of events and circumstances. Parents need to create events and circumstances that will encourage the child to want to take up music.

After creating the environment for your child’s music interest that child will soon be asking you to help him and you know that is an important milestone in their musical development.

If your child keeps asking you to buy him a violin, take him to a music teacher that teaches violin. Don’t take him to a pianist just because they are a good friend of yours and you’ve heard good things about him/her. Also if you wanted to learn to play piano as a child and your dream did not come true, this is not a good reason for your child to start playing piano just to fulfill your dream.

I hope you understand that if your child asks you for a violin, you give it to him. If it is a saxophone, you give him a saxophone, if it is a guitar, you give him a guitar. To make a long story short, give children what they ask for.  This will insure their music interest will continue to blossom. Sometimes children have difficulty choosing one instrument over another. In this case they need your help.  This doesn’t mean asking the teacher for help, they need your help. In order to help them there are five conditions that must be met: you must have a basic knowledge about choosing a musical instrument, you must be patient and attentive and you need to act in a timely manner.

When parents get involved and help a child choose an instrument they will remember it and will appreciate it for the rest of his life, I am planning to write in my next book in the near future. Why is it so important to let the child pick the instrument of their choice? Statistics show that most children who have a music interest and start taking music lessons quit within a year and a half and in 50% of the cases the reason for quitting is a poor choice in musical instruments.

When parents go against the child’s wishes because they think the child is too young to decide on their own, and make a choice for them, it is like playing the lottery. So, if your choice happens to be the right one, your child will succeed and they will play the instrument of your choice with pleasure.  If not, then you will have problems.

Some of the common issues are complaints from the teacher, forcing the child to study, unpleasant lectures, and so on. As a rule there may come a time when your son or daughter says “enough”. It may happen either at the very beginning or in the middle of music classes. Wouldn’t it be better if you made an effort to support and maintain your child’s music interest right from the start? Your child will thank you later.