The Application Form

Actually, that would be the lack of an Application Form. I have NO FORM for you to fill in. What I would like is for you to write me an e-mail. Tell me about yourself and why you would like our advice. Hearing from you in this way gives me a much better feel for the person you are than receiving a list of dry answers. Just be sure to include the basic information outlined below.

A name. I need to call you something. Your real name would simplify matters. When we start working on your public relations and getting you some local performances, I will have to know your real name. This could, and probably will, be fairly soon. If, however, you feel that you would like to retain some degree of anonymity to begin with, a stage name, nickname, or a made-up name will due for now.

Do not feel bad about wanting to retain anonymity. It is a dangerous world, both the physical world and the internet world. This is particularly so for young people and women. I am, after all, a stranger to you. Please read carefully the sections on An E-Mail Address and Copyright Notice, below, before you decide on a name. These can, and probably should, all be related.

An E-Mail address. E-mail will be the only way we communicate, at least initially. If you wish to retain some anonymity, you should not use an e-mail address that contains your real name. You can get a new e-mail account, at no cost, from several sources. Open that e-mail account using some form of the name you pick for us to communicate with.

It is probably a good idea to have a separate e-mail address for our use anyway. It would serve to help keep our communications organized and not cluttered with unrelated matter.

Your age and gender. It is important that I know your age and gender. It is unfortunate but, the industry deals differently with a sixteen year-old than with a twenty-four, and with a male than with a female. It may also be important for the legal, business, and other issues that I will probably advise you on.

What Geographical Area do you live in? I don't want your address or, initially, even the town. In order to advise you on many matters, I have to know what kind of an area you live in (rural, town, suburban, city) and what large city is closest to you. It would also be helpful to know if that city is quick and easy for you to reach or if it is a several hours drive.

What Experience and Training do you have? Do you sing in a church choir, a community or school choral group, or with a band? Do you enjoy Karaoke? Have you had voice lessons; ether a Private Professional Voice Coach or a Professional Music or Vocal Teacher in your school? How long have you taken or did you take lessons? How often were the lessons? How long were the sessions? Do you currently take lessons? If not, why?

I will need some more information, some of it a bit personal, early on in our working together. I would perfer that you do not give it to me initially. I would rather you gave me a detaled account of your singing experiance and education and worry about this stuff a bit later. None of it will matter in my desiding to help you or not.

Have you been recorded recently? This could be either a professional recording or a decent quality home recording. It should be a solo, with no post-production processing. If you have, I will want to hear the recording(s). If not, that will be one of our first projects. If you need, I will guide you in making a recording and/or in sending it to me as an e-mail attachment.

What Equipment do you have available to you? Do you have a computer, in your home, which you have reasonable access to? Do you have a microphone for the computer? (It may have one build in.) Is there any kind of music recording or post-production software? Do you have an audio cassette recorder or other audio recording device at your disposal? Do you own or have access to any stage equipment, like amplifiers, microphones, and portable lighting?

Your Financial Situation. I don't want your money but others will. You will have to pay cash for some of the services I may recommend. Knowing if you have the cash, or are flat broke, I can advise you accordingly. So, let me know if you work and have a little cash, if your parents are filthy rich and will back you to the hilt, or if you are in school and don't work. Your financial situation, in itself, will not determine if I decide to advise you or not.

Your Schedule Flexibility is also important. What are your job, school, religious, or other regular commitments? What flexibility is there in them? Do you have time available on some evenings or weekends to put into the advancement of your career? Think about that before you apply. If you don't have a fair amount of time to dedicate to building your career, perhaps this is not a good time to start.

Disclaimer

By submitting an application for our service, you acknowledge that what we offer should be strictly considered to be advice, and that you can and should evaluate the advice we offer to determine for yourself the value of that advice and any potential benefits or pitfalls involved in following, partially following, selectively following, modifying, delaying in following, or failing to follow that advice, and that you will hold harmless Singer Help, singer-help.com, the Advisor at Singer Help, and all other persons and entities associated, either directly or indirectly, with Singer Help, from any and all repercussions resulting from the choices you make regarding that advice.