Today on Ask Simply Mary we talk about vocals and some challenges you can overcome with a few simple tips.

Every artist seems to strive to be better at one thing or another. Sometimes we just want to be the best at everything, and realistically, we just can't.  Even though we can't master every single skill,  we can however, improve every single one. Let's talk about vocals today.

The question:

"Whenever I sing I feel most comfortable when singing low. I feel that I sound at least a bit better than when I try to sing more high like Sopranos. Is there any tips to improve my singing voice? I'm female by the way."

With every single challenge we face comes effort. Sometimes there is a considerable amount of effort that it will consume and that thought in itself can inhibit us from moving forward with reaching those goals we set for ourselves as an artist, a songwriter, or any type of creator. Before we can bring to fruition those goals we so deeply desire to achieve, we need to make a conscious effort to follow through with them and that is your first step.

So with this question we know that vocals are going to be the focus here. So let's talk about how to improve these vocal skills, and how to break barriers we feel are in the way of our growth as a vocalist.

In part one of the podcast we are going to talk about these tips:

You have a natural vocal range, embrace that first before you try to expand your talent.

Don't get to worked up, learn at your own pace.

Exercise your diaphragm daily by focusing and becoming aware of your breathing.

Take care of your instrument, your voice! You know, the healthy things like not smoking and staying hydrated.

Do not strain your voice, this can literally cause permanent damage!

Warming up and the importance of practice.

Finding artists you resonate with to research for advice.

As we move into part 2 of the podcast I talk about:

Building slowly to reach the next octave.

Higher in pitch is NOT higher in volume.

Vocal cord damage is REAL.

Record yourself as an amateur, and then again later to compare.

Be faithful to yourself.

Don't beat yourself up if you are not making the progress you think you should be making.

Don't push the bar further than you can afford to.

Apply these tips to many different areas that you may want to work on.

Don't forget to take a break.

Know that no matter what goal you are trying to reach, practice makes perfect they say. Put into it what you expect to get out and you will be successful in all you do!

Best wishes always!

Simply Mary

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Stream on Spotify to hear with the playlist! Visit the blog at www.simplymarymusic.com for more. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simply-mary/message

Today on Ask Simply Mary,

Ray Galindo asks, "What is your opinion of Charles Manson's music?"

What a crazy topic to touch on for sure! I knew that Charles Manson made music a few years back and thought that was strange but never looked into it. Today I made the decision to check out Charles Manson's lyrics and his compositions that are available on YouTube. I really think everyone should take a moment and check this guy out. He really is an artist and a surprisingly talented man.

Jim Milton wants to know how to write a song with a ukulele without all the lyrics sounding unfamiliar and not right when something out loud.

I touch on instrumentation and structure while songwriting and also give a few pointers on things that may help with the process. Variations with instrumentation and using metronomes can really help with songwriting when you were only using one instrument. We also talk about variations and patterns as well as structure.

Finally Mary Scott asks,"If you're a songwriter what is your main objective in writing songs?"

I never really realized until today that song writing objectives seem to change along the course of a songwriters life. I know for me that my objectives have changed over the years and I believe that I share this with many other artists. I think this is an important question to touch on because it made me think about a lot of things.

I would like to thank everyone so much for tuning into the show!

If you like what you hear and you are getting something out of this podcast you are welcome to support the podcast by clicking the button on my podcast page. All support in every form is greatly appreciated!

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How does an artist collect royalties from places like Spotify, YouTube and other streaming networks?

Mechanical royalties, performance royalties, neighboring rights, who collects? We touch lightly on having a Publishing Administration or Publisher along with a PRO organization to represent you and collect what is due. I strongly encourage you to check out your PRO organization or Publishing Administration website for many valuable educational resources for sure. All in all we want to know what's in it for these services as far as a benefit to paying royalties.

I also try to give a realistic and honest answer to the reality of becoming a producer and producing your own track. 

Check out www.masterclass.com and see all the classes they have open including the one I mention today on this podcast.

Also, I share with you the way I write a song. This may not work for everyone but some of this information could help you with your own writing. I share the secret to how I come up with my crazy chord structures and bringing it all together.

All of this today on Ask Simply Mary

Right here on Anchor.fm

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting my podcast!

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So you want to make music, but where do you start?

Ask Simply Mary Podcast, Music Production, Musicians

 At 14 years old, Jalyn Fisher has a strong interest in ALL things music, but where does she even begin to start when there are so many different things to learn and so many changes in this fast paced industry?

 Today on Ask Simply Mary I would like to give Jalyn a plan of action to learn all the things she is dying to know about making music. We will be covering the 6 stages of Music Production that are critical to creating a good song. The great thing about this, is that each step has a future with positions and jobs in the industry somewhere. Do not fall into thinking you need to know it ALL, let me reassure you that you don't. Don't get me wrong, the more you know the better, but be realistic with your direction, you will grow along with your education and that does take time. Eventually you will be educated in all the areas you will need to be. 

Below you will be able to study any process you would like to go over through Wikipedia by clicking on the words highlighted in blue.

Don't forget to use your Google skills and find some suitable videos on YouTube, or other Social Media forums to place yourself among some of the musicians you most aspire to be like. You are not a copycat but you can benefit greatly learning from others. 

*Don't forget to share with others later too ;) 

Get yourself around people who are working in the Music Industry, if you put yourself around like minded individuals you will find the most growth. Also, don't forget to join your high school marching band, concert band or show choir! Trust me, you WILL USE THAT KNOWLEDGE LATER. IT IS PRICELESS! 

Also look around your local area for different Centers for the Arts and organizations you can start to become a part of right now, in some way, shape or form. You will have more connections to people who are interested in the same things. Don't let stigmas and such petty things distract you from the big prize here. Some people won't join band in high school or they end up missing other opportunities because of what others may think. Don't let anything like this hold you back. This is the future YOU are interested in, so you need to seek out every experience that you can to be sure that you know this is what you want to do. After all, even the time you are putting into things now is an investment, you are literally investing in yourself here. So I would love to see you make good investments without missing out on anything. With all that said, let's get going on the podcast where I will elaborate some more on each important step that you will be using to make music. The 6 Stages of a Song Songwriting Lyrics, composition and song structure basics. 

View the full post with live links and video at: 

https://bit.ly/6StagesofaSong

Thanks for tuning in here on Anchor.fm!

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Today on Ask Simply Mary:

Bizzouch asks "How can I find out when a song was registered with ASCAP or BMI?"

Billy Draper Hills via Quora.com asks:

"Who structures a song, the producer or the singer? For example, if you buy beats, who dictates where verse, chorus, and bridge should be?"

Humberto Hernandez asks "Do I need to register a song with BMI even if I already released it on Spotify under my own name?"

Find out about my own personal experience and answers to all kinds of other music related questions in this episode. 

Visit the blog to find the links and resources mentioned here in the podcast by clicking here.

Are you a music creator and want to also do it yourself to retain all of your creative control?

Do you want to take your work one step further and just are not sure where to find solid resources? 

Do you want to hear your music on major streaming networks such as Spotify, Napster, iTunes, Pandora, Deezer and Apple Music?

Are you ready to take action on your next steps?

If you want to know, you have to ask!

To ask a question of your own just leave me a message through my website

 www.simplymarymusic.com 

or leave me a voice message right here on Anchor.fm to be part of the podcast and find out the information you deserve to know!

Thank you so much for tuning in!

Mary

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Veronica Thornton asks "Would you come to resent your spouse if they forced you to give up a life long dream of a career in music?" My personal experience with an ex and how that has shaped my art today. Dimitri Czapklewicz is thinking  "I am very disappointed with my songwriting/melody writing skills. It makes me feel like giving up when I don't come up with a song that satisfies me and my needs, what should I do?" I feel like this is similar to writers block in a way for many many reasons. I sure can relate. Finally... Ash asks a great question "I published my music and made a website. How do I get the word out?" I share some tried and true tips that are sure to help you boost those streams if you just take the time and be persistent with putting these into practice as a part of your music business routine. Today on Ask Simply Mary! Ask your question at www.simplymarymusic.com and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss your answer! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/simply-mary/message

Katie Morgan asks "What are some easy gospel songs to sing in front of others at church?"

www.campelectric.com

Amy Potter wants to know "Did you ever have the chance to correct a medical mistake someone else made?"

Breast Implant Illness Information

And Aishu asks "I really want to be an audiobook reader in ACX. I think it is a good part time job opportunity. Why should I be hindered from doing the job just because I am from India?"

Audiobook Creation Exchange

Find the video version on IGTV!

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Songwriting can become frustrating as a beginner or even for a seasoned pro.  Here are some suggestions that may help you with your process. Some simple strategies are things like listening to other artists that are similar to your style. Comparing the song structure among your favorite works, and taking some  much needed breaks to reinvigorate your brain power. I also talk about how I first became a lover of piano and the dream of someday writing my own song.

We move on to Content ID and protecting your instrumental works from being stolen. Also, how to make sure your work is ready to receive the royalties you deserve and how to get started on your way to collecting.

A few short updates are in the podcast involving my personal life and what is to come for the podcast in the near future.

Thank you so much for hanging in there with me, and I can't wait to see you next time!

Visit www.simplymarymusic.com for more on what I do.

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Visit the blog by clicking here

University Copyright Office

Copyright Office

Are you familiar with copyright infringement? In this episode talk about copyrights and infringement on the "Ask Simply Mary" podcast today. The above links reference copyright infringement and also link you to the copyright office so you can register your work to obtain valid copyrights.

Copyright infringement is the act of violating any of the copyright owner's exclusive rights granted by the federal copyright act. There are certain elements that need to be in place for a copyright infringement to occur. This is discussed in the podcast as well. Remember there are legal penalties for copyright infringement. You need to keep your work safe and also, do not attempt to  tamper with other peoples work. It can come back to bite you!

Also, today we discussed payola. It is easy for artists to think they can buy followers and spins for their music or brand to obtain fans. This my friend is called payola. This type of  "advertising"  is so wrong, and it can backfire on you.

As per the Wiki:

"Payola, in the music industry, is the illegal practice of payment or other inducement by record companies for the broadcast of recordings on commercial radio in which the song is presented as being part of the normal day's broadcast, without announcing that there has been consideration paid in cash or in kind for its airplay adjacent to the recording's broadcast. Under US law, a radio station can play a specific song in exchange for money, but this must be disclosed on the air as being sponsored airtime.[1]

There are many artist services out there that boast they can bring you to the top for the right price. Services do not always deliver the things we are expecting, just a friendly FYI.   If you are attempting to use money to get you where you want to be it probably won't end well. I'm sure you have seen similar stories in the news recently about payola and college scandals. This is the same thing.

Finally for the last part of the podcast we are going to discuss microphones and the different types that are out there. I will be referencing a question from Quora on this matter to bring a little more more clarity to the subject.

Wikipedia 

If you're looking for information on microphones here is a link to help you out as you learn more. Above will take you to wikipedia for more in depth breakdowns of all the different types and uses.

LANDR Blog Post on Microphone Types

The types we will be talking about are:

• Dynamic Microphones
• Large Diaphragm Condensor Microphones
• Small Diaphragm Condensor Microphones
• Ribbon Microphones

If you would like more in depth information about these types and uses, reference the article by clicking on the link above.

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Today I talk about registering with the pro organization and what it means for you as an artist. We are going to discuss as And how to register. We will also touch on as Fees and why these licenses are needed.  If you are an artist and are ready to register with ASCAP: Go to www.ASCAP.com

If you have a questions you want answered you can always visit my website and shoot me an email. You can also connect with me on social media Or by leaving me a voice message right here on Anchor.fm

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