5 DOs and DON'Ts to Consider When You Join an Online Community as a Musicpreneur

Following my previousarticle, which got you familiar with the importance of networking for your music career, and the benefits online communities, now I want to share with you a few Dos and Don’ts to consider when you join a one as a musicpreneuer.

1. DO read the Group Rules when you get accepted into the group.                                            In order to make the most out of your experience as a part of an online music community, it’s always a great idea to begin by getting familiar with the group rules, so that you don’t violate any of them and make a bad first impression to the admins and fellow members, or even get removed from the group, and lose access to it forever.
   Most communities have special threads, where you can introduce yourself, share your links, or submit a song to an admin-run Spotify playlist. There are also threads challenging and inspiring the participants to take a particular action to move forward with their careers. So, by following the threads and the house-keeping directions from the admins, you will not only secure your place into the group, but the group itself will be much more organized and easier for you to navigate, interact, get feedback and get your questions answered.
2. DON’t randomly post links to your music and asking for people to listen, like and share. More often than not, the purpose of a musicpreneur online community is not to promote your music. And, although you will probably have a few opportunities to showcase your art, provided by the host, the main purpose is to network, learn and share what you already know. So random promotional links are considered SPAM, and usually spoil the experience for the participants.
3. DO ONLY add members by inviting them. If you think that this group might bring value to a friend of yours, you might want to share with them  the opportunity to join , tell them why you think it might be beneficial to them and provide them with an appropriate link to submit their request. When you do this keep in mind what the preferred method of the host is when it comes to adding new members. Some community leaders are ok, with people just going to the group and clicking “Join”. But there are some secret groups out there that are meant only for people who are subscribed to a particular e-mail list, or have attended a particular event. So if this is the case, don’t share directly the link to the group, but share the link to the e-mail list they must join in order to get an invitation to join the group.
4.  DON’t add people without permission.                                                                                  Even though you might be 100% sure a group will be valuable to your friend, this doesn’t mean they want to join. There might be a reason why they don’t want to be part of such community, or of the particular one, so don’t just add them to the group, without asking first. Not only is it hyper annoying, but it might also be in violation of the group rules.
5. DO respect and be polite to the participants, and interact in a proper manner and language.                                                                                                                                   You want the same in return, don’t you?

Next, I will suggest a few really valuable communities you might want to consider joining.

   

Top 5 Benefits of Joining an Online Mmusic Community

Every musician or industry professional, especially the independent ones will tell you that expanding your network and building organic relationships both with your colleagues, clients, and fans is one of the backbone parts of a sustainable music career. One way to get yourself out there and establish new contacts is attending in-person music conferences and networking meet-ups. Although it’s a priceless experience and I strongly advocate for this type of events, the passes and accommodation for them might be a little out of your budget, and also you might not have the time to dedicate a whole weekend to attend one. So here comes another option for you – joining an online music community.(Please note one does not exclude the other. If you have the chance to attend an in-person event, don’t think twice and go for it). I’ve been a member of several Facebook networks and masterminds for more than 3 years now, and here are some of the most outstanding benefits.

1. Establishing contacts – the creators of those groups want the members to interact as much as possible, so they strongly encourage new members to introduce themselves and share a little bit about what they’re doing. So, go there, say “hi”, go through other members’ intros, and you will quickly find like-minded people, who would be happy to connect.
2. Learning – these groups include both people who want to learn and others who have what to teach. It’s amazing how many people exchange advice and experience, ask questions, and share what works for them and what doesn’t.
3. Find collaborators  - being surrounded with like-minded people will not only make for a great conversation, but it also might help you find people to collaborate with on your projects – maybe you need a co-writer, producer, marketing consultant, etc. Chances are that you will either find the right person there, or at least you will get a recommendation for a good one.
4. Get accountability – making music for a living is connected with a lot of fears and doubts, which lead to procrastination. So accountability is your best friend when it comes to becoming the action taker you want to be.
5. Support and celebration – what I’ve been observing is that in these groups, no struggle is left unsupported and no win is left uncelebrated. And this type of support is something that will also fuel you on your way of taking an inspired action towards your career.

In my next article, I will share with you some of the DOs and DON'Ts of being a member if an online music communities

Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days: Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of the Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days Challenge!

Ready Set Go!!!

You have the commitment, the goal, the suitable exercises, now it’s time to get to work.

Today what I’ll ask you to do is to compile the links to the exercises you chose for your first session into one place, in the order of action, so that you don’t waste time, when the time comes for your first vocal practice session.

• To help you with this prompt, I designed a free PDF planner, which you can download here. It contains daily to-do lists and reflection sections, as well as all the resources I shared with you so far.
  Now you’re ready to DIVE INTO ACTION!
• Don’t forget to warm up both your body and your voice, and follow the routine you customized for yourself.
•  At the end, take some time to reflect on what went right, and what didn’t go so well. Don’t beat up on yourself if you need to make some adjustments. It’s all for the purpose of getting your voice to rock! 
• If you feel any pain or struggle to release tension, it’s always a great idea to consider working in-person with a professional vocal coach to polish these edges.

Don't forget to download the free PDF planner (no opt-in required):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mj7DDtfZks_rvdy-VgabMBxZwOaV688M/view?usp=sharing

P.S. Let me know in the comments below when your first vocal practice session is, and how it went. What challenges did you have completing this prompt? Also feel free to share any thoughts, concerns and recommendations you might have.

Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days: Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days Challenge!

As I promised the prompts will only take 5-15 minutes. Today will be a quick one!

Implement the Habit!!!

In order to get the positive results you want and to develop and build up your skills on the long run, you need to stay consistent with your vocal routine.  In other words, you need to adopt it as a habit.

Scientific research proves that the average time for an activity to become a habit is 21 days.

So what I want you to do today is to load your vocal practice sessions in your schedule until the end of December. 

• Considering your work from Day 1 of the challenge, i.e. how many days a week you can practice and how long your time slots will be, pick up your phone, open your calendar app and set your practice session as a recurring event for the particular days of your choice for the rest of the year.
•  If you prefer a paper planner, it might take a little more time, but, this shouldn’t stop you from writing down your vocal routine in your to-do lists for each day you’ve chosen.
• Make sure you also set a reminder for your sessions and stay committed to show up.

Stay tuned for the final Day 5 prompt, which will set you up for the fun part – taking action!

P.S. Let me know in the comments below which days you have picked. What challenges did you have completing this prompt? Also feel free to share any thoughts, concerns and recommendations you might have.

Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days: Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of the Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days Challenge!

As I promised the prompts will only take 5-15 minutes. This one will probably be closer to the 15 minute time frame, but I promise it is rewarding.

Design your routine in alignment with your goals!!!

Now that you have your measurable goals in place, design your routine so that it fits your timeframe and matches your objectives. Start small. Focus on one goal, and more specifically on the first milestone you need to accomplish in order to get there. 

What you need to do, once you pick the specific goal to 

• Focus on is to do a research and find out what exercises you should practice in order to achieve it. Make sure you give yourself variety. There are plenty of exercises addressing a particular area, so don’t let your practice sessions get dull. Also, remember that if you try something and it doesn’t feel right it is always subject to change. Don’t worry if you need to make some adjustments along the way. 
• You should always include some type of short physical and vocal warm-ups before you start practicing, so that you open up your body and voice and create space for your voice to resonate.
• I also highly recommend including some form of articulation exercise – articulation is essential for phrasing and clarity in your performance. 
• Another must have is some ear training – you can either include a few minutes dedicated to ear training or establish a separate ear training routine, depending on how much time you are able and willing to put in.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Here are some YouTube channels to consider when it comes to crafting your customized routine, which provide various exercises in different areas and of different level and length.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGq2TazxvyOOo1PQ9lkq-lg - Verba Vocal

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnX9bUmrW5AI0Kr1C1IqBsQ - Madeline Harvey

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM61zUkZ6dpzJHE1sUeSJ0Q  - Voice Lessons.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC21-GeHeU4U6XJoRrxHwAng - Singer’s Secret

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxo5COqhVc84JYS_bRdLyg - NY Vocal Coaching

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUkDbIdcnHErbMWj30cKU3Q - Eric Arceneaux

https://www.youtube.com/c/katarinahowtoimprovesinging - Katarina H.

I also created a playlist of a sample vocal routine that takes up approximately 30 minutes. If you are working on a particular song, you can add it in the end of the routine, or do it right after the warm-up if your time slot is shorter.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJwmlkXHMV8ar4M00W9DFc-XKHyio4uDL

Again, be realistic when you’re planning how to fill your time. Don’t schedule a routine that takes up 30 minutes if you only have 15. You should also keep in mind the results you want to observe and stick to the steps that will take you there

Stay tuned for the Day 4 prompt!

P.S. Let me know in the comments below what exercises you have picked. What challenges did you have completing this prompt? Also feel free to share any thoughts, concerns and recommendations you might have.

Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days: Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days Challenge!

As I promised the prompts will only take 5-15 minutes. This one will probably take a little more time than the assignment from Day1, as it will require thought and reflection, but it will definitely fit into the 15 minute frame.

Goals!!!

In order to save yourself time, frustration and overwhelm, you should show up for your vocal practice session knowing exactly how you will spend the valuable time you've dedicated as an investment in your vocal development. 

So what I'll ask you to do today is to set up about 10 minutes and really think about what your current level is and the results you want to observe after a certain number of practice sessions.

• Where do you want to go with your practice?
• What results do you want to see? 
• Do you want to generally increase your range, acquire better breath support, or learn a particular song so that you nail it every single time? Or maybe all of these?

Define your goals and break them into bite-sized milestones. Make sure you can track your progress on each goal.

Stay realistic as of how much time the goal will take. For example, if you want to extend the range of your voice, don't expect this to happen overnight.

Otherwise, you are more likely to get overwhelmed, disappointed and even end up quitting.

Here are a couple of helpful resources to check out while crafting your goals and defining the milestones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWMSPtaSiUU  - a video by Dr. Dan on implementing the S.M.A.R.T goals method in your singing endeavours.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/5-steps-setting-reaching-music-goals/ - an article by the Musical U team on the process of setting and reaching your musical goals

Stay tuned for the Day 3 prompt!

P.S. Let me know in the comments below what your singing goals are. What challenges did you have completing this prompt? Also feel free to share any thoughts, concerns and recommendations you might have.

Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days: Day1

Welcome to Day 1 of the Establish Your Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days Challenge!

As I promised the prompts will only take 5-15 minutes. And the first one will be easy and you will only need to take about 5 minutes to go through it.

Timing!!!

It is highly recommended that you practice at least 4-5 days a week, ideally 7 days …..

Yet, in our fast-paced demanding lifestyles, we need to adapt it to our schedule upon time availability. So firstly, you should decide on a suitable time frame.

•          How much time can you invest (yes, it is an investment, more valuable than the                      monetary one) in your vocal routine?
•         How many days a week can you lock this dedicated time slot?

You can start with as little as 10 minutes a day. If you stay consistent, the progress you make will add up faster than you think. It’s not a good idea to pick just one day every 2 weeks and work out your voice for 6-8 hours, because you’ll end up damaging your vocal folds and getting overwhelmed and frustrated.

So, look at your schedule , lock a realistic time slot, and most importantly make a commitment that you are going to show up for yourself and your voice.

Stay tuned for the Day 2 prompt!

P.S. Let me know in the comments below what time frame works best for you. What challenges did you have completing this prompt? Also feel free to share any thoughts, concerns and recommendations you might have.

Establish You Vocal Practice Routine in 5 Days Challenge

In my previous blog post: “5 Benefits of Establishing a Vocal Practice Routine” I highlighted 5 of the numerous reasons of the importance of establishing a vocal routine.

Firstly, I want you to note that it doesn’t have to take up a lot of time. Its purpose is to keep your voice in shape, toned, and growing.

Secondly it doesn’t take a rocket science! You don’t need any significant experience to start one. In fact, with the tons of exercises on the internet, you don’t need any experience at all.

Last, but not least, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming and frustrating.

This is why I am starting a 5-day challenge, which will take place here on the blog to help you establish a vocal routine that fits your needs and goals, and will definitely save you a lot of time. Each Day (from Wednesday, Nov 22 to Sunday, Nov 26) I will post 1 assignment, which will take between 5-15 minutes to complete, as well as useful resources and links.

You will also get access to a printable vocal routine planner (no opt-in required).

Here is a short video by the success coach Mel Robbins that will give you one easy tip to beat procrastination and actually take action on the challenge prompts (which are bite-sized, designed to take no more than 15 minutes and result-driven)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab7bJ2j4DDk

If you have some free time, here is an interesting read by the celebrity vocal coach Cari Cole, who will throw some light on establishing a healthy mindset for your practice routine.

https://www.caricole.com/musician-shop-talk-art-daily-practice-devotion-vs-discipline/

So, I hope you'll enjoy the challenge. To make the best out of it and not miss any if the prompts, subscribe to the blog (using the "follow by e-mail" box on the right). And feel free to share your thoughts and concerns and any questions you might have in the comments below.

5 Benefits of Establishing a Vocal Practice Routine

If you are passionate about singing, either as a hobbyist or a professional, establishing a healthy and consistent vocal routine is a MUST. You may or may not already know that as a singer your voice is your instrument. And of course, your most valuable asset.

Regardless of your level of expertise, being mindful about how you treat your voice and taking care of it will do you a huge favor.

After all, if you want a sexy body, you won’t hesitate to hit the gym, will you? So why not do it for your sexy voice, as well.

It is important that you don't only use it before a public performance. It should become your habit, as it brings a lot of benefits to your development as a singer. Here are the top 5 benefits I got from establishing a vocal routine.

      1. Posture and Breath Support. 

Since I made vocal practice part of my daily routine, my posture has improved significantly, because it is something I pay particular attention to during my practice session, as it directly influences the toning.

Breath is another essential factor in singing, so developing a solid breath support is a key element. It is not a rocket science and is achievable with practice and consistency.

2.Technique.

Technique is pretty much what makes the difference between a professional and  an amateur. It is important to both keep your voice from damage and perfect your pitch, sound and toning.

And it is definitely one of the most valuable benefits of practicing consistently.

3.Ear Training.

Needless to say, ear training is as essential as oxygen for every musician. And every practice session adds up to your musical ear.

      4.Vocal Health.

When I was in my early teens, I used to suffer severe throat soreness, and even voice loss. I consulted several physicians without any significant result. The one who did help me figure out these issues was my vocal coach. So establishing my vocal routine not only helped me strengthen my voice, improve my pitch and technique, but it also benefited my health.

5. Confidence.

Observing your progress after each practice session and building up your skills greatly contribute to your confidence as a musician.

This upcoming week, I am starting a 5 day challenge here on the blog to help you establish your own customized vocal routine in bite-sized, result-driven steps. Stay Tuned!

A Music Practice Strategy that Works Great for Me plus a free gift (NO OPT-IN)

If you are reading this article, you are probably a musician always striving to improve. And I believe the pursuit of excellence is a priority of any practicing performer, no matter if you are a hobbyist or do gigs for a living, and regardless of the instrument you play (including voice).
Below I am sharing a time management strategy that helps me be more consistent in practicing music, as well as other aspects of my life that I once struggled to improve. If you stick with me to the end, you will also get a free printable practice planner that you can start using right this moment (No opt in required)
In our ideal vision of mastering our craft we have all the time at our disposal 24/7 and all we do is play, sing or write songs. We often think this is exactly what those successful artists, we admire and are influenced by, do. They are on top because they have all the time on earth to play.

Wah, wah, wah! Wrong answer!

In practice, every single person has tons of responsibilities and duties other than music. You probably have a day job that pays your bills, you might have kids, go to school, or you are a touring musician with a packed schedule.
A lot of folks think that if you don’t have 2-3 free hours today, there is no point in starting to practice. Or take 1 free day every 2 weeks and think that practicing for 8-10 hours will compensate for the days you haven’t even looked at your instrument. Chances are that this approach will get you overwhelmed and frustrated 9 out of 10 times. I’ve been there!
As much as we are all individuals with different needs, responsibilities and working styles, there is no one universal magic formula that will help everyone find a solution to this challenge. Yet, I am going to share the one that works for me and I hope at least 1 of the people who decide to apply it will benefit from it.

 1. Lock out a short time slot every day!
As I am a person who really easily gets distracted, and I know a lot of creatives can relate to that, I can’t keep my focus on one task for a long period of time. Therefore I often struggle to lock a long time slot every day dedicated to practicing. So the time frame that works for me is 30 minutes. I have made a commitment that even if my day doesn’t go as planned I will be able to make a 30 minute time stretch to practice. I might have to wake up half an hour earlier, or go to bed half an hour later, or skip a lunch or coffee break, but I will show up for my craft and for myself.
I suggest that you decide on a realistic time slot that would work for you. If you have more time, or longer attention span, you can go for 45-60 minutes. If you have a loaded schedule and are challenged in making that much time, even as little as 15-20 minutes on a consistent basis will help you move forward. Modify it in a way that matches your needs and what you are willing to sacrifice. Keep in mind that you can always extend it if you feel comfortable about it.

2. Pick an area of focus!
Make a decision on exactly what area of your musicianship or technique you want to improve. Be as specific as possible, and choose 1 or 2 areas of focus.
Do you want to improve your scales? Do you dream of nailing those harmonies or expanding your vocal range? Do you have an upcoming audition and you need to learn that 1 song forwards and back?
Make that choice, write it down and stick with it!
This way you will be able to eliminate distractions and track your progress, and take notes of what works and what needs more attention and practice.

3. Plan your session in advance!
Once you’ve set your goal, break it down into action steps and fill it into your planner (if you don’t have one you can use the one attached below).
Do you want to learn to vocalize the natural minor scale? How are you going to approach it?
E.g.:
Ø Play a few minor scales on my keyboard and become familiar with the sound. (if you want to be even more specific you can identify the keys you will play those scales in)
Ø Vocalize the scales playing along on my keyboard slowly, so that my voice gets used to the pattern.
Ø Vocalize the scales playing along at normal speed
Ø Vocalize the scales without the help of my keyboard………etc.


4. Show up for you practice!

You have decided on a time frame that works for you. You know exactly what steps you will take during this session! So now it’s time to show up for it and do the work! It’s so much fun and you are joyful because you are doing what you love and expanding your skillset.

5. Track your progress!

Don’t forget to check the task once you’ve done it, and review your session at the end.
Was this time frame enough to accomplish all the tasks you scheduled?
May be next time you will need to list fewer tasks and take more time on each one. May be you have some time left, and you can either spend it on polishing the items you’ve already listed or next time you can list an extra item. It’s up to you.
The valuable thing you will take away is that you will have a visual expression of your progress and you will know exactly where you are in the area you want to advance.
If something didn’t work from the first attempt, it is only a sign that it needs more effort, so you can list it as a recurring task until you feel confident enough about it and then move on to another one.

6. Celebrate your wins and repeat!

There is nothing sweeter at the end of a practice session than the feeling of accomplishment. As you have a visual representation of your progress, don’t shy away from congratulating yourself on showing up and on the great job, and even give yourself a little reward, may be treat yourself to a drink, or a relaxing walk or anything you enjoy and have time for.
This way, you are ready to come back the next day from a point of fulfillment and excitement and spend your session on a positive and productive vibe!

As promised, here is the link to the free Music Practice Planner:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4o4xl7p2q7mich1/music%20practice%20planner.pdf?dl=0