how to procure singers

singers is a tricky one... from past experience.. you'll get some who have amazing voices BUT a stink attitude to go with it (one in my case comes to mind).

as for paying , well session.. you get them to sign an agreement to say they have been paid ALWAYS. The thing with that is you've paid them for their work.. done...

otherwise you can give them a percentage, cheap to start with BUT if the song went big , your looking at a lot more money.

some singers, well have been found in the most unlikely of places. A few months , at my other job I heard someone singing and she had a decent enough voice.. maybe she had a tip off from someone I work on music. I dunno..

some people have the attitude of I can sing blah blah.. look at the auditions of American idol / x factor.. and some you see they can't sing for toffee.. it's basically car crash TV in their cases.

I just like to work with people who have naturally good voices without enhancement of autotune fx..

I can't sing , I wasn't blessed in that sense, but kinda know what to look for in others... not being able to hold a note / singing slightly out of tune / off timing are probably the 3 main things.

I have to sing, to figure out timings though, but I wouldn't do it in public though.

some adverts you see for session singers, and well they wannabe actors etc etc.. just seem about the money..

I mean if I worked with someone who has a decent voice, I wouldn't care how they looked , but thats this whole thing with size zero women fronting things OR men with a 6 pack etc.. it's image BS that some just buy into..

some of the session / backing singers I know of have amazing voices that cover up the image based peoples weaker voices. Yet they don't front the band..hehe

you have to keep it on a business level if that's the direction its heading, when money comes into things.. friendship goes out of the window.

1st, procure is the wrong word. You want a singer or sex?

OK, so where are you? A lot depends on that. And your kind of music and whether you are looking to sell it. And your temperment.

I wouldn't work with anyone I didn't like (unless they were paying me). Of course, I married my main singer, but I wouldn't suggest you go that far (or with that many partners - still illegal most places execpt in Utah).

I'd check out schools (colleges, if you dont' want to get arrested) and local bands. If you do any posting, I'd do it at a music store (hardware), then colleges, then record stores. But be wary of the responses you get. I'd never answer one of those, but you wouldn't want me as a singer, neither. You'll have to do some footwork, networking to find someone who meets your qualifications.

Also, join music myspace to find local singers, musicians. My wife has met lots of great people here in Dallas. And she has sung for some bands that are scattered across the country (USA). She also has been rehearsing with some local guy that I call "too many notes." He's a guitarist (quite good, actually and played with stevie ray vaugn). She met him at a gig with her rock band - he knew the guitarist and played a song or two onstage with them (@#*$ I hate such guest artists, but it might help you). And no, she is too busy as it is to sing for you, too. I had a **** of a time clawing out some free time for her to do our work.

If you are doing music and hope to make money off your recordings, Fog's dictum is a good one. Be aware, also, that if the singer changes/adds to your melody, they get some copyright (to be determined later by the highest paid lawyer). If you are just having fun, still be sure to work out the above - paying work for hire union rates is onerous but the surest way to safeguard your copyright/recordings. And give them credit.

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rbecker,

No, you don't want to offer a piece to the singer - or producer. That is why you have to be careful about copyrights. If there is one change in the work they can claim responsiblity for, they can. Which is why you need to work with people you trust or know, or work out a deal based on union scale. "If I sell this song, I'll give you xyz"if you're not in a position to pay up front. Colleges are a good bet since young 'ens are always looking for something to put on a resumé. And don't forget the theater dept - they can sing.

luck,

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Rbecker... don't be afraid to post on soundclick. Record your tune with your croaky vox and post it on soundclick.... chances are small someone will "stumble across it" unless you direct them to it...... but you can then post here in the forums and also there are other forums on the net for songwriters including Taxi's own forums. All styles and kinds of music now have their own forums, find one that fits your style. Post on those forums as well ..... seeking vocalists, to redo the vox.

You have a fair chance of finding people who can sing that will be willing to help.... often for free. You can also offer to use YOUR talents to help them with their projects playing your instruments... of course... for free.

A kind of "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine." type of deal. I've jumped in on a number of collabs, and you never know.... you might just run into your songwriting partner that way. Someone who will help you take your writing to the next level.

If you set on the sidelines and listen to various players and singers here, You'll quickly find out who can deliver the goods....and more importantly...do it in your style. Then, when you have a project...send them an email invite.... they might be busy, if so invite someone else....... or they just might be looking for something creative to do.

This guy's pretty good :-)

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=1643395

I think Robby is volunteering to do your next song.

Ha, thanks man, yeah the point I was making was go to the songs forum, there are tons of really great musicians and singers there, and people are doing colabs all of the time. The link I gave, this one;

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=1643395

Is a colaboration I just did with Rick from Reckless Gents, it came out pretty good :-) But there's a ton of really great singers, song writers, musicians, all right here on this website on that songs forum. Come on over, the water is fine! :-)