Dear B. M.:

You can break into this business in smaller markets, but if you want to make it big time, you'd eventually need to be in Chicago, New York or Los Angeles.

Before I talk about how to cut your teeth in a small market, let's talk about the profession. A jingle singer is a background vocalist for television or radio commercials. You need:

• To sight read music. Be prepared to pick up music, have some time to rehearse--but maybe not--and record without a mistake. Studio time is expensive.

• To be able to harmonize.

• Good vocal range, flexible singing style and acting ability. A composer or director may take you through four different styles, explains Rob Currens, producer, composer and engineer at Madison Park Productions.

"They may say: 'Let's take it breathy...Now really belt it out...Make it gruff...Now sweeten it up.' You need to switch attitudes."

In one day you could have a job doing background vocals for a corporate sales video, another one emulating a child's voice and an operatic voice after that.

• Consistency. You may do several takes that will be edited together later.

• A well developed ear. You might work out a melody on piano with a composer a few minutes before you go into the recording studio.

• Precise diction.

The same people tend to get the bulk of the work in this business: singers who have these skills plus the ability to perceive what you want by being a good listener. Imagination is also key. Sometimes you won't even have any music to read--just lyrics. For example, when Currens was creating a jingle for Skyline Chili he says, "I had a beat and meter in mind and a couple ideas and left it open to the singers. We added hand clapping and ended up with a gospel sounding piece in an afternoon."

Imaginative singers will say, 'What if I did this or what if we try that...' But they also know when to do what they're told.

You have to be responsible and available when someone needs you.

This is not an easy career to develop. You have to earn a reputation to get a foot in the door. Here's how you start:

• Create a three to five minute demo tape with excerpts from different styles to demonstrate your versatility.

• Meet recording engineers, jingle writers, producers and broadcast producers at advertising agencies. Like every business, this one is built on personal relationships and keeping yourself visible.

• Sing at every opportunity. Rumor has it that musician Tracy Chapman was discovered singing on a street corner.

• Listen to radio and TV and emulate what you hear. Offer to sing for free on demos that composers are creating for their clients.

As for salary, it's impossible to estimate, says Shelly Field, author of Career Opportunities in the Music Industry. Salaries depend on how much you work and how you perform, your geographical location, which union you belong to and how successfully you market yourself.

You'll be paid according to the length of the finished product, what day and time you work and for how long and what the piece will be used for. Rates are also based on the number of vocalists. Depending on all these variables and the market you're in, your salary could range from $10,000- $100,000 year.

Get familiar with the unions: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists or the Screen Actors Guild.

© by Andrea Kay

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