business music, jazz, music network

3 Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Event

Many people enjoy attending events held outside, whether it a business or personal occasion. As with any other type of event, a lot of planning needs to happen ahead of time. Done properly, an outdoor event can be a great way to entertain a large group of people.

1. Find the Right Space

All venues have their own set of pros and cons. The right space will comfortably accommodate all of the guests, the food and any activities. It should not be difficult for guests to navigate the location. Nearby restrooms should be clearly labeled and easily accessible. If the event is being held at a public place, then check with local officials to book the space.

2. Arrange Appropriate Entertainment

While it is possible for people to enjoy gathering together over a meal, it is a good idea to have some entertainment planned. The reason for the event and the people attending will dictate what type of entertainment is best. A female jazz vocalist Palm Beach County FL would suit a formal event, while a clown or a bouncy castle would work well for a child’s birthday party. If the guests enjoy playing sports, then they may need nothing more than a soccer ball or football. Quiet, easy activities can be provided to keep people sitting at tables busy in case conversation lags.

3. Prepare for Bad Weather

Unfortunately, the weather does not always cooperate. If it is too hot, cold or rainy for the event to be held outside, then guests will need a place to gather indoors. Failing to have a backup plan can result in last-minute cancellations.

While not every aspect of an outdoor event can be controlled, proper planning beforehand can prevent many issues. The right space, entertainment and backup plan can allow the guests to have a good time with a minimum of trouble.… Read More..

about music, Arts, music network

What To Consider When Hiring a Voice Actor

The voice over industry has expanded rapidly in the last few decades. Whereas in the past voice overs were primarily used in animation, movie trailers and commercials, they are now used in video games, computer applications and documentaries, among other projects. The amount and variety of commercial voice talent available has expanded to meet these expanded needs.

Message Received

As you review your audition tapes, search for voice over actors who are able to convey a message clearly. For example, is their voice clear, do they enunciate their words and can they pronounce all the words in the script? A medical commercial will have different emotion and voice inflection requirements than a video game, so look for the proper application of emotion, tone, inflection and other voice skills.  

Versatility and Dedication

A dedicated voice professional will provide more than one sample reading of your script. Not only does this show that the actor is serious about their job and values the opportunity to work with you, but it shows their versatility. Multiple readings may also help you. For example, you may decide you want the script read one way, but as you hear different options, you may choose to adjust it slightly. Different readings will reveal flow, pronunciation and other issues with both the script and actor as well.

Captivating Characters and Message

Even unlikable characters should captivate the audience. For example, a villain in a cartoon or video game should be just as captivating as the hero, and a voice on a commercial must captivate the audience. A great voice over is persuasive and intriguing. It should draw your attention even from another room.

Additional Skills

You may have project-specific needs, such as believable heavy breathing or the ability to clearly convey mumbled dialog, which seems like an oxymoron. Ask for and review samples of these skills specifically. In addition, your final evaluation may include a voice actor’s ability to do a cold read, imitate characters and improvise.

Voice talent is readily available today. You no longer have to rely on talent agencies to find great voice actors. However, doing your due diligence and knowing what you are looking for ensures that you get the right talent for your project.… Read More..

about music, guitar, music network

Which Guitar Store Should You Choose?

If you’re a guitar player, it’s important to develop a healthy relationship with your instrument. To ensure you get the best experience, you need to know exactly what you want out of your purchase. This is as much about knowing yourself as it is about finding the finest guitar to play. All guitarists go through this process, especially if you’re new and asking, “Where can I find high-end guitars online?”

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, every player needs help finding the instrument for them. Check out these tips for selecting a guitar store, so you can find an instrument that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Search for Your Style

When it comes to picking an instrument, shape your decision around the kind of player you want to be. Are you looking for an electric guitar to provide some extra power? Or perhaps you want to jump right into playing and prefer the versatility of an acoustic guitar? Once you determine what sounds you like, then look for a store that offers a variety of guitars and styles to choose from. 

Consider Affordable Alternatives

Although people often associate ‘new’ with ‘high-end,’ there are plenty of great used options out there. A solid guitar store should allow you to keep your options open, which comes in handy if you’re on a budget. Look for a shop that features lightly used, affordable instruments as part of their selection. You don’t need to empty your account to find your dream guitar.

Leave Room for Upgrades

Sometimes you purchase a guitar, but a smaller detail sounds off. Instead of buying another one, you may just need to replace the strings and polish some parts. Make sure you rely on a store that offers upgrades for your instrument, including strings, amps, and other accessories. You want your instrument to feel just right, so go with a store that allows you to customize your guitar.

Musicians and guitars come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, so pick an online guitar store that offers a diverse range of options.… Read More..

about music, guitar, music network

Moving Online: Life in the Digital Age

The newest generations don’t know a time without the internet, and there is a lot we can learn from them. Increasingly, whole lives are lived online, and those lives are often just as rich and varied as the life you live outside your phone and your computer. 

Learn

Learning isn’t just for pandemic times. Many people were already well accustomed to learning online before the pandemic hit, and at all levels and in all areas. Whether you’re learning English from Beijing or getting online guitar lessons Rahway NJ, there’s a lot to learn online. 

Work

Working from home became standard during the worst parts of the pandemic, but it was already normal for many people and it’s likely to continue to be an important part of many industries. 

Shop

One industry that is increasingly moving online is retail. This accelerated dramatically when the coronavirus hit, and while it is likely that in-person shopping will bounce back, it is also likely that a lot of shopping, including a lot of everyday shopping, will continue to happen online.

Socialize

As a general rule, most people prefer meeting with their friends face-to-face, but most young people have at least some friends that they met and became friends with online, and most young people prefer texts, emails, or video chatting to the more old-fashioned phone call. Of course, trends will change over time, but the shift to digital socializing cannot be ignored.

At this point, no one can pretend that the internet is a fad, or that you can reasonably live a full life without at least some internet access. As more and more activities move online, our world becomes more and more digital. Internet literacy will be as important to future generations as English literacy was after the invention of the book and the printing press. It may be a relatively quiet revolution, but it is a revolution nonetheless.… Read More..

business music, Equipment, music network

What to Look for in a Wedding Singer

When planning one of the most important days of your life, creating the right mood is crucial. Many things can help create a mood: the lighting, decorations and the setting. Ultimately, the music you choose for your wedding ceremony will help set the tone and mood for the event. Finding the right ceremony singer Florida requires asking some important questions to potential performers.

Repertoire of Songs

Do you have a list of songs you want sung at your wedding, or do you want the singer to come up with their own? If you do have a list of songs you want performed at your wedding, you need to know if the performer has the ability to learn your choice of songs. Some singers may charge extra to learn new songs so it’s better to know that beforehand. Do they have the musical styling required of the songs you want? How long will they be singing for? Do they have a large enough catalog of songs that they could sing for a few hours at a time?

Experience

What type of experience does the singer have performing in front of large crowds? Though prior wedding experience isn’t always necessary, a wedding ceremony is very different than say a concert. Knowing how to read the room and know when to sing an upbeat song and then knowing when to slow things down with a ballad are very important for setting the mood at your ceremony.

Equipment

Most performers tend to either have a band they are accustomed to playing with or they require certain sound equipment in order to perform. Will they be providing their own band and/or equipment or is that something you will need to arrange for? Whether your ceremony is indoors or outdoors will determine what type of speakers or equipment will be necessary to provide optimal sound.

Choose a wedding singer that you feel matches the sound and tone of what you’re looking for on your special day.… Read More..