Cheryl

Hi, Ferry, If I were a fast talker I would have been successful long before this...! And what do you determine to be "success"?! Success is in the eye of the beholder. I make a decent living from music, but I'm not rich. However, that's still a success story; since I'm surviving nicely doing something I love! To begin with; if you ain't got a product, you ain't got a chance. It isn't like some great producer is gonna walk by your apartment, hear your music and get you signed. Sure: I've had lots of exposure; and lots of fans, now. But this is the digital age, and sadly, other than a FEW (like Katy Perry, Michael Buble, and Adele), I know very few rich and famous folks right now in the field of music... SORRY. However, since you ASKED; here are some of my "minor" wins (yes; in my book, a nomination is a "win"): 2012: Nominated for Best Roots & Blues Artist, Kootenay Music Awards; top 10 Latin Beat Mag. 2011: Nominated for Best Blues Song, Hollywood Music In Media Awards; top 10 Latin Beat Mag. 2010: Nominated for Best Jazz Song, Hollywood Music In Media Awards; top 10 Latin Beat Mag. 2009: Featured Artist; Coast to Coast AM with George Noory How do I do it? I wake up every morning and immediately go to the internet. I make tons of connections. I use ONE source (Reverbnation.com) to send ONE daily message to most of my sites (Facebook, twitter, etc.), simultaneously. Takes a whopping 5 minutes. Then I check emails and immediately get back to the important ones (bookings, etc.) I market thru the following sites: My own 2 websites (http://cherylhodge.com; http://jazzboulevard.com Reverbnation (I do daily postings; mail-outs and enter contests from there) Facebook (5,500 followers) CD Baby (check sales; this aggregator sells to about 20 others; including iTunes) Just to maintain, I spend about 2 hours a day on the web. It's all about killing several birds with one stone.... Hey, good luck; hope this helps! - Cher

Hey, my friends over at Songstuff.com - what's shakin'?? Wow; Hollywood; just like I pictured it! No, no kidding... I'm actually nominated for BEST BLUES SONG, "THAT'S WHY I'M HERE" . Guess songwriting has it's occasional rewards! Last year I was nominated for Best Jazz Song (Indigo). Didn't win. Who cares? It's great just beingaround all that talent and energy. Y'all should think about entering a contest, now and again... or going to a songwriter's seminar.This year at te HMMAs (Hollywood Music In Media Awards) they are honoring Smokey Robinson. So excited just to be in the same room. John Moxey, wish you were coming, too. Cheers, y'all... see you when I see you, Cheryl Hodge; Jazz, Blues Singer; Songwriter

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? Yup. What instruments? Pno, Voice, Guit. When did you start playing? 3 1/2 yrs. old Did you teach yourself? In the beginning; yes. 2. Are you in a band or bands? Several What is the name of the band? The Cheryl Hodge Group; The Cheryl Hodge R&B Band What do you play? vox/piano What other instruments are in the band? guit./bs./drums Do you have a band website? 3. Do you write songs? Uh-huh. Do you write lyrics, music or both? Both Do you have a writing partner? Sometimes 4. Do you record your music? Yes Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? Protools Do you use a recording studio? Yes Do you have music available on the web? if so where? Everywhere (cherylhodge.com, itunes, CDbaby, etc. - lots of aggregators) 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? Teacher, player, producer Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other? My own label: jazzboulevard.com 6. Are you a tech head? Slight. 7. What country do you live in? US/Can 8. What are your ambitions? None; I'm already doin' it. 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? Sometimes. What are your pastimes? Walking, exercise bike, reading, movies 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? Already gettin' it! Communication with other writers; networking.

Hi, Baloo, There are two ways to hear your voice - and only one when you are singing WITH a group. You have to cup your hand over your ear and sing into the middle of your lower half of your arm (like an early days radio deejay). At home sing into a corner, and your voice will come back directly at you. To work on your intonation, use an audio recording device. Hit notes on the piano, match them with your voice; then listen back to the recording... do the pitches match? Finally, please visit my article: "CAN PITCH BE LEARNED AND/OR CORRECTED?" Good luck, Cheryl

Hmmmmm - tried to listen - went to the link and just got "This video is Private." Then, when I tried to subscribe (to hear it) I was still unable to. Is it on youtube? What is the youtube link? Thanks, Cheryl

Dear Gazebo, Wow; before you even told me about the acid reflux, the thought crossed my mind that this was the cause. You need to go on a strict alkaline diet, to re-stabilize. Acid reflux is horrible. I have suffered from it, too (still am). The acid suppressants aren't great, because after a while you stomach is unable to function by itself, without the pills. I'm trying to kick the stomach pills, as I write. More on that, later... But first, here are the answers to your questions (and thanks for asking!) So my questions are: 1) Is there a risk I have damaged my voice permanently? NO; if it's acid-reflux the larynx area can and will regenerate itself in 6-8 weeks - but STEER CLEAR of all acidic foods for that amount of time! 2) What can I do to help things get better? See above; and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Do NOT vocalize; but rather practice soft sighs. Speak above your larynx, if possilble; in the cheek bone area. Don't talk very much... and once again: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 3) Should I take some lessons? YES, by all means. PLEASE do take lessons - but not from an amateur teacher; find an extremely knowledgeable one. GOOD LUCK! - Cher

Hi, Laurence. When you play the melody, what emotions do you get??? That's the place to start when it comes to adding lyrics. It's a tried and true method. Start by picking the highest point in the melody, and then try to add a lyrical HOOK, which focusses primarily on the emotion you got when you heard the melody. If that doesn't work, read on.... In my experiences I found that before going solo on writing songs, it's a good idea to co-write, first! Try finding someone who's keen on it, and has the opposite strengths of yours, musicially and/or lyrically. It's a great, highly enjoyable process. When it's done, copyright the song, and perhaps perform it at a coffee house or club, on an open mic night. All the best, Cheryl

Well stated, John!! I've learned not to invest too much of my faith in shows with weak premises.... I've learned that I'd rather spend that time in my recording studio playing music, or playing gigs, or reading a damn fine book.

Personally, I think it's a travesty that people audition accapella. At the very least they should sing with an accompaniest. It's very easy to fake good tone, and not have a clue about pitch. This becomes evident later on, when the singer is added to a band and they can't sing in key!!! Off key stuff REALLY bugs me. Jus' sayin'......

I checked this out.... I like the production! One thing, though - the vocals are well-done, but there is distortion on the track. I think more people will take this seriously without the distortion. It's because of a few possiblitlies: 1. Voice too close to the mic (maybe it was mic-ed too high to begin with, OR 2. Voice mixed too high in the mixing process OR 3. Too much compression can cause this effect. I hate to say the dreaded "Re-mix" word, but.... This IS great writing and performance!! All the best, Cheryl

Have you posted samples of your writing anywhere on this site, yet? Do you have a link? Good luck, Asaf.

Hmmmm. I can't tell very much about you or your style at all from this video. I can't say I recommend you joining anything, until I see a better production. This is breaking up like crazy in my speakers, and there is a problem with the way it is saved. Sorry!

Hi, Alana, This is really nice! Love your vibrato... it's subtle. You sing with great feeling. Have you ever had lessons or is this a naturally honed sound? Really nice. I would love to hear you being produced in Nashville. First thoughts: that's where you belong. Ever thought about moving there? All the best, Cheryl

HERE'S A GREAT VOCAL SITE LINK: http://www.themodernvocalist.com/

This topic is near and dear to my heart! Please see my YOU TUBE warm-ups! My fave QUICK warm up (which is the minimum to do every day; if you can't do more...); and IN THIS ORDER!: 1. 5- 10 minutes of body stretches and muscle relaxing exercises (try Yoga), and special jaw release exercises. 2. 5 minutes of SIGHING exercises (8ves down/8ve circles) 3. 5 minutes of DIAPHRAGM pushes (low register, middle, and high) 4. 10 minutes of scales. 5. NOW onto your song(s)!!

Sorry it took so long to get to your query! I've always loved this Leonard Cohen song, "Hallelujah". You sound nice. My feedback is that there is actually a guy on the vocals site looking for male singers! Maybe you should check the vocals board and connect?! Technique-wise, I would love to see you get more breath support, and work on strengthening your diaphragm muscles, and practice projecting up the back of your body. Try out my beginning techniques on YouTube, if you get the chance. All the best, and good luck, Cheryl Hodge

I've attended Seth Riggs seminars and tried out the techniques. I've even incorporated some of them into lessons and find them great for opening up the breaks. However, word of warning: I would temper his methods with some solid classical breathing technique and diaphragm development. I've often found that without these solid foundations for support, students can misinterpret Seth's techniques and end up with those nasty critters we call nodes and pollyps. Thanks, for this, though! Your fearless vocal editor, Cheryl Hodge

How I Got (and YOU can get!) Nominated for Best Song at: The HMM (Hollywood Music In Media) Awards (Thurs., Nov. 18th, 2010) (by Cheryl Hodge) I'd like to take a moment to share my recent experience with you all, and to let you know that - YES! - there is hope for ALL of us to be acknowledged in the industry for our work & talent... and plenty of room, if you do the right things. And, to be competely honest, I'm also hoping that you will join me at Reverbnation.com after you read this article. I'd like for all of us to immediately join each other's fanbase there, and mailing list. It is an awesome site! It isn’t often in this life that we unsigned singer/songwriters experience true recognition for our craft from our peers in the industry; especially in the highly competitive world of music. When I received my nomination for “Best Jazz Song” from the Hollywood Media& Music Awards committee for my song, "INDIGO"; I’ll be honest; I thought there must’ve been a mistake! However, it turns out that I was in fact, nominated for my song INDIGO (hooray!). I thought to myself, this was going to be a good month. I knew I would have lots to share with my Songwriting and Business of Music classes – especially when it meant that I would also be attending the Interactive Music Symposium (sponsored by the NAMM show folks). In my case the nomination was mostly due to the visibility I have recently garnered as a top ten jazz musician for Canada on the ReverbNation charts (to check out my site, go to http://reverbnation.com/thecherylhodgegroup) Of course, the whole awards show was done with impeccable taste. The red carpet walk at the Kodak Theatre Complex in L.A. was a long one, though; and while in line, I talked with many of the honourees and managed to make a few (always valuable) contacts. Once inside, I immediately began connecting with other potential winners and various giants of the music industry. The night flew by, and I barely even shrugged my shoulders when it came to my turn to hear my category - and found that my name was destined to stay in the nominated (not winning) category. It didn’t really matter to me. I had already felt as if I had won, just by being present as a nominee. I was rubbing elbows with “the Big Boys”, like members of Matchbox 20, and producers like the infamous Nile Rogers. I was most impressed, though, by the executive producer of this event, Jim DeCicco, who has a mandate and purpose for this whole event: to help unsigned (should be signed), and talented songwriter/composer/performers, through honouring them and providing them with a slew of contacts in the industry. Naturally, I was curious about the selection process, and here's where YOU come in... I want you all to realize that there are still avenues out there for you that WORK. I was selected by submitting my music through the HMM contest at Reverbnation.com I went ahead submitting, even though I didn't think I had a chance in hell. Turns out I DID. Unlike some other sites I have read about and even joined, and put money into (like Sonicbids.com - which was a complete BUST, and yielded NOTHING after pumping money into it for over a year!), it turns out that Reverbnation is quite reputable, and actually comes through with real, tangible opportunities. Contests, my friends are THE way to go, for unsigned artists. Keep your heads up, and hang in there. It may be your turn next! All the best, Cheryl Hodge http://reverbnation.com/thecherylhodgegroup]http://reverbnation.com/thecherylhodgegroup

Life gets so hectic, and exciting at the same time, in the vocal world! It's all good, though. Everyday I am discovering new truths about the voice and the joys of artistry associated with the process of songwriting. I find it very encouraging that this latest generation seems less interested in turning on and tuning out than the last. People truly thirst to know about great artists of the past. THANK GOD; I was beginning to lose hope. Still working on finishing that blues album - and I think I'm looking at January, now. It's gonna be worth the wait though, folks. Hang in there.... The word of the day is WATER We've all gotta hydrate, especially in the winter, when those furnaces are constantly drying up the air, and our throats, at the same time. DON'T clear your throats.... everytime you want to clear it, drink water instead. The mucous that forms on the vocal folds is usually caused by dehydration. Too much clearing of the throat can eventually damage those delicate vocal folds.... (WORD!) Stay strong, buddies. Thanks for being there, and checking in, once and a while. All the best, Cheryl

Watch your allergies.... Are you eating too much dairy? Drinking too much milk? These are phlegm creators. When I started singing more often, I cut down my dairy by 2/3rds and that did the trick. Another phlegm creator is dehydration - the folds create mucous as a form of self-protection. Therefore, watch your dehydrators like coffee, tea and alcohol and cut down on those, as well. Drink more water! ALSO IMPORTANT: Every time you clear your throat it is a sign of dehydration - this makes the vocal folds chafe and results in vocal mechanism damage. SO... instead of clearing your throat, you need to drink water. At first this is hard to do. Start carrying water around with you!

Forgive me, but I ALMOST always know if someone's a smoker by hearing them sing. After they kick the habit their range increases by at least a fifth. Their voice becomes more clear, etc. They are also less prone to picking up polyps and nodes, as they are more aware of the tension they place on their larynx. Cheers.