This weeks question from our listeners...

In making a demo, is it enough to do a simple vocal with a guitar accompanying it or are record companies looking for the full band sound to go with it?

The question is a good one and one that I receive frequently. You will hear all kinds of opinions on this matter. There are those who would say that your demo needs to be produced "to the max" -- radio-ready -- and needing only to have the vocal added by the artist you are pitching the song for. (That opinion is usually given by demo producers whose prices escalate with each added instrument.)

Then there are those who would tell you that you only need a guitar or piano and vocal and that the publisher or producer will be able to "hear" the possibilities. This is probably not accurate either. Twenty years ago it may have been true...but today very few publishers even accept outside material, and in those companies who do, the competition is so intense and the submissions are so numerous that most publishers have "screeners" -- assistants who listen to the incoming songs. Many of those "screeners" are secretaries or even receptionists who know little or nothing about music. If your song is even to catch the attention of a person like that, it usually has to be remarkable enough to at least separate it from the rest.

My best answer is somewhere in between the two opinions above. No elaborate or expensive demo will take the place of a truly great song. But the demo is definitely extremely important. Remember...the word, "demo" is short for "demonstration." The demo needs to "demonstrate" your song in a way that will give the publisher or producer a good idea of the way a song will eventually be recorded and released. In other words, if you have a simple ballad -- or even a great blues song -- you can often do a very adequate demo with just a guitar or piano and vocal. However, if your song is uptempo and needs special rhythms or a certain "groove" to present it as you wrote it, then you need to add those elements to your demo.

Whatever kind of demo you do, be SURE that the recording is clear and that the vocals are upfront in the mix. While demos are still sent on cassette, it is becoming more and more necessary to send them on CD. Always submit a typed lyric sheet along with your demo and be sure that all your contact information is on the demo and on the lyric sheet. It is wise not to send too many songs in one submission -- 2 or 3 of your best songs are usually sufficient. For more information on recording and presenting a demo to publishers and producers -- and how to create "package" that will look and sound professional, please visit my website CQK Music and click on the button called "Songwriters Resources." You will find ordering information for my manual, "How to Get Somewhere in the Music Business from Nowhere with Nothing."

Thanks for a great question,

Mary Dawson