Need advice on making a demo tape to host a classical music radio show

[liberalhistorian]

A local radio station is looking for a host of a new weekly classical music show. They want an unknown, and the person selected doesn't have to be a classical musician or expert. They want it to have a "hip, modern" feel to appeal to both younger listeners as well as the usual classical music types.

They want it to be a mix of playing music, interviewing musicians, music history, and news on the current happenings in classical music. They want a five-minute tape in which you are to play a favorite classical music piece, hold a mock interview with a classical composer such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, etc., and give a sample of what kind of style you'd bring to the program.

I'd like to audition for this, because I've studied classical music for over thirty years now (I play piano and flute), and I know I have the kind of creativity and personality they claim they're looking for. But I've never made a demo tape before, so I'd appreciate any advice or feedback anyone can give me.

[grasswire]

1. get a good mic

...and use a tape recorder where you can adjust the speed of the tape to modulate your voice if you need to.

I took some classes in radio writing for public radio and did some taping of segments for shows. Unfortunately, I don't have a good radio voice for commentary; I sounded like Marilyn Monroe. So I adopted a very close to the mic quiet way of speaking and then slowed the original tape when I copied it so I got a much better radio presence.

Practice, practice, practice and listen to yourself.

[liberalhistorian]

2. Is there a particular tape recorder I can buy

that would work well for this? And where would be the best place to get it? I only have a standard everyday ordinary tape recorder which probably wouldn't do the job.

[NashVegas]

8. DON'T Play with the Pitch

Misrepresenting your voice to your potential PD isn't going to win you any brownie points. You won't have a pitch knob when you go on the air.

Be yourself. Imagine one person you are talking to, and focus on that person. Communicate. Talk to them, not at them.

Ask for feedback on your tape, and be prepared to submit another one, following up on whatever advice they give you. If you interview someone for your tape, ask questions about things you are actually curious about, and try to leave them open-ended. Try to stay away from questions where the answer could simply be a 'yes' or 'no.' It might be better to find an actor - especially one who can improv - to interview than a musician.

[DuctapeFatwa]

3. Be sure to include the overture from Nabucco

It has magical powers.

[GAspnes]

4. PM me

I'm a former classical music announcer and a current volunteer for Radio Talking Book for the Blind.

You should use the station facilities. That means coming in prepared and rehearsed. You have a home recorder. Record several announcements and longer segments. Practice reading ahead on your script, and put in typos and missing/wrong words, so you can get used to adjusting on the fly.

If possible, find a music student or other knowledgeable music professional to practice an interview with. Listen to your tape, learn from the mistakes, and then record again.

Try to keep your voice low and even. If you are comfortable working close to the microphone, keep it either high (pointed at your nose), or off to one side.

[liberalhistorian]

5. That's a good idea, but they specifically

stated that the station's facilities were off-limits (unfortunately!)That's a particularly good idea to use a music student or knowledgeable person to practice interviews with, I hadn't thought of that. I think I'd like to have the mock interview with either Chopin or Mozart.

[GAspnes]

7. Hmmmmm.

If the station won't let you use their facilities, ask around. There are probably a dozen or more commercial recording studios in your area.

You cannot possibly afford the equipment you need to make a good demo tape, but for the price of a good mic ($300-500) you can get an hour or two at some place.

You can even practice with your computer. If you have a relatively cheap mic, and some recording software, use that as a practice base.

[grasswire]

6. yep, excellent

I was going to suggest using the studio, but didn't know how much advance time she's got. If a tech is available to help, the demo tape could be edited, too.

LH, if you're going to do interviews away from the studio, get the best mic you can afford. I spent about $300 for the one I used (and it wasn't anywhere near top of the line). It was just wonderful.

What kind of a voice do you have? Low, or high? Fast, or slow?

Will this show be live? Or taped?

[liberalhistorian]

9. I'm pretty sure it will be live and not taped, although

I could be wrong. I've been told I have the "perfect" radio voice, since it's accentless and articulate. My voice is fairly low and slow. The deadline to submit the tape is November 7.

[GAspnes]

10. then your tape should reflect quickness of thought

If you already have a good voice (and learn how to use mic placement to make it more appealing), then the only other quality they're looking for is how well you work in real time.

Guy gets into a cab in NYC and says to the cabbie "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"

Cabbie says, "Practice, practice, practice."

Do a few live interviews with whatever equipment you have and whomever you can find to play the game. Then listen, *listen* to the tapes, for content. Notice when you say "umm", when your pause is too long, whenever something bothers you as a listener. If you have until Nov 7, practice until Nov 5.

Hang in there -- this sounds like a very exciting opportunity.

[HEyHEY]

11. Don't play any "Cool and the Gang"

Make sure your mic has a good cover to avoid the pth's and other annoying sounds.

[ironflange]

12. Here's an interview idea:

You: We have Ludwig van Beethoven with us tonight. Thank you for being with us, Herr Beethoven.

Beethoven: WHAT???

You: Thank you for being with us, Herr Beethoven.

Beethoven: BEG PARDON????

You: THANK YOU FOR. . . Oh, to hell with it! Spin the first disc!

[liberalhistorian]

13. ROFLMAO!

I just love the endless creativity of DUers! However, I don't quite think that's what they meant by a "hip, modern style."

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

14. I have carefully recorded an example of proper classical

music hosting for you.

Windows Media Player or any wav player


http://www.knology.net/~rareandfirsts/adu.wav