Can a Demo tape be all accapella or do the songs need to be more fully developed? (Piano,Drums, etc.)

CandyEyce said:

It can be whatever you want it to be. Don't feel that you have to conform to anything. If what you create sounds good a capella, leave it at that.

CandyEyce said:

your demo should contain whatever it is your trying to demonstrate.

cloud9mission said:

To be specific, if you're trying to demonstrate your singing ability, go for a capella. If you're trying to demonstrate your songwriting abilities, no, a capella won't work unless that's the actual real song... if you're trying to write songs for pop radio, your demo should sound like pop radio.

Get it? If you're trying to book a gig, you'd better have more than just you singing. You DO need to conform to standards on a demo tape, if you want to be taken seriously. Break the rules once you've learned them and followed them for awhile. If you come out breaking them from the get-go, you're in for a lot of rejection.

Usually demos r used 2 give record companies a representation of ur talent as a singer/songwriter. They r not lookin' 4 professionally made CDs/Tapes etc. but they r lookin' 4 somethin' unique and ideally something which is above all marketable. Marketing is ever so important in the music industry 2day.

In regards 2 ur demo tape. Do a mixture of songs, not 2 many as record companies recieve thousands of tapes each week and its best 2 have around 4 to 5 songs on each CD or tape.

4 some reason I have found that some record companies like a cover version with original songs. U should also try and copyright ur songs...this is very important.

Hope this helps...

Thanks everyone! You've all helped me a great deal.
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