Valleyarm Digital Pty Ltd (“Valleyarm”), through its 100% owned subsidiary Music Services Asia Pte Ltd, has entered into a joint agreement with Branded Limited (“Branded”) for the first officially recognised online Music Business Directory for the Asian region.

The Directory is being launched in a Beta stage at this year’s Music Matters Conference held in Singapore and be known as www.musicmattersconnects.asia. It will feature over 130 Music Industry related categories spread over 5,000 businesses and their contact details from the industry operating in the Asian region.

Gary Mackenzie, Managing Director of Valleyarm and Music Services Asia said “Music Services Asia is excited to launch the first dedicated online Asian Music Business Directory and considers this as a significant opportunity to leverage this region’s music players.”

Jasper Donat, CEO of Branded Limited, said, “Branded is delighted to be part of this pioneering initiative with Music Services Asia that will connect businesses in the Asian region with each other, as well as make contacts in the Asian region much more accessible for International companies to plan new business initiatives here.”

About Branded

Branded Ltd. is a leading Asian media and entertainment brand marketing agency. Branded has successfully partnered brands with a number of the world’s leading entertainment attractions including: Walking with Dinosaurs, the Rolling Stones, Coco Lee, Black Eyed Peas, Jamie Cullum, We Will Rock You, James Blunt, ARTHK, Chicago the Musical and even Barney the Dinosaur.

Branded also has unique experience in the media and technology space having been the exclusive sales agent for the CASBAA Convention since 2003. Branded also created the MediaWorks event in partnership with Haymarket (the publishers of Campaign).

About Music Services Asia and Valleyarm

Music Services Asia (MSA) provides a fundamental foundation platform for development, recognition and international standard codes of practice for digital music, music charts and radio shows for the whole Asian Region. MSA utilises Singapore as the business hub for these services to ensure sustainable growth from a sound infrastructure that is both pro- business and pro-consumer related. Services include: Asia music charts, business directory, music news and consulting.

Valleyarm specialises in the digital distribution, publishing and online marketing of music and video content focused primarily on content and services within the Asia Pacific Region, along with representation in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Pacific and Europe. Valleyarm incorporates a unique solution emphasising an “Asia-In” “Asia-Out” model providing digital music content distribution and sub-publishing services which enable Asian content owners to monetise content external from their homeland, and to provide an Asian gateway for western acts and labels to monetise their content in non-traditional markets.

The Valleyarm catalogue consists of over two million tracks spanning across 8,000 labels. The label list includes Kontor Records, Snapper, Believe, Musica, GMA and Earache with single, album and video titles from high profile artists such as Elvis Presley, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Silverchair, Fleetwood Mac, Martin Solveig, Johnny Cash, Nidji, Fedde Le Grand, Peterpan, Gotye, Small Faces, Happy Mondays, Tim Minchin, plus thousands of others.

Valleyarm has existing offices in Australia, New York, Singapore and Berlin, and partners throughout Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, UK and Europe. For further information visit the Company’s websites at www.valleyarm.com and www.musicservices.asia.

Contacts

Branded

Candace James, Marketing Manager
Candace.james@branded.asia
+8522167 8040

Music Services Asia/Valleyarm

Dona Inthaxoum, Business Development
dona@musicservices.asia
+65 82997240

1. Heart’s A Mess by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)

2. Different Worlds by Jes Hudak, George Krikes (Listen now on iTunes!)
3. Thanks for Your Time by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
4. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright by The Babysitters Circus (Listen now on iTunes!)
5. Learnalilgivinanlovin by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
6. Bath Rhymes by Ed Skudder (Listen now on iTunes!)
7. Night Drive by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
8. Coming Back by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
9. The Only Way by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
10. Puzzle With a Piece Missing by Gotye (Listen no on iTunes!)

Weekly album chart

1. Like Drawing Blood by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)

2. The Wolfe Brothers EP by The Wolfe Brothers (Listen now on iTunes!)
3. Nightlight EP by Megan Washington & Sean Foran (Listen now on iTunes!)
4. Different Worlds by Jes Hudak,George Krikes (Listen now on iTunes!)
5. Tim Minchin and the Heritage Orchestra (Recorded Live) by Tim Minchin (Listen now on iTunes!)
6. Last To Go by Anthony Callea (Listen now on iTunes!)
7. The Waiter Minute EP by Seth Sentry (Listen now on iTunes!)
8. Dick Figures Season 3 Soundtrack by Nick Keller (Listen now on iTunes!)
9. Dick FIgures Season 2 Soundtrack by Nick Keller, Ed Skudder (Listen now on iTunes!)
10. Weather Systems by Anathema (Listen now on iTunes!)

However teaching isn’t an easy gig, it is riddled with pitfalls and traps that can make it seem very daunting to any musician. Read on and we’ll show you step by step how to get a started in private instrumental teaching. From preparing lessons, finding students and ultimately making you money.

• Where to start?

Now the best piece of advice we’ve been given is to start teaching with beginners. It’s a good idea for two reasons. One, there are a lot more potential customers that have never played your instrument before because there are a lot more non-musicians then musicians. Second, even if you’re not the most technical player (I mean there’s only one Miles Davis, Phil Collins or Eric Clapton), if your thinking about teaching you should be proficient enough to help a beginner come to grips with playing the instrument for the first time.

Now the next thing to do is put together some teaching aides. If you have been having lesson’s for a long time you might have all the teaching aides you need in a box somewhere. If you don’t have this and don’t have the time to write your own teaching aides you’ll need to go book shopping. Just remember not to go overboard, you need something to show them that you can photocopy for them to take home, but the important part about them coming to your lessons is the knowledge your imparting between the lines of the book and showing them how to do it.

• Write a lesson plan. Believe us.

Being prepared is the 100% most important thing when it comes to teaching. There is nothing more annoying then having your teacher scramble around trying to find ‘that one song that would be awesome’ for 15 minutes while you sit there and wait. When you are charging by the hour, you need to make sure that the student is getting everything they can out of the lesson, so that’s where a plan becomes really important.

Now with beginner students there are a number of approaches you can take. Remember you are trying to create a well-rounded musician when you teach, not just a mindless instrument playing robot. Start with a strong influence on developing the ears with aural training including interval recognition and chord recognition, as well as reading music and theory. It’s important not to totally bore your students (these topics are tough and can seem pretty dull for a beginner), so do your best to balance it with learning songs and playing the instrument.

The split will be different depending on your teaching style and emphasis. We suggest working on 30% Aural Training, 30% Theory and 40% Technique/Repertoire/Composing, as a strong foundation of Ear (aural) and Brain (theory) training will help your students develop into a more complete musician down the line. Keep in mind that this is a guide for most beginners and that you need to really tailor each individual lesson for the specific student as much as possible. Your first lesson should always give you an idea about what the strengths and weaknesses are of the student and then tweak the lessons until they are developing at a balanced rate.  

• Where do you get students?

Perhaps the most difficult part and does require a little bit of luck. This really is the no turning back step so make sure once you start this that you are truly committed. Make some flyers or posters and head out around town. Ask local music stores, supermarkets, cafés and anywhere you think will let you put up your poster. Another good idea is to approach local primary and high schools and let them know you are looking for private students. They might be able to put your name on a notice board at the school, or if you’re really lucky they might even refer some of their students to you! The Internet or newspapers always have classified and there are definitely free options out there for ads. The best way to get your name spread though is by word of mouth, so let everyone know you’re looking for students, who knows one of your friends might even be interested. Friends are often excellent first students because you can do a deal where you use them as a ‘tester’, offering them a cheaper deal then usual so you can comfortable teaching as well as iron out any creases in your lesson plans.

• Ok, I have students and my lesson plan, now what?

Then you are well and truly on your way. Make a space in your home that can comfortably hold two people and ensure it is always setup before your student gets there (including a music stand). Remember, one-on-one private lessons are more ‘mentorship’ then ‘high school classroom’. These people have sought you out because they want to learn. Also be honest, if you feel you have taught the student everything that you can comfortably, tell them, but recommend them a few teachers that you know where they can continue their learning.

When they do come back, make sure you prepare between each week. You might not have to physically write out lesson plans each week (while that would be ideal) but you need to think about your students and what you’re going to work on between lessons. Identify the specific areas where you think they need to improve and focus on that during their lessons.

Teaching privately is a great source of income and it can be very satisfying to see someone develop before your eyes knowing you had a hand in it. As a private teacher you are essentially their mentor, it’s an important position that needs to be treated with respect. Nurture your students, encourage them, inspire them, motivate them and push them to greater heights. If you can do these things, maybe you were meant to be a teacher after all.

 Written by Valleyarm team member Timon Sotiropoulos

Influenced by her childhood idol Janet Jackson, Czarina’s music carries a positive message coupled with blissful melodies. We caught up with Czarina after her recently released new album ‘My Soul’ which is available on iTunes along with ‘Diamond Sunset’ (2010), her self titled EP (2007), and single ‘Good Luck Charm’ (2011).

What’s the most questionable track on your iPod?
There’s a song on there in a different language, I don’t know what they’re saying, but it sounds nice. I think someone sent it to me to have a listen to how it sounds. I don’t actually know what it’s called because the title is in Asian characters.

What’s the worst thing thats happened to you at a gig?
Wardrobe malfunction, but luckily it happened just before the performance, so key rings and quick thinking did the job and sorted it out in time.

If you could be anyone, who would it be?
I wouldn’t want to be anyone else but me. It’s taken my whole life to be comfortable in my own skin, I wouldn’t want to start again.

What keeps you humble?
My family.

What gives you inspiration?
Anything really, an experience, hearing another song, a person. Something could just pop up into my mind while I’m driving, and I could end up writing part of a song in my head!

What are the 3 things you can’t live without?
Air, food and music.

Where’s your favourite place to perform?
Anywhere that has lovely people listening.

What kills your creative flow?
Negative energy.

What’s the worst part of being a performer?
Getting over shyness and the fact that you bare your soul to people and remembering that what you do may not appeal to everyone.

Czarina’s latest release My Soul is out now on iTunes

Written by Valleyarm team member Justine Underwood

1. Heart’s A Mess by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)

2. Different Worlds by Jes Hudak, George Krikes (Listen now on iTunes!)
3. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright by The Babysitters Circus (Listen now on iTunes!)
4. Thanks for Your Time by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
5. Worth Fighting For by Blacklist (Listen now on iTunes!)
6. Bath Rhymes by Ed Skudder (Listen now on iTunes!)
7. Learnalilgivinanlovin by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
8. Night Drive by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
9. Coming Back by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)
10. The Only Way by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)

Weekly album chart

1. Like Drawing Blood by Gotye (Listen now on iTunes!)

2. The Wolfe Brothers EP by The Wolfe Brothers (Listen now on iTunes!)
3. Different Worlds by Jes Hudak,George Krikes (Listen now on iTunes!)
4. Worth Fighting For by Blacklist (Listen now on iTunes!)
5. Nightlight EP by Megan Washington & Sean Foran (Listen now on iTunes!)
6. Last To Go by Anthony Callea (Listen now on iTunes!)
7. Dick Figures Season 3 Soundtrack by Nick Keller (Listen now on iTunes!)
8. Dick FIgures Season 2 Soundtrack by Nick Keller, Ed Skudder (Listen now on iTunes!)
9. Dick Figures Season 1 by Nick Keller, Ed Skudder (Listen now on iTunes!)
10. Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates – Volume 2 – EP by Mahalia Barnes & The Soul Mates (Listen now on iTunes!)