 |  |  | | | Think you've got the tonsil talent of Mis-Teeq or the bedroom DJ skills of Daniel Bedingfield? Then get advice from some top pop people who've made it, and find out how to become an adored artist yourself... |
| | | |  |  |  | On getting ahead: "Practice as much as possible because practice makes perfect. The music business is not guaranteed. You could be working at this for ten years and all of a sudden you get a lucky break. So be determined, be positive, and believe in yourself."
Watch Mis-Teeq in action  |
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| |  |  | | On vocal skills: "You don't need to have a singing teacher. When I was growing up I listened to a lot of Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, Brandy, Aaliyah - they teach you how to sing. Train yourself vocally every day."
Watch the Sugababes in action |
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| |  |  |  | On determination: "It's very difficult and degrading because you do get a lot of knock downs. You do end up going to auditions and seeing the same faces and it can get you down. Just keep trying - get a demo done, even if you're singing karaoke. Just get something down so that producers and managers can hear your voice."
Watch Blue in action |
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| |  | |  | | Assistant Director of Music for the BRIT School on aptitude: "We're not like a stage school where you automatically become famous. Students have to have some level of expertise as a performer, either as a vocalist or instrumentalist. We tend to accept people who have shown that they've an aptitude for getting out there and doing it." |
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Are there any courses for 16 year-olds? |  |
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What qualifications do I need? |  |
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How much can I earn? |  |
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What key skills do I need? |  |
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What's a good way to get started? |  |
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Where can I find out about opportunities to sing or perform my material? |  |
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For Performing Arts colleges such as the BRIT School admission is at 14 and 16+. There are lots of places that offer HND/National Diploma courses in music production and performance.
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At 16+, colleges will expect you to demonstrate your passion for and have a GCSE in Music. Music A level is a preferred subject for degree courses.
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A successful pop star can earn bucket loads of cash, but long hours and insecure pay at the other end of the scale means you need to be extremely passionate and determined about your music.
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Determination, self-belief, an ability to get on with people, stamina for the long hours and a huge passion for music, dance.
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New girl group Tantalise told us: "I know it might sound a bit squarish, but I was in the choir at school. That was fantastic because you learn harmonies."
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The Stage is the bible for all wannabe artists. Published every Thursday, it carries weekly adverts for auditions and bands looking for singers. | | | | |
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| | | |  | |  | | Heidi Sugababes says: "Criticism is really important. The thing is, if people are writing nice things about you all the time, you may be on the way down and you need to know what you're doing wrong. I ask people for feedback when I've performed, it's the only way you're going to get better. You should never feel comfortable enough to feel you don't have to work hard, because you do." |
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