Do You Listen To Your Singer??

Nightsblood · #1 03-19-2008, 07:05 PM

I cant answer this question cuz....I am the singer. But, do you guys listen to your singer for song cues or do you count the measures. My band mates and I were having this conversation. A couple say they dont listen to the vocals but, when there arent any....they get lost. lol

So, whats the verdict?

Depth_Charge · #2 03-19-2008, 07:23 PM

I have been in bands where musicians needed the vocal queues, and I have been in bands where we didn't.

I personally am in the "Don't have to" camp, and can usually hear the vocals in my head on songs I really know ... but on some songs the vocal queues, if timed right, still help a lot.

This video is a great example of not needing a vocalist for timing queues, and I use this as an example to the debate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOb6JSQd-Qw

mikeyswood · #3 03-19-2008, 07:31 PM

You have to listen to the singer for any directions. You also have to listen to the drummer for directions. You also have to listen to the guitarist for directions. You also have to listen to the bassist for directions. You don't have to listen to keys

You have two ears and only one of them is for you. A good band will be able to listen to eachother and go with the music.

...and yes I do listen to the singer since they are usually the "front" man and they are resposible for calling the shots.

Nothing worse that a band that starts four different songs!

reverb508 · #4 03-19-2008, 07:37 PM

For me, it depends on the song. There's some songs that have extended verses that we kind of depend on the singer to get through. Other ones are more standard fare and are easy to navigate.

Uncle Ernie · #5 03-19-2008, 07:44 PM

Well, in two bands I was in the past, with the same singer, I learned to listen to him while he was singing... and I made sure not to when we weren't playing!

62bass · #6 03-19-2008, 07:46 PM

Yes, every %#*@@& night.

jschwalls · #7 03-19-2008, 07:46 PM

I do not rely on the singer for my cues and direction , BUT, I do feel it is my job to make him/her NOT look like a fool if they forget to come in or anything like that.

The singer is the person in the band that needs us musicians to be on at all times. They need reference cues... for pitch and such. I personally hate it when a band leaves the singer out to dry, or just keeps playing the song even when the singer comes in late , then the band goes to the chorus or whatever and the singer has to play catch up.

Our song choices are based on what the singer can do comfortably. And I always ask, after a song is decided, "now, can you sing that song 3 days in a row?"

I am aware that many times the singer is the gy who gets the attention and like it or not most people are they to sing along with his/her vocals, NOT a guitar or bass solo.

A happy, comfortable singer makes for a happier, tension free band in most cases.

I also notice that many times my singers will give compliments right back to the band, which is cool. Like this for example, somebody tells him " man you are a great singer", he replies.."thanks, but I wouldn't sound half as good without those guys keeping it together for me all night".

That's cool.

Graham Monette · #8 03-19-2008, 09:07 PM

No I try to ignore his voice. I follow the drums & the guitars to make sure I'm inline with them.

Audiophage · #9 03-19-2008, 09:26 PM

It's good to be able to know when to listen to the vocals and when not to. Vocal cues are obviously necessary to listen for, but if a singer is really laying back with their phrasing it can really mess up your place.

SwamiRob · #10 03-19-2008, 09:38 PM

I've got a bit of Hardcore '81 attitude when it comes to vocals and find it hard to get into music without listening to them, it's not really a specific timing thing but I don't play anywhere near as well if I don't listen to them at least a little.

j0n0j0n0 · #11 03-19-2008, 09:43 PM

The only real thing i would listen to my lead singer for in my old band was when we were writing songs i would write some bass riffs around his vocal melody in some songs.

**Pacman** · #12 03-19-2008, 09:48 PM

The vocals is the main focus of 99% of contemporary music. My job is to make sure I'm with them - even if I'm the bandleader.

fishtx · #13 03-19-2008, 10:00 PM

Absolutely...Our singer is a very dynamic, emotional and creative chick that takes things in a different direction all the time...she sings by "feel" and may decide one night to do something completely different than the night before...The entire band follows her...

A great example of this is Springsteen...his band is hanging on every note he sings...

pretaanluxis · #14 03-19-2008, 10:06 PM

I do listen to the singer for cues, but usually do ok if I can't hear him as he often gives visual cues too.
When writing lines I listen to the singer, but when tracking in the studio I turn him way down in the mix.

bassmodder · #15 03-19-2008, 10:14 PM

Singer and the guitars big time. Drums keep it all flowing. I don't do well with only one of the above.

Parabolic Box · #16 03-19-2008, 10:41 PM

I might sometimes listen to the singer, but usually I think that's a bad idea. Most likely, they're listening to YOU (or the music in general) for cues.

Marcury · #17 03-19-2008, 10:54 PM

I listen to everybody, but i know where the cues are also.

Lelander · #18 03-19-2008, 11:05 PM

I listen to every other musician in the band, not necessarily for specific cues, but because it is good practice be aware of the whole band's sound. I think that is one of the biggest things that seperates pros from amateurs, and it certainly allows you to react quickly when issues arise or when changes are made.

Kenny Allyn · #19 03-19-2008, 11:33 PM

In the type of stuff we do it just would not work without paying attention to what she (our singer) is doing, again in blues and R&B specifically it's all about the timing and dynamics and that is in almost constant flux.

In some forms of music ... metal comes to mind, it seems to be more the band playing a precise set of sequences with the vocals laying on top of that.

... Interesting to hear different takes on this

Parabolic Box · #20 03-20-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

In the type of stuff we do it just would not work without paying attention to what she (our singer) is doing, again in blues and R&B specifically it's all about the timing and dynamics and that is in almost constant flux.

In some forms of music ... metal comes to mind, it seems to be more the band playing a precise set of sequences with the vocals laying on top of that.

... Interesting to hear different takes on this

I gotta play with metalheads, so no vocal improv halfway through.