Singing and playing bass?

Electricblue · #1 04-19-2011, 05:59 AM

Ok, got a band together. We do 50's and 60's stuff.

Im trying to sing backing vocals while playing bass in my room, but so far, its not working.

I end up singing really badly, and messing up my bass playing.

Any tips?

EDIT: and I keep playing in time with the words accidently...

Russell L · #2 04-19-2011, 06:09 AM

Man o man, I know what ya mean. I've always just had to work it out, that's all. That's about all the advice I can give ya. But, believe me, you'll get better at it. To make it even worse, sometimes I have to also look down at the fingerboard once in awhile and sing at an angle to the mic for a few seconds. The good news is that the music you're playing has a lot of bass parts that are easier to just put on automatic, and not have to think about the rhythm so much, kinda like strumming a guitar and singing. I've sung Midnight Hour before, for instance, and really not had to think too much about the bass. I guess the best advice is to play and sing slowly at first and working your way through the passage until you hit a problem. At that point I always go back to the beginning and start over until I can get past the trouble and move on to the next trouble.

A good friend of mine, Don Dixon (producer, bassist, singer, guitarist) once said about as much, "You just have to work it out." I know it's frustrating, but don't give up. We've all had to do it, if we ever sing. I'm sure someone else will come along with some more specific advice. Good luck, pal.

Electricblue · #3 04-19-2011, 06:13 AM

Thanks a bunch man, it does boggle the mind a little. :S but cheers man, peace out.

BigGuns · #4 04-19-2011, 06:23 AM

Story of my life. I am the bass player, and also sing quite a bit of lead as well as harmony on every single song. On the occassional song I can keep whatever the rhythmic bass pattern is going while I'm singing, but the majority of the time I have to simplify the bass part underneath the singing. We all do that as a band, actually. The thing is, when you're singing, that's what people are listening to, so it's ok if the instruments are simplified. Once you're done singing, it's right back to whatever your cool bass part was. Another thing I've found is that it gets easier over time to play more and more complicated parts while singing.

Another thing I do regularly is figure out which pluck on the bass goes with which syllable of the vocal part, and slowly work it out that way until it becomes second nature. Does that make sense?

The most important thing is to SIMPLIFY the bass part. No one will know the difference or care because they're listening to your angelic voice anyway!

MisterFabulous · #5 04-19-2011, 06:28 AM

The Search button is your friend. This topic has been covered exhaustively.

Bassist's Guide to Singing

thlayli · #6 04-19-2011, 02:53 PM

Even though there's another thread, I'm going to put in my two cents, having been a lead vocalist and bassist at the same time more often than not.

You have to internalize one or the other of the parts, and listen to the whole thing. Listen to the songs, and sing them enough to where you could sing them in your sleep, while also listening intently to the bass line. Then, when you play and sing, instead of trying to concentrate on either your singing or your playing, or both, concentrate on listening to the song. Separate yourself from the actions of either playing or singing, and listen to the song as if someone else is playing it. I used to choose a lot of really difficult stuff to do this with, like "Long Distance Runaround", on purpose, just to challenge myself (that song is hard to play AND hard to sing) and it was quite possible with just a bit of practice.

It's simple!

lol, no, no it's not. Just keep practicing, you'll get it soon enough.

Tampabass · #7 04-19-2011, 02:57 PM

even harder: playing & singing bass

andyreimer · #8 04-19-2011, 03:37 PM

As the lead singer and bass player in a band this is something I come up against a lot. I suppose I'm lucky that we write our own material and I can adjust one part or the other to make it work, but it gets a bit musically repetitive to have the bass and lyrics synced up in every song. To help get around this I find popular songs I'm familiar with (often times CCR) and play one phrase until I no longer have to think about it, then try to add in the lyrics. Once I get it locked down I try another. I seldom get whole songs down pat but just practicing a variety of phrases helps a lot.

Not sure if it makes much difference but I started as a vocalist and picked up the bass to fill that need in a band. It has been learning curve but an enjoyable one.

Wyatt · #9 04-19-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

even harder: playing & singing bass

I'm with ya on this one. I sing bass and can't seem to play and sing at the same time. That is a goal of mine this year. To be able to sing harmonies and play.

lokikallas · #10 04-19-2011, 10:28 PM

I find the trick is to learn the bass lines so it's muscle memory. A lot of practice, without looking at the bass at all. Once you can do that, you just sing, and forget about the bass. Singing rhythms that are counter to the bass lines are really hard though. You have to develop the skill that drummers use to play different rhythms with different limbs.

paganjack · #11 04-19-2011, 10:32 PM

Practice practice practice. Once you can play the bass part without thinking then you can start thinking about singing. It's a weird balancing act and if you concentrate too much on one or the other it tends to all fall apart.

I sing backup vocals in my prog metal band and it took me a LOT of practice to play those basslines and hit the harmony notes right. But it's possible!!

Rebop · #12 04-19-2011, 10:41 PM

All of a sudden it will click and you'll be able to sing anything or speak anything freely while playing whatever you want. Just repetition and practice can do it.

brndn123 · #13 04-19-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampabass

even harder: playing & singing bass

I find that singing the notes is considerably easier than singing alternate melodies on top of bass lines. Perhaps learning to sing the bass as your playing will get you more comfortable singing and playing all together

bassgod76 · #14 06-06-2011, 08:23 AM

I just discovered this thread after a weekend of beginning ground work to try out for a KISS tribute band. I used to scoff at Simmon's ability... That is, until I tried to play, sing and do the choreography needed to play the Simmons chracter. Say what you will about his business dealings, etc., doing his job on stage isn't the easiest.

So, I finished my self-imposed 2 hours of trying to sing and play with a bruised ego and a headache. After 2 hours, I gave up, and sent the prospective band my, "thanks, but no thanks".

This is the problem; I really want this gig. I'm a sucker for the costumes and the experience of playing in platform boots and breathing fire. Beyond the theatrics, I also think singing would add another element to my playing.

A couple questions for you.
1. Should I seek out vocal lessons? I'm not sure if I'm doing more damage with bad habits.
2. I assume, I should learn the bass parts cold before moving on to singing?

runmikeyrun · #15 06-06-2011, 08:28 AM

for me, I learn and practice the songs extensively first, until playing the bass lines become automatic. Then you can worry about singing. It's funny, I still look down to see where my fingers are sometimes, but most times my eyes are closed and i'm just screaming away. The bass playing has become automatic by that time. And in time, so does the singing. It's like riding a bike, all of a sudden one day you'll be like "hey, i'm doing it!" and you won't have to think. You can concentrate on that hottie in the low cut top in the front row

bassgod76 · #16 06-06-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

for me, I learn and practice the songs extensively first, until playing the bass lines become automatic. Then you can worry about singing. It's funny, I still look down to see where my fingers are sometimes, but most times my eyes are closed and i'm just screaming away. The bass playing has become automatic by that time. And in time, so does the singing. It's like riding a bike, all of a sudden one day you'll be like "hey, i'm doing it!" and you won't have to think. You can concentrate on that hottie in the low cut top in the front row

I'm thinking it's a time thing. I may tell this band that I have to work on it and it will be a while before I can do a whole set from Alive. They may wait for me or they won't and find someone else. However, I may learn to sing for other future projects...??

darkhorse9 · #17 06-06-2011, 01:24 PM

It's easier to sing and play bass when the bass line isn't a melodic one. Songs like Dock of the Bay and such aren't hard to do.

When you add a walkign bass line like All My Loving, it's a bit tougher but doable.

When you have a full-on melodic bassline with counter melodies it becomes very tough.

The best advise is get the bass line down pat. Simplify it if you must for the singing portions. Save the flourishes for when you're not singing.

Once the fingers have learned what to do the vocals will become the thing you can focus your mind on.

bassgod76 · #18 06-06-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

It's easier to sing and play bass when the bass line isn't a melodic one. Songs like Dock of the Bay and such aren't hard to do.

When you add a walkign bass line like All My Loving, it's a bit tougher but doable.

When you have a full-on melodic bassline with counter melodies it becomes very tough.

The best advise is get the bass line down pat. Simplify it if you must for the singing portions. Save the flourishes for when you're not singing.

Once the fingers have learned what to do the vocals will become the thing you can focus your mind on.

I talked to the band. They seemed very receptive to working with me. A KISS tribute band is a unique thing. You're not only a cover band, but are mimicing characters via choreography and costume. I think they also liked my passion for doing it.
I agree, the bass line has to be laid in stone first. Learning both playing and singing simultaneously is a disaster.
Lesson learned.

darkhorse9 · #19 06-06-2011, 03:35 PM

I do work in a Beatles tribute band. Honestly, the image and appearance comes first. That will truthfully cover a lot of sins. Secondly comes the singing. That's important. If you can nail the first two, then most people will not notice if you simplify the bass lines while you're singing. That's the real trick.

You HAVE to be comfortable up there or it will show. Do your best and have fun with it. Then you will really have fun with it.