Singing notes when you can't sing.

[ArticulatedFeel]

I always read about singing the notes as you play them to get the sound memorized in your head better.

My singing voice isn't exactly....tuned up to say the least.

Is that a problem? Silly question I suppose, but I like to worry about these things.

If it is any tips to help me out? I know most of the fretboard already but just trying to work out the sounds of each note.

[Aged_Clayman]

I guess it`s a problem for most of us What I do (and I`m not a singer, by any means) is to wait while there`s nobody at home, get over feeling stupid for not hitting the notes and then fool around with it. Try singing a random note and then find it on the fretboard and then work your way from this I`ve heard that it`s easier to sing in the keys of A and B, since they`re not too high or too low.
Also, I really like the feeling of finding the note, it feels exactly like when you tune your bass - first, it`s a dissonance, then you`re getting close and your voice starts vibrating and then - it`s unison.

Regards,
Clayman.

[Jim Nazium]

The quality of your voice doesn't matter at all, the only thing that matters (for this purpose) is whether you can match pitch. You'll probably have to sing many of the notes on your bass one or two octaves higher to get them in the range of your voice; that's not a problem either.

[ArticulatedFeel]

Ok, Thanks for your replies

Better get to destroying my parents ears then eh?

[Stumbo]

There are several free ear training websites/programs available to help you out:
~Ear training
Goodear.com
Test your ear
Free downloadable ear trainer (basic/advanced) Solfege. Great program
Free downloadable sing/learn treble/bass clef program
Trainers/tutorials. Music theory, ear training, read music, chords, intervals, etc.
Discussion of Solfege
Taking transcribing to the next level

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by ArticulatedFeel

I always read about singing the notes as you play them to get the sound memorized in your head better.

My singing voice isn't exactly....tuned up to say the least.

Is that a problem? Silly question I suppose, but I like to worry about these things.

If it is any tips to help me out? I know most of the fretboard already but just trying to work out the sounds of each note.

You can sing in tune, everybody can do it..in their heads. Having the physical elements in place such as vocal chord structure that allow you to do this, in tune and momentum, that's a different thing completely.
If you play a note there is every chance you can hum it to pitch, not sing it, to sing requires getting pitch and pronunciation, correct,(assuming you have the vocal chord structure) thats two things not one.
Identifying intervals and notes can be internalised, like reading to yourself it is easly done, and something you probley do without realising.

[JTE]

Hey, this is me!!!! I'm a huge proponent of singing what you're playing, and my singing was once described as "a duet with Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono". It's the process of fixing the pitch in your head BEFORE you hear it from your instrument. This makes the sound lead you instead of the fingers. So what do I do?

I don't sing loud, it's "sub vocalization". And the more I do it the less obnoxious it is to me at least. It has NOTHING to do with expressive singing- I ain't gonna ever come close to Marvin Gaye, Jack Bruce, George Jones, et. al. but I'm constantly learning to hear what stuff sound like and then make those sounds come out of the bass instead of putting my fingers somewhere and accepting what it sounds like.

It's very much a Nike thing (the athletic apparel company, not the Norse god)- "Just Do It"

John