Do you guys sing while playing?

[Johnny L]

Originally Posted by Danko

I'm more like that, putting all my body into motion. That's why it sucks for me to sing into a static mic while playing.

Yeah I understand. I just recently bagged the Gary Karr DVD's, and that man moves around quite a bit too...very animated.

I know this isn't bass, but if you really want to see animation while playing and singing...and how it's done successfully...then watch Jimi Hendrix do his routine on just about any concert video, playing his guitar behind his back and between his legs while singing in front of a stationary mic.

Then again the headset is a good idea too for a quick fix (didn't you mention that?) but eye contact with the audience is usually a good strategy (they're accustomed it too) just another monkey wrench to throw in *LOL*

[Doug Ring]

Are you the main singer? I mean, is the audience focused on you? Because there's something about eye contact that audiences like and you'd lose that with a headset mike and bending down to reach thumb position. A fixed mike keeps your attention focused outwards, I find.

My $0.02 on this from several years playing bass and singing harmony first, now lead, is that you have to have the lyrics completely memorized. There's too much going on if you have to think about how the next verse starts while playing the turnaround - it's got to be automatic. I sing songs all the way through while walking in to work, in the shower, wherever. Once I've got them completely under my skin I work on the bass line and see which words fall on what notes and so on. There are some songs where the bass part and the words just fight each other, however. These are the ones where you have to look away from the mike. The only answers I've found are to simplify the bass line, alter the words slightly, or just practice endlessly!

It does get easier the more you do it, but then you find yourself in another band doing a song you already know well and sing harmony on, but they've moved the key and the lead singer's phrasing's completely different...

[Johnny L]

If I can handle it with whatever the bass part is, I'm the lead singer. Otherwise, I defer to my band mates and volunteer for harmony duty.

I don't do it because I'm the best singer. In fact, I think their voices are much more pleasurable to hear than my own. I just do it.

Improvising a walking line while singing? Forget it! But then, improvising anything for me right now is a challenge *LOL*

[Ed Fuqua]

YOU stop being such a cheap bastard and send Damon a recording to post on the TBDB sampler.

You don't have to book studio time, there are any number of recordings up there that were done with a cheap mic and a minidisc/DAT etc.

[Johnny L]

O.K. I have a 4 track cassette tape recorder. I've got a little PA and a vocal mic. I can record on that no problem, but how do I get that on the internet?

[Ed Fuqua]

You can send a copy snail mail to Damon Rondeau, I think he has the particulars at the TBDB Sampler website. If his address isn't listed there, just e-mail him.

Depending on how large the files are, you may be able to e-mail something (if it's zipped?), but talk to Damon. He knows the best way to get stuff to himself.

[Steve Killingsworth]

And Now Back to Our Show. My problem is that when I sing, I usually sing bass. I find myself wanting to sing in time with my playing--sort of like the old rub your head while patting your stomach thing.

[Johnny L]

O.K. thanks Ed I'll get in touch with Damon Rondeau and send him a cassette tape

damn now my signature makes no sense

[Ed Fuqua]

I exist but to serve.

[Danko]

Originally Posted by Doug Ring

Are you the main singer? I mean, is the audience focused on you? Because there's something about eye contact that audiences like and you'd lose that with a headset mike and bending down to reach thumb position. A fixed mike keeps your attention focused outwards, I find.

I'm usually the lead. When not, I'm singing harmony. Yeah, ummm, my eye -contact is usually with the sitting person closest (like my girlfriend who still likes to attend the gigs). I usually gig in a very cramped small places, so the less crap is in my way, there is more space for me and bass.

My $0.02 on this from several years playing bass and singing harmony first, now lead, is that you have to have the lyrics completely memorized. There's too much going on if you have to think about how the next verse starts while playing the turnaround - it's got to be automatic. I sing songs all the way through while walking in to work, in the shower, wherever. Once I've got them completely under my skin I work on the bass line and see which words fall on what notes and so on.

Hehe, me too all that. But for the bass line, I usually play walking or something that falls under my fingers, unless it's a fixed beginning or end of a song. Usually, I don't have much trouble with rhythm or right notes to play while singing. Unless, again, it's a tumbao rhythm through a sped-up bossa song with a legato vocals which doesn't fall on any of my tumbao accents.

I'm kidding. The only sped-up bossa we play is my arrangement of Blue Bossa+Autumn Leaves meddley instrumental.

It does get easier the more you do it, but then you find yourself in another band doing a song you already know well and sing harmony on, but they've moved the key and the lead singer's phrasing's completely different...

Quite right. I really hate changing keys for songs I already play automatically.

Take care!

Danko

[Doug Ring]

I should have said all the above applies to me playing bass guitar by the way

I'm still a double bass novice and can only sing and play simple harmonies on simple bluegrass tunes so far (although I did get away with Mess of Blues once...)

[Johnny L]

Alright Ed I'm gonna put something on tape and try to record it directly into my computer through the soundcard next week. Damon doesn't do tape

If it works you'll find me in Damon's rat trap with red face

[Danko]

Just a quick update. I've been sniffing around amazon a bit with you guys pointing dirrections and:

Jim Ferguson - wow!

Kristin Korb - wow, wow, wow! She took over the place of my formerly favourite bassist(ess) Gail Ann Dorsey.

Danko